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What is projection mapping?

Projection mapping is transforming event styling to create some truly unique and transfixing event experiences.

The projection technology has gained prominence through the Vivid festival in Sydney where buildings are transformed into public art installations, though the process also has application on a smaller scale.

Using specialised software and high-powered computers to turn objects or structures into a display surface for projected videos, projection mapping brings objects to life and turns them into illuminated and interactive displays.

Projection mapping works by modifying – pixel by pixel – the projected video to fit the surface and space. The image will then mask and change the look of whatever you are projecting onto, making existing features “pop” or completely overlaying them to create a new, virtual object.

Projection mapping is used to add extra dimension and movement to stationary objects. The displays are commonly combined with audio to create an audiovisual narrative.

Projection mapping works on most surfaces including buildings, cars, walls, stages and furniture. At Hamilton Island we have projected onto a 3D cube suspended over the pool, created a 4m tall ‘talking’ truck (which MC’d the event!), projected onto the entire surface of a suspended sphere and turned the entire foyer balcony into a projection screen. The options are limitless!

Offering a diverse range of styling opportunities, projection mapping is a great solution for all events including trade show presentations, conferences and live concerts.

Projection mapping can offer a cost-effective and creative way to transform any event space. The visual impact of projection mapping goes beyond ordinary video projection to deliver an unforgettable experience.

This article originally appeared at Business Event News.

How to make the most out of your event budget

When planning an event, one of the main challenges planners face is staying within the event budget. You want to create a spectacular event, but you need to ensure the event scope is realistic. Working within budget constraints can be tricky, but by applying a little more creativity and thinking outside the box you might just find you end up with a better event!

Here are our tips on how to get the most bang for your event buck:

Use an event app

The latest trend in events is to have an event app. Printing is expensive and burdensome. An event app eliminates the need to print event information by allowing sharing of up-to-date information from within the app. Event apps also promote greater conference engagement, potentially leading to a higher ROI.

Select a great value venue

Most venues have an array of options when it comes to spaces available, and being flexible can allow you to achieve great results without the high costs. Using an event space in low season, for example, should be cheaper than high season.

Make smart food and beverage choices

Make savvy choices about food and drinks so you don’t overspend. For example: don’t stress about serving expensive wine brands; most people won’t even notice if you opt for the house brands. Think about the type of event you’re holding and the kind of food to be served. Dinner doesn’t always need to be a sit-down affair; a cocktail function can prove to be a more cost effective and relaxed option.

Use lighting to theme your event

Great lighting can be a cost-effective and impactful way to theme your event. Some themes sound great in theory but can be very difficult to incorporate into an event without spending large amounts of money. Lighting can add vibrancy and colour, creating a unique and impressive event experience.

Leverage social media

Social media is an effective way to promote your event, build anticipation, keep attendees engaged and get feedback – without drastically increasing your budget.

Ultimately, when planning events to a strict budget, it’s important to be flexible. Keep in mind that if you overspend in one area, you will need to underspend in another. Allowing some wiggle room within the budget and keeping costs down when you can will help you make the most of your budget.

Media release: AVPartners appoints Daniel Naidoo as Operations Manager at Crown Perth

AVPartners has appointed Daniel Naidoo as Operations Manager at Crown Perth.

The role will see Mr Naidoo manage a team of operational staff and crew at the MICE destination to ensure seamless and successful events.

Mr Naidoo will be responsible for driving performance, productivity, efficiency and profitability in the operations department.

Mr Naidoo has nearly ten years’ experience in operations as a supervisor at BHP Billiton and Ecowise Environmental. Prior to this Mr Naidoo was an audiovisual Technical Director at Hyatt and the Burswood Entertainment Complex.

Commenting on the role, Mr Naidoo said, “The AVPartners team at Crown Perth has some of the best and brightest AV talent. I’m thrilled to be working with such a great team at an exceptional venue.”

AVPartners Crown Perth Partner, Matthew Taylor, said, “Daniel brings expert problem-solving and management skills to the AVPartners team at Crown Perth. He is a real asset, helping AVPartners achieve our vision for the venue.”

AVPartners was awarded the Crown Perth contract in 2014.

About AVPartners

AVPartners is a leading provider of tailored and integrated event audiovisual services including technical production, audio, visual, lighting, event design and event styling.

AVPartners creates integrated event experiences by combining state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, unrivalled expertise and a highly-tailored approach.

www.avpartners.com

Island life at One&Only Hayman Island

Lissa Thomson, Event Stylist at One&Only Hayman Island moved to the island four months ago to take up her role with AVPartners. She reflects on what makes island life so incredible.

“When I came to One&Only Hayman Island I had no expectations at all and it has been the most unbelievable experience.”

“Living remotely can be a challenge! You work with the same people, eat meals with the same people and socialise with the same people…There is no escaping when you have a bad day or just need some down time. But those same people are also there to share a drink with at the end of the day or vent to… It is a real community full of wonderful people and amazing surroundings.”

“When it is busy you also get so caught up in the madness that you forget to appreciate where we live! I have constructed a wedding arch in the water, watched turtles swim by while setting up ceremony chairs and have been blown away by the thousands of butterflies that have currently taken over the island.. it truly is amazing!”

Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

Rick Keane, Partner at One&Only Hayman Island with AVPartners, used to work on the island back in 2002. Rick reflects on the differences in AV then and now, and his experience of “teaching an old dog new tricks.”

“Back in 2002, the gear we used was a little different from today. Back then you had to do your maths, making sure that you didn’t have too much on the one circuit. Putting Par 56s out in the garden to highlight trees and waterfalls meant lots of cables too.”

“Now we use LEDs and rechargeable battery lights which are brilliant and can be controlled via wireless DMX. Charge them up overnight for a 5 hour dinner on the beach with no cables and no worries about finding a powerpoint.”

“I love the new advancements in lighting which mean less power usage and more control. Even I can program all the different colour schemes.”

“My junior tech is teaching me about the changes in screen projections such as the shift from 4:3 to 16:9. When I likened this to Beta vs VHS he looked confused and thought I’d had a stroke!”

Keynote vs. Prezi vs. Powerpoint – Which presentation software works best?

Face it. You may be a fascinating presenter, but you will still most likely need slides to support your presentation. Rich content such as images, videos and charts are now the rule.

Ensuring your slides are engaging and accessible are the big challenges. We have all watched the audience nod off at the first slide or cringed at amateur efforts such as tacky slide animations.

Worst of all is when the presentation won’t load and you suddenly forget everything you have ever known about the topic on which you are, reputedly, an expert. Death by slide is a real danger on either side of the podium.

Can you preserve yourself and your audience from the twin evils of tedium or technology malfunction? The answer, as with all things, is that it depends. Your choice of platform such as PowerPoint, Keynote or Prezi can make the difference.  Here’s how the three tools stack up.

PowerPoint

Powerpoint is the most commonly-used tool. It is reliable in the sense that PowerPoint is likely to work with any equipment you may be offered. However, Powerpoint hasn’t been updated in a long time. The standard slide templates can be painfully boring. Presenters need to put extra care into creating polished and professional-looking slides.

Keynote

Keynote is a Apple product, even older than PowerPoint. It is relatively easy to learn for PowerPoint users and has some advanced features that add flexibility. If the lecture room offers only a Windows machine with an older version of PowerPoint, you may then be faced with the daunting and uncertain task of converting the presentation to PowerPoint or exporting it to PDF. If you know you have a Mac available, however, it may be the best choice.

Prezi

In an alternative approach, Prezi is web-hosted and built on an infinite–canvas platform. It offers some interesting potential for collaboration and the exploration of how ideas relate in a non-linear format. Prezi is accessed via the internet and hence you must have an internet connection in your presentation space.

So, how can you make the most out of your presentation?  PowerPoint is not the only choice. The best solution is to work closely with your AV rep to get advice on which tool will work best in the space to give your presentation the dazzle it deserves.

How much definition do I actually need?

Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD), Full High Definition (FHD) and Ultra High definition (UHD) refer to the clarity or resolution of a moving image via a television, display device or monitor. Definition is measured as width x height in pixels.

When holding an event, definition is an important consideration to ensure a good quality viewer experience. But how much definition do you need? Let’s look at the options.

SD

Standard Definition refers to the image resolution of most older televisions and DVDs which are usually 720×576 or 720×480.

HD or FHD

High Definition refers to the image resolution of newer televisions, HDTV and Blu-Ray. There are three major formats of HD – 720p (1280×720), 1080i (1920×1080) and 1080p (1920×1080). 1080i and 1080p are often marketed as FHD to highlight the improved clarity over 720p.

UHD

Ultra high definition refers to the image resolution of the very latest higher definition screens and is usually 4K (3840×2160) and 8K (7680×4320).

So which should you choose? One consideration is the quality of the input which can limit your options. If, for example, you are transmitting SD video, using a FHD television or screen isn’t going to improve upon the clarity.

Other things to keep in mind include how many screens you’ll have at your event and how far away from the screens your audiences will be. Speak to your AV provider to get expert advice on what will work best for your event.

This article originally appeared at Business Events News.

Media release: AVPartners promotes Ben Davis to Technical Director at Crown Perth

Leading audiovisual service provider AVPartners has promoted Ben Davis to Technical Director at Crown Perth. He joins a highly skilled team, alongside fellow Technical Director Joe Reichle at the premium MICE destination.

The role will see Mr Davis and Mr Reichle jointly provide technical production for conferences and events at Crown Perth.

Mr Davis commenced his career in the audiovisual industry ten years ago. Commencing as an audiovisual technician with AVPartners at Crown Perth, he quickly progressed through the ranks.

The promotion follows Mr Davis being voted AV Technician of the Year in 2014 by his peers.

Commenting on the role, Mr Davis said, “I love having the opportunity to stage some of Australia’s best events at Crown Perth. Each day is challenging and exciting.”

AVPartners Crown Perth Partner, Matthew Taylor said, “Ben is a fantastic addition to our Technical Direction team. His creativity, drive and skill make him a huge asset.”

AVPartners was awarded the Crown Perth contract in 2014.

About AVPartners

AVPartners is a leading provider of tailored and integrated event audiovisual services including technical production, audio, visual, lighting, event design and event styling.

AVPartners creates integrated event experiences through combining state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, unrivalled expertise and a highly-tailored approach.

www.avpartners.com

 

Media release: AVPartners appoints Jarum Rolfe as Partner at RACV Royal Pines Resort

AVPartners has appointed Jarum Rolfe as Managing Partner at RACV Royal Pines Resort. The leading audiovisual services provider was awarded the contract at the luxury Gold Coast venue earlier this year.

Mr Rolfe has worked in the audiovisual industry in Queensland for over a decade. His career has included stints as Managing Partner at Sofitel Gold Coast and Hamilton Island. His passion for audiovisual was sparked back in high school during his time in the school’s band and it remains as strong as ever.

Commenting on the role, Mr Rolfe said, “RACV Royal Pines Resort is the next big thing for events on the coast of Queensland. I’m excited by the opportunity to help deliver some truly extraordinary events and provide a one-of-a-kind service at the resort.”

About AVPartners

AVPartners is a leading provider of tailored and integrated event audiovisual services including technical production, audio, visual, lighting, event design and event styling.

AVPartners creates integrated event experiences through combining state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, unrivalled expertise and a highly-tailored approach

www.avpartners.com

 

How to take your event to the next level with a set piece

Looking to create a real ‘wow moment’ at your next event? Incorporating a unique set piece can make a real difference.

A set piece is a backdrop added to a stage for a production or event. It can vary from a simple branded backdrop right through to sophisticated projection mapping. The only limit is your imagination.

Set pieces help make conferences and events truly memorable. People are unlikely to remember one conference from the next if they all feature the same plain black drapes and two screens. However, they will remember a conference if it looks and feels genuinely different from those they have attended before.

A set piece can also help with a quick room turn around depending on the venue. For example, a band can be pre-set behind a set piece. Set pieces allow for a visual transformation sure to impress event delegates and make for easier and more impactful transitions between event elements.

Speak to your event staging and AV provider for advice on how to maximise set pieces for your event.

This article originally appeared at Business Events News.