2009 National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Each summer in July the NAHF enshrines a class of aviators into their Hall of Fame. Markey's has been involved with this event since 2003. We came up with a set design that would follow the theme of flight and keep the elegance and grandeur of the evening. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo flight missions and there are several Apollo astronauts that are attending and being honored.
Due to this event being centered on aviation and especially historic aviation we transform the room into a "flight simulator" atmosphere. Many of the attendees are you were pilots/test pilots. We want the set to appear very much like you are looking out a cockpit of a large jet. Our flight simulator set helps to define this event in the Dayton community and in the aviation circle. We conceived a three-dimensional scenery set in the form of an aircraft cockpit, utilizing wide screen video and audio effects to simulate takeoff and in-flight maneuvers. Microsoft Flight Simulator TM software provided realistic in-flight effects including runways, clouds, terrain, and weather patterns.
Beyond the special effects and décor, the show features traditional video rolls, title graphics and sponsor logo scrolls along with image magnification throughout the evening. We accomplish the faux image of being inside an aircraft from any vantage point in the room.
Along with the set design, we help produce the enshrinement ceremony with awards and video vignettes for this year's inductees to the Aviation Hall of Fame. We accommodate for an emcee doing 'live' voice work as well as 'canned' musical cues and sound effects and we staff the event with (6) video technicians, (2) computer technicians, (2) sound technicians, (2) lighting technicians, a stage manager, a show director and a pilot.
Technically we design a set large enough to capture that look and feel for the entire room. Our stage dimensions are 60' x 24' and the set exceeded 90' in width. The set contained (2) 17.5' x 40' rear projection screens. On these screens we project an 87' wide image using (6) blended images projected by 8K Christie DLP projectors. A Folsom Encore presentation system is used to get the images to blend and to incorporate other images and backgrounds for the event.
The flight simulator is actually created using Microsoft's Flight Simulator program. When the flight simulator is not on screen, we have scenic backgrounds and other high resolution elements that move around on the screen. At the beginning of the event we start out on a runway and along with tower chatter and sound effects, we (the entire audience) take off and achieve a cruising altitude before the first presenter enters the stage. Throughout the evening, we "fly" the audience around during dinner and as a subtle background during the awards presentation. This year with added Apollo missions theme, we will leave our atmosphere and arrive at the moon for a lunar orbit to keep with the mood of the wondrous accomplishments of our Apollo heroes.
Along with the enormous set design, we also need the appropriate equipment to put on a live awards ceremony with sound, lights and video.
For video, we have (4) Sony broadcast digital cameras and a EchoLabs switching system with recordings going to DVD, DVCam tape, Beta SP tape and Hard drives. We roll video vignettes from a Grass Valley Turbo IDDR hard drive unit that route to both side screens and the Encore system mentioned earlier also "opens" up a PIP window in the main set for those sitting close to view as well. All the names and pictures that would normally be in a regular Power Point presentation are incorporated into the entire display using Folsom and Gefen converters and scalers. (8) Quad Core show computers are used to display the backgrounds, text and pictures, presentation/sponsor slides and the flight simulator program.
For audio, we use JBL VerTec line arrays and Meyer subwoofers with enough power to simulate the jet taking off as well as reinforce sound for all the presenters, recipients and video vignettes. We use a 360 Systems "Instant Replay" device for all sound effects. Our audio mixing console is a Midas Verona board along with Klark Teknik EQ's, dbx compressors, Crown & QSC amplifiers, JBL and BSS processing. All wired and wireless microphones are Shure brand.
Lighting for this event is crucial to revealing our simulator and the need for a convincingly lit façade. Another need was for moving lights to emphasize a celebrative moment when a recipient is announced for their award. All lights are various models of Martin MAC lights, ARRI stage wash lights and Source four ellipsoidals and the Whole Hog III lighting control console.
This event has been a very exciting one to be involved with over the last several years and working together with the NAHF, Dayton Convention Center, IATSE Local #66, and all our vendors and support staff has made it a rewarding experience. For more information on NAHF, the enshrinement ceremony or any of their activities, please visit. www.nationalaviation.org