Central Presentations Ltd (CPL) returned to Glastonbury Festival as part of the
Arcadia Spectacular, for which the company provided Panasonic projection onto the
legs of a giant spider.

The massive construction lurked ominously on what is now a designated area of the
site set aside for the Arcadia team’s incredible immersive show. This year the new
Arcadia “Metamorphosis’ show – complete with high-level technical production, aerial
stunts and dance beats – was one of the most talked-about and enjoyed events of
the Festival.

After working with Arcadia last year, MD Matthew Boyce commented, “We were
delighted to be back at Glasto this year and working with Arcadia’s hugely ambitious
new show and their wonderful team of people … all of whom ensured that the
“spectacular’ concept thrilled and entertained record breaking crowds each night’.

The spider – a fusion of industrial art and innovation – is now one of the most
recognisable creative elements of the four day Glasto Festival which attracts
135,000 people to Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, and is a popular nucleus for the
community’s late night activity.

CPL’s Richard Burrow was on site to help co-ordinate the show’s projection elements
collaborating closely and tirelessly with Video Illusions, whose Dave Whiteoak first
originated the idea of adding texturing and movement with video to the spider’s
three legs, and with Tom Wall from blinkinLAB who created bespoke video footage
and animations.

The projection system was designed by CPL and Video Illusions and comprised six
Panasonic PT-DZ 21K projectors, each beaming onto the front and back of each
spider leg.

The video footage was mapped precisely on to the legs using an AI media server,
and the cues for the Metamorphosis show were all triggered by timecode generated
by the overall show control system.

The projectors were rigged in weather-proof hides on six platforms placed around
the Arcadia arena approximately 40 meters away from the spider structure, so they
had a serious throw distance. Much of the material was extremely subtle – if you
can call a 12 metre tall spider … “subtle’!

Adding to the general craziness and fun, video material resembled mechanical and
machinery movement bringing an additional layer of crisp definition and animation
to the massive beast which dominated the skyline. It was also imaginatively lit, and
physical movement via its hydraulic claws plucked performers out of the crowd and
incarcerated them in giant cocoons and eggs as part of the show narrative.

In addition to Arcadia, CPL also supplied projection, screen and playback to
production company TLF Worldwide for the tent in the Williams Green, the Festival’s
own village green area ensconced on the road between the Pyramid and Acoustic
stages.

This kicked off with the first ever public screening of “Amy’, Asif Kapadia’s new
documentary on the life of singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse which aired on the
Thursday afternoon.

Another Panasonic PT-DZ 21K machine and Coolux Pandora’s Box media player
provided the HD projection, and the kit was in action again in the same tent on the
Sunday for one of the Guardian’s debate / discussion and Q&A sessions, an essential
and popular part of keeping the spirit of free discussion flowing in an “open’
environment.