Stage Directions: The musical Rocky has debuted on Broadway, and the scrappy Italian fighter received an assist on staging from the d3 4U v. 2.5 media server from d3 Technologies. The media server delivers content to a pair of 12-foot-by-10-foot flying video walls throughout the show, provides aquarium content for 24 video monitor “fish tanks” and the helps set the mood during Rocky’s famous training montage. Three d3 4U servers, provided by Sound Associates in Yonkers, New York, are currently used on the show; another is on hand as a hot-swappable back up unit. Dan Scully and Pablo Molina partnered for video design for the show.
5 comments:
The d3 media server is really impressive and it's exciting to hear how it's being used in the big leagues. I would really enjoy seeing the show and how the technology was used. It sounds like a luxury to have such a talented programmer to work with.
I really need to get up to New York to see Rocky, I keep hearing its an amazing show from a technical viewpoint. I don't know a huge amount about media servers other than my minimal experience working with PRG's Mbox. I will say I'm surprised they are not using the Mbox, as PRG typically supports many broadway shows. That being said I'm sure the d3 blows the Mbox out of the water. I would definitely like to see what kinda of content of the D3 is handling. As Michael mentioned it is really nice to have a dedicated programmer for video content, although I would imagine they are normal for a show of this scope.
I don't know much about d3 and media systems, but this sounds really and fun to work with. I do remember Buzz mentioning d3 during the Media mini of Stagecraft. I am just curious as to what makes the d3 system and specialized systems like it different from just generic systems not designed for theater. Are there significant differences or is it just a software interface difference that is easier for theater use?
Ok, so... I had no idea what I was reading but it all sounded really cool! I don't really understand what the d3 media server is but supposedly it thinks like us? All I know is that Rocky is a really awesome show (I haven't seen it yet but I will be when I get back home). I didn't know there was so much audience involvement in it and I think that is so exciting! Congrats to the video designer! I've always liked mixed media and I find it quite intriguing when they use film and live theatre together because it like watching two siblings dance with each other. You can tell that they are related and yet both are so different in their own way. It really adds to the experience!
The technology behind all of this is undeniably extremely impressive. I would really like to be able to see the show in person, however, because no matter how incredible the technology is, it doesn't always mesh with the live theatre. I have heard friends of mine complain that media doesn't belong in live theatre at all, but I'd definitely be curious to see how it worked (or if it didn't) with Rocky.
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