University News Last updated 25 February 2016
Birmingham creatives lit up London with a stunning visual display which opened the showpiece Brit Awards event.
Ravi Deepres, Professor in Moving Image and Photography at Birmingham City University, worked alongside choreographer Wayne McGregor to design and direct the two minute show which played to nominees and attendees before the ceremony at the capital’s O2 Arena.
Presenters Ant and Dec and a series of dancers were transformed using live action, photographic stop motion and 3D laser scanning techniques which were projected onto dozens of screens to create an animation across the 20,000 seater venue.
The displays which showed saw dancers perform among the crowd while animated images filled screens using animation method videotape intercut with 1920s film sequences also wowed millions of viewers tuned in on TV screens across the country.
Professor Deepres was tasked with creating a team to work on shooting, editing and animating the sequence and enlisted the support of members of the University’s School of Visual Communication.
Students and recent graduates were also involved in the project after being given roles as assistants for the testing and production phases which included shoots in London and editing on set.
Professor Deepres said: “To be asked to take part in such a high profile project and well-loved event can truly be described as an honour.
“I have a long history of working alongside Wayne McGregor and his fantastic dance company who really helped bring our ideas to life and make the visual aspects as stunning as they looked on the night.
Before the display was launched co-host Ant McPartlin said: “We need an elaborate and awesome opening sequence that’s impressive and visually spectacular but at the same time nobody’s quite sure what’s going on.”
Professor Deepres and Mr McGregor have worked together for over a decade, including on a series high profile ballet, dance, opera productions as well as producing many film and photographic works.
University student William Marler said: "This project is the best thing I've worked on so far, being given the opportunity to assist with early experiments, taking those onto the two shoot days, editing and animating the footage and finally being invited backstage to preview the work in the venue.
“Seeing and hearing the piece in the venue was one of the most awe inspiring moments of my life, the vibrations of the sound really hit my body and made my heart race, really made me very proud.
“One of the best aspects of the project was being involved in a large creative way, not just pushing buttons but being an influence into a lot of ideas and problem solving methods. I was allowed to be on the front line as it were and have a lot of constant input.”