A combination of kinetic LED movement and aerial performances formed part of the launch of the India-produced BMW X1 LWB and all-new BMW i5 LWB at A Dot by GNH in Gurgaon, India. With multiple moving and suspended elements operating throughout the production, rigging partner Natura Flying FX deployed Broadweigh load monitoring technology to provide real-time visibility of the forces acting on its systems.
Natura Flying FX was responsible for two kinetic LED systems positioned either side of the stage, alongside the flying systems supporting the aerial performances. The LED structures incorporated motorised vertical movement along the Y-axis, synchronised with the show content and vehicle reveal sequence. The team also managed the aerial performers’ movements, including their entry, performance and exit cues.
With both systems operating within the same production environment, monitoring the loads throughout installation, rehearsals and the live shows was an important part of the rigging process.
The project began on 17 August with a site inspection and equipment unloading, followed by rigging, testing and programming on 18 and 19 August. Artist and technical rehearsals took place on 20 August, allowing the rigging, content and performance teams to refine the movement and timing ahead of the live shows.
For the project, Natura deployed seven Broadweigh 3.25T Load Cell Shackles alongside 12 Broadweigh shackles with capacities ranging from 3.25T to 4.75T.
Avishkar Tendle, Managing Director of Natura Flying FX, said: “We monitored live load information throughout the testing, rehearsal and show phases, allowing the rigging team to observe changes as the kinetic and aerial systems moved through their programmed sequences.”
The monitoring system also played an active role during the live production. During one of the shows, a change in the load readings prompted the team to investigate and make a physical adjustment to the rigging configuration.
Tendle explained: “During the show we saw a change in the readings, investigated it and were able to make an adjustment to the rigging configuration. Having that information available in real time gave the team another level of control and confidence.”
The ability to monitor changing loads as the systems moved gave Natura an additional level of visibility beyond pre-show calculations and static checks. It also allowed the team to assess the rigging under actual operating conditions, with the monitoring continuing through installation, rehearsals and show operation.
Matthew Youngs, Marketing Manager at Broadweigh, commented: “When systems move, performers fly and loads change throughout a sequence, understanding what is happening dynamically can provide information that calculations and static measurements alone cannot.”
The BMW launch was delivered by event agency Orange Events, with creative and design by Madhouse Studio India. MSS World India supplied lighting and truss, alongside Men At Work, which also provided truss and rigging services. Sound.com supplied audio, with Samir Kripalani as Sound Engineer, while Dynamix Media India handled video.
Photos: Sprand Communications
