5 pillars that made the production of Eurovision 2021 possible

El Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión es uno de los principales eventos televisivos de Europa. Cada año, logra Hearings millonarias a lo largo de todo el viejo continente. Su producción implica un gran esfuerzo tanto de planificación como de ejecución, siempre acompañada de numerosas tecnologías de vanguardia. Thurid Wagenknecht, Programme Manager Global Events y Yung-Min Lee, Senior Project Manager, de Riedel, share with the readers of audiovisual panorama 5 pillars of the technical execution of Eurovision through a videoconference from Rotterdam Ahoy himself, headquarters of the 2021 edition of the festival.

Possibly, this last Eurovision gala has been one of the most celebrated in a long time. With the impulse of NPOUS Avrotros and Uer United and NEP They exercised as responsible for the technical coordination of the event. Both companies decided to trust Riedel For multiple tasks, such as radio communications, the Audiovisual Signal Management for the issuance and distribution of images within the Ahoy Arena; or the development of a complex accreditation system, directly conditioned by the result of the 26,000 Covid-19 test made to the entire staff.

24 cameras They were part of the production: seven surrounding the stage, a raíl in front of the stage, a lane on the ceiling, two cranes, a double dolly, a simple dolly, a 2D Cable CAM, a 1D Cable CAM, two steadicam, 1 fixed head and two shoulder camcorders. These capture devices, together with 130 video signals, 140 intercom panels, 75 microphones, 1800 luminaires, five mobile units, a technical operations center, three support vehicles and 60 channels of EVS, served to shape a signal that could be seen throughout Europe, Australia and the US (through Peacock); and that had incoming connections from 40 different countries. Carrying it has not been a simple job, as they tell us Thurid Wagenknecht and Yung-Min Lee.

1. 365 days of preparation

Eurovision It is not done overnight. In fact, Yung-Min Lee He dares to affirm that it is a job of "More than 365 days“There is one planning exhaustive which implies thinking about what type of solutions you may need the format, even before coordination with production companies. These conversations are usually given around October, eight months before the celebration of the event.

El proceso de este año ha sido incluso más largo, debido a que la edición de 2020 se pospuso debido a la situación global provocada por la pandemia. Ha implicado retos sanitarios y de prevención que han llevado a transformar la planificación técnica inicialmente planeada para el propio Rotterdam Ahoy. De esta forma, el proceso de instalación, montaje y pruebas ha acabado por extenderse mes y medio. “La producción en el Ahoy comenzó el 6 de abril”, concreta Thurid Wagenknecht.

A su llegada al pabellón, el equipo fue instalando diferentes partes de la producción en función a las necesidades que iban surgiendo en cada fase del proyecto. Wagenknecht detalla que el primer requisito fueron implementar el Radio communications and communications system, via tetra. Shortly after, the Fiber wiring installation To create all the infrastructure of Signal distribution. The last big step was starring the Intercommunications system, which usually expects shortly before the different delegations for Finish executing the actions that will be seen in the semifinals and the grand final. In short, the installation lengthens between three and four weeks; The trials, others two weeks.

2. Used equipment for the first time

Eurovision 2021 production evolves year after year. As he says Wagenknecht Between laughs, the changes come "as you become older and more wise." Work in Eurovisión, In his words, he is an "infinite learning curve" that makes each production different. There are elements that remain, but others that are rethink in order to offer the best possible show to European audiences.

Lee details that, compared to the edition of Tel Aviv (2019) in which Intercom panels were connected through AES3 ("As was being done during the last 15 years"), this time a network has been established AES67. To continue using old panels, network adapters were integrated NSA of Riedel.

Other key elements that were used were the new 32 keys panels RSP-1232, "An improvement with respect to CPR-1028" due to its new buttons, colors and rings; nodes Artist-1024 and 60 intercom Bolero that, laughing, Wagenknecht He acknowledges that they constituted a status symbol for CREW members (more buttons and intercom, more responsibilities and greater status); and a wide range of IP Mediornet products, such as MuOn for the audio lines of the commentators or FusiOn For video distribution in the control room for commentators.

Riedel The complete equipment of commentators' positions, as well as communication with the controls of each of the countries that have personalized the broadcast of Uer.

3. 48 -hour accreditations

A crucial point that has managed the team led by Wagenknecht It has been the accreditations. Specifically, Riedel has signed the front-end of the entire management system, based on RFID (identification with radiofrequency).

Due to pandemic and promoted protection measures, the accesses had a 48 -hour time limitation. This implies that after 48 hours, if there was not a new test of COVID-19 that will certify a result negative, the coach, member of a delegation or artist I couldn't access the enclosure bubble again.

One of the most complex workflows was to enable that, once a person enters the Covid-19 Test Center, completely deactivate all your accreditation. In this way, it is in preventive quarantine until the expected negative result. According to Wagenknecht, these processes involve numerous software and hardware elements, so the coordination was "complex."

4. The Covid-19 challenge

The creation of a bubble has not involved that there is normality in the day to day of production. As details Wagenknecht, inside the enclosure each and every one of the measures recommended by the authorities in the field of distancing are respected.

There is a meter and a half of separation Between each of the positions, the masks FFP2 They are mandatory, a broad security equipment It is dedicated exclusively to ensuring that the measures are being followed and the entire operations center extends with disinfectant and epis; Or rather, as he says Wagenknecht, "Every three meters." These extraordinary measures have expanded the space for production, which in turn has caused them to strengthen the communication teams destined to cover the entire area.

In the same way, the Uer, the host Broadcasters and production teams have had to face several positive, which have fortunately occurred outside the bubble. This circumstance affected part of the delegation of Iceland A Duncan Laurence, winner of the 2019 edition. Fortunately, they were able to record a taking of their trials, which was broadcast live during the grand final. There were also positive among the live production team, counts Wagenknecht, While both NEP and United provided this possibility and counted from the beginning with up to two people to replace each position.

The measures of distancing and prevention within the bubble have been exceptional, but also effective. Of the 26.000 Test carried out, only the 0, 06% were positive results.

5. Production in continuous evolution

What is for Wagenknecht One of the "most difficult productions" on television, given the number of people involved and the complexity of your organization, finds several ways to improve every year. By Riedel, Lee details that new improvements could possibly be integrated as Micron UHD en el caso de que se decidiera optar a una difusión para UHD (si bien no lo ve claro dado que “muchos broadcasters no están listos para emitir bajo este formato”); o nuevos paneles extensores para los RSP of Riedel.

Aun así, es pronto para saber cómo será la realización técnica de 2021. Italia, país que organizará Eurovisión 2021 tras la victoria de Måneskin, tendrá que decidir qué tipo de producción quien construir y qué tipo de equipos deciden emplear. En cualquier caso, Lee se siente confiado: está seguro de que podrán adaptarse a todas las necesidades a nivel de distribución de señales o comunicación que se les presenten en el futuro.

A report by Sergio Julián Gómez