Shirin David's concerts with a cinema look thanks to ARRI Alexa 35 Live Multicam and Fujinon Duvo optics

Rapper Shirin David's last tour, 'Schlau aber blond', featured a powerful production with a cinematic look using the multi-camera system for the first time ARRI Alexa 35 Live and optics Fujinon Duvo with production by 24/7 Productions, Tim Routledge Lighting Design and Adlib.

The objective was to bring the glamor and energy that characterize Shirin David's shows to the giant screens of each venue. The first conversations with the production, design and Adlib teams allowed them to identify the technical challenges they would face, including the demanding dynamic range of the concert atmosphere, with very dark blacks and very bright lights. The team agreed that a film camera would be the best option to offer a visual spectacle to the public.

The Adlib team had already tested the quality of the ARRI Alexa 35 camera in concert recording and was especially impressed in post-production by the good performance of the camera. When ARRI announced the Live Production System LPS-1, a solution that would allow live painting (color correction and image adjustment in real time) and that was compatible with the different parameters required by television networks, the Adlib team was very interested in bringing this camera system to an environment that had not been explored before: the concert tour.

Ashley Ball, technical director of video at Adlib, comments that "we knew the challenge we faced when using a film camera on tour. On a film set, there is usually an entire team dedicated to setting up and taking down the camera each day. On a tour, that is simply not possible. Therefore, being able to set up the camera quickly, easily and efficiently is imperative. That is why our work in technical planning, testing and preparation was so important in creating a reliable solution for the camera operator."

The Adlib and ARRI teams worked closely to combine their technical and touring expertise, quickly identifying challenges and finding solutions in real time. Preparations began at Adlib and ARRI's UK and European offices, and close collaboration continued throughout rehearsals and opening night.

Jannik Abelt, ARRI Multicam Technical Specialist, acknowledges that "We are delighted that Adlib has chosen ARRI as a technical partner for this concert tour and it has been a fantastic experience. The scale of the production is enormous, the logistical requirements are demanding and the expectations of the audience are high. The shows are put together quickly and expertly, so pre-planning of each interconnected technical function is very important, especially with elements that the Alexa 35 Live – Multicam system does not usually integrate, such as a teleprompter. Therefore, the team had to work with new systems, with different software and connectors, together with partners.” Jannik goes on to say that “at the installation site, we were especially happy to see the operators' response to the ARRI web user interface, from which they could remotely control the entire system, every button, every volume control and even the zoom of the lenses.”

With over 40 years of touring experience, the Adlib team shares a deep understanding of the ongoing challenges of moving complex technical equipment from one location to another. Beyond the physical demands of daily loading and unloading of transport boxes from trucks, there is also the wear and tear of the equipment, which operates for hours, often in hot and dusty conditions. Adlib created a packaging solution to ensure that the camera system, supplied and supported by ARRI Rental, could withstand the demands of a multi-date tour.

A friendly proposal

Creating a camera system that is familiar and intuitive to use is essential for camera operators on a concert tour. Team members are often expected to regularly switch between different camera systems. The Alexa 35 Live camera system provided impressive range, with stunning results in skin tones, saturated colors, LED lighting and pyrotechnics. He high level of integration of the system that was achieved with the partners, including Fujinon with its Duvo lens, was reflected in the positive comments from the tour operators.

Luke Cartwright, European Product Manager at Fujifilm UK, highlights: "We spoke to Adlib about the need to deliver cinematic quality in a manageable package, and that's where Fujinon's new Duvo range came in. These lenses provide Super 35 and full-frame coverage, but incorporate the broadcast workflow for easy integration and familiarity for operators. We were happy to be present during the trials to ensure everyone was happy with the lenses and their features, and we continued to provide support throughout. "This collaboration with ARRI and Adlib is an excellent example of what can be achieved in the demanding world of touring with the right team and the right people."

Ashley Ball, from Adlib, notes that "our goal was to bring together the best technical solution for the crew, camera operators, artist and audience. In collaboration with ARRI and Fujinon, I think we achieved this. The sharp cinematic images projected from the stage on ROE's LED screens were truly impressive. As awareness grows about the future standard of offering stunning cinematic images in a traveling show, I am looking forward to seeing how far we can go."