Swiss rock pop band Hecht captured live at Zurich Hallenstadion

“The Zurich gig was the only chance for fans to see them perform live in an arena this year, and as a homecoming show, it had to a huge spectacle,” explains David Hunkeler, Event AG. “The band’s performances are always really uplifting and energetic, matching their upbeat, catchy songs, and from the outset we knew we’d need an extensive camera set up front of house, as well as smaller good quality cameras on stage.”

The team worked with camera specialist, John Allen AG, to supply the nine URSA Mini Pro G2, complete with fiber chains, and equipped with a series of Canon and Fujinon cine lenses. “Most live events in Switzerland rely on a traditional broadcast set up, and we have been working to bring the big sensor look into the live world,” explains Chris Hanselmann, CEO of John Allen AG. 

 

Adding: “We’d previously collaborated on a secret summer gig for Red Bull in Geneva, which was the first time we tested out the URSA Mini Pro G2. The Super 35mm sensor combined with the Blackmagic colour science delivers the exact high end look we wanted for on this show.” 

 

Optical fiber was used to patch all of the live camera feeds back to the venue’s production gallery, which featured an ATEM Constellation 8K, ATEM 2 M/E Broadcast Panel and a pair of ATEM Camera Control Panels. “We were working with cameras rigged on sliders, dollies, a steadycam and even a cable cam, so having the RCP panels in the MCR gave us the ability to adjust settings centrally, which, with such a dynamic live show and lighting set up, was essential to keep everything balanced,” explains David.

The program mix was delivered to a huge IMAG screen at the back of the stage in full HD.

“The ATEM Constellation was essential,” continues David. “As well as handling pre-recorded graphics and video content smoothly, almost all of the switcher’s 24 aux outputs were required, as we were providing the remote cameras with feeds of both the PGM mix and their own output.”

Chris explains that the variety of requirements for content after the show led them to ISO record each camera, capturing in Blackmagic RAW. 

 

“As well as live content, highlights from the show were needed for a documentary about the band, which would be broadcast by Switzerland’s national broadcaster, SRF. So although the live mix was being produced in HD, we ISO recorded everything in 4K in Blackmagic RAW for complete flexibility. The ability to have one production workflow that can deliver content for multiple outlets in multiple formats really changes the game for live events.”