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HI-DEF MUSIC - From Cameras To Broadcast
Panasonic’s links to Channel 4’s music performance show Live From Abbey Road go deeper than just sponsorship. When producers Peter Van Hooke and Michael Gleason approached Panasonic for plasma screens to use on the programme they got more than they bargained for – with the brand supplying equipment for use in just about every aspect of the production.
The acclaimed series, shot in the legendary Abbey Road studios, features established and new acts playing live without an audience or presenter. The first series starred Paul Simon, Massive Attack, Snow Patrol and others. The second series aired on Saturday June 28 on Channel 4, with repeats on More 4, and will run for 12 weeks. Artists featuring in the new series include Stereophonics, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, James Blunt, The Hoosiers, The Fratellis, David Gray and 2008 Brit award winner Kate Nash.
Director Annabel Jankel chose to use up to six Panasonic DVC PRO HD Broadcast cameras, some with 35mm lenses for a filmic look; Panasonic Full HD plasma screens are employed as on-set monitors, as they have an excellent image quality. In the second series, 42PZ70 and 50PZ700 plasmas and 50in, 65in and 103in Full HD models are used for set-dressing, and the bands will be able to watch themselves on wall-mounted 42in and 50in PX600 HD Ready plasmas in the reception and restaurant.
Using the DVC PRO HD format helps to reduce editing time, and at the final grading stage, Panasonic’s PT-AE2000 flagship Full HD LCD projector is used by the video colourist. Even stills photography comes courtesy of Panasonic’s Lumix L10 D-SLR and Lumix DMC LX2 compact cameras.
Michael Gleason sums it up this way: ‘To be the best music show on the planet we have to use the best equipment, and that’s what we have with Panasonic. It’s by far the best. That’s a fact. Our relationship with Panasonic is critical to our success.’
