David Guetta's three-night run at Stade de France in June 2023 was a visual spectacle that required a integrated blend of live and post-production elements. Epic Cinema, under the direction of Stijn Verlinde, managed to pull off a complex live setup using RED's KOMODO-X, V-RAPTOR, and V-RAPTOR XL [X] systems, along with Cine-Broadcast's long-range lenses. This setup not only met the demands of the live broadcast but also delivered a consistent cinematic experience for the aftermovie and upcoming documentary.

A Unified Camera Language Verlinde's approach was to treat the entire show as one cohesive capture problem, requiring cameras that could adapt to the crowd, the stage, and the LED-heavy monolith design. The key was to maintain high dynamic range and exposure consistency to ensure that the same files could be used for live broadcast and post-production without losing quality or consistency. "This was truly a career milestone for our team, and it’s a testament to the power of cinema-grade cameras in live environments," Verlinde remarked.

Camera Setup and Integration The physical layout of the setup included a mix of handheld and gimbal systems for crowd shots, fixed positions for wide and beauty frames, a Spidercam, and a telescopic jib. Dedicated RED Cine-Broadcast configurations with Fujinon DUVO 25-1000mm lenses were used for long-range live stage coverage, ensuring that the live production control room could maintain a consistent look between house screens and post-production.

Remote unmanned heads on the DJ booth and stage architecture were crucial for maintaining the visual integrity of the monolith design. These cameras fed multiple feeds to the live production control room, which then switched between them in real-time to IMAG screens. The control room had to ensure that the audience saw the same consistent look on the house screens as the post-production team would later use.

Practical Tips for Integrators For production managers looking to replicate this setup, the key takeaway is the mix of camera types and their integration. A single system that can handle both live broadcast and cinematic capture is invaluable. This approach reduces the overnight tax of reconciling two separate color pipelines and ensures a consistent look from night to night.

Cine-Broadcast's Role Cine-Broadcast played a critical role in this setup. Their systems were chosen for their global shutter behavior, high dynamic range, and low-latency output, which are essential for handling the rigorous technical demands of a large electronic music show. Andy Newham, head of sales at RED Digital Cinema, highlighted the importance of this setup: 'This event vividly demonstrated how RED's live cine-broadcast solution can truly capture the power of the emotional experience for the artists and the audience.'

Conclusion Epic Cinema's approach in Saint-Denis was to integrate live and post-production integrated, using the same RED fleet for both. This not only saved time but also ensured that the live and post-produced content maintained a consistent visual language. For integrators planning similar tours, it's worth considering a single system that can handle both live and cinematic capture, as this approach can streamline production and enhance the overall visual experience for audiences and artists alike.