The historic grandeur of the Piazza San Marco and the soaring beauty of the Dolomites came to life this past October in this exhibition in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall as part of the 2009 Columbus Celebration by the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which was produced by Wizard Studios NY.
From the opulence of the architecture of the Doge’s Palace and canals of Venice to the Region of Veneto’s unsurpassed artisans, the exhibition was designed to inform and delight visitors hungry for a sampling of this land of natural beauty, historic sites, and thriving culture. The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit organization in New York City committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement.
What did we do?
Visual Word Systems, Inc. provided staging services for the A Bridge Between Venice and New York Special Event at New York's Grand Central Station from October 3 to October 10,2009. The special event was staged in the Vanderbilt Hall and part of the 2009 Columbus Celebration.
VWS provided 2 Christie 10,000 ANSI Lumen DLP Projectors (with hanging cages), 2 FSR Eagle 2000 HD graphic seamless switchers, 4 Blue Ray HD DVD Players, 4 21" 16:9 LCD monitors, 2 Extron RGBHV DA's, 4 NEC 40" LCD monitors (with 84" dual chrome pole stands), 6 NEC 50" plasma monitors (with truss mounting hardware), 6 DVD players (for the 50" plasmas), 2 Sony 32" LCD monitors, 4 Shure UHF-R Wireless Microphone systems (handheld & headworn), Podium, and 18 Speakers with support amplifers and audio processing. VWS supplied Interconnecting video and audio cables, labor and much more.
Take a look at more pictures from Veneto: A Bridge Between Venice and New York at Grand Central Station below.
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Visual Word Systems, Inc. was involved in the staging of the BMW Art Cars World Tour stop at New York's Grand Central Station from March 25 to April 6, 2009. The event, produced by Wizard Studios NY, was staged in the Vanderbilt Hall and featured the collection, which was the brainchild of Herve Poulain, a French racecar driver and art dealer. Mr. Poulain persuaded his friend Alexander Calder to paint the BMW 3.0CSL that he drove at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1975 (the world's oldest sports car endurance race.) Since then, there have been 16 Art Cars. Those appearing at Grand Central Station are by Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Robert Rauschenberg.
What did we do? VWS provided a 9' x 16' fastfold front projection screen attached to a 20' high truss, a Blue Ray HD DVD player, 2 Christie HD10K-M 3 Chip DLP 1920 x 1080 resolution projectors, and video distribution system. We also put a Pioneer DVD player and a NEC Multeous 40" LCD monitor with speakers in a second location in support of the event at Grand Central Station.
Take a look at pictures from the BMW Art Cars World Tour at Grand Central Station below.
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Visual Word Systems, Inc. participated in the set design and actually provided set pieces for the popular Fox Show "America's Most Wanted" hosted by John Walsh for their Capture 1000 Show taped in Times Square of New York City. VWS provided one 71" Plasma Monitor, along with two 50" and two 42" Plasmas, 160' of truss, a sound system, and a lot of support in the creative department.
The pictures above show the set as it neared completion and used in the show which aired in May.
Live Event A/V Support
Gourmet Magazine set up a live cooking show that needed for the audience to see closeup shots of the meal preparation as it was being prepared. VWS supplied lighting, an overhead remote controlled camera and switcher to make it possible (see picture). Also included were 2 - 61" plasma monitors on 84" floorstands that afforded the audience excellent viewing of the entire cooking process.
Museum Of Natural History, New York City
Mayor Bloomberg's presentation at the Museum of Natural History hallmarked his adminstration's commiment to improve the environment in New York City. As Mayor of New York, Mike launched "PlaNYC: A Greener, Greater New York" - a far-reaching strategy to fight global warming, protect the environment, and prepare New York City for an estimated one million more residents by 2030. VWS provided A/V Staging Services, which included 2 (9 x 16) screens, 2 10K rear-screen projectors with a Folsum Presentation Pro seamless switcher, and a video feed to an uplink truck for a satellite feed.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
WCG US Finals, New York City
September 8 - 10, 2005 For the first time in its six year history, the World Cyber Games US Finals (the world's largest e-Sport festival) came to New York City. Visual Word Systems, Inc. assisted the WCG in setting the stage for 184 players to compete for a slice of $34,000 in prizes, and the prestige of representing the US at the WCG November Grand Final in Singapore. The finalists will compete for an additional $420,000 in cash and prizes. There, Team USA will face over 800 players from 70 countries, to be the best in the world. The World Cyber Games US Final is sponsored by Samsung, Shuttle, and Razer.
Video Projection
Production Truck
Video Control Center
To provide the best computer image for the gaming computers we set up a computer/video signal switching station in the Hammerstein Ballroom. This switching station was equipped with a Seamless Switcher, Universal Signal Processors, 5 wire Distribution Amplifiers, and the supporting equipment. The function of this station was to feed the computer images in their native resolution to the projectors, while directing specific images to designated areas in the venue. The station also provided a simultaneous video feed to the production truck, which was fed back into the venue to highlight key players in action.
WCG US Finals, Hammerstein Ballroom
Lord Abbett's 75 year celebration was a special occasion, and as expected, it was media content rich. VWS resources made our client's vision a reality. From video and audio systems to environmental lighting and speaker support, VWS was there to attend to the client's every need. (see additional description below.)
Laptops Station
Plasma Supporting Screens
Lucite Podium
And what a celebration it was for Lord Abbett's 75th Anniversary held at the PNC Bank Building in Jersey City, NJ. To meet our client's needs we ran over a mile of cable that connected 10 laptop computers, video and DVD players to 7 LCD projectors, 2-50" and 4-42" plasma monitors. All of the sources (16) were handled by 2 Matrix Switchers. EAW sound system speakers and the projectors were hung from a 70' truss, which also provided key placement of lighting fixtures. A total of 110 fixtures were used to provide speaker and environmental lighting on three levels of the venue (including staircase.) A second truss was used to hold a 56'(W) x 20'(H) section of scenery material, which allowed for the projection of various picture sizes and levels for effect. To handle the intense power needs we provided a generator truck. A Lucite podium (pictured above) added an extra touch of class to the staging.
Gotham Hall, New York City
Aztec TV (Mexico) needed an a/v company that could provide them with the video projection support needed for their glitzi "up front" presentation, planned for industry executives in March at New York City's Gotham Hall facility. An important presentation to say the least. Visual Word Systems, Inc. was called into action, placing twelve 11.5" x 15' front projection screens high on the wall around the facility. The images for the screens would come from twelve 10,000 ANSI lumen video projectors suspended in projector cages from an oval truss that is 27' above the floor. The images were fed to the projectors through a matrix switcher, which came from twelve synchronized Betacam Decks. The audience had a great view from anywhere on the floor.
Double Stacked 5K Projectors
Eiki XT1 Projectors in case
Visual Word Systems, Inc. specializes in Staging and Special Event Support. This client needed a bright vibrant image to back up a Russian rock star performing at the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City. To do image magnification we provided a camera and a 15' x 20' front-projection screen with 2 Eiki LC-XT1 5000 ANSI Lumen projectors (shown). Our technicians double stacked the units using mounts that could be rigged to be raised using a motorized hoist. The setup went quick and flawlessly. The 6000 people in the audience were treated to a great show, supported by crisp images, and our client was all smiles.
42" Plasmas At EncartaBee Contestant Stations
The Encarta Bee Challenge was a scholastic contest held at the New York Library (Midtown.) VWS supplied a 9' x 12' rear-projection screen, Eiki 3000 ANSI Lumens data projector, 4 - 42" NEC Plasma Displays, and 4 NEC 18" Flat-screen computer monitors. Our equipment met all of the technical and asthetic requirements important to the client.
Marriott Hotel, New York City
You've got 900 professionals coming in to listen to a high-powered speaker at the Marriott Hotel in New York City. It's got to come together right...in look, feel, and budget. What do you do? This client made the right choice. VWS put together the package necessary for the audience to see and hear the presentation in the main room (pictured above) as well as 7 breakout rooms located on two floors.
Push To Talk Wireless Microphones
One important event that Lord Abbett has each year is the meeting of the partners. VWS supplied lighting, sound, and data projection services for the meeting. Also provided were 23 wireless push to talk table microphones with built-in speakers (pictured below.) Some of the tables were elevated to provide better viewing for the meeting participants.
Image Magnification
Management Meeting Support
IMAG Camera Position
Schering-Plough convened a meeting to introduce their new CEO to their employees. VWS was called in to provide staging services to make that happen in their New Jersey headquarters. As part of the staging services VWS set up a two-camera production unit to document the event (including IMAG ), as well as microwave the program to two other buildings on the campus. 50" Plasma Monitors were utilized in those areas with a custom speaker system for proper coverage. Besides image magnification for the speaker, a switcher allowed for PowerPoint visuals to be displayed as part of the presentation for all locations. The speaker was provided a teleprompter, which followed his prepared text, and a 15" LCD monitor so that he was always aware of what was on the projection screen behind him (pictured below.) Included in the sound package was an audio "feed" to a teleconference bridge that allowed Q & A from the audience on and off campus by the new CEO. The program was well received by the employees and management was pleased with the VWS execution of the technicalities needed to make the meeting a resounding success.
Visual Word Systems, Inc. 35 West 36th St. New York, NY.10018 (212) 629-8383
