Air Entertainment Group and HD-3DMusic.TV have produced its first major broadcast project in conjunction with Universal Music and Panasonic.

The collaborative effort is the first in the ‘Live on Air’ series, featuring Brit and Mercury award winning band Elbow.

The 52 minute 3D programme, a compelling mixture of behind the scenes and live performances was produced by Peter Van Hooke, directed by Annabel Jankel and posted at Air Post. Cameras, technical support and state of the art screens were provided by Panasonic. The programme is being aired on Sky Atlantic, Sky 3D and Sky Arts HD throughout June.

HD-3DMusic.TV’s Managing Director and the creator of ‘Live from Abbey Road’ series, Peter Van Hooke comments, “We wanted to create and deliver great 3D content that didn’t require a big and expensive set-up plus have partners that I could work with closely. Panasonic’s products enabled us to create the immersive, impactful sound and picture needed to deliver the viewer a rich experience in both the 2D and 3D programmes.”

The programme was shot over three days in Wakefield as the band prepared for its first headlining arena tour. As well as interviews and backstage footage it sees them performing tracks from their latest album ‘Build a rocket boys!’ as well as Elbow classics.

With a tight schedule for the workflow setup, Panasonic provided, with the help of Top Teks, 9 x 3100’s plus 3x 3DA1’s and 12 AG-HPG20`s as well as full technical support on location.

Post production for the programme took place at Air Post in Shoreditch. Keith Mottram, edited the programme using Final Cut, convergences were done using Da Vinci’s new set of 3D tools and colourist James Willett graded the project on the Da Vinci Resolve. A quick turnaround ensured the pass from Sky QC and the programme aired for the first time on Sky 3D and Sky Atlantic on June 11 in the prime-time 8pm slot.

Van Hooke comments further; “We achieved our goals with this programme of demystifying 3D and making the costs similar to that of a 2D production. As a team we all knew enough about 3D to push the boundaries in sound, footage capture and post. The result is a programme for a leading broadcaster, made by an independent company and most importantly one in which the viewer feels totally immersed.”

David Ravden, Development Director of Air Entertainment Group, adds: “The challenge was to bring a cost effective solution to 3D post production and to pass Sky’s stringent 3D quality control requirements. The project was delivered on budget and ontime in a fantastic team effort by all the partners.”

‘Elbow: Live on Air’ aired in both 3D and 2D at 8pm on Sunday 12th June on Sky 3D & Sky Atlantic and were repeated as follows:
10pm, Monday 20th June on Sky 3D and Sky Arts HD(2D version)
6pm, Tuesday 21st June on Sky 3D and Sky Arts HD (2D version).

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