Scope of works: Technical

Each year Macmillan Cancer Support asks 15 celebrities to tell them what they would like to find in their ‘dream Christmas stocking’. They then hold an auction where guests get the chance to bid on these exclusive stockings. Among the line-up of celebrities are Rob Lowe, Emma Thompson, Lily Cole, Philip Treacy, Kelly Hoppen, Dita von Teese and Sir Philip Green.  The 2009 spectacular Burlesque-themed ticket only event was conducted by Andrew McVinish of Christies and co-presented by Neil Fox and Sinitta.

On the event day, I was responsible for cabling eight LCD screens in the main event hall, ensuring the appropriate content was playing on each screen whilst adhering to health and safety guidelines.

Scope of works: Software development and project management

During a contract with MEI Events, I worked on a project with English Heritage.

Dover Castle was wrapped in a series of dramatic projections that stunned English Heritage’s guests and the media alike. On one of the massive 35 metre walls of the Great Tower Digi-Da-Vinci was premierred.

Digi-Da-Vinci turns any structure into a giant blank canvas on which anyone, using a combination of digital paintbrushes and stamps, can quickly create the most fantastic technicolour images.

Illuminating Dover Castle

The Digi-Da-Vinci software is a painting package incorporating mathematic equations to produce stunning and simplistic visual effects.  The visual effects range from simple printing, “painting by numbers” graphic revealing, stamps, dripping paint, spray can and so on.  I part developed the Digi-Da-Vinci software package with MEI Events using Processing, in particular I developed the dripping paint and stamp tool algorithms.   A shot of the Digi-Da-Vinci software in action can be seen in the image above on the left, and in the Sky News video snippet below.

Dover Castle walls illuminated

On the event day, I was also involved in cabling and installing City Light projectors and associated cabling throughout Dover Castle.

The event featured on the following publications (click each one to visit their page):-

Sky News BBC Sea Change Dover The Metro

Scope of works: Project management

I occasionally work as a technical consultant and project manager with an outdoor events company called MEI Events. A recent project where I was one of the project managers involving Andy Murray and Pat Cash on the roof of the O2, London.

The roof of O2 has one of the best and most exclusive views of London. As part of the ATP’s campaign to publicise the 2009 ATP World Finals, MEI Events produced and managed a photo-shoot with Andy Murray on the roof of the O2, which we branded with the ATP logo in the centre of a huge target.

On the actual stunt day, I worked with the key people involved and organised the walkie talkies to ensure communication was possible between  everyone, which included the helicopter pilot, cameramen, Andy Murray, Pat Cash and the project organisers.

With the window of filming from the helicopter very limited, and in the knowledge we only had time for one take, this had to work first time or not at all!  The pressure was on!  As you can see from the YouTube clip below, the result was stunning!

ATP Finals at the O2 with Andy Murray

Scope of works: Project Management in Construction

While a self employed project manager with OMG Construction Ltd in 2008, I secured a job in conjunction with SkateCo to construct open air ice rinks in the centre of Canada Square, Canary Wharf and in the O2 Arena.

I project managed the process of transforming the areas with indoor and outdoor lighting, decking, a locker and changing room area and a large restaurant and bar area where skaters could purchase food and drinks.

I worked and liased with an array of bodies from plumbers, electricians, carpenters, designers, architects, health and safety, internal and external suppliers, the Canary Wharf Group and Greenwich.INC.

Following its popularity in 2008, the ice rink was expanded to over 20 locations throughout the UK in 2009 and continues to expand yearly.

Canary Wharf outdoor ice rink

Canary Wharf outdoor ice rink