Red Bull CRASHED ICE Belfast, Northern Ireland
Ice Cross Downhill World Championships – Live TV and Sporting Event
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Customer: Richmond Marketing
Fotos: Red Bull Media House
Project Background:
Since 2009 as a lighting designer and director of photography I have been responsible for the lighting design and camera footage for the winter extreme sporting event Red Bull CRASHED ICE. The sport, ice cross downhill, contains elements of ice hockey and snowboard cross. An ice-skating track is set up on an artificial ice slope generally within an urban environment, with steep turns, sheer drops and jumps. The participants are mostly ice-hockey players. Since 2010 there’s been a World Championship.
Conceptual Challenges:
This high-speed sport takes place in the context of a unique architectural space on up to 600-metre-long ice tracks, leading through steep and rugged terrain. Under polar winter conditions and in front of a huge crowd of live-viewers the spaces have to be lit – and brightly – for high-speed HD TV cameras. Concurrently, an exciting show in an atmospheric setting has to be on offer to the athletes and the viewers. Last but not least, the budget for this complex production has to be kept in mind at all times.
Technical Challenges:
In order to meet all of these challenges, a detailed scoping of the terrain, possible camera positions and backgrounds takes place. This analysis lays the groundwork for the minimum technical requirements for the lighting, which in turn informs the lighting concept. The skilful, efficient and effective deployment of resources paves the way to success: allowing an unforgettable experience for athletes and audiences alike, all under extreme conditions.
More information about the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championships here: www.redbullcrashedice.com