Ceremonies in the Middle East
BRS is a long trusted partner for creative productions in the Middle East. Together with our local collaborators, we have catered to the leading agencies of the region’s public sector.
Dubai
Expo 2022
With our long-time partners at Memories Events Management, we created several major ceremonies in the UAE, including the large-scale Dubai Expo 2022 Ceremony in Dubai. We brought the wildest landscapes to life via stunning motion designs, augmented reality and an immersive audio system. This hybrid experience took over Dubai’s Al Wasl Plaza for a sophisticated public sector ceremony.
Al Wasl is the historical name for Dubai but also means “connection” in Arabic, reflecting Dubai’s goal of bringing people together at this year’s Expo and the plaza’s physical location at the heart of the site. It also became the guiding notion for our large-scale hybrid arena production and connected the region’s rich history with bold visions for the future.
The 150-meter diameter Al Wasl Plaza is topped by a 65-meter-high dome with the capacity to serve as a 360 degree projection surface, and it was the central hub for the Dubai Expo2020. The dome’s translucent quality enables its use as a projection surface — with the projections being visible both inside and outside the dome itself. Battle Royal Studios took advantage of this unique opportunity to unleash the full breadth of our hybrid creative impetus.
With a 2,000-strong marching crew, over 200 projectors, and a cutting-edge audio system topped with Augmented Reality elements, we created an exceptional experience. We merged the technology with carefully crafted immersive storytelling and choreography for this ceremony for a public institution. And we took it to a new level!
The live participants – including His Highness the Sheikh of Dubai – and the broadcast audience immersed themselves into Dubai’s history. From the days of the nomads to the modern age and beyond, we highlighted the achievements and the legacy of Dubai’s people. We crafted each era’s visual representation with great respect for the region’s great, colourful culture. In close cooperation with our local partner and lead Agency Memories Events Middle East, we created a cultural celebration worthy the spectacular venue of Al Wasl Plaza.
Souk Okaz
Souk Okaz is an ancient trading place that might date back more than 1,500 years. The highlight of Taif Season is a beacon of Saudi Arabia’s tranformation into a global tourist destination.
With lead agency Black Engineering, BRS created a major show experience to honour the history and legacy of the Souk as a communication hub, trading area and melting pot for arts, literature, and philosophy.
We took the 2,000 VIP guests on an emotional ride through the key eras and rich moments of the Souk. First-class music acts, a cast of over 160 performers, amazing young talents, live camels on stage, and an incredible 70m-wide video mapped stage treated the audience. The set was designed and constructed to imitate the original sacred rocks where many poetry competitions historically took place.
Over two incredible weeks on site, we crafted a ceremony show unlike anything ever seen before in the region.
Both cases show Battle Royal Studios’ capabilty to treat the rich culture of the Middle East with respect while meeting the highest expectations of the local institutions.
Credits
- Hybrid Graduation Ceremony
Produced with Memories Events Management
Wael Jaber – Event DirectorReine Khoury – Lead Creative Director
Concept & Creative Production by Battle Royal Studios
Brendan Shelper – Executive Creative Director/ Show DirectorStefan Spendier – Senior Project ManagerAvril Pryce – Junior Project ManagerAnna Robb – Production Stage Manager/ Show CallerDenis Weckbach – ChoreographerTerry Stewart – Assistant Choreographer/ PerformerBilge Arik – Assistant Choreographer/ PerformerSusana Beiro-Shelper – Assistant Choreographer/ PerformerFlorian Bücking – Assistant Choreographer/ PerformerChris Moylan – Light DesignDuncan McDade – Lead Motion DesignAlf Ruge – Motion Design
Images by Chris Moylan and Brendan Shelper - Dubai Expo2022
In partnership with Memories Events Management
Wael Jaber – Event DirectorReine Khoury – Lead Creative Director
Creative Production by Battle Royal Studios
Stefan Spendier – ProducerDavid Bray – Creative ProducerJon Buckels – Creative DirectorAlex Burgos – Show Director and ChoreographerChris Moylan – Light DesignBenjamin von Waldow – Production Stage ManagerCapture Media GmbH – Motion Design
Images by Memories Events Management - Souk Okaz
Lead Agency and Production by Black Engineering – Massimo Fogliati
Annamaria Marrano c/o Black Engineering – Artistic Producer
Gavin Robins – Creative Director
Brendan Shelper – Associate Creative Director/ Show Director
Andy Machals – Creative Producer
Wadih Dona – Artistic Coordinator / Cultural Advisor
Christian Steinhäuser & Team – Music and Sound Design
Denis Weckbach, Florian Bücking, Joseph Hunt, Chan Arik and Terry Lee Stewart – Choreographers
Territory Studios London – Video & Projection Design
Claudia Alongi – Props Manager
Oxana Rausch – Costume Manager
Images by Brendan Shelper
