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A line of police officers walk in formation across the arena. Behind them the UAE flag unfolds via projection mapping on the ground.A line of police officers walk in formation across the arena. Behind them the UAE flag unfolds via projection mapping on the ground.

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.
Live Events
Show Direction
Motion Mapping
Concept
Show Design
An indoor arena as seen from the tech booth. Beams of orange spotlights emit from the ground and cars drive over projection mapped content on the ground.An indoor arena as seen from the tech booth. Beams of orange spotlights emit from the ground and cars drive over projection mapped content on the ground.
Physical cars and motorcycles drive in the arena on top of projection mapped content.Physical cars and motorcycles drive in the arena on top of projection mapped content.
An indoor arena as seen from the tech booth. Beams of orange spotlights emit from the ground.An indoor arena as seen from the tech booth. Beams of orange spotlights emit from the ground.

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.

The dome of Al Wasl Plaza with green and blue patterns projected onto its geometrically intricate shapes.The dome of Al Wasl Plaza with green and blue patterns projected onto its geometrically intricate shapes.
Formations of performers are under a large, glittering dome with intricate geometric patterns.Formations of performers are under a large, glittering dome with intricate geometric patterns.

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.

The dome of Al Wasl Plaza with orange and purple patterns projected onto its geometrically intricate shapes.The dome of Al Wasl Plaza with orange and purple patterns projected onto its geometrically intricate shapes.
The dome of Al Wasl Plaza with a galaxy projected onto its geometrically intricate shapes.The dome of Al Wasl Plaza with a galaxy projected onto its geometrically intricate shapes.

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.

The Al Wasl plaza before the show.The Al Wasl plaza before the show.
Formations of performers are under a large, glittering dome with intricate geometric patterns.Formations of performers are under a large, glittering dome with intricate geometric patterns.

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.

A wide shot of the large stage with projection mapping and large physical stage design.A wide shot of the large stage with projection mapping and large physical stage design.
The large stage is filled with performers in neat formations as a large crowd looks on.The large stage is filled with performers in neat formations as a large crowd looks on.
The assembled crowd and crew.The assembled crowd and crew.

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.

A boy and a girl interact with projection mapped content on the floor.A boy and a girl interact with projection mapped content on the floor.
Another singer in a white dress performs among people holding up lanterns.Another singer in a white dress performs among people holding up lanterns.
A singer performs with 4 children around him.A singer performs with 4 children around him.

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.

A group of people in hi vis vests block stage movement during a daytime rehearsal in an outdoor stadium.A group of people in hi vis vests block stage movement during a daytime rehearsal in an outdoor stadium.
BRS crew sits on steps during an outdoor daytime rehearsal.BRS crew sits on steps during an outdoor daytime rehearsal.

Credits

Hybrid Graduation Ceremony

Produced with Memories Events Management ⁠

Wael Jaber - Event Director
Reine Khoury - Lead Creative Director⁠

Concept & Creative Production by Battle Royal Studios

Brendan Shelper - Executive Creative Director/ Show Director
Stefan Spendier - Senior Project Manager⁠
Avril Pryce - Junior Project Manager
Anna Robb - Production Stage Manager/ Show Caller
Denis Weckbach - Choreographer⁠
Terry Stewart - Assistant Choreographer/ Performer
Bilge Arik - Assistant Choreographer/ Performer
Susana Beiro-Shelper - Assistant Choreographer/ Performer
Florian Bücking – Assistant Choreographer/ Performer
Chris Moylan - Light Design⁠
Duncan McDade – Lead Motion Design⁠
Alf Ruge – Motion Design⁠

Images by Chris Moylan and Brendan Shelper

Dubai Expo2022

In partnership with Memories Events Management ⁠

Wael Jaber - Event Director
Reine Khoury - Lead Creative Director⁠

Creative Production by Battle Royal Studios

Stefan Spendier - Producer⁠
David Bray - Creative Producer⁠
Jon Buckels - Creative Director⁠
Alex Burgos - Show Director and Choreographer⁠
Chris Moylan - Light Design⁠
Benjamin von Waldow - Production Stage Manager⁠
Capture 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

Battle Royal GmbH
Glogauer Strasse 17
10999 Berlin
Germany

With representation in
London • Dubai • Riyadh • Sydney