A Lasting Impression

We were recently approached by an International client to produce the technical event design and delivery for a special event that was taking place at Hopetoun House.

The event itself began with an elegant drinks� reception in the state apartments, where the house guides were dressed in period costume. Guests then enjoyed a scrumptious banquet, served by Heritage Portfolio, along with on stage entertainment in the Adam Ballroom.

This event was the final evening of a 4 day program in Scotland so had to leave a lasting impression on all guests.

The Ballroom Design

To help our client visualise the space and how the Adam Ballroom could be best used, our production team at 21CC Productions put together a 3D virtual computer model of the ballroom. This model enabled us to design a room layout, make adjustments and produce coloured model renders to illustrate to our client exactly how the space will look and feel once the final build was complete. This helped inform decisions on space, equipment, layout and function of the room.

Our client was very specific about their technical installation requirements. The lighting and sound equipment were to be used in such a way as to set the scene and tone for the ballroom, whilst also being capable of supporting the entertainment that they had booked. It needed to be high spec and �WOW�. One of our challenges was to fulfil our clients brief for a significant quantity of tech equipment, including lighting, sound and AV equipment, whilst keeping the floor space within the ballroom as clear as possible. Having worked within the Adam Ballroom at Hopetoun House many times before, our events team knew the room and what might be possible whilst being sensitive to the space.

Our team designed a tall, self-standing rigid truss frame structure that would carry all of the necessary equipment, whilst maintaining the beauty of the room and keeping the floor clear for tables and guests. This special truss frame was designed to fit between the crystal chandeliers and span over the large central fireplace, supporting the technical installation and keeping the floor clear, whilst protecting the ancient tapestries and keeping the equipment away from the walls.

You can view our installation time lapse video�here.

Once complete, the vertical legs of the frame were dressed in white silk fabric, to match the vertical white lines of the adjacent wall tapestries. This meant that once the lighting was on and the room was dressed, the support legs to the truss frame almost disappeared within the room. This was very effective and achieved the look that our client was seeking.

Attention to Detail

Our client was looking for AV screens within the ballroom for the duel purpose of streaming live video and showing presentation content throughout the evening. Due to the number of tables and entertainment activities, there was no floor space for these screens. They could not be hung from the truss frame because the frame was loaded to capacity and screens on the frame would have interfered with the room aesthetics.

As a solution focused company, we took this opportunity to invest in some brand-new high definition LED screens that were measured to fit perfectly within the window recesses of the Adam Ballroom. They were a perfect fit. This attention to detail and desire to deliver meant that our client could have the screens they required without them encroaching into their event space.

�Everything about the build was precise, from the staging and table layout to the truss leg positions, lighting positions and effects. Everything was measured and symmetrical so that the technical elements sat perfectly in the room. Even the screens were bought to fit precisely within the window recesses, like a custom fit. The end result looked incredible!� � Geoff Crow, Project Director

Lighting played an enormous part in creating the �feel� of the room. There were moving lights, beam lights, static lights and special effect lights all working flawlessly together to create the perfect atmosphere for the dinner and the entertainment which followed.

The Outdoor Extravaganza

Our events team at 21CC Events had been working on the evening�s outdoor entertainment and closing set piece for some months along with the team at Zeal Experiential and the Hopetoun House events team. It was to be the grand finale to this special visit to Scotland.

The entire external fa�ade of Hopetoun House was lit up using our outdoor lighting fixtures, designed with colour coverage and tones to enhance the specific features of Hopetoun House in preparation of the guests stepping outside. The outdoor live flame flambeaux were lit and the glass pyramid heaters were lit. The scene was set.

As our client�s guests gathered in the centre of the gravel courtyard in anticipation, the finale set piece started with a custom designed animation that was choreographed to music and projected onto the front of Hopetoun House. The kit included 3no. 20k laser projector units and 4no. stacks of D&B Q1 and Q-subs. It was a powerful combination.

The projection led seamlessly into a dazzling heliosphere performance in front of Hopetoun House and over the heads of the audience. The heliosphere entailed an acrobat being suspended in the air from a giant helium balloon. The balloon was lit internally with remote LED lights for maximum effect and the acrobat lit up with follow spots. The whole performance was coordinated with the projection and the music.

To finish the set piece, the heliosphere lifted up and over the audience, turning their attention to the royal driveway and lawns, before a beautiful and unforgettable firework display choreographed to music began. The display was designed and fired by our team at 21CC Fireworks.

Video Showreel

You can see a clip of the projection, heliosphere performance and fireworks finale by clicking here.

A Special Event

This was a very special event, which took months in the planning. There were many moving parts and the standards of delivery were very high. Working closely alongside the team at Zeal Experiential and the events team at Hopetoun House, together we made this event a real success and an extraordinary one for our client to remember.

Finally, a couple of words from our client;

�Thank you so much for all your efforts. Everything came off beautifully and thanks for your flexibility to adjust the order.�

�We really appreciated the level of care that you and your staff had during the set up and on the day. The (end) client was very pleased.�

If you would like to see how our team here at 21CC can tailor your event to your requirements and to make it a special one to remember, please get in touch with us via our contact page or call our team on 0131 331 4509.

If you would like to enquire about having your event at Hopetoun House, you can contact the Hopetoun House events team via their website.