Video by Design, Creative by Intent

	Duran Duran

Not yet a year old, and Video Design of Bedford, UK has visibly made its mark on the touring and event industry. With systems currently out on Duran Duran and Marina and the Diamonds, since the company's inception in February of this year it has provided screens and video infrastructure for Take That's latest tour; Wear the Rose at the O2 London for the Rugby World Cup, and all of last summer's concert events at Hyde Park.

"Yes you could say it's been a busy start," said the Video Design founder Alex Leinster, "in fact we've only now found the time to launch our company website. But for a young company we have a solid base of experience and frankly there's nothing we like better than engaging with a variety of demands. What we've done for Marina and the Diamonds and Duran Duran are good examples."

Show designer for Marina is lighting designer Rob Sinclair; he explains the video contribution. "Marina is very aware of the expectations of her fans. Although sometimes not as deep, the stages she plays in the States tend to be slightly wider than here in Europe. That said, she was determined her loyal following should see the full show, no matter how difficult."

Inevitably that has involved some reconfiguration, not least the LED screen from Video Design that forms a backdrop to Marina's performance. "We have moved it upstage," continues Sinclair, "but in an elevated position, so from the audience perspective the show presented here is very much the same show fans saw in the US. Neg Earth, who provide the lighting system, arranged with Alex Leinster at Video Design to do something ground supported. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the result in rehearsals at LH2. The screen sits on a 12" truss and in fact I have to say it looks pretty elegant. Marina has a very loyal following: her fans will not be disappointed."

The comparably skilled Vince Foster has been designer to Duran Duran for the past 20 years, but like so many, this was his first encounter with Video Design. "This is a new show design," he says. "The back of stage is dominated by a 12m wide, by 5.5m tall 9mm LED screen, while the set has three curved strips of video LED that run like ribbons through the stage."

All from Video Design, two of the ribbons curve and intersect behind the band, while the third dresses the front of stage. "It all turned up on time, no hiccups and ready to go," Foster continues. "The custom work Video Design had to do for the curves all looks the part and I'm very pleased with the overall appearance. Alex Leinster, the owner of the company, has been here right through rehearsals and he and his crew have all been tremendously helpful. Nothing is too much for them."

"I want to publically thank all our personnel," concludes Leinster. "We couldn't do it without you. Nor the designers and production managers who have shown such faith in us. If you'd like to see the results of all their hard work the company website is live now: go to www.video-design.co.uk."