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FWSO America Strong Televised Concert, Virtual Event Audio Visual

Onstage Systems was honored to be a part of the creation of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s 4th of July concert, virtual event. The “Celebrating the Best of America in a Trying Time” concert event took place at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth and featured guest appearances from various Fort Worth feature performers with a special guest appearance by Fort Worth native and Broadway star Major Attaway.

FWSO Virtual Event Performance

Featured Performers

  • Major Attaway (Broadway’s Aladdin)
  • Fei-Fei Dong (The Cliburn)
  • Megan Koch (Fort Worth Opera)
  • David Schrenk and Andre Silva (Texas Ballet Theater)

​​The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra has performed their 4th of July concert performance at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens as part of its Concerts in the Garden (CITG) series for over 20 years. Onstage Systems has had the pleasure of supporting the FWSO and their collective of truly majestic musicians for over 25 years.

Watch the Virtual Event Concert

This year the CITG event was canceled due to COVID-19 public health concerns. Instead the performance virtual event production was pre-recorded in the closed Dickies Arena on June 26th and broadcast on July 4th by ABC-affiliate, WFAA. The pyrotechnics display was provided by Pyro Shows of Texas. The recorded concert was then hosted online for viewing by the FWSO and WFAA.

2019 George Strait Concert, Dickies Arena
Photo from Fort Worth Star-Telegram

​​The event’s 100 person attendance of performers, building, and technical crews was in vast contrast to the last Dickies Arena event that Onstage was a part of. The last time Onstage Systems provided production services at an event at the Dickies Arena was George Strait’s 14,000 capacity crowd per night with two sold out performances in 2019, less than one year ago.

Virtual Event Audio

Onstage Systems provided virtual event audio design, multi-track recording, post-editing, and mixing through a Digico SD10 console with over 90 individual channels. A major challenge facing the FWSO musicians was the ability to hear each other. To comply with social distancing the usual two foot span between musicians was increased to over six feet. Additionally, the arena lacked the familiar acoustic sound shell. To compensate Onstage Systems provided various monitors (IEMs, wedges, hot spots) and L’acoustics Syva for fill.

 

Virtual Event Lighting for Concerts

In addition to the event’s audio production, Onstage Systems provided all the stage lighting design, programming, and operation. The 75’ square performance area was lit by Varilite stage lighting fixtures. The fixtures were selected for their intensity and features to properly cover the performance area. Onstage further collaborated with WFAA to optimize the stage lighting for video recording.

Event organizers hope the recorded performance to be a one time affair and the FWSO will be able to resume their Concerts in the Garden event production in 2021. Learn more about Onstage System’s audio visual services or see more featured work.

Coyote Drive-In Theater Concert

The May concert was produced by Onstage Systems at the Coyote Drive-In Theater in Fort Worth. The event was a fun, but challenging event to produce. The Coyote Drive-In Theater concert also had the significance of being one of the first events to bring live music back to Fort Worth in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdown.

coyote drive-in theater concert audience
Photo by Andrew Sherman – Lone Sound Magazine

Featured Performers

Drive-In Theater Concert Event Challenges

drive-in concert performers and sign
Photo by Andrew Sherman – Lone Sound Magazine

The biggest challenge was accounting for the health and safety of everyone involved. That was why the Coyote Drive-In Theater made a great venue choice for hosting a live, outdoor concert. The audience area was large and designed for attendees to be separated in parking spots. Attendees were assigned parking to every other parking spot. This helped create natural social distancing space between attendees. Onstage Systems also followed the latest health guidelines for hand sanitation and wore masks in close proximity. Coyote Drive-In Theater helped ensure social distancing with signage and limiting occupancy around the restroom and concession areas.

See more featured work from Onstage Systems

Onstage Systems fully utilized the Coyote Drive-In Theater’s space while providing the addition of the lighting, mobile staging, and full audio support appropriate to a concert of this size, to included FM transmission. This allowed attendees the option to listen to the concert over their car FM radios while enjoying the air conditioning. However, many concert attendees took the opportunity to get a little sun and fresh air, listening to a full L’acoustics concert PA system out in the open air from lawn chairs and pickup beds.

Photo by Andrew Sherman – Lone Sound Magazine

The second big challenge Onstage Systems had to overcome to make the event a success was the Coyote Drive-In Theater’s schedule. The drive-in was in full operation with nightly movie times starting after dark. The Friday show did not end until 11 PM. The Onstage team hustled in the dark to set up the stage, lighting, and all the integration for the Saturday afternoon show. And once the show was over they struck the scene in two hours and had Coyote Drive-In Theater back to normal in time for its 8:45 PM movie.

While the Coyote Drive-In Theater concert was a one-time event, Onstage Systems looks forward to doing more drive-in concert events in the future. In addition to producing live in-person events, Onstage has experience producing live streams and other virtual events.

Learn more about Onstage Systems virtual event services HERE.

Photo by Andrew Sherman – Lone Sound Magazine

4 Ways to Enhance Your Concert Stage Design 

Your concert stage design allows you to intimately connect with your audience and showcase your creativity in all its glory. Therefore, on the day of your event, the last thing you want is to perform on a stage that wasn’t optimized for visibility. Here are 4 ways you can enhance your concert stage design and create memorable moments for your audience:

1. Consider The Audience’s Point of View

Crowd ready to view the concert from any angle
No matter how impressive your concert stage looks, if your audience can’t see you, it won’t matter how many special effects you include in the performance. Before you start designing the stage, take a closer look at the audience’s point of view.
Is your venue located on an incline or small hill that requires the audience to look up? Would it be difficult for those standing in the back of the venue to see your performance? Are you expecting a large turnout or is this a smaller event? 
Depending on your audience’s visibility, crowd size, and the design of the venue, you’ll need to adjust your stage design to ensure everyone in the crowd can see every part of your performance. 

2. Create Lasting Memories with Memorable Lighting

Stage design is enhanced with lighting
Knowing how to properly light a stage requires a mix of technical expertise and a splash of creativity. But if you want to bring your concert stage design to the next level, you’ll want to invest in memorable lighting effects that set the mood.
In addition to stage and spotlights, you can work with an event production company like Onstage Systems that has an all-encompassing inventory of LED fixtures, decor lighting, atmospheric lights, dimmers, and any other light fixture you’d need.
These upgraded lighting setups will shower your venue in colorful hues and transform the atmosphere in the room. The secret to designing an ideal lighting setup is to align your performance with your lights. Do you have a high energy, dynamic performance? Consider automated lights that change with the music. Is your performance sentimental and ethereal? Opt for mood lights that complement the music.

3. If You Can’t Build A Tall Stage, Build A Wide One

Stage design is enhanced with a wide stage
The size and scale of your stage has a lasting impact on how the audience experiences the performance. A small stage surrounded by a 360-degree audience offers an intimate feel while a massive stadium with a giant stage offers a completely different concert experience.
Your ability to imagine creative stage designs is limitless, but the technicalities of your venue may constrain how large you can design your stage.
Instead of building a towering stage with sky-high lights and special effects, opt for a wide stage that envelops your audience instead. Wide stages are perfect if your venue is indoors and constrained by the height of the building. A wider stage also allows you to creatively segment your performance into sections so different parts of the performance can take place in various sections of the stage.

4. Cover Up Wires and Cluttered Equipment

Stage design is enhanced by covering the clutter
Now that you’ve secured a venue and established a layout for your stage design, the last item on your to-do list is to cover up wires and mask any cluttered audio visual equipment. 
As you’ll quickly discover during your setup, wires, crates, and AV equipment can accumulate on the stage and distract your audience. The easiest way to hide unruly gear is to cloak your mess behind curtains, fences, or other design elements.
If for some reason you’re unable to discreetly cover your tracks, another solution is to use lighting equipment to dim your cluttered areas and spotlight the performers. This simple act of misdirection will keep the crowd focused on the show instead of the clutter.

Putting Your Stage Design Together

audio visual elements at a concert
When you design your concert stage, your priority should be to enhance the customer experience. Concertgoers want to feel immersed in the performance with zero distractions to get in the way of their enjoyment. 
Although these four tips can help guide you towards an enhanced concert experience, there are always unforeseen circumstances that can make your path towards success more difficult. Whether it’s a change of weather, last-minute venue relocation, or a crate with missing equipment, anything can happen.
Avoid the stress of designing your concert stage and contact an event production company like Onstage Systems. Our team is comprised of industry veterans who understand how to produce memorable concerts and have experience attending dozens of concerts themselves. At Onstage Systems, we aren’t just event production specialists, we’re music fans just like you who want nothing more than to create lasting memories.

Lighting Solutions for Mark Cuban’s 60th Birthday Party

mark cuban 60th birthday dallas mavericks onstage systems audio visual event production

Texas Billionaire investor and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrated his 60th birthday in style with a surprise party planned by his wife, Tiffany Stewart.

Onstage Systems enhanced a lavish tent in Mark Cuban’s backyard complete with audio, visual, staging, and lighting solutions. From artistic lighting features to personal video visuals, Onstage Systems transformed a small tent into a memorable venue fit for a Texas King.

Lighting solutions for Mark Cuban 60th birthday dallas mavericks provided by Onstage Systems: audio visual event production company

mark cuban 60th birthday dallas mavericks onstage systems audio visual event production
mark cuban 60th birthday dallas mavericks onstage systems audio visual event productionmark cuban 60th birthday dallas mavericks onstage systems audio visual event production

Audio, Stage Design and Decor for the Mav’s Ball

Mavs-Ball-Dallas-Mavericks-Gala-Onstage-Systems-Event-Production-Stage-design

Every year, the Dallas Mavericks host their annual Mav’s Ball to celebrate the team’s generous sponsors, meet season ticket holders, and most importantly, raise money for the Mav’s Foundation. Established in 1996, the Mav’s Foundation supports women, children, and families in need all across North Texas.

As a second-generation family business, Onstage Systems was excited to work with the Mav’s Foundation and give back to the Dallas community — the same community that has supported Onstage Systems for the last 40 years.

Mavs-Ball-Dallas-Mavericks-Gala-Onstage-Systems-Event-Production-Technical-Support

From stage and lighting design to pyrotechnics, we transformed the basketball court at the American Airlines Center into a sprawling venue that comfortably fit 800 dedicated Maverick’s fans. Grammy-award winning R&B legends Boyz II Men put on a masterful performance, and every guest from the sold-out crowd took home Swarovski bluetooth speakers encrusted with fifteen crystals.

Mavs-Ball-Dallas-Mavericks-Gala-Onstage-Systems-Event-Production-Stage-design

By the end of the night, Mav’s Ball 2019 raised an incredible $1.34 million, proving once again that the Dallas Mavericks have just as much heart as they have talent.

Mavs-Ball-Dallas-Mavericks-Gala-Onstage-Systems-Event-Production-Stage-design

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In the entertainment world with high stress and deadlines, it's crucial to have a professional and quality production company on your side. On a professional level, how amazed I am not just at the speed of service, but the quality and polite efficiency that I have experienced in the time with the Onstage items. I cannot praise this company highly enough for its service.

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