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| The vision-based system consists of AXIS Q6035 and P3346 network cameras |
Mission
Aleksandrinsky Theater entrusted the installer with an important task – to create a unique vision-based system accomplishing two purposes at once. The first purpose was creation of an interactive system combining several stage floors into a united production space. The second purpose was diametrically opposite in its idea but fully technologically compatible with the first one: live steaming of performances to viewers. Moreover, the live steaming had to be able to offer the viewer an opportunity to see all of the action rather than an ordinary video providing only a rough idea of the performance.
Solution
Based on the above tasks, it was obvious that the system being created should provide delay-free high quality video image transmission in real-time mode, be easy to handle and make it possible to set transmission parameters flexibly and operationally.
The customer opted for AXIS Q6035 and AXIS P3346 Network Cameras, AXIS T8310 control panels as well as AXIS T8311 joysticks. The basic arguments for selection of equipment for the theatre administration were high image quality and the possibility of multi-stream broadcasting. The choice was also influenced by simplicity of interface, the possibility of remote variation in view angle as well as operational comfort while working with Axis PTZ cameras.
Result
The result of meticulous work of the theatre staff and the integrator, Baltic Media Company, was creation of an interactive vision-based system capable of allowing the creative professionals of the theatre to produce unique scene action that has now been available for Russian viewers since May 2013.
Oldest Russian theatre
The Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theater - the legendary Alexandrinsky Theater is the oldest Russian national theatre. It was founded by the Senate’s Decree, signed by Empress Elizabeth (daughter of Peter the Great) on August 30, 1756, the day of Saint Alexander Nevsky. This theatre is the progenitor of all Russian theaters and the date of its foundation is the birthday of Russian professional theater. The foundation of the theater gave a start to the Russian state policy in the field of theatre arts.
The Russian State Drama Theater served as an attribute of the Russian state system for over two and a half centuries. In the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries it was the main imperial theatre; Russian emperors were directly involved with its guidance.
New arts technologies
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| The system provides delay-free high quality video image transmission in real-time mode |
The new Alexandrinsky Theatre opened in May 2013 and represents a complex of three buildings: the stage floor (Small Stage), a media centre and a school for the training of technical staff including directors, playwrights and technical specialists. According to modern demands, the new complex includes an Internet theatre stage floor equipped with video recording, audio recording and broadcasting facilities. The theatre has both a control room and a TV studio equipped with satellite antennas for the purpose of technical support for the projects; all combined works function as a centre for modern scenic technologies.
Theatre arts are in continuous state of exploration of new forms of evocation and representation of action to viewers. A modern man lives in a “cross-platform” world saturated with high technologies. Placing parallel show lines from a theatre scene into a performance imparts some volume to the action, and an “interactive game” between several stage floors allows the viewer to enter into the scriptwriter’s concept.
Technically, communication between stage floors remote from each other can be realised with the help of multi-stream broadcasting. For this purpose, each stage floor is equipped with a controlled video camera system and monitors focused on not only viewers but actors.
Live streaming of theatrical productions and creation of new forms of scene action are based on use of IP technology of video transmission since this is the most appropriate medium for organisation of flexible interactive transmission processes.
The solution was offered by Axis partner Baltic Media Company (BMK), who not only delivered equipment but also rendered assistance in setting up equipment in coincidence with theatrical performance control systems. BMK worked closely with theatre employees and assisted operatively in development and use of equipment delivered to the theatre.
