Europe’s largest digital ceiling is unveiled in Britain
EUROPE’s largest digital ceiling will be unveiled in Britain – and it is the size of four tennis courts.
The screen, op The one from Manchester The iconic Printworks building spans the length and breadth of the internal streets within the 150-year-old complex – 1,000 square meters in total.
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The five-year project is part of a £21 million transformation and opens to the public today. Visitors can watch it for free – with the makers claiming it ‘must be seen to be believed’.
More than 250 hours of footage was filmed for the screen, resulting in 100 different types of content, including the first-ever underwater performance of legendary operaCarmen.
Filming for all content took 12 months, and functions nine actors, eight dancers, six dogsfour rabbits, three snakes, three swimmers, two tarantulas, one baby – and one Kroningsstraat star.
Ben Haller, spokesperson for DTZ Investors, who led the renovation of Printing companies said: “Visitors will have never seen anything like this before.
“And we all hope that it will become an attraction in itself, on the list of things to do when people visit Manchester.
“This transformation is truly groundbreaking as a screen of this size has never been installed on a ceiling in Europe and has created a spectacular, free public show for people of all ages to enjoy.
“This will be a game changer for Manchester and offer something unique, the likes of which can only be seen on Freemont Street or The Sphere in Las Vegas.
“We are responding to consumers’ desire for immersive experiences and see Printworks as a leader in the use of digital technology.”
CGI content includes cute but mischievous creatures, space travel, jungles and whimsical pieces that run day and night at specially programmed times.
The screen content rotates based on a seasonal calendar of activities, meaning visitors are always greeted with something new.
The area is also being boosted by further renovations, including a giant 210m² artwork by Alex Sylt, chosen by the people of Manchester in a public vote and a panel of judges including Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim.
A digital gaming screen has been added where passers-by can use their phones to play multiplayer games against each other, while Vue Cinemas has invested £6 million in improving the guest experience.
Luxury Armchairs have been installed to complement the twenty newly refurbished screens at Printworks, making it the largest cinema complex outside London.
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