Phenomen Films
How Cambrionix enabled an immersive cinematic experiment to take place across Paris.
On the road: Charge, connect and manage – wherever you are
How Cambrionix enabled an immersive cinematic experiment to take place across Paris
In 2019, Phenomen Films were engaged in a unique event which represented the culmination of one of the most expansive, complex and challenging cinematic experiments ever undertaken.
Cambrionix products held the solution.
How do you deliver a seamless mobile experience to more than 25,000 people visiting a film premier over 19 uninterrupted days?
That was the challenge Phenomen Films faced during the world premiere of DAU—a unique, immersive film project experienced via handheld devices across various sites.
Challenges
- Deliver a seamless mobile experience to 25,000 people visiting a film premier over 19 days with 24/7 availability
- Work across multiple sites
- Upload, store and manage data from all devices
- Ensure a safe, secure and enjoyable experience for all attendees
- Simple operation required for multiple event staff to be able to use on rotation
Solutions
- Cambrionix partnership and technology innovation
- Technical support and advice
- Bespoke charging cases + 4 x speed USB hubs
- Scalable device charging enabled up to 1000 devices to be charged simultaneously
Results
- A robust, tailor-made system that delivered automated, simultaneous charging and syncing for thousands of devices
- Cambrionix hubs provided the ideal solution enabling the event to happen as it was designed to do
- The event remains one of the most daring and innovative pieces of immersion cinema in history
Challenge
How do you deliver a seamless mobile experience to more than 25,000 people visiting a film premier over 19 uninterrupted days?
That was the challenge Phenomen Films faced during the world premiere of DAU—a unique, immersive film project experienced via handheld devices across various sites.
With over 25,000 visitors expected to attending the Paris-based show, which took place at multiple sites across the city, the production team needed to keep 3,300 Android devices charged and synced at all times. In keeping with the nature of the DAU project itself, famous for being one of the most expansive, complex, and all-encompassing cinematic projects ever attempted, it was essential that visitors had 24/7 access to devices throughout the full 19-day event to record and interact with the experience.
A constant stream of visitors used the devices to view and record the event, which comprised a wide range of media from film and music to interview, unscripted performance and much more. This content had to be uploaded quickly and efficiently, whilst also charging and syncing for the next round of people. To add to this challenge, the solution needed to be simple enough that a constantly changing rota of event staff of varying levels of technical capability would be able to operate the charging and syncing system easily.
At all times, the user experience was a priority so seamless provision of devices and a very fast turnaround between uses were essential. Working across multiple sites in the French capital, it represented a massive logistical – and technical – challenge.
Solution
Cambrionix worked in partnership with the production team to build an autonomous system. This meant they could delegate the charging and syncing to non-technical assistants, freeing them up during the event.
With 14 charging cases, each equipped with 72 devices, one person could charge and sync 1,000 devices simultaneously, delivering speed and reliable connectivity at a scale not previously considered achievable.
This was thanks to Cambrionix’s Thunderbolt USB hub. With 4x the speed of a conventional USB hub and certified by Thunderbolt™, Cambrionix ensured that the devices offered safe and reliable charging and rapid data transfer for a smoother guest experience.
Maksym Demydenko, Head of Post-Production and Digital at Phenomen UK, said: “The devices could be refreshed and prepared for the next round of visitors in four hours. We incorporated magnetic connectors so that staff could quickly change the devices around.”
Results
The en masse, simultaneous charging and syncing solution from Cambrionix provided a robust, tailor-made system which made this iconic event possible.
Maksym Demydenko said, “Because of the size of the audience and the speed of communicating and the number of devices, if there had been any non-automated steps, it would have been a disaster.”
The event was full of logistical and technological challenges, but where Cambrionix was involved, we had no problems and would recommend their unique solution to fast charging and automated syncing.”
Delivering reliable, fast, scalable mobile technology solutions in the field is always a challenge, but thanks to the innovation and quality engineering of the Cambrionix products, the impossible becomes possible. We are delighted to be able to offer this unprecedented level of technical support to our clients, wherever they may need them – whether that’s in an office, studio or as part of a global entertainment roadshow.