Client: Australian Defence Force.
Event Management: Spinifex & House of Kitch
Projection: Ikonix
15-metre diameter and 8-metre diameter projection domes for the Australian International Air Show at Avalon 2019.
The 15m dome told the story of a young girl who wanted to fly and was the largest projection dome seen in Australia, made interactive through 16 touch tablets.
The 8m dome told the story of Plan Jericho – the technology creating our 5th Generation defence force.
Challenge
Group Captain Jerome Reid:
“Rather than just having a 5th Generation aircraft, we wanted to have a 5th Generation Air Force. …. To do that we needed to set up a different way of thinking.
How do we tell a story that engages people … and changes their behaviours? And then the idea about domes came.”
Samara Kitchener: Producer; House of Kitch
“Someone from Boeing said ‘if you can bring the 5th Generation Air Force to life, in a way that people can understand it, you will have nailed what you are trying to do at Avalon’.”
The brief was to bring to life the animated character of Jasper, (an animated little girl whom the Air Force had already created) in a way that would allow large groups of children to experience the same thrill of flight as Jasper shows.
The domes had to be built on the Avalon airfield with 35+ degree temperatures and terrain category 1.5 winds.
Solution
It was decided that the projection dome could provide the framework for an immersive experience, especially if there was an additional layer of interactivity.
The 15m Jasper dome had internal tunnels created with black partition walls to create ‘light locks’ and enable easy entry/exit.
These 90-degree entrance tunnels also prevented winds from affecting the internal negative pressure projection screen.
Setup and execution
The Jasper Dome featured 16 touch tablets on pedestals that allowed the user to choose a jet design, customise it and launch it into the projection of the Dome.
The projection film featured Jasper running and playing through a stylised landscape while also stopping to interact with the jets being launched.
30 x 900 pegs were used for hold down; Astro turf was laid for flooring; and elegant air con units were provided by eliteairconhire.com.au
The second dome, the 5th Gen Edge Experience delivered dramatic storytelling in the 8m projection dome with a 10-minute especially-made VR movie telling the story of Plan Jericho – the technology creating our 5th Generation defence force. Spinifex used a combination of green screen filming, CG environments, 3D models and motion graphics overlay to create a dynamic, filmic view of each scene.
The two domes were built in 2 days by The Dome Company without the need for cranes or boom lifts. Bump out was 1 day.
Outcome and benefits
171,830 total attendance
Visiting delegations and guests included 15 service chiefs, 9 National Armament Directors and 24 Chief of Air Force representatives from 30 countries. Also numerous politicians and the incoming Governor General of Australia
Testimonials
Group Captain Jerome Reid:
“I’ve had a long military career. I haven’t seen anything like it”
James Betar. Producer. Spinifex
“I think it went well. With all those different challenges coming into play, and planning for it from the very start; the environment looked beautiful.”
Conclusion
The 15m dome was the largest pop-up projection dome to have been built in Australia up to that time. Despite scorching temps on the airfield, the domes were the ‘coolest’ event at the show.
