ARRI has revealed its cameras were used to capture landmark Billy Joel concert.
In a special primetime production, CBS captured the singer’s performance of the 100th consecutive concert in his residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden (MSG). Solutions provider Funicular Goats supplied equipment, workflow and technical management for the event, integrating ARRI cameras into flypacks and overall engineering architecture.
Barry Ehrman, executive producer at Enliven Entertainment said the MSG concert was a “historic milestone,” and explained the reasons for choosing ARRI equipment:“ARRI cameras are always my first choice for multicam concert productions. The ALEXA 35 and Mini LF models are unsurpassed, standing far beyond any other offerings in the market. They made Billy and Madison Square Garden come alive for this production!”
Commenting on the production, Peter Crithary, vice president of live entertainment at ARRI, said: “ARRI cameras have the ability to render not just images, but emotion and atmosphere. Capturing Billy Joel’s 100th concert with our ALEXA 35 and Mini LF cameras in a multicam live event where failure is not an option showcases ARRI’s commitment to live entertainment and we’re excited to build on this success with our new ALEXA 35 Live – Multicam System with integrated fibre.”
The concert earned four Emmy nominations:
Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special, Outstanding Lighting Design/Direction for a Variety Special, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special.
Offering his own praise for the production, Billy Joel said: “I’m never comfortable how I look on camera, but this is the best our show has ever looked on film.”
