Marquee Transformation, Illuminated Ox and Studio News
In this newsletter we run through transforming a marquee into a beautifully themed room, using the combined resources of Sydney Props, Custom Elements, Chair Covers Candelabra and Sydney Event Services.
Masquerade in a marquee
We do large installs in venues right across New South Wales and nationally. Often marquees are a great way to set up for a gala dinner in an adjacent area while a conference is using the main venue space. This way the Sydney Props team has time to transform the space, out of sight of guests and delegates, to create a surprise reveal with the WOW factor you want for your event.
Before anything happens we first have to get the marquee erected and a dancefloor laid. In this instance, however, we were able to use an existing marquee at the venue – the Crown Plaza Hunter Valley.
Transforming the space
The plan for the room is worked out in great detail well before the event. Custom props and set pieces are designed and built by Custom Elements, and existing theme elements are refreshed and painted.
A floor plan is produced and areas are assigned for kitchen, beverage service, performance, sound and lighting control. main dining area, chillout space, back of house and toilets.
Transportation logistics are sorted and load-in areas are identified. An event like this uses many vehicles to transport sets and props, as well as staging and audio-visual equipment. This job used 2 pantechs, one just for chairs and tables, as well as several smaller trucks – and then another for sound and lights.
All hands unloading at 3am
We are working to a deadline! We have exactly 17 hours to complete the room.
Our expert team includes Sydney Props staging, event stylists and dressers, prop makers, riggers and drivers, as well as support from Sydney Event Services and from Chair Covers Candelabra.
By the glow of construction lights everyone gets in and helps unload all of the trucks. There are many heavy items as well as delicate props such as statues and crystal chandeliers – all items are distributed according to the floorplan under the supervision of the event coordinator.
The room gets built at the same time as lighting is installed – we all work together to make sure there are no bottlenecks in getting the job done.
Once the room is complete, Chair Covers Candelabra come in and do the table settings and finesse the room decor.
Tablescapes and centrepieces
The dining tables with chairs form the central backbone of the marquee and offer a prime space for focus on room decor as well as creating ambience.
Surrounded by beautifully painted backdrops with foreground elements on all sides, the table treatment serves to tie the room together.
For this event we chose gold chairs with comfortable cushions, large ornate, wrought iron candleholders as table centrepieces, crystal votives and gold plates.
Opulent, decadent and fun!
Chair Covers Candelabra work with Sydney Props to create table settings to a colour palette that fits with the overall theme – in this case an opulent Masquerade Party.
Throughout the room we create several “Sweet Tables” and giveaway stations – these are dressed with crystal and silver bowls, candleholders, and decanters filled with treats. The tabletops are laid with sequinned and glitter fabrics and lighting is arranged to emphasise these areas.
Finishing touches
With the room finished we primp the table settings, light the real candles, switch on the battery operated votive lights, start the effects blowers and set the initial lighting style.
With the dinner in full swing we have several staff onhand to make sure everything runs smoothly, including presentation.
Our Masquerade Theme is one of our Signature Themes and this example transformed a simple marquee into a beautiful environment that definitely achieved the Wow Factor our client was after.
The Sum of Several Sticky Situations involving Salami Sticks
Award Winning Short by Oli Stening
A novice cop enlists the help of his loyal butcher after being robbed of his favourite lunch snack. However, the butcher’s plans may prove more sinister than the cop thought. Meanwhile an oddball lawyer loses his job.
Written, Produced, Directed and Edited by Oli Stening
The Sum of Several Sticky Situations involving Salami Sticks
Best Comedy/Dramedy Short @ The Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival Platinum Best Actor Award @ The New York Best Actor Awards Finalist @ New Wave Short Film Festival in Munich Germany Finalist @ Tokyo International Short Film Festival Finalist @ Vancouver Independent Film Festival Semi Finalist @ Couch Comedy Film Festival in Toronto Semi Finalist @ Indie Fest Short Fest (Los Angeles International Film Festival) Official Nominee @ Falcon International Film Festival in London Official Selection @ Hollywood Fullshot Film Festival & Magazine Official Selection @ Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift Official Selecton @ Boden International Film Festival in Sweden Official Selection @ Sydney Indie Short Film Festival Official Selection @ Oregon Scream Week Horror Film Festival Official Selection @ Byron Bay Underground Film Festival
The Sum of Several Sticky Situations involving Salami Sticks
Cast:
Oli Stening – Ivan the Butcher Ben Corlett – Sonny the Cop Steffi Gil – Vicky the Vegan Jarrod Barling – Trent (Surfer Dude) Adam Dean – Damo (Surfer Dude) Neilson Brown – Justice the Lawyer Britty Flynn – Salami Stick Oli Stening – The Clown
Crew:
Director of Photography (DoP): Simon Watts Assistant Director: Will Fargas Sound Recordists: Piotr Walisewski & Gareth Evans SFX Makeup: Lucy Woolfman, Janelle Stacey, Cole Wilson Music Composer: Steve Toppa Colourist: Nicholas Andrews
Special Thanks To:
Tony Dib – BTS Photographer Hungry Grasshopper Cafe (Danielle) The Girls @ Setbook (Natasje Garbers & Rachael Collins) Sydney Props Studios Britty Flynn Lucy Woolfman
Locations courtesy of Sydney Props Studios & The Hungry Grasshopper Café and Setbook
Check out more from KooKoo Entertainment here: Instagram: @kookooentertainment Website: www.KooKooEnt.com
Donya – “Koo Ta Biad” OFFICIAL VIDEO
Shot at Sydney Props Photo Studios – Studio 7, 8 and 4
Illuminated Sculpture for Year of the Ox
A large, illuminated Ox artwork created by Paul Wells from Sydney Props Specialists to celebrate the Chinese ‘Year of the Ox’ was illuminated with Astera Titan Tube and NYX Bulbs and realised in collaboration with Sydney Event Services.
This stood proudly on display in Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia, for three weeks during the 2021 celebrations
