This project was developed with “Feats,” a special events company, and Boston University. Body Echo created a series of CGI treated films accompanied by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for a special, one night, grand, fundraising event for Boston University. The film segments were projected onto the ice rink of the Agganis Arena, by Quince Imaging, using a series of 20,000 lumen projectors and special mapping software. Music was provided by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra playing a Mashup of Led Zeppelin's ‘Kashmir’ and Aerosmith’s ‘Dream On.’
The overall theme of the project was the growth, importance, and achievements of the University, its, staff, professors and students. The event was a mix of Body Echo’s projected films and live performances from presenters, singers, marching bands, aerialist skaters and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.
The event opened with the first of four Body Echo films titled, “Growth of a University.” The film begins with a small 3D model of the original Newbury Biblical Institute, a school house founded in 1839, which was the very beginning of what is now known as Boston University. The section flows through the development of the university, illustrating the early foundation buildings and sites of the university. The section further develops into a contemporary map of Boston that is drawn on the ice, turning red, representing the expansion of the university. Development of the different buildings, schools and colleges are illustrated via a time line which expands into a 3D stage. Schools, colleges and integral university buildings are named as they literally “grow up” while we travel through a virtual “fly through” of the city culminating above the Agganis Arena. Here we descend through the roof. The ice cracks and we are shown a representation of the university growing up on the ice in 3D, ending with an explosion of fireworks.
We now travel away from this first section following a red ribbon which draws a globe of the world. As the globe spins we illuminate how the university has expanded across the world into 90 countries. This first film ends with the Boston University logo spinning on the ice in 3D.
Credits
Artist and Director: Hugh O'Donnell
Producer: Tina Eden
Lead Animation and Lead Compositing: Akhil Bhatt
3D Animation and Compositing: Derek Cuneo
