we are all very proud all of us who worked at the Dome, as i was one of them workers and i worked in retail in the arena , and the central show is a show i will never forget, and even now i still remember the songs from the show even after all this time,
I remember when all the countries were declaring what they were doing for the millenium...
1 week paid leave...
a tax reduction...
... and we get this.... the London construction companies and partners really got in there an took that money and gave the UK people a dome in London, Cheers! Not.
It turned into exactly what everybody thought it should at the time; an excellent venue for music although how they get away with the sound levels now i dont know as we were always getting complaints and the environmental health hassling us.
Ive got the documentary on the dome somewhere which was good just gotta find it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I recall that for the Ministry of Sound NYE Party on the 31st December 2000 in Skyscape the Music was powered by a 150,000 watt sound system and could be heard as far away in Greenwich centre!.
I worked at the Dome from June 99 during the construction thru to Febuary 2001 the de-construction or get out as we call it.
I think that a misconception by most people is that the dome was built and run on tax payers money the fact is that its construction and entirety up until it closed to the public was funded by sponsorship by some of the biggest companies in the world and the good old National Lottery.
These made really interesting programmes and showed how young people came from all over the country to be trained in circus and performing skills, had to undergo tests to see if they had vertigo including walking round the topmost gallery in the dome and performed theatrical events for the local communities in Greenwich.
As far as I know, nobody ever saw these films except for a few cynical journalists at a press launch. It was a real oppurtunity missed and an indictment of the media (especially the BBC at the time) that they were not interested in any good news story, but were only interested in the collapse of Peter Mandelson and the Dome.
I think it was a real disservice to the young people who put their heart and soul into the show and everything that surrounded it (circus skills academy - is that still going?) that more wasn't made of the behind the scenes story at the time.
What a way to warm people up for the show than to show them the "making of". In these days of DVD extras, 360 degree media, YouTube and "A problem like Maria" TV shows it seems obvious.
I also remember the hours of amazing Timelapse footage of the Dome being built that made its way into a few films like ours but never saw the light of day otherwise. What a waste!
I remember Michael Grade coming to our edit suite in Soho to watch the "Making of the central show" video and being totally enthused by it. If a cynical professional like him can be enthused then think what effect it would have had on the public.
Maybe a 10 year anniversary video would be a good idea!
I also remember making a couple of films around the search for and training of the young people that performed in the central bunjee jumping/stilt walking extravaganza show set to Peter Gabriel's OVO music.
Oh yes that film. I was Head of AV at the Dome (working for NMEC) and remember clearly when this film was made. The intention was to send this to concert and event promoters. Cant say it was overly successful but Sally did try!!!
I have hours and hours of films, clips etc on DVD. I do have the making of somewhere. DId you know I made a recording of the main show over 3 nights with 3 cameras each night? Also have that here as well. Actually I am still very proud of what we achived at Dome so definately not forgotten!!
Would love to see the "Making of" central show particularly. I too was very proud of that programme - we cut a much longer version before the press launch version was finally cut down - maybe we can get a few more of these gems up here on Youtube and share the "real" story with the world! If u don't have the means I'd be willing to do the technical stuff.
Wow, that takes me back as I was too worked there and never seen this before!.
The Blackadder film was in fact 70mm, not Video.
Interesting Vue are to open next month a Multiplex within the O2 venue (Dome) and the largest screen will be 82ft wide, that is larger than Skyscape screen
we are all very proud all of us who worked at the Dome, as i was one of them workers and i worked in retail in the arena , and the central show is a show i will never forget, and even now i still remember the songs from the show even after all this time,
skyboy377 11 months ago
is the dome gone?
I remember when all the countries were declaring what they were doing for the millenium...
1 week paid leave...
a tax reduction...
... and we get this.... the London construction companies and partners really got in there an took that money and gave the UK people a dome in London, Cheers! Not.
The scandinavians were
strunway 3 years ago
It turned into exactly what everybody thought it should at the time; an excellent venue for music although how they get away with the sound levels now i dont know as we were always getting complaints and the environmental health hassling us.
Ive got the documentary on the dome somewhere which was good just gotta find it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
soundy67 4 years ago
I recall that for the Ministry of Sound NYE Party on the 31st December 2000 in Skyscape the Music was powered by a 150,000 watt sound system and could be heard as far away in Greenwich centre!.
westrex5000 4 years ago
I think the time-lapse film ended up in the BFI.
I worked at the Dome from June 99 during the construction thru to Febuary 2001 the de-construction or get out as we call it.
I think that a misconception by most people is that the dome was built and run on tax payers money the fact is that its construction and entirety up until it closed to the public was funded by sponsorship by some of the biggest companies in the world and the good old National Lottery.
soundy67 4 years ago
dnt suppose you have a music cd or full video of the show i could purchase,it was superb?
nogle123 4 years ago
I always wondered why no one considered filming the central Show for later release say in the Imax format?.
Just think years to come it could had been shown world wide on Imax screens and later released on DVD and would given the Dome better press.
Can anyone remember the supporting film screened at Skyscape to the "Blackadder - Back & Forth", Sky's "A Good Ship Citizen"?
westrex5000 4 years ago
These made really interesting programmes and showed how young people came from all over the country to be trained in circus and performing skills, had to undergo tests to see if they had vertigo including walking round the topmost gallery in the dome and performed theatrical events for the local communities in Greenwich.
Paddywack0 4 years ago
As far as I know, nobody ever saw these films except for a few cynical journalists at a press launch. It was a real oppurtunity missed and an indictment of the media (especially the BBC at the time) that they were not interested in any good news story, but were only interested in the collapse of Peter Mandelson and the Dome.
Paddywack0 4 years ago
I think it was a real disservice to the young people who put their heart and soul into the show and everything that surrounded it (circus skills academy - is that still going?) that more wasn't made of the behind the scenes story at the time.
What a way to warm people up for the show than to show them the "making of". In these days of DVD extras, 360 degree media, YouTube and "A problem like Maria" TV shows it seems obvious.
Paddywack0 4 years ago
I also remember the hours of amazing Timelapse footage of the Dome being built that made its way into a few films like ours but never saw the light of day otherwise. What a waste!
I remember Michael Grade coming to our edit suite in Soho to watch the "Making of the central show" video and being totally enthused by it. If a cynical professional like him can be enthused then think what effect it would have had on the public.
Maybe a 10 year anniversary video would be a good idea!
Paddywack0 4 years ago
Rant over!!!
Paddywack0 4 years ago
I also remember making a couple of films around the search for and training of the young people that performed in the central bunjee jumping/stilt walking extravaganza show set to Peter Gabriel's OVO music.
Paddywack0 4 years ago
Oh yes that film. I was Head of AV at the Dome (working for NMEC) and remember clearly when this film was made. The intention was to send this to concert and event promoters. Cant say it was overly successful but Sally did try!!!
fortanach 4 years ago
You don't by any chance have a copy of the "making of" central show video. Or is that a part of your life best forgotten!
Paddywack0 4 years ago
I have hours and hours of films, clips etc on DVD. I do have the making of somewhere. DId you know I made a recording of the main show over 3 nights with 3 cameras each night? Also have that here as well. Actually I am still very proud of what we achived at Dome so definately not forgotten!!
fortanach 4 years ago
Would love to see the "Making of" central show particularly. I too was very proud of that programme - we cut a much longer version before the press launch version was finally cut down - maybe we can get a few more of these gems up here on Youtube and share the "real" story with the world! If u don't have the means I'd be willing to do the technical stuff.
Nick
Paddywack0 4 years ago
Wow, that takes me back as I was too worked there and never seen this before!.
The Blackadder film was in fact 70mm, not Video.
Interesting Vue are to open next month a Multiplex within the O2 venue (Dome) and the largest screen will be 82ft wide, that is larger than Skyscape screen
westrex5000 4 years ago
I have never seen that before!
I worked in Skyscape for the entire year!
It is interesting to see the computer animated design of Skyscape, as it didn't look like that in the end.
sickboy509 4 years ago