202 posts
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Post by harry on May 29, 2022 10:32:26 GMT
The illusion is amazing (jaw dropping), and amazingly simple - it’s not the method, it’s the exceptional level of execution that means it’s so enjoyable to give over to the magic trick. Forget everything you’ve read about holograms (or pepper’s ghost as one person on Twitter was claiming it was “known” in the industry to be the technique used). It’s at first baffling, then it dawns on you what’s going on, and then you get over your small disappointment at the simplicity because it’s so extraordinarily well done. So so so(!) well done that the fact that it’s not only not real people but also those fake people are de-aged by 40odd years doesn’t even cross your mind. The arena fabulous and is a massive part of the show and seamlessly part of the whole experience and the illusion. So is it literally just them on a screen? I can’t see how it can be anything other than that. The way they cast reflections on the “stage”, the high definition of the screen, the way lighting effects in the arena are replicated on the screen to make it appear lights are “behind them” all fool the brain into thinking they are solid.[/spolier] {Spoiler - click to view}
Yes. The thing that makes it so convincing is the way they are lit, so they are always “lit” by fake lights on the fake lighting rig which is part of the image on the screen, with fake reflections etc on the fake stage which is also just an image on the screen, BUT there are almost always simultaneously identical lighting effects produced by real lights in the auditorium. So your brain just thinks it’s all the same thing.
Even the opening 10sec is not what it seems - we see bars of light zoom from deep in a cavernous stage space out towards us and past us to the back of the room. Except they’re actually appearing on a flat screen so to paraphrase Father Ted, they just start small, not far away.
The fact it’s basically just a film means that they can do all those huge set changes like the space set, the arch of lights, the eclipse, the star scape etc. at the drop of a hat as there’s no real sets to be moved (as there would be with holograms / pepper’s ghost). Not to mention when you look at the shape of it afterwards you realise the Arena itself isn’t actually big enough to have the massively deep stage they make you think it has!
Interestingly if you look at still photos taken on phones on Twitter, especially a bit side on, they do look very flat. So I think the illusion works so well due to not only the clear image, but the realistic movement, plus the size of the screen and the way the image seamlessly blends at the edges with the real world equivalent. |
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Post by steve10086 on May 29, 2022 10:37:21 GMT
So is it literally just them on a screen? I can’t see how it can be anything other than that. The way they cast reflections on the “stage”, the high definition of the screen, the way lighting effects in the arena are replicated on the screen to make it appear lights are “behind them” all fool the brain into thinking they are solid.[/spolier] {Spoiler - click to view}
Yes. The thing that makes it so convincing is the way they are lit, so they are always “lit” by fake lights on the fake lighting rig which is part of the image on the screen, with fake reflections etc on the fake stage which is also just an image on the screen, BUT there are almost always simultaneously identical lighting effects produced by real lights in the auditorium. So your brain just thinks it’s all the same thing.
Even the opening 10sec is not what it seems - we see bars of light zoom from deep in a cavernous stage space out towards us and past us to the back of the room. Except they’re actually appearing on a flat screen so to paraphrase Father Ted, they just start small, not far away.
The fact it’s basically just a film means that they can do all those huge set changes like the space set, the arch of lights, the eclipse, the star scape etc. at the drop of a hat as there’s no real sets to be moved (as there would be with holograms / pepper’s ghost). Not to mention when you look at the shape of it afterwards you realise the Arena itself isn’t actually big enough to have the massively deep stage they make you think it has!
Interestingly if you look at still photos taken on phones on Twitter, especially a bit side on, they do look very flat. So I think the illusion works so well due to not only the clear image, but the realistic movement, plus the size of the screen and the way the image seamlessly blends at the edges with the real world equivalent. So simple, yet so clever! |
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Post by interval99 on May 29, 2022 10:40:32 GMT
The clips and photos which are popping up on the web do not do justice to what you experience in the arena and as they distort and flattering the image they cannot capture the 3d real and very solid images you see on the night.
There have been a great mix of people seeing this both ABBA fans and causal viewers , the overwhelming positive responses and reviews would not not have come if people just saw a flat screen projection.
This really is a show to witness firsthand and not watch via YouTube
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on May 29, 2022 10:46:09 GMT
The clips and photos which are popping up on the web do not do justice to what you experience in the arena and as they distort and flattering the image they cannot capture the 3d real and very solid images you see on the night. There have been a great mix of people seeing this both ABBA fans and causal viewers , the overwhelming positive responses and reviews would not not have come if people just saw a flat screen projection. This really is a show to witness firsthand and not watch via YouTube Yet it is “just” a flat screen. But so well done that your brain doesn’t see it. |
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Post by max on May 29, 2022 11:20:50 GMT
I’ve put some of the above post in spoilers. Are people keen that the way it’s don’t isn’t revealed (yet) unless people proactively click a spoiler or are we not bothered? I was going with what Benny/Bjorn said at the start of it going public - which already spoilered what it isn't (the remainder being what it is and has to be - unless it's actual magic of course....). But happy to be spoiler protected to keep the magic or discovery alive for others. |
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Post by karloscar on May 29, 2022 13:41:34 GMT
Agnetha's white dress should win animation awards for the way it moves and changes depending on her movement and the way the light hits it, or rather seems to. It's like it has a life of its own.
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on May 29, 2022 21:46:13 GMT
It was just as good on a second viewing. I can’t help looking around the “stage” and marvelling at all the fake lighting etc that go into making you believe there is space behind the ABBAtars. It’s just so clever and effective. |
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Post by tonylony on May 29, 2022 22:17:24 GMT
Would a seat near the back row still give a good view? Looking to book row N in the side section but not sure about the distance
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351 posts
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Post by Scswp on May 30, 2022 5:38:18 GMT
Sorry if this has been addressed already, but have the old songs been re-recorded for this concert or is the music itself just a playback of the old recordings? If they’re new versions, what are the new versions/mixes like?
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on May 30, 2022 5:41:33 GMT
There are lots of clips appearing on YouTube now.
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Post by apwl on May 30, 2022 7:55:49 GMT
Would a seat near the back row still give a good view? Looking to book row N in the side section but not sure about the distance I think so. I was there last night on the dance floor area but whole arena really isn’t that big and not much depth too it either. |
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on May 30, 2022 7:59:58 GMT
Would a seat near the back row still give a good view? Looking to book row N in the side section but not sure about the distance I’ve sat at the back of the central seating block and the view was great. You’re obviously far from the ABBAtars, but the whole arena is part of the experience with lights everywhere, so it gives a great overall view of the event. I do wonder what the side blocks are like in terms of the ABBAtars though. Not sure if the effect is lessened if seeing them at an angle. |
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1,481 posts
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Post by steve10086 on May 30, 2022 8:01:19 GMT
Sorry if this has been addressed already, but have the old songs been re-recorded for this concert or is the music itself just a playback of the old recordings? If they’re new versions, what are the new versions/mixes like? The music is performed live by the onstage band, only the vocals are pre-recorded. There are some differences between the originals and what you hear at the concert. |
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2,370 posts
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Post by theatreian on May 30, 2022 9:45:59 GMT
WE were sat in the side blocks and the view is still great. Due to the angle you are actually nearer the stage than the rear of the centre blocks.
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Post by partytentdown on May 30, 2022 10:12:35 GMT
I've seen it head on and from the side, I would say they look *slightly* flatter from the sides but nothing to worry about, it wouldn't stop me booking that angle again
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4,171 posts
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Post by anthony40 on May 30, 2022 10:52:56 GMT
I am there tonight. I am so excited. I have been waiting (nearly) 40 years to attend an ABBA concert.
Currently, although working from home, I am talking at a pace that would put a greyhound to shame with excitement and at a pitch so high that all the neighbours dogs are howling!
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Post by danielwhit on May 30, 2022 11:30:19 GMT
I am there tonight. I am so excited. I have been waiting (nearly) 40 years to attend an ABBA concert. Currently, although working from home, I am talking at a pace that would put a greyhound to shame with excitement and at a pitch so high that all the neighbours dogs are howling! Enjoy! It's definitely worth the watch. Agree with previous poster that from the side blocks the illusion isn't quite as good but it's still very easy to forget you're watching a set of super HD screens. One thing I particularly liked was they had gone to the effort of having scuffs and imperfections on the digital stage. |
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Post by anthony40 on May 30, 2022 11:49:10 GMT
Found ths on Twitter
I love that #ABBA just hailed a black cab randomly in the street to get to the ABBA Arena VIP premiere. No fancy limo for them. #ABBAVoyage
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Post by Jon on May 30, 2022 12:13:50 GMT
I assume Benny doesn't use Uber.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 12:28:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 12:35:55 GMT
Found ths on Twitter I love that #ABBA just hailed a black cab randomly in the street to get to the ABBA Arena VIP premiere. No fancy limo for them. #ABBAVoyage Surely one of the security or an entourage would have hailed it for them. Talk about the old taxi driver stories "You'll never guess who I had in the taxi just". I'd doubt they would use an Uber but surely an official car would have been laid on or an Addison Lee etc. I get that People Carriers can be higher to step into so Frida may have found taxis easier to get in an out of. Also Benny's jacket would have made him stand out more for a taxi driver to see. |
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Post by theatreian on May 30, 2022 12:53:12 GMT
I am so excited. I have been waiting (nearly) 40 years to attend an ABBA concert. You will have a fabulous night. Enjoy it. |
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Post by alece10 on May 30, 2022 13:49:38 GMT
My little ABBA story.
I've always been a fan of theirs and many, many years ago when they were at their height I was on holiday in Stockholm.
I'd heard that they used to frequent the Cafe Opera which was at the Stockholm Opera building. So every day I used to go and hang around there (it was very expensive) in the hope of seeing them. Unfortunately I had no luck and it was only after I returned to the UK that I discovered they weren't even in the country.
Bear in mind this was well before the days of social media. But I have to say the cafe did a lovely Princess Cake.
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Post by ladidah on May 30, 2022 14:04:23 GMT
My Mum has mild epilepsy, but I can't see any warnings on their site or info about disabilities and the show.
Does anybody know?
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4,171 posts
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Post by anthony40 on May 30, 2022 14:20:50 GMT
My Mum has mild epilepsy, but I can't see any warnings on their site or info about disabilities and the show. Does anybody know? Is there not some sort of Contact Us tab or way of making contact in order to find out? |
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