EVENT FOCUS
WWE THUNDERDOME Screenworks provides an innovative LED solution, allowing fans to get up close to the action in the WWE ThunderDome.
With COVID-19 restrictions making in-person audiences temporarily impossible, WWE set about creating an elaborate immersive experience that would capture the essence of its hugely popular live shows. The solution? The ThunderDome: a state-of-the-art facility setup inside Orlando’s Amway Center, featuring massive LED screens, pyrotechnics, lasers, cutting-edge graphics and drone cameras. Making its TV debut on 21 August, the WWE ThunderDome was an instant hit. “WWE has a long history of producing the greatest live spectacles in sports and entertainment, yet nothing compares to what we are creating with WWE ThunderDome,” commented WWE Executive Vice President of Television Production, Kevin Dunn. “This structure will enable us to deliver an immersive atmosphere and generate more excitement among the millions of fans watching our programming around the world.” Central to the concept was the ability to allow fans to experience the action up close and personal, bringing them into the arena via live video
on massive LED screens. “The intention was to give the WWE Universe via technology, the most immersive experience that we could think of,” stated Senior Vice President of Event Technical Operations at WWE, Duncan Leslie. Tasked with this challenge was video display solutions specialist, Screenworks. Part of the NEP Worldwide Network, Screenworks has been working with the WWE for some two decades and, according to the company’s Vice President, Kevin Hoyle, it’s a relationship that has been long and fruitful. “This isn’t the only new challenge that has been thrown our way during our long relationship with WWE,” he began. “Our task has always been, and will continue to be, to support them however we can during these difficult times.” This particular challenge saw Hoyle and his team facilitate more than 1,000 fans in ‘virtual seats’, using LED screens populating the sides of the ring, captured by WWE’s hard camera. From their seats, the fans could cheer and interact with the WWE superstars. “It gives that live interaction between 38
