It is surprising that the press release doesn't contain any cue about the anticipated size of the show, as well as other features of the setup. We should note the use of pieces "lying directly on the water without flotation devices". It reminds me the carpet of nautical fountains installed on the lake in 2005 and which came into life with the pyrodome...

Fred

Fred,

where did you get the press release? It's not up on the official site yet and a search newswire.ca didn't find it either! The video interviews have just been uploaded though - at least, the Portuguese version (despite what it says on the site).

It's not obvious what they mean about nautical devices lying on the water without flotation devices ... but I did know there are to be some special nautical mines used that light under the water. I guess we'll see for sure tomorrow!

I'm heading down to La Ronde this lunchtime to see what I can discover - but, as far as I know, no special structures this time.

Paul.

Fred, where did you get the press release?

From a very reliable source.

I did know there are to be some special nautical mines used that light under the water.

Under the water? That looks new for me...

Fred

I just got back from La Ronde.

First thing is that nothing has been setup on ramp 3 yet - now there was a day of rain this week so the setup is probably a bit behind but this indicates how much work must have been done on ramps 1 and 2.

There is a special structure on top of ramp 4 though - it is a semicircular arrangement of crescent shapes - think of segments of an orange arranged around half of a plate. I also noticed that the seven floating platforms, which weren't used last week, have product setup on them.

I went up on La Grande Roue to get a better view of ramps 1 and 2 (which are more difficult to access due to the new Catapult ride) and did see that both ramps have an incredibly large number of mortars setup. Ramp 2 was still being loaded as of this lunchtime and there were some groups of candles ready to move onto ramp 3.

Looks like the crew have a lot of work to do before now and tomorrow night. This is somewhat disconcerting because time pressures have a knack of introducing errors or other problems. Let's hope the Luso and La Ronde crews can get everything done and tested in time.

I'll post some photos later this afternoon.

Paul.

wow!! just one day to go and still nothing on ramp 3?? that's tough!! But who knows.. there are competitions where teams need to set up for 1 day for a 20 minute display!! ehehe!! So nothing is impossible! Their sountrack looks quite an enjoyable one! I wanna see how they do singing in the rain and the finale!! Looks like the psycho piece will be more of a "comedy" stop ehehehe! comedy in shows has been quite popular this year in other competitions!

vander

Here's the pictures:

Ramp 4
Ramp 2 and 1
Ramp 4 close up

Paul.

A nice selection of soundtrack, and quite a few segments, too.

Thanks for providing the pictures as well - the structures on ramp 4 are interesting, but it's curious to see what they will do during the show itself.

The Portuguese firm had no pretensions of proclaiming its own victory by naming their presentation "And the winner is...." Indeed, its representatives are very aware that the title could be misunderstood or appear pretentious.

That's reassuring, but I'm still skeptical about this kind of theme chosen to structure the display. However, given this bit of information, I suppose that the team has something convincing enough to enforce such a choice, so I guess it's all figured out accordingly.

Let's hope the Luso and La Ronde crews can get everything done and tested in time.

Let's hope. I would hate to think that the crews would have to be further rushed in the end to do last minute work. And yes, this does have a tendency for favoring problems to later surface.

Trav.

. However, given this bit of information, I suppose that the team has something convincing enough to enforce such a choice, so I guess it's all figured out accordingly.

All (or almost) musics come from Oscar nominee or winner for the soundtrack... which explain the theme... There's only a few of them i couldn't find.

I'M SO EXCITED !!!!! and with all you wrote on the Australian displays a hell of a week is coming up !

Thanks for the pictures Paul. Is the half circle finished or do you think they will add the other half ?

See you tomorrow !!!!

Mylene.

Yes, the soundtrack selection is appropriate. However, I'm just curious to see how the theme will be demonstrated through the display itself. I guess we'll find out tomorrow night!

Other than that, I wonder if Luso will use many, if any at all, variations of the shell of shells and multi-breakers, as in Italy's show.

Trav.

Many many thanks Paul.....first, for sharing every single display in the video section (full 30 minutes) to our PURE DELIGHT!!!

Second, for letting us know about how big the Portugal display will be. I am SO excited. If it's anything close to what IPON S.R.L. finales are, I will be jumping, screaming and crying, all at the same time....so if you see the bridge swaying during the finale, it will be me! LOL

Oh man.....I just can't wait for tomorrow evening!

Pierre

I see now luso will be having a "horizontal dome" hehehe.. i wonder if they have finished installing some more pieces on ramp 3! What's a show without fronts and one shots

vander