Launched at the NSW State Library on Friday 1st July and running until the 24th July the exhibition, now in its 54th year, is universally acknowledged as the world’s premier competition for photojournalism and its accolades are coveted by photographers across the globe.

“This year’s World Press Photo exhibition will stun and captivate audiences with some of the most powerful images of world events from 2010,” says Chris Macleod, Brand Manager – EOS, Canon Australia. “Canon is proud to sponsor this important celebration of photojournalism worldwide as well as locally in Australia.”

The DFP implemented staging was simple, stylish and effective.

…..and yes and it really works!!! ‘

One pull of the mega chrome leaver by a Star City patron sees all the sights and sounds of a regular gaming machine happen with the big display screen scrolling through vertical prize rolls to deliver a promotional gift to the lucky participant.

The fascination on property with DFPs new oh-so-big, promotional creation is well deserved and this faithful, fun oversize recreation of a poker machine has a world class finish and design to match.

‘Well, are you feeling really lucky?’ then you need to try your hand on a really big machine but just for fun of course.

www.futurestar.com.au/rocklily

As part of Star City’s renovation the development of the new Main Gaming Floor Bar, ROCK LILY has been been a project of considerable time, effort and passion for Casino management.

The Bar finally surfaced to the general public in recent weeks and DFP developed a stylish promotional display in the Casino’s Main entry to ensure that the new Bar’s message got across to the general public.

A simple, yet slick combination of chrome truss, chrome par cans, pink thematic lighting and shiny black revolve featuring 5 cut-down drum kits did the trick. Simple is sometimes best and in this case the result was right on target!

THE ATC REQUEST(Aust Turf Club www.australianturfclub.com.au)  : ”What we want is to finish the last race and then exactly 15 minutes after the final horse walks off have current fave-rave band, Amy Meredith  www.amymeredith.com.au playing live in the middle of the main straight.”

THE GENERAL INDUSTRY RESPONSE : ” No. Can’t be done. Even with a mobile truck stage will still take too long to set up. Sorry”

THE DFP RESPONSE : “Mmmmmmm……got an idea…….”

…..SO THEN DAN FROM DFP SAID : “We’re going to build a large stage that’s able to roll on numerous pneumatic tyres for minimal impact then set up the the Front-of-House speakers, lighting and band backline with drum riser on the stage, then on the day, do a rough sound check of the band off track, then use a tractor and crew to roll the fully laden stage onto track to a predetermined spot, then run out power and signal lines from a prepositioned control point and then it will happen and be great!”

THE ATC RESPONSE : Deep breath…..”Right then”…..deafening silence….

A number of meetings later, lots of explanation and some serious preplanning and prep, it simply happened.

On Golden Slipper Day 2011, 15 minutes after the last horse left the main straight Amy Meredith took to the ‘magical’ roll-on stage, picked up their instruments and played a knockout set of playful power pop to an appreciative crowd.

Mission accomplished and the final word from Lisa Kazzi the ATC Marketing Executive in charge of the event:

“I would like to say a huge thank you for all the hard work and determination you provided in making the after the last concert work seamlessly on Saturday. No matter how many times I was told by other companies that it couldn’t be done DFP, as always made it happen- thank you!

 I look forward to working with you  in the near future on some exciting projects ATC will present us with.”

Happy days!

They were developing a major event scenario for their client, Fairfax Digital www.fairfax.com.au and brought us on board to assist in implementing the fun competition games landscape they wanted to conjure in the Exhibition Hall at Australian Technology Park   www.atp.com.au

Guests from the Media & Marketing industry were to spend a crazy evening playing all styles of competitive games, from Nintendo to Foosball to Sumo Wrestling!!! in a pseudo olympic environment with an emphahis on Fairfax Digital marketing collateral.

A bit bizarre but hey, certainly different!

So, where to start? Well guest entry seemed the obvious place and with some creative collusion at our end guests found themselves walking down a running track and then through a massive, curtain-like sign featuring the Digital Media Man himself!

The cavernous Exhibition Hall at ATP required a thoughtful approach to ensure budgets remained under control and ultimately saw an area marked out with crowd fencing, a featured DJ stage and projection screen, glo bars, white dance floor, surround sound PA system and feature sumo and soccer shoot-out areas.   

The end result worked just as MercerBell intended for their client and when the final classic tug-o-war occurred between various guest media teams it was nothing short of hilarious though some were very serious about it all, maybe with one of the fabulous prizes that were on offer from Fairfax Digital in mind. 

Such a fun night! Smiling faces all round and just a buzz working with the gang at MercerBell to create a night we’re sure Fairfax Digitial and their guests will remember for a long time to come.

While we at DFP are well aware of some sound team restructuring, great new player additions and continued strong allegiance under the legendary captaincy of Phil Waugh and solid coaching of Chris Hickey, we also like to believe that maybe a small part of the current impetus came from the sensational Waratahs 2011 Launch held at the Ivy Ballroom in February.

Dan designed the impressive spectacle which took the presentation of this years team to a new level in the presitgious Ivy surrounds.

The dynamic of the team announcement featured three of teams best known players in Tatafu Polota-Nau, Phil Waugh and Drew Mitchell each in this Season’s significant team jerseys covering ‘away’, ‘home’ and ‘charity’ games.

The three players were individually feature lit from above with startling white light and then as the music lifted they were joined on stage by the rest of the team, the crescendo ending involving massive blasts from 2 confetti canons and finally a spontaneous standing ovation from the audience, a first for a Waratahs launch!

While the team looked impressive on stage so did the later entertainment in the form of the stars from the current stage smash hit Jersy Boys who hit the deck to present a knockout set.

The event was slick and polished from the start as befits the season launch of one of Australia’s oldest established and most impressive sports teams.

Ultimately, the media coverage said it all. Click on this link to review the article Launching Into it

Such a great start. Come on boys, do us proud!

Star City was a serious focus for DFP given our involvement in entertainment, theming and production.

Many highlights occurred but one of the best was the booking for Katie Noonan  http://www.katienoonan.com/  in the oh so special, very exclusive, high rollers, Vermillion Room.

Katie is a class act of the first order and a sheer delight to work with. What a voice! Dan loved mixing her and there was a strong sound and sense of quality coming through the system DFP provided. The unique stage build we created with curved staging and gold chiffon rear drop with sewn in black velveteen borders fitted in perfectly with a room which swims in oppulence and style.

Katie and her guys were VERY happy with the staging and sound, DFP receiving the email message below from the lady herself when we returned to the officer after New Year…

“just a small note of thanks for the recent nye performance. we had a great time and it was a pleasure working with, dan and your team!

very best wishes to you and yours, ktxo

Singer/Composer/Pianist/Producer” 

Such a nice thing to hear and great way to start the year. Thanks Katie!

2011….watch out for DFP. Here we come!

There was football fever back at the start of October which saw DFP involved in a myriad of Grand Final activity, a highlight of which was providing the production and management of the St George Dragons Grand Final Luncheon presentation at the Club on the big day itself. This was football fever at its best in the heartland of a finals contender. Definitely a moment in time!

Later in October DFP was honored for the second year running to be asked to ’display’ the Melbourne Cup Trophy at Rosehill Gardens to an appreciative and awed group of VIP guests. At the appointed time the arrival of the trophy was announced with security entering to place this legendary symbol of Australian racing onto a revolve atop a large gold plinth with feature, built in up-lighting serving to heighten the auror surrounding one of racing’s most glittering prizes. Impressive? Absolutely!

Then…BEN HUR at ANZ Stadium! This was truly a unique event to be associated with, the Marketing Team at ANZ Stadium entrusting DFP to create appropriate thematic atmosphere in the various corporate hospitality areas across the 2 nights of the production.  From statues to fountains, laurel hanging garlands and golden cloth drops, welcoming vestal virgins to dramatic draping and lighting plus unique table centrepieces seemingly from antiquity, 5 areas at ANZ were given the touches to suggest to those attending a glimmer of the style that once was the glory of Rome.

The next event that was an absolute standout for DFP well beyond business, was the much anticipated marriage of one of DFPs directors at Simmer on the Bay in Sydney www.simmeronthebay.com.au. While the weather proved fickle on the day and two other major DFP events were happening exactly as planned elsewhere,  the groom and blushing bride really were the centre of attention at Simmer in an event with style, warmth, original design flair and great charm. Sometimes it’s nice to step outside what you can create for others and enjoy doing something really meaningful for yourself as was the case with this very special event. Just a great night with lots of health, wealth and happiness to the bride and groom…then, now and always!

Enter the start of November and the race that stops a nation saw DFP very busy on a number of fronts.

At the Cup Day races held at Rosehill Gardens, DFP put on the entertainment cap providing DJs, interactive entertainers, musicians, MCs and even coordinating the children’s pony race down the main straight much to the delight of the crowd.

Further, when a client comes back to you 6 years running it is a flattering thing and DFP delivered a fun raceday experience for the 450 strong members and guests of the SDA www.sda.org.au also at Rosehill Gardens in the J R Fleming Stand. This quality event featured Tall Pop Syndrome on stage, the inimitable Bruce English as the jolly doorman and lots of fun touches from a grand entry down a red carpet through a gold horseshoe archway to a photobooth complete with fun props so guests could capture that never-to-be-forgotten picture.

Beyond all this there was finally Melbourne Cup Day at Star City, the most exciting venue in town! The DFP theming involvement spanned 3 major areas including the Casino entranceway, the Sports Theatre and feature elements of the VIP luncheon in the Grand Harbour Ballroom.

The Casino entranceway was where the stylish fun started with, on one side, a Royal Ascot white table and chair setting complete with champagne and grey top hat mirrored on the other side with a chic, black race horse sporting a gold satin cover fringed in white tassles both on green astro turf surrounded by colourful amazing floral edging.

Once inside the Casino patrons headed to the Sports Theatre for their chance to join in the raceday fun and ultimately to watch the big race on the big screens.

In the Sports Theatre DFP theming remained stylish with an ongoing, elegant yellow and white focus.

The central round, Astro Turf Stage joined by a small delicate, white curved bridge back to the Main Stage provided the perfect position and setting for the feature MC, Lee Watson (formerly Furlong) to compere a very special day of racing glamour.

But the style wasn’t confined to the Sports Theatre! At the VIP luncheon in the Grand Ballroom the simple colour and elegance of the day was carried through in a room where the prominent feature was a unique, purpose designed rear stage wall with Melbourne Cup 2010 wording remarkably etched out in green turf, cursive lettering that captured the trackside spirit of the day at a glance. This coupled with the striking mini-pagolas around the room saw guests feel as if they were at Flemington itself….mmmm, minus the excessive crowd but plus superb drink, food and festive fun!

Still, like many clients the regular request is, ‘we want something different that will capture the feel of the day and attention of the crowd’.

When the question was asked this year it seemed like a great time to tap, pardon the pun, into the ever growing resurgence of dance in Australia but……how to make it tie in with the day? Easy, invite some of the characters from Lewis Caroll’s legendary ‘Alice in Wonderland’ to tanslate their own madness about the hat races into a cutting edge contemporary dance routine at the races, and it was great…

With the Parade Ring floral archway as a fitting back drop, the Mad Hatter, Alice, a stunning White Queen and a malevolant Red Queen hit the boards on the purpose built stage and welcomed everyone to their very special Tea Party with an energy that was simply infectious!

The costuming was brilliant to say the least,

…and, with great on-stage and track sound from Paul Taylor and his merry men in the on-course audio room, the dance routine stopped the race track crowd in their tracks.

Not one cry of ‘off with their heads’ was heard! It was fun, it was entertaining, it was a new edge to a classic day of racing and left the crowd wanting to go back through the looking glass for more.

From a production request by superb Sydney party band the Shy Guys  www.theshyguys.com.au, booked for the gig some time ago, DFP was asked by the client if they could also accommodate the production needs of  Jon Stevens. Quite a bit in this but then after a meeting with the client it became clear that much more was needed in order to get this very special event up and happening in the unique Carriageworks space.

The theme was around construction……Eden Brae Homes, yep…that makes sense. The space was inventively designed to include various building sites, a half constructed house, roofing frame suspended from ceiling, some landscaped gardening, wheel barrows, cement mixers, spilled gravel, brick walls, safety lights, scaffolding viewing areas with the rough & ready balanced out by a funky glow bar with flare barmen, cool and groovy white furniture, dramatic ice sculpture and pristine white dance floor.

With a wave of the clients magic work boot it all happened along with a sexy feature dance routine, knockout performance by Jon Stevens www.jonstevens.com.au and his band followed by the Shy Guys keeping the guests dancing through the construction zone until the wee small hours.

Some of the logistics were daunting but everyone bogged in including the client and her energetic assistant to ultimately transform the space which, once the lighting & sound happened, became one of the more unusual gigs that DFP have created. It was fun, it was loud, it was a lot of laughs…..and that was only the bumpin!

Thanks Eden Brae for giving DFP the chance to get down and dirty.

Belinda and Emma….you are so awesome! Love your work.