UTV services encompass the full spectrum of building successful, contemporary public spaces – from strategic planning through to technical implementation of digital assets, and ongoing, operational management.
STRATEGIC CONSULTANCY
UTV offers a comprehensive suite of strategic consultancy services to enable our clients to achieve optimal results in building sustainable, engaging public places, including:
- Precinct feasibility studies
- Public event and activation program development
- Digital content strategic plans
- Facilitated workshops
- Visitor engagement strategies
Recent Projects
Penrith City Council – Screen Feasibility Study
Penrith City Council were deliberating on the installation of a screen in a centre in Penrith, we were asked to come in assess the implications of this and provide them with a full feasibility study. The feasibility study led to a decision that meant the installation did not go ahead, at UTV we are about the successful and beneficial installations of screens, not screens for screens sake!
Screen Installation Consultancy – Perth Cultural Centre
Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority engaged UTV on a screen installation during the refurbishment of the Perth Cultural Centre. This consultation led to us designing, developing and installing the final screen at the Perth Cultural Centre. We also designed the back end broadcast systems that run the screen. The set up was based on our successful installation at Federation Square and marks the development of streamlining urban screen installations both nationally and internationally.
Digital Strategy Roadmap – District Docklands
District Docklands (formerly Harbour Town), in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct, engaged UTV to develop a strategic roadmap and digital content strategy, to underpin the introduction of a number of forthcoming digital screen facades throughout the precinct. These new digital assets represent an exciting new approach to the way visitors will perceive, engage and experience this precinct.
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY
UTV is an international leader in developing sustainable, cost-effective technical solutions for digital assets in public spaces. With 15 years experience designing integrated hardware, software and operating solutions for a wide array of environments, the team has an enviable track record of success. UTV is vendor and supplier “agnostic”, and has unsurpassed knowledge of the field, meaning clients receive impartial, independent support for creating technical systems that deliver first time, every time. Core services include:
- Designing end-to-end technical and solutions and specifications
- Development of technical tenders
- Management of procurement processes of hardware and software solutions
- Development of technical and operational platforms
- Recent Projects
- City of Casey Technical Consultancy
UTV has been involved with the establishment and management of screen technologies at the City of Casey’s iconic Bunjil Place since the early stages of the precinct’s planning. This engagement began with a consultation piece around the development of screen technology and back-end systems for a major public screen, intended to be the jewel in the crown of the precinct. This consultancy extended to include the development of the screen management framework and associated strategies. UTV was then further engaged to develop the site’s broader digital signage content production and programming. We are now in our third year of partnership with Casey, overseeing operational and program management of the digital resources of this major new, and highly successful, public precinct.
Recent Projects
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Redevelopment
In 2014, UTV completed a technical consultancy to the Arts Centre in Melbourne. The Arts Centre in Melbourne had recently been through a $130 Million redevelopment. We were brought in to consult to the Arts Centre and their developers on the installation of numerous screens throughout the building including large-scale LED screens in the bars and foyers, way-finding and digital signage. The most impressive screen being a 160m long 2m high LED ribbon screen encircling the outside of the building. This screen is still seeking state funding. UTV consulted on the most appropriate technologies and then produced technical specifications and ultimately drafted all tender documentation, reviewed and scored all tender submissions and made final written recommendations.
Australia Pavilion – Venice Biennale – Australia Council for the Arts
In 2017, UTV consulted to Australia Council for the Arts around the installation of screens at the new Australia Pavilion for the Venice Biennale, the Australia Pavilion launched with a Tracey Moffat exhibition of which the screens were an integral part, Services we provided including writing the tender specifications for the screens and assisting right through to installation, we also advised on content management systems for the screens.
Canberra Theatre Screen, Civic Square – Canberra
Canberra Theatre Centre is Canberra’s premier performing arts venue, providing world-class performing arts and entertainment to the people of Canberra and surrounding regions. The Cultural Facilities Corporation administers Canberra Theatre Centre, with financial assistance from the ACT Government through the Minister for the Arts and Heritage. Canberra Theatre Centre includes the 1,244 seat Canberra Theatre, The Playhouse seating 618 and The Courtyard Studio, an intimate rehearsal and performance space that seats up to 90 patrons. We consulted to replace the 4m x 2m Computronics LED digital signage screen that was installed in 2009 and is positioned above the main entrance facing onto Civic Square, with a brand new LED Screen. The screen will predominantly be used for promotional material for the theatre.
Melbourne City Council – Signal Box
The Melbourne City Council engaged UTV to consult on the development of Melbourne’s first architectural media facade as part of the development of the Signal Box Youth Media Centre. UTV proposed and developed the concept of integrating switchable liquid crystal laminated glass screens into all visible windows of the building. Appearing as clear windows in the daytime, they transform into an integrated rear projection media facade at night.
OPERATIONAL SOLUTIONS
UTV is expert in developing systems and processes for clients in a way that alleviates the strain of logistics and ultimately aids the operation of screen management to sustain community engagement.
- Development of policies and procedures
- Managed services
- Development of key partnerships
Recent Projects
Bunjil Place Urban Screen – City of Casey
City of Casey recently engaged UTV to develop their digital placemaking content strategy and technology platforms for the new cultural precinct at Bunjil Place. (www.bunjilplace.com.au) Bunjil Place is a unique cultural, community and civic facility that will be a centrepiece for Melbourne’s Southeast. UTV’s extensive experience in developing digital strategies at similar precincts made us an obvious partner for this $125 million-dollar precinct development project. We were awarded the contract for the management of the urban screen and we are planning many digital placemaking strategies and events to maximise audience engagement and this exciting new precinct. We prepared the launch programs and events including interactive projects for the screen for launch on the 28th and 29th October 2017. This management contract has recently been extended allowing us further opportunity to build on the work that has already been done in conjunction with Bunjil Place and the City of Casey.
The Concourse Urban Screen, Chatswood Sydney for Willoughby Council
Through our consistent development of these platforms around Australia over the past decade we were approached to consult to Willoughby City Council on the installation of a 50sqm LED urban screen for their new entertainment and cultural precinct, The Concourse, in Chatswood Sydney. The consultation consisted of drafting technical and tender specifications, broadcast system design, supplier management, overseeing screen and system installation and commissioning. UTV then successfully responded to a tender for the curatorial management and operation of the screen and were contracted to Willoughby Council for 3 years to curate, manage and program the screen. We were also responsible for developing interactive solutions and screen events to activate the space.
Perth Cultural Centre Screen
UTV were engaged by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority to design a new screen as part of the redevelopment of the Perth Cultural Centre. This consultation led to us designing, developing and installing the current 40sqm screen as well as the entire back end broadcast systems that manage the screen. The set up was based on our successful installation at Federation Square. The LED Screen at the Perth Cultural Centre was installed to promote local cultural institutions and promote community engagement through place activation. The screen runs as a non-commercial screen used for events, festivals, artists, community messaging and interactive projects. The Cultural Centre Screen is situated in the James Street amphitheatre between PICA and the State Library. UTV were then engaged to manage the screen installation for 12 months and develop all technical and operational documentation to allow MRA to go to market to engage a local service provider.
Federation Square – Screen Installation and Multimedia Platform Opera
We first contracted to Federation Square with the roll out of their digital strategy, at that time a screen had been installed but had not been well considered for the space. We designed and commissioned the installation of a bigger and better screen at Federation Square only a year or so into the contract. The installation of the new screen came with a complete technical overhaul of the backend and broadcast systems that were subsequently documented. UTV managed all the multimedia on site at Federation Square from shortly after the sites launch and had the opportunity to develop first hand the strategies, operational methodologies and technical platforms that are the benchmark for operating urban screens today. During our time at Fed Square we worked with a variety of artists, organisations and content providers on a regular basis to develop a dynamic, engaging and vibrant daily screen program on Fed TV.
Macquarie Mall Urban Screen – Liverpool City Council
Initially UTV consulted to Liverpool City Council on the feasibility of the new screen installed at the refurbished Macquarie Mall were subsequently engaged on a short-term contract to manage the operation of the screen while they prepared internally to tender for services, subsequently UTV were awarded a two-year contract to manage the screen for Liverpool City Council. We currently supply all the content for their screen, provide technical support as required and program the screen each week, we are also providing content production services to help supplement the screen program.
CONTENT SOLUTIONS
From sourcing digital content to producing original marketing material, the UTV network is comprised of media experts, coordinators and multidisciplinary artists that provide content specific to partners needs.
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- Curatorial frameworks
- Strategic content and program development
- Content curation
- Content production
- Recent Projects
Typically, our content solutions are delivered in tandem with our operational services, and this has been the case with our work at Bunjil Place, Macquarie Mall, Federation Square, The Concourse in Chatswood and the Perth Cultural Centre.
ATOM Judging
Drawing on our significant experience and passion curating diverse media, for the past several years UTV has been involved in judging the ATOM awards and we screen the ATOM Awards reels through our screen network. More recently we have also been involved judging the new ATOM Photo Competition and 1 Minute Film Festival, this has been a great addition ATOM program and we now screen the best of reels of these as well. Our partnership with ATOM is a fantastic collaboration which sees their program soon to screen on our international network as well.
Grunt Gallery – Mt Pleasant Community Arts Screen
UTV is currently working with Grunt Gallery in Vancouver, Canada on their launch, program and operational strategies for the new screen we are assisting with the install of in October. UTV have been supporting Grunt Gallery since their successful bid to manage the screen, put in as a percentage for arts project. With the direct support of UTV, Grunt Gallery have been successful in securing two separate grant funds totalling CAN$190k for the screen to develop both interactive and arts projects. UTV have made the trip to Vancouver to workshop through with them the development of their programs in anticipation of their imminent launch.
Design and Media Production
Our focus since inception on digital moving images has led to development of comprehensive creative and production resources for on-screen productions – from dazzling promotions and stings through to documentary production. It is a key facet to our portfolio and we are fortunate to have many talented designers and filmmakers working with us, both in-house and as creative partners. We consider ourselves specialists in motion graphics and the curation of content. UTV offers complete creative and production resources for TVCs, promotional videos, vodcasts and podcasts. We routinely produce TVC-style productions and screen promotions for our client’s events as well as special productions for key community events and projects.
CREATIVE PROJECTS
UTV immerse themselves in innovating public screen technologies and media infrastructure in ways unparalleled by current digital placemaking practices. This involves cultivating a number of initiatives from the ground-up as well as driving public discourse with leading organisation executives.
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- Interactive Projects;
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- Symposia;
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- Artist in Residence Projects;
- Audience engagement solutions.
Recent Projects
Artist in Residence – Georgie Pinn
UTV has embarked on an artist in residence program with Georgie Pinn, in collaboration with Bunjil Place and Greater City of Dandenong. In essence this residency will be exploring how artists can use Interact.in-place (www.interact-in.place) to interact with public audiences, this residency is the first step in an iterative process to develop interactive projects and content for public space.
About Georgie Pinn
Georgie Pinn is a well-recognised Australian digital artist (www.electric-puppet.com.au) with a long list of achievements. Georgie’s most recent and on-going work, ‘Echo” was developed last year during a 3 month residency at the Cube, QUT. Echo is an immersive artwork that takes the form of an interactive booth based installation. The work is user-specific, relational and explores notions of connection through an interactive exchange of personal narrative. Touch screen, real-time facial tracking technology combines animation, storytelling, and portrait to highlight intersections between strangers. Echo has been presented with an honorary mention for the interactive art award at Ars Electronica 2018 and was also selected for ISEA 2018 in South Africa. For the residency Georgie will be working with our network partners to develop a creative interactive outcome; support the development of a community of practice, and develop the public face of the interact-in.place platform. These outcomes will be exhibited across the network. She will be working closely with our artistic director Lubi Thomas. The residency project intends to exhibit these outcomes in early 2019.
Interact-in.place
Interact-in.place is a technical platform that enables interactivity. It is essentially a messaging tool for
polling and audience surveys with a dynamic data visualisation front end that we hope will unify the
screen network for future projects. The platform allows artists to engage with the public via a common gateway, utilising SMS, twitter, http or app interfaces and a cloud-based CMS to a player that can render real-time graphics (via a platform such as unity) or HTML5. The platform can be used in one-off situations or scheduled regularly to specific times in any day. The platform provides an instant plug & play exhibition tool for artists on a rapidly growing International network in public space. Interact-in.place will be launched in August with both new screens in Vancouver and Auckland and existing screens in Sydney and Melbourne. Detailed information about the network and the platform can be found on the website: www.interact-in.place.
2016 Media Architecture Biennale & Exhibition
In collaboration with our academic research partners at UNSW and Sydney University, Urban Screen
Productions were responsible for bringing the next International Media Architecture Biennale and
Exhibition to Australia in 2016. The conference was co-chaired by Dr. Hank Haeusler from UNSW Built
Environment. Managing Director of UTV, Glenn Harding, and the exhibition was co-chaired with Gernot
Tscherteu, the Director of the Media Architecture Institute in Vienna. The next biennale is in
Beijing in 2018 and UTV will again produce a Digital Publics Symposium and make up part of the
organising committee.
Digital Publics (From 2015)
UTV has developed and produced a series of symposia under the banner of “Digital Publics”, we are currently in development for the 4th one in this series. The first one was held under a different brand,
called x-communicate, in conjunction with UNSW Art and Design as part of Vivid in
2015. The second one was run as Digital Publics and held as part of Pause Fest in Melbourne in early
2016. In 2016 we ran a significant Digital Publics as part of the Media Architecture Biennale held in
Chatswood again as part of Vivid in 2016. The fourth Digital Publics will be run again as part of the
Media Architecture Biennale (MAB18) but this time in Beijing in November 2018. The last two have had
a specific theme of Digital Placemaking and have been an initiative of the Digital Placemaking
Institute and produced by UTV. The fifth in the series is already in development for delivery early to mid 2019.
USM08 Conference and Exhibition
UTV conceived and produced Urban Screens Melbourne 08, the third international Urban Screens conference and exhibition and the first to be held in the Asia Pacific region. We were responsible for all aspects of its groundbreaking multimedia exhibition which comprised interactive art projects from around the world, 130 films, shorts and documentaries and several joint broadcasting and live streaming events, working in collaboration with Berlin-based urbanist, Mirjam Struppek. We engaged Melbourne University and Fed Square Pty Ltd to facilitate USM08’s ‘Mobile Publics’ Conference, which explored Urban Screens as responsive and interactive focal points for creative cities, shaping public culture and connecting communities across cities and the globe.
One Planet with The Wilderness Society
In September 2014 we launched ‘One Planet’ – a public forum on the environment in partnership with The Wilderness Society. The event featured an interactive panel discussion on ‘Sustainability’ connecting The Concourse live to screens and audiences at Fed Square, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane and the Perth Cultural Centre. The national audience was able to interact with the national discussion via twitter through a scrolling ticker on screen. This was the second in a series of these events connecting the screens we have installed around Australia and we plan to expand the network out to several other screens as the project evolves. The panel discussion is bookended by appropriate films and documentaries. ‘One Planet’ is an intimate reflection on the serious ecological and environmental issues facing our planet today!
Arts Project – Gustav Holst’s – The Planets
Urban Screen Productions, in conjunction with The Concourse, Willoughby Council and the Willoughby Symphony successfully collaborated on the development of an exciting arts project. Funding was secured to produce an artistic interpretation of the seminal orchestral suite – ‘The Planets’ – by English composer Gustav Holst, as a visual accompaniment to a series of live performances of the piece. A special cut down matinee performance of the work specifically for children was also developed. One of Australia’s leading conductors, Anthony Legge conducted the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra for the performance at the Concert Hall on The Concourse in Chatswood. The Willoughby Symphony is Australia’s leading community Orchestral and Choral organisation that annually presents a series of concerts that regularly receive critical acclaim. For each of the 7 movements an artist developed a visual interpretation that played on a large projection screen during the live performance, the artists and the curatorial development was expertly managed by curator Lubi Thomas. UTV were responsible for the digital fly throughs, all the graphics and the project management of the entire project.
UTV delivers unique, outcome-oriented solutions for activating public spaces successfully and sustainably.
We have an international reputation as a leader in Digital Placemaking, Urban Screen design, installation and management and program content curation. We are dedicated to providing sustainable solutions to support the development of community-focused, technologically-enabled public precincts.
We partner with arts and cultural organisations, city and state governments, academic institutions, community groups, retail precincts, artists and the private sector.
Our services span strategic and technical consultancy, operational and content solutions, and facilitating diverse creative projects. We provide support to our clients through the facilitation of research projects, strategic development and documentation, technical planning and delivery, and policy and process expertise.
STAFF PROFILES
Glenn Harding is a serial entrepreneur, producer, technology and strategy consultant who has built numerous international companies in the creative and technology sectors over the last 30 years.
Emma has a diverse professional background with experience in advertising, marketing, digital production, event production and management & business operations with advanced skills in policy, strategy and process development.
Daniel Latorre is a co-founder of the Digital Placemaking Institute, and is also the founder of The Wise City a strategic design studio focused on making digital civic engagement apps, and training and capacity building for civc service design.
Lubi Thomas is an experienced curator and producer working in the fields of digital/new media arts, placemaking and STEAM.
John is a social entrepreneur building scalable sustainable urban media platforms that benefit society and the arts.
Renee brings over 15 years experience producing everything from photography and TV commercials to digital, events and installations. Her work includes fashion and advertising campaigns, film premieres, brand launches as well as digital and post-production management.
With over twenty years of professional experience as an entertainment technician Jeremy has covered many areas from hands on production to design and management.
Nina Colosi founded Streaming Museum in 2008 for the production and presentation of exhibitions of art, innovation and world affairs. Programs have reached millions on 7 continents in public spaces, and at cultural and commercial centers and StreamingMuseum.org.
Matt is a public place leader with two decades’ experience working in leadership, strategic and delivery roles in world-class public precincts.
Isabella invests herself within the world of communication and the arts; a passion which is translated within her cross-disciplinary abilities that sees the fruition of visual storytelling and promotional copywriting.
Boasting a passion for the arts in all its forms, Liam has worked under the employ of UTV for a number of years curating programs and developing relationships with artists and content creators.
Alisa found her passion for media after being featured in a prize-winning photograph at a very young age.
Brodie is a Motion Graphic Designer & Animator who has worked with UTV since 2011 when we took on the project of installing and setting up the screen at the Perth Cultural Centre.
ASSOCIATES
Thomas Dawe, a ‘creative technologist’ working across creative and engineering projects in the wider media discipline.
Simon directs and develops digital experiences, blending motion design, real-time interaction and creative technology to produce visually striking user experiences.
Georgie Pinn has 2 decades of experience working as an artist, director and producer of public cultural events, interactive installations, film, animation, theatre and sound.
Partners
Network Partners
Alongside UTV’s core business of delivering value for our diverse clients’ activations in public space, UTV is an internationally recognised thought leader in the interdisciplinary field of Digital Placemaking.
What is Digital Placemaking?
Digital Placemaking is the strategic deployment of technology to support, enhance, or accelerate community participation in public place. It is a collaborative practice, intended to strengthen community connection in a range of different environments.
In practical terms, it is the installation or utilisation of digital technologies in public space to enhance culture; facilitate urban regeneration programs; deliver education and cultural events; promote public participation and the democratisation of public space.
These technological approaches can include non-commercial urban screens; publicly accessible network infrastructure; interactive installations; augmented reality and location based content; integrated social media strategies; media architecture; responsive lighting; projection mapping and other permanent or temporary interactive or media installations – as long as they ultimately support greater community connection between people in their shared public spaces.
In all cases the technology must be deployed appropriately and in this context includes being accompanied by a well considered strategic vision and necessary ongoing resource support where required. Most importantly the solution should positively support the aspirations of the proposed placemaking and community building objectives it is intended for.
Publications
New Media Facades – A Global Survey
Media Architecture Compendium – Digital Placemaking
Theory Culture & Society – Mega Screens for Mega Cities
Recent Projects
UNSW – Digital Strategy and O Week Tactical Activation
UTV consulted to UNSW on the development of the digital places component of their ten-year strategic vision for the World Class Environments team. This project was preceded by an initial consultancy a year earlier, which was a feasibility study for the implementation of screens on campus. We consulted to UNSW primarily on digital placemaking strategies, some of the early activations for UNSW were around O Week. As part of this project we developed a walking tour using augmented reality project for new students to view location based historical stories of UNSW’s Kensington Campus.
ARC Grant – ‘Using participatory urban media to foster smart cities and the creative and cultural industries’
In conjunction with UNSW we applied for an ARC Linkage Grant for research into the use of digital media in public space and how to use digital space by connecting communities. The application proposal was completed and submitted in October 2013. The grant was to be administered over a three to five year period starting in January 2015. Partners included Sydney University, Bruce Ramus (www.ramus.com.au, Michelle Tabet from ARUP Engineering and Lend Lease. The principle coordinator for the project was Yang Lei from the China Millennium Monument Museum of Digital Art (CmODA). We were also involved in the initial stages of the first ARC Linkage Grant to Melbourne University around public screens.
Henry Halloran Trust Urban Planning Research Project
Large digital screens, also known as urban screens, are increasingly prevalent across today’s cities dispersing into everyday urban spaces such as public squares and cultural precincts. The Federation Square screen is a well-known example that is used to establish the character of the precinct, engaging audiences in shared activities such as the screening of live events.
Local governments and urban planners increasingly attempt to implement the “Federation Square effect” in new Australian developments aiming to create a sense of place and add long-term social, cultural and economic value for citizens who live and work in those precincts. For example, the recently completed “The Concourse” precinct in Chatswood features a large screen and new developments such as Barangaroo and the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct involve proposals for urban screens that flank public sites.
The challenge implementing urban screens in new developments is ensuring they respond appropriately to the physical and socio-cultural environment in which they are placed. Attempts to recreate the Federation Square model have had limited success, largely due to a lack of interdisciplinary consultation during implementation. Typically in such developments the architect or builder hand over the screen to the precinct owner, without providing a long-term strategy for how the screen can be used to successfully engage local citizens.
With research funding from the Henry Halloran Trust for urban planning research, UTV partnered with our university partners at UNSW, UNSW Art and Design, University of Sydney and Queensland University of Technology in a 12-month research project to explore interactive methodologies aimed at achieving more effective audience engagement.
Australia-China Council Grant: Connecting City Life and Culture in China and Australia through Media Architecture
This project delivered two media architecture installations, one in Beijing (China) and one in Sydney (Australia). The installations will hopefully take the form of 2x2m media façade sculptures. Their digital content will connect people in one city to life and culture in the other city. Both installations will be designed through a collaborative process involving Chinese and Australian students, universities, and industry partners. For this purpose we will hold four workshops with students in Beijing and Sydney. The outcome will be exhibited at the Media Architecture Biennale 2016 in Sydney and the Beijing Design Week in 2016.
If we can help you with your next project, get in touch we love to help!