Celesta, a multimedia production
Five languages, one direction only: Celesta.
It isn’t a sixth discipline; it’s what brings the other five together. When fire, imagery, light, sound and the performers all have to serve the same purpose, someone has to make the final call. At Celesta, that person works within the production company itself.
- Le Havre, Chantilly, Chimelong
- A single point of contact for the five business lines
- A detailed quote within 48 hours
What this is all about
An arbitration function, not a catalogue of effects
It is often thought that a multimedia production simply involves combining all the available techniques. The opposite is true: it is primarily a matter of deciding what not to use. Multimedia staging is the process of prioritising the various elements in line with a particular narrative, and then introducing and withdrawing them at just the right moment.
An example that illustrates this
Le Havre, or how a tram becomes a story
Inaugurating a transport route is nothing spectacular in itself. The focus, therefore, was not on the tram itself, but on what it connects. It was this shift in focus that dictated the resources required, rather than the availability of the equipment.
- Firstly, the concept. A single sentence, provided by the client, to which each sequence must relate.
- Next, the site. Its lines of sight, its distances, any potential nuisances, and what it actually allows.
- The means come last. A language is only accepted if it says something that others could not have said any better.
Recent productions
When there are several languages served a single purpose
Projects in which Celesta had to strike a balance between resources, sometimes with artists on stage.
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International Flyboard Show with Celesta
View the project: International Flyboard Show with CelestaA format found both in France and internationally Celesta incorporates performers from the Flyboard Show team into its own pyrotechnic…
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Le Havre is celebrating its tramway with a multimedia show
View the project: Le Havre is celebrating its tramway with a multimedia showA rebuilt city, a transport system that is reinventing itself Rebuilt after the war according to Auguste Perret’s plans, Le…
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Flyboard Show at Chimelong Park in China
View the project: Flyboard Show at Chimelong Park in ChinaA French production for an Asian theme park Chimelong Park, one of Asia’s largest leisure complexes, commissioned the Flyboard Show…
The human element
The only one of the five where someone enters the stage
Celesta’s other disciplines make the venue their stage. Here, artists may take to the stage: dancers, acrobats, fire performers or flyboarders. These are not extras recruited for the occasion, but professionals hired for a specific role, and their presence completely transforms the relationship with the audience.
What the artist brings to the table
A human touch amidst the machines
A technical device may be impressive, but it has no face. As soon as a body appears in the frame, the viewer finds a point of reference against which to measure themselves, and the emotion ceases to be merely one of admiration.
- Safety measures are being tightened. An artist working with fire or water requires safety distances, trials and a written chain of command.
- Live performance is once again a risk. Unlike automated driving, a performance cannot be replayed exactly as it was: it is repeated.
- The budget is changing. Fees, accommodation and on-set time are being added, and Celesta is including them in the quote rather than as extras.
Who decides what?
Decisions are not taken at the same time
The question that comes up most often at kick-off meetings isn’t a technical one: it’s about who makes the final decision, and how long you have to change your mind. Here is the system Celesta uses, along with the relevant guidelines.
You
Decide on the topic, the date, the audience size and the budget
We
Let’s choose the languages, their order and the balance between them
5 professions
all gathered in the same house, so there’s only one referee
3 to 6 months
the time between the first meeting and the performance
Without an intermediary
Just one name at the bottom of the contract
In a multi-language system, the issue of accountability takes precedence over that of aesthetics. When an incident occurs, it should not require an investigation to establish who is responsible. Celesta is responsible for the entire system, operates the entire system, and remains its client’s sole point of recourse.
What this guarantees you
Four points ruled out at the proposal stage
These commitments are not sales pitches; they are contractual clauses. They are set out in the document you have received and are not subject to any subsequent goodwill.
- A fixed price. The amount stated at the outset is what will be invoiced, including travel expenses and the artists’ fees.
- Coverage that takes effect immediately. You don’t need to make any follow-up enquiries or request any documents before you can process the claim.
- Nothing is outsourced. All five languages are handled by Celesta staff, from marking out to dismantling.
- Performances not to be missed. Celesta is opening its public performances to anyone who wants to see for themselves before committing.
The budget
What to expect for a multimedia production
A multi-lingual production is not automatically more expensive than a single-language one: above all, the costs are spread more evenly. Here are the guidelines that Celesta follows, which are the same as those for the rest of our productions.
Guidelines by sponsor size
A town with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants costs between 2,500 and 5,000 euros. A medium-sized town or a local authority area costs between 5,000 and 20,000 euros. A large town costs between 20,000 and 50,000 euros. A drone light show starts at 10,000 euros.
What moves the cursor
The number of languages actually used, whether or not there are performers on stage, the complexity of setting up the venue, and the amount of material created specifically for you rather than adapted from existing material.
What the cover already covers
Scriptwriting, location scouting, art direction, coordination of the five specialist trades, agreed fees, site operation and refurbishment. Any budget items removed during the process reduce the total cost rather than being retained.
The five languages
What the management has to hand
Celesta does not outsource any of these roles. This is what makes it possible to bring in two, three or five of them without having to negotiate with that many companies, and to withdraw one the day before without the whole operation falling apart.
Pyrotechnic show
The most expansive form of expression, the one that can be seen from afar and brings an entire city together at the same moment.
Video mapping
The only one who knows how to write words and depict faces, provided they have a façade and some perspective.
Sound and light show
The one that takes up space and allows the audience to sit down when the discussion takes some time.
Special effects
A short-range communication system, one that works within a few metres and even under a ceiling.
Light drones
The most recent one, and the only one whose schedule depends on flight authorisation. Everything is explained on its page.
Let’s talk about what you’ve said
Tell us what you want to get across, Celesta chooses the means
There’s no need to turn up at Celesta with a list of technical requirements. All you need is an idea, a date and an envelope: Celesta will provide you with a score and a quote within forty-eight hours, with no obligation.
- Aigremont and Normandy
- Over 500 shows produced
- We’ll get back to you within 48 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
The six points which we are asked to clarify
In particular, the difference compared with our other formats, which isn’t obvious from the outside.
What is a multimedia production?
It is the overall conception of a show that draws on several different forms of expression simultaneously: pyrotechnics, projected images, lighting, sound and, at times, performers on stage. It is not simply an additional technical element, but a directorial function, which determines which elements to use, in what order, and to convey what. Celesta handles this with the same teams that will carry out the performance.
How does it differ from a sound and light show?
A sound and light show is centred on a venue, which it illuminates and provides with sound to tell its story over time, without anyone on stage. A multimedia production, on the other hand, is based on a concept rather than a specific site; it draws on a wider range of artistic forms, may involve performers, and is often presented in shorter sequences. The two formats can, of course, be combined.
Are there any performers on stage?
If the project requires it, yes: dancers, acrobats, fire performers or flyboarders, as was the case with the Flyboard Show International produced by Celesta. These are professionals bound by a written contract, not volunteer extras. Their presence affects the safety arrangements and the budget, and both are costed in from the initial proposal.
How much does a multimedia production cost?
The same guidelines as for Celesta’s other shows apply: from 2,500 to 5,000 euros for a village with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, from 5,000 to 20,000 euros for a medium-sized town or a local authority group, from 20,000 to 50,000 euros for a large city. The number of artistic disciplines involved and the presence of performers account for most of the variation in prices. A drone light show starts at 10,000 euros.
Who decides what goes into the show?
You decide on the subject matter, the date, the scale and the budget. Celesta then selects the languages, their order and their balance, before submitting a draft to you prior to production. The means are never dictated by what we have at our disposal: a musical language is only included if it expresses something that the others could not express any better.
Can we incorporate light drones?
Yes, and this has been common in recent years. It’s simply important to be aware that this is the only category for which the schedule is subject to external authorisation, which must be submitted forty-five days before the flight, and that the cost starts at 10,000 euros. Full details of the restrictions and procedures can be found on our page dedicated to drone shows.