DRONE TECHNOLOGY
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Remaining true to traditional narratives in these drone-filled retellings has been a major consideration for the show designs
properly. That being said, we are getting the same experience we hoped to create for football grounds in cricket pitches. People come and sit and they watch the show, so it still feels just like a theatrical experience, which is what we are meant to be producing, but it just so happens to take place outdoors and in a cricket ground. It’s been really exciting to work on achieving that experience.” Utilising the grounds means Celestial is introducing arts and culture into spaces where, traditionally, they wouldn’t necessarily be – and the results speak for themselves. “We’re leaning into trying to attract audiences that are already cricket lovers and fans of the venue, while also encouraging new audiences to come to those venues who wouldn’t necessarily come to a cricket match,” says Winter. “The reach and ability to go into places that might not have an offer such as this every day has been super exciting. That’s something we also want to build on, and we aim to widen our reach to as many people as possible. We feel that it’s an important aspect of our mission.” As it continues to expand operations, Celestial has a number of new projects in the pipeline. A Christmas Carol will be one of the shows returning at Christmas. “We’re looking into doing music offerings as much as possible as well,” says Winter. “We want to widen our slate and reach to include as many people as possible. “We’re still only at the beginning of what’s possible for drone entertainment. As the technology continues to advance and our animators become even more accomplished at taking drone animation to new heights, we’ll be able to tell more sophisticated stories and create more immersive experiences.” In Winter’s eyes, Celestial is only at the cusp of seeing what it can achieve with this technology – and it’s still in the early stages. “We’re seeing advancements in drone technology capabilities all the time, which includes higher-resolution formations and increased flight times. “There is also potential for interactive experiences that can engage audiences in new ways. As technology evolves, I see our drone shows becoming even more immersive, perhaps incorporating augmented reality and synchronised live performances. The list is endless, and the future is exciting.”
is that they’re not enclosed, unlike other sports stadiums. “That’s definitely one of the many considerations,” adds Winter. “Football stadiums, for example, have a roof or overhang, so people can’t really look up
forefront of Celestial’s mind. “We’ve been really fortunate to be able to fly in most conditions. We need to make sure we have enough space to fly the drones; the venues we find and work with have to be a particular scale. “Obviously, we need space to lay out the drones and space around and above the venue to actually fly them. The main logistics are finding the right venue that can accommodate the whole experience and making sure we aren’t compromised in any way. We arrive with quite a few requirements, though technically we’re quite nimble. That’s the beauty of the product – with the right planning and foresight, our drones can access many spaces that other arts and events can’t.” THE SKY’S THE LIMIT Celestial has a major partnership with cricket grounds across the UK. These are a prime venue of choice for the company since they provide the perfect airspace to showcase its displays. One advantage
WATCH ME Celestial’s A Christmas Carol drone show will return this December
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