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Posted

Sneak peak: Fireworks for the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies

By Staff

Last night (February 8), Vancouver resident Evgeni Chekanov witnessed a fireworks display launched at the end of a dress rehearsal for the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies.

The actual event is scheduled to take place on February 12 at 6:00 p.m. While the show will take place inside BC Place, it has become apparent that fireworks will be ignited outside the stadium. Here's a sneak peak at what you are likely to see.

Photographs by Evgeni Chekanov

http://www.straight.com/article-288368/vancouver/sneak-peak-fireworks-2010-winter-olympics-opening-ceremonies

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olympicsfireworks1_100209.jpg

Posted

David Atkins, a miracle worker?

Cynic moved to tears by opening ceremonies preview

Olympic comment: Show took her breath away

By Lisa Bettany, The Province

February 10, 2010 8:27 AM

Tuesday, I had a sneak peek at the 2010 Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies.

When I arrived at B.C. Place Stadium, there was a medium-sized crowd bustling in front of the security tents. After about 10 minutes, we were directed toward the security checkpoints. People with bags had to form separate lines from those without bags who were able to go through "Express Security."

I only had my iPhone and some chewy cinnamon hearts stuck in the inside of my pocket, so I got through the express line pretty quickly. It was very much like going through airport security, except more smiley, with less interrogation. My security lady was sporting a vicious gang of embroidered cats on her handbag, so I kept my eyes forward at all times.

Once in the stadium, it was clear that this was a dress rehearsal, not only for the performers, but all the staff working at the venue. Each food and merchandise stand had at least 10 people standing around looking confused and somewhat bored.

I was starving, so I went on a hunt for food. My options, as it turned out, were not the most appetizing. I opted for some delicious $7 "spicy potato wedges." They tasted like an overcooked Wendy's baked potato with a slight hint of that red spice that doesn't really taste like anything. Exactly like that.

Moments after finishing my fries, I said to my friend, "Ohhh, I feel a sassy article coming on." This is how cynical I am now. I was ready to dismiss the opening ceremonies based on a few soggy potatoes. But once I walked into the stadium and saw the Olympic rings, I felt a flush of, dare I say, emotion pink up my cheeks.

I walked to the very top of the stadium, around the entire loop and took it all in. As a gadget geek, I was taken with all the technical details and gear, including masses of electrical cables, enormous spotlights, speakers and TV cameras.

I snooped around the stadium and took some iPhone snaps until I got asked to return to my seat politely several times, and then once more with a bit more gusto, so politely returned to my seat eventually. I am Canadian, after all! And then the show began with a bang!

Since this was a closed event, there were only about 10,000 people in the audience (full capacity = 55,000).

All ticketholders were asked to stay hush-hush about the performance they were about to see.

Security was insane during the performance. Anyone taking pictures or video was ushered away by the police in a matter of minutes. Even if you were seen taking your cellphone out of your pocket, an Olympic officer would politely remind you that there is no photography allowed.

Don't worry, I'm not going to spoil any of the well-kept secrets of the opening ceremonies, though I will say that the themes, lighting and performances by some of Canada's best performers were breathtaking, and even someone as cynical as myself felt truly moved and may have even shed a few tears watching the Canadian flag raised into the air during the national anthem. I felt a rush of pride for my country and remembered the true meaning of the Olympic Games.

With my Olympic doubts washed away by this moving ceremony, I am ready to experience our hometown Olympics as they should be — "with glowing hearts" and "open wallets," because official 2010 events ain't cheap.

Lisa Bettany is a Vancouver freelance writer.

© Copyright © The Province

spoiler alert

from spoilsport 2010 @ reddit:

Here's what I know so far. Anyone who was at the rehearsal, please feel free to correct me or provide additional information.

Overall my sources were impressed with what they saw saying the production was high-tech and innovative. The producers of the opening ceremonies are the same Aussie company who created the ceremonies for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha (which was incredible).

1. Everyone must wear white, they will be using the crowd as a projector screen.

2. Everyone might be given a flashlight, not sure if they will have wireless control to create patterns in the crowd.

3. Although Cirque du Soleil is not producing the event, there will still be Circus performers from Montreal.

4. There will be fake snow falling from the ceiling as well as paper maple leaves falling (I suspect a presentation depicting the seasons).

5. The ceremony does have elements of the Host 4 Nations and Totem poles will rise from the ground.

6. There will be a ski-jumper or acrobatic circus performer mimicking a ski-jump through the rings of an olympic logo.

7. One of the circus performers will be "running" (attached to wires) through fields on the prairies then rise above the ground.

8. The entire floor is white and looks like ice, projectors will show the ice "cracking" and whales will appear beneath the surface.

9. There will be projections of northern lights and other images, sources weren't clear weather or not they were on the domed roof of the stadium or on hanging screens.

10. Sarah Mclachlan is a confirmed singer, but there was a stand in for the final performer who will be a surprise come Friday.

Posted

Ok, this is incredibly hard for me to do, but I'm officially signing off of this forum until after the ceremony. Sorry you guys won't be getting any more updates from me.

Mr. X, care to come with me?

Posted (edited)

Hmmmm...let's see...

1. Everyone must wear white, they will be using the crowd as a projector screen. (Including adulterers and liars? :blink:

2. Everyone might be given a flashlight, not sure if they will have wireless control to create patterns in the crowd. (OK, everyone's been given a flashlight, at least once a decade, since Tokyo 1964.)

3. Although Cirque du Soleil is not producing the event, there will still be Circus performers from Montreal. (Been there; done that.)

4. There will be fake snow falling from the ceiling as well as paper maple leaves falling (I suspect a presentation depicting the seasons). (Didn't I say that? They had all those Quebecois inmates cutting up those paper maple leaves!!!) :D

5. The ceremony does have elements of the Host 4 Nations and Totem poles will rise from the ground. (Ah!! The "hard-on" sequence--kinda like the "columns"/concubines sequence in Beijing--so especially requested by the IOC members!!) B)

6. There will be a ski-jumper or acrobatic circus performer mimicking a ski-jump through the rings of an olympic logo. (Injured performer is now poster-boy for Canada's national health system!!)

7. One of the circus performers will be "running" (attached to wires) through fields on the prairies then rise above the ground. (OK, maybe that's new...but where are the printing blocks??)

8. The entire floor is white and looks like ice, projectors will show the ice "cracking" and whales will appear beneath the surface. (Oh...key, Torino and I guess somebody stole some of the whale slides from Beijing!!)

9. There will be projections of northern lights and other images, sources weren't clear weather whether or not they were on the domed roof of the stadium or on hanging screens. (OK, there has to be a quota on this projection business. It's getting to be de rigeur.)

10. Sarah Mclachlan is a confirmed singer, but there was a stand in for the final performer who will be a surprise come Friday. (Yeah!! Susan Boyle!!) :wacko:

Edited by baron-pierreIV
  • Like 1
Posted

O.K. I have to confess that from the little tidbits I have heard and seen, especially with the culdron testing, the photos of fireworks and the IOC President's comments about the accommodations, I am impressed and do believe that the Vancouver Olympic opening will be quite stunning and superior in its overall content. Well done vancouver!

Posted

Hmmmm...let's see...

10. Sarah Mclachlan is a confirmed singer, but there was a stand in for the final performer who will be a surprise come Friday. (Yeah!! Susan Boyle!!) :wacko:

Why not Celine Dion?

Posted

Why not Celine Dion?

Because everyone is scared of her because they dont want the world to think thats all they can offer :lol: I mean, Celine Dion is a great singer but it would be SOOOOOO obvious that she takes part on the show.

Posted (edited)

/\ Thanks, Ik. OK, that's where the aerialist jumper got hurt. From the upper reaches, he (as I imagine it would be a 'he') tried to jump thru the middle ring...or over the 5 rings! Ha! Would love to see footage of that.

Edited by baron-pierreIV
Posted

Ok the rehearsals should have started right now, lets see how much info will leak tonight :P This is the last rehearsal before the real thing in exactly 48 hours from now

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