The Nocking Point

You’ve searched high and low & coast to coast, but sometimes finding that perfect venue in just the perfect spot requires a little creative thinking. As the classic movie line goes: If you build it, they will come.  

Recently, we wrapped a project that included building outdoor space for over 2,000 guests to enjoy a plated dinner and then an additional “outdoor theater” space where the guests would be treated to the company’s awards presentations & a headliner performance.  

Much like building a city, we transformed an empty public space into a once-in-lifetime event experience for the guests.  

Enjoy a quick time-lapse of the outdoor theater transformation and don’t forget to dream big about your next event and endless possibility of locations.

 

Designing events is about a lot more than some bright lights or a couple of flashy “looks"  -  we believe in designing an experience. Which is why when Simpson College came to us with a challenge to put together their debut at the Iowa State Fair in 2013, we accepted.

And this year we were back with a booth that was bigger and better than ever!   While not a traditional business meeting or even traditional corporate event we were excited to help bring the Simpson Experience to life!  

With the state fair touting attendance of more than a million visitors each year we knew we had to design an interactive space that would stand to the test of thousands upon thousands of visitors, draw attention quickly, and produce on the goals set by the college.  

After a series of meetings, drawings, renderings, and some great collaborative brainstorming sessions, the Simpson booth was created.  

 

The Booth featured an open and welcoming concept anchored by a bar-height table for conversations and 12’ panels that strongly presented the Simpson brand to the world. Flat panel screens showcasing images and video of the college provided a more in-depth look at Simpson for those that stopped to enjoy the “Simpson Experience.”  

An interactive highlight of the booth was the “NoBooth” photo booth – where visitors could have their photo taken and then digitally apply custom designed props such as Simpson T-shirts, hats or pennants. The photos were then uploaded to the college’s Facebook page and it generated record web traffic to the college’s social media after the state fair was over.  

The end result produced an engaging and interactive space that promoted the brand and had great take always for both the college and participants alike. And our team at Bow & Arrow was proud to produce not just an event but an experience.

With company headquarters in the heart of the mid-west, when July & August roll around, we know we’ve hit the dog days of summer.

However, lucky for us, the “dog days” tend to happen all year.   We have written about this before, but Fox Business recently posted an article that long enforces what we at Bow & Arrow have known for awhile– simply put, dogs make the office better.  

And there are a couple of four-legged friends at Bow & Arrow who always make our office just a little brighter… Katie & Maggie.  

 

They provide constant companionship when working on late night projects, their endearing looks are sure to brighten up any day, they can ease the most stressful situations, help generate the most creative of ideas and they are by far the best listeners around!  

And let’s not forget they have official duties. Squirrels haven’t attempted to visit our office for over 5 years and every visitor is welcomed with a wagging tail.  

Katie (head canine of our creative division) and Maggie (head canine of the technical division) will continue to make appearances here on our blog & social media. And if you are ever near our offices – be sure to stop in and tell them hi! 

 

 

Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

I think it is safe to say that these 15 words have had an immeasurable impact on all of us at Bow & Arrow Productions. This year we were honored to produce the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, hosted in New Jersey, where we heard thousands of Special Olympics Athletes enthusiastically repeat this oath.  

Nearly a decade ago, we were honored to produce the first National Special Olympic Games. As with the traditional Olympics, these games are held once every 4 years in different cities across the United States. A new team of dedicated professionals in the hosting state, is tasked with the responsibilities of creating these games for nearly 4,000 competitive athletes from across the United States.  

After a review of companies from across the country, the 2014 games organizers selected Bow & Arrow to produce what they called their “crown jewel,” the 2014 Games Opening Ceremonies at the Prudential Center in Newark. Led by this fantastic organizing committee, these games promised to be bigger than ever before and as with past Special Olympics events, they quickly became a labor of love for all of us at Bow & Arrow.  

As soon as our selection was announced we immediately began planning for these landmark games – and plan did we ever.  

We immediately jumped into writing scripts and putting together show flows, contracting entertainment & speakers, creating custom videos and music scores, designing all of the graphics and “looks” for the ceremonies, handling the logistics of a live show with nearly 4,000 Special Olympics Athletes involved, and all of the technical production for an arena show with over 18,000 spectators as well as an “at home audience” watching on TV or online.  

 

 

After months and months of planning and creating, thousands of miles in travel, and countless hours of rehearsals, the Opening Ceremonies commenced in true New Jersey fashion – an over the top celebration of the 2014 USA Games and the Special Olympics Movement.  

The opening ceremonies began with a performance of a custom song developed by Bow & Arrow titled “Heart of a Champion” preformed by Billy Joel Band Member and Leader of Big Shot (the official Billy Joel Tribute Band) Michael DelGuidice. You can hear that song in the recap video of the games at the end of this post.   The parade of athletes followed, introducing each of the states and all of the athletes. Part of our business-winning design included 4 satellite stages that gave each athlete their moment on stage as they were introduced.

   

The evening then continued with star-studded entertainment and speakers including Glee’s Jane Lynch, Model & Actress Brooklyn Decker, NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter Williams, Jack Ford, Broadway’s Jenniffer DiNoia, David Garibaldi from America’s Got Talent, Oprah’s Pop Star Challenge Winner LaShell Griffin, WWE Superstars Big Show & David Otunga, Rutgers Coach Kyle Flood, Basketball Star Kevin Laue, and a host of dignitaries and special guests.  

As we put together strategic messaging and show flows for this event, a key goal was to always make the athletes the stars. And they were the biggest stars there that night! We were proud to put athletes on stage, introducing delegations & sharing their inspirational stories.  

 

 

A particularly moving part of the evening was a piece called “The Making of a Champion.” Written & Developed by Bow & Arrow Executive Producers Mike Mars and Chris Mars, this piece utilized multiple presenters from athletes to parents, sports stars and two celebrity narrators (Jane Lynch & David Otunga) which collaboratively shared the journey how each of the athletes in the arena became champions.  

 

 

The evening concluded with the raising of the Special Olympics Flag and the presentation & lighting of the 2014 Caldron (produced by Bow & Arrow). The games were officially declared open by Tim Shriver.  

 

 

The opening ceremonies proved to be a powerful evening that we at Bow & Arrow were truly humbled and honored to be a part of – but most all we were proud to help reveal America’s Champions.

 

For more information about the Special Olympics Movement, be sure to visit them online. 

 

 

Heart of a Champion Special Olympics "Games in Review"

Video & Music Produced by Bow & Arrow Productions.

Song: Heart of a Champion

Performed by: Mike DelGuidice

Theme song for the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games

Site Visit For Upcoming Show

 Knowing no limitations – these participants give it their all every step of the way, truly defining dedication and courage. For each of us on the production team, there always seem to be moments that stand out most. Whether it was the moment when the Special Olympics Flag was raised, the instant the cauldron was lit, or perhaps the moment that thousands of athletes, spectators and fans stood cheering a fellow participant, we all leave the event a little changed and with a gentle reminder that anything is possible if you put your mind and heart to it.

2010 National Games

Matt Stutsman

Dr. Lowell Catlett presents