Capturing the energy and scale of Chinese popstar Zhang Jie’s “未live” concert in the Bird’s Nest required rethinking traditional filming approaches to live event filming. The venue, home to the 2008 Summer Olympics, presented challenges in both size and equipment placement. Laying down camera tracks wasn’t an option in this tightly regulated environment, but maintaining stability, especially with Fujinon’s long zoom lens, was essential for capturing both intimate moments on stage and the expansive crowd in the stadium.
Challenges of filming in the Bird’s Nest
Faced with these challenges, the team turned to a solution that combined our AGITO, a modular robotic camera dolly, with ARRI’s 360EVO stabilised remote head. AGITO’s flexibility and ability to move freely across the venue floor without tracks gave the crew the mobility they needed, while also supporting the heavy demands of long zoom lenses. Meanwhile, the 360EVO ensured that, even during fast or sweeping movements, the camera remained steady, producing smooth, high-quality visuals. “We had high demands for stability with long zoom lenses during movement,” explains director Lui Rui. “This setup allowed us to work within the Bird’s Nest’s safety and logistical constraints without sacrificing visual impact.”
Innovative solutions for a dynamic venue
Concerts naturally have an element of unpredictability – the lighting shifts, the crowd’s energy ebbs and flows and the rhythm of the performance changes as it unfolds. But the AGITO-360EVO pairing provided the flexibility to adapt to these dynamics, which Rui identifies as the greatest advantage of the setup. “It offered more complex and varied shooting possibilities, adapting in real-time to the venue and performance needs. We could quickly shift angles and locations, capturing the relationship between the Zhang Jie and the audience in a smooth, controlled way, giving viewers a true sense of the concert’s scale and energy.”
Capturing the connection between Zhang Jie and his fans
One unforgettable moment was when the audience, illuminated by thousands of waving light sticks, became part of the performance itself. As the camera glided through the crowd, it framed Zhang Jie at the centre of the stage with the fans forming an atmospheric backdrop. The shot perfectly encapsulated the connection between the artist and his audience – a defining moment of the concert that would’ve been difficult to achieve using traditional equipment. “It had an infectious quality that really pulled the crowd in,” says Rui.
Empowering crews to focus on creativity
In terms of feedback, the crew found the setup intuitive and easy to use, which helped them focus on capturing the best possible shots rather than being bogged down by technical complications. Rui explains that AGITO’s ease of use and its intuitive controls made it simple to operate even in the high-pressure environment of a live concert, while the smooth, stable movement provided by the 360EVO enhanced the visual flow of the performance, resulting in dynamic shots that felt organic and natural rather than overly staged or mechanical.
The success of the AGITO-360EVO combination at Zhang Jie’s Bird’s Nest concert shows how technology can support creativity in live event filmmaking. As concerts and live performances continue to grow in scale and complexity, the need for versatile, mobile camera systems will undoubtedly increase. For the production team, this setup went beyond just meeting technical requirements – it allowed them to capture the emotional core of the performance in a way that felt immersive and fluid. “This system is a powerful solution for live events,” reflects Rui. “It brings efficiency and freedom, allowing flexibility in visual presentation, and when applied right, it delivers unexpectedly impactful results.”
A new era for live event filmmaking
Ultimately, Zhang Jie’s concert has demonstrated how technology, when thoughtfully applied, can elevate the storytelling potential of live event filming. It wasn’t just about solving logistical challenges; it was about enabling the crew to focus on what mattered most – capturing the energy, connection and magic of a live performance without losing sight of the bigger picture.