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Behind the scenes: Setting up for TEDGlobal 2014

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Rehearsals are done; attendees have arrived. TEDGlobal 2014: South! is in full effect in Rio de Janeiro, with mainstage talks starting tomorrow morning. Here’s what it took to get there.

Inside the TEDGlobal Beach Theater, an extension of the Copacabana Palace Hotel, workers attend to the final touches while our crew tests the lights! Photo: James Duncan Davidson

Inside the Beach Theater, workers attend to the final touches while our crew tests the lights. Photo: James Duncan Davidson/TED

A look at the theater from Avenida Atlantica. Photo: James Duncan Davison

The Beach Theater is covered in more than 1,000 beach umbrellas (to be re-used). Photo: James Duncan Davidson/TED

Chandeliers of string inside the Copacabana Palace Hotel. Photo: Ryan Lash

A worker creates a lightweight chandelier out of cord, just outside the Beach Theater. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

More than 40 education-focused organizations will be watching a livestream of the conference around the city of Rio de Janeiro. Read more about TED Para Todos. Photo: Ryan Lash

More than 40 education-focused organizations around the city of Rio de Janeiro will be watching a free livestream of the conference. Read more about TED Para Todos. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

Seating for attendees gets loaded into the mainstage theater. Photo: James Duncan Davidson

Multicolored seating is loaded into the Beach Theater. Photo: James Duncan Davidson/TED

Row upon row of beach umbrellas lines the theater. Each one was set up by hand. Photo: Ryan Lash

Row upon row of beach umbrellas lines the theater. Each one was set up by hand. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

Setting up the registration area. Photo: Ryan Lash

Setting up casual spaces in the Copacabana Palace Hotel. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

A long view of Rio. Photo: Ryan Lash

A long view of Rio’s Copacabana Beach, with the Beach Theater in a spot of sunlight. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

The entrance to the theater. Photo: Ryan Lash

This way to the beach … Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

An event tent with a view of the ocean. Photo: James Duncan Davidson

An event tent with a view of the ocean. Photo: James Duncan Davidson/TED

A simulcast lounge. Photo: Ryan

Bright blocks of seating in the simulcast lounge. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

And the TED private beach. Photo: Ryan Lash

A space to chill on the TED Beach. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

Stay tuned to the TED Blog for detailed coverage of TEDGlobal 2014.