The daytime activities for the National Day celebration will include a military review and pageant parade in which nearly 300,000 people will participate. But immediately after, the parade ground needs to be transformed into a stage for the nighttime gala. To ensure all personnel and props are in place within a short time window, a support team is hard at work behind the scenes.

This device can read the information in the electronic seal on the prop packs of performers. The packs are sealed after security checks.

A volunteer said, "After their identity information confirmed, we'll open the seals with scissors. Then they can take out their props, water, and food."

There are about 400 security volunteers. They said it takes them four hours to unseal the packs of all 80-thousand background performers. And they usually have multiple tasks at the various stages of the celebration.

"My job is to keep the performers' entrance clear and keep the flow smooth and orderly."

The volunteer said before entering, they have placed nearly 100,000 cordinated marks on the ground.

Even the background performers during the parade have multiple tasks. They began to clear the ground even when it's not yet completely empty. Tian'anmen Square needs to become the stage of a grand gala and the clock is ticking.

The supporting crew won't have a chance to be seen in front of cameras during the celebration, but they say the success of the show is their best reward.

(CCTV September 29, 2009)