Artech FX and Pyrofoor deliver SFX for Eurovision
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To bring a kaleidoscope of SFX to the stage in Turin, Luca Toscano, CEO of Artech teamed up with Lucas Gerritzen of Pyrofoor de Amsterdam who supplied the FX for the 2021 show in the Netherlands. Artech is a group of companies, that specialise in delivering SFX and show solutions across the globe.
Appointed by this years’ host broadcaster RAI Television as the Eurovision 2022 SFX, pyro and laser supplier, Toscano sees the event as a glorious celebration of the entertainment industry, a showcase for the best of the best. Across the two companies, more than 20 people were involved in delivering the dizzying array of SFX at the PalaOlimpico in Turin. Flames, smoke machines, CO2 launchers, spark machines, close proximity pyrotechnics were all part of the extraordinary package that were offered to the delegations to enhance and excite their Eurovision performances.
“Each delegation has its own director and artistic director,” explains Toscano. “They have a list of the special effects we can supply for them along with the positions embedded on the stage area. Of course, it depends on what each entry has in mind for their visuals - not everyone will choose to employ SFX - it is entirely up to them, but our team work tirelessly to create the ultimate visual extravaganza for each and every artist.”
The effects were programmed and delivered through two grandMA3 consoles by Marco Malatesta, SFX operator and project manager, and pyro operator Vitor Machado. The list of consumables for test, rehearsals and shows is staggering: more than 2,878 pyrotechnic shots, 100kg of confetti, 530 litres of various smoke fluids, 21kg of flammable gas, 1,228 litres of flammable fluids, 20kg of Sparkular powder, and 742 CO2 tanks.
The laser element of the show came via six Kvant Spectrum 30W and four Clubmax 10W. The opening and closing of the TV show featured a special laser FX can could only be visualised by the TV audience watching from home. Artech FX Laser Operator, Pieterjan Ruysch comments: “Laser banding is a live camera effect where the laser creates tunnels of ribbons or bands in mid-air. We move a laser dot so fast that the laser spot moves as the camera updates its image, achieving ‘magical’ laser ribbons in mid-air. It may appear like augmented reality but it is the laser doing the work.”
The visual splendour on show at the PalaOlimpico is a testament to the resilience and determination of the entertainment industries and to prove it is back with a massive SF bang. Among the 20-strong team in Turin were Vitor Machado working with the pyrotechnics under the supervision of Paul Philipsen, SFX operator Marco Malatesta, Pieterjan Ruysch for lasers, Fabio Cimetta in charge of logistics and technical stage manager Gaetano Corriere.
As Toscano says: “Eurovision is the celebration of our industry and was one of the most challenging projects we've ever achieved at Artech. It was a wonderful opportunity to create a mixed, dynamic crew and cement our teamwork with Lucas Gerritzen, managing director and owner at Pyrofoor de Amsterdam.”
