USA - The cruise ship industry has changed dramatically throughout its history, from being simple ocean liners to all-in-one floating resorts with fine dining, shopping malls and vast entertainment options. In the early days of cruise ships, entertainment was often quite limited and usually consisted of basic activities and evening shows.
As passenger expectations and technological advancements have grown over recent decades, so has the sophistication of the entertainment offered. Designers Alex Taylor and Travis McHale from Q-L Lighting used the power of BlackTrax from CAST Group of Companies to elevate the theatrical productions on Regent and Oceania ships. This innovative technology has transformed the way lighting design is used on these ships, creating immersive and dynamic experiences.
The partnership started in 2019, when McHale led the design of a new show for Regent Seven Seas Cruises with Taylor working alongside him as his associate. Both aware that more work needed to be done to push the boundaries of cruise productions, so that the same feeling of a Broadway performance was brought onto a ship, they both began exploring new technologies. This led them to discover BlackTrax.
What particularly impressed Taylor and McHale about BlackTrax was its ability to add automated tracking for projections and audio. This feature enabled them to introduce a whole new level of lighting, media, and audio automation to cruise productions for the first time. Through implementing the technology of BlackTrax, the team were now able to harness new possibilities allowing them to achieve their mission in bringing the same production from a Broadway-style performance onto the ships.
"Our partnership stands out because of our shared vision to push production boundaries and explore new technologies that make this possible. Having now implemented BlackTrax on three different cruise liners, we’ve seen firsthand how it provides the precision and capability needed to tell compelling stories in innovative ways,” says Taylor. “This technology allows us to approach theatrical lighting on a grand scale with the same accuracy and flexibility as a traditional Broadway show.”
Historically, cruise ship productions relied on manual followspots, which limited flexibility and required significant manpower. However, with the introduction of BlackTrax, any light within the theatre can now be transformed into a followspot, allowing for varied angles and effects that enhance storytelling.
Through BlackTrax, Taylor and McHale are able to ensure performers are perfectly lit and followed, with lighting accurately synchronised to their movements. This reliability is crucial for both production designers and audiences, delivering the emotive and visual experience guests expect from luxury cruises.
“When BlackTrax was first introduced to cruise liners, we were energised by the possibility of bringing a Broadway experience onboard,” says Dekkar Densham, sales manager, CAST Group of Companies. “Thanks to creatives like Alex and Travis, who discovered BlackTrax and used it in such unique ways, we have seen how BlackTrax is an ideal solution that not only pushes the boundaries of what's creatively possible in cruise productions but also enhances storytelling for audiences. This is a key goal for lighting designers and producers alike.”
