One of the attractions of the evening was the colour-changing floor. Located at the entrance and surrounded by three video walls, the floor was comprised of different panels that changed colours as a "Bond girl" danced on them.
The chameleon-like floor was created with Alkalite PZ-720A LED Floor/Wall Panels from Elation Professional. The panels were installed by Western Starlight, a Californian lighting and sound installation and rental company, which worked with Tony McCall of MGM Grand's technical staff to create appropriately Bond-like special effects.
"Tony wanted a dramatic colour-changing floor leading into the silent auction," explained Jim Harrington of Western Starlight. "Eric Loader (of Elation Professional) suggested that we get involved with the Alkalite LED panels, because they are such a unique and impressive effect, and are also great for the rental market because they are so versatile and easy to install."
Thousands of vibrant colours can be created with the PZ-720A panel through RGB colour mixing. Each 39" x 39" square panel is divided into four 19" x 19" cubes, which can change colours independently of one another. Users have the option of operating the panel as a single unit or four separate cubes by selecting from two DMX modes, 3 or 12 DMX channels.
For the MGM event, Harrington created four different stations of nine panels each. The LED floor "stretched the entire length of the wall as people walked into the auction," says Harrington.
"The floor panels changed colours to the beat of the music and every time the dancer's foot came down on them. It was like the whole floor was going nuts with the dancing girl. People just stared at it in amazement and kept commenting on it."
The NVCI fundraiser attendees weren't the only ones captivated by the remarkable rainbow-like floor. Harrington reports that MGM Grand management was so impressed with the Alkalite PZ-720A LED panels that they have contracted him to install them at future events.
"The really great thing about the panels is that they're versatile enough to be used in a variety of different applications," said Harrington. "You can mount them on the floor or fly them on the wall or ceiling. And you can change colours as fast or as slow as you want, so they can be used for everything from a disco-like setting to a mood effect."
Made of rugged half inch thick Plexi-Glass, the panels can support up to 1,100 lbs., which allows them to easily withstand the rigours of dance floor use.
Although they're strong, the Alkalite PZ-720A panels are also portable. Each panel weighs 50 pounds and is a self-contained unit with all of the light-generating mechanics built right into it. "You can just stack them on a cart and roll them in and out," said Harrington. To provide users with flexibility, each panel comes with nine rubber feet for mobile applications, as well as four base holes for permanent installation.
(Chris Henry)
