Lighting is programmed and operated by Mike Owen using a Virtuoso VX console. The rig features over 100 Vari*Lite automated luminaires, assorted PARs and conventionals as well as the 30 Pixelline units, which are being run in their fully expanded DMX mode. The Pixellines are used upstage in a broken up matrix-style - 15-wide and 2-high - to illuminate the back wall of the set, a large translucent metallic structure.
Pixelline is proving to be an in-demand rental item, VLPS now has over 78 battens in stock, which are out most of the time. VLPS's Pop Idol account handler Keith Duncan stated: "It's definitely the product of the moment". He went on to say that Pixelline is smaller, more streamlined and better built than competitor products, and yield a crisper light output. They've seen a huge surge of interest in the fixtures since the summer, when several top LD's - including Vince Foster, Andi Watson, Andy Liddle and Dave Byars - used them for high profile events, festivals and tours. Pixelline has also been used on other TV shows including Granada's "Stars In Their Eyes" and the recent MTV Awards in Edinburgh last week.
The ability to feed video signals into the Pixellines is also generating huge interest from LDs and programmers, achieved via a number of different software packages including James Thomas's proprietary PixelDrive, which reduces the amount of programming time needed to produce complex 'liquid' effects. The whole concept of controlling LED lighting fixtures with video input offers immense creative scope. VLPS has used Pixelline on a miscellany of shows, from awards ceremonies to the recent Alton Towers end-of-season fireworks spectaculars, which featured 25 units. Eddie Izzard's LD Alex Saad has also specified 25 units for the comedian's much anticipated UK arena tour in December.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
