UK - Illumination rental and installation specialists LED Creative assisted in creating the 360° studio experience for the recent six-show run of BBC’s All Together Now. Produced by Remarkable Television (part of Endemol Shine UK) and filmed in front of a live studio audience at Salford’s Dock 10 studios, All Together Now posts a series of would be singing stars before a panel of 100 carefully selected, highly opinionated ‘judges’ who cast their votes by standing up and joining with the performances. The series features a set created by scenic designer Dominic Tolfts, lit by LD Dave Davey, that surrounds the singers, panel and audience in a wall of colour and movement, allowing the performances to be viewed from almost any angle with no break in the vibrant studio backdrop. LED Creative supported the crew on the shows, supplying their BYTE
USA - A quality tungsten audience blinder has a key role in a Zac Brown Band show, and last year’s discharge-based lights for the band’s Welcome Home tour gave way to high-impact Elation Professional Cuepix Blinder WW2 LED-based white light fixtures. Production and lighting design for the tour was by UK-based production design company Okulus, who also handled creative direction and scenic design. James Scott, Okulus director, had been introduced to the Cuepix Blinder on another design tour, Passenger, in 2015, an outing where power consumption limitations were a concern and an LED fixture the solution. “Looking at the sheer quantity of blinders that Zac Brown wanted to use on this show, having all those dimmers and cabling didn’t make sense. We had to go LED and again chose Cuepix,” Scott commented. The Cuepix white light fixtures not only give the cl
UK - On the evening of 16 February, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council organised the Fashion Hong Kong Show and Cocktail Reception at London's Somerset House. Being an approved supplier at Somerset House, along with working on several shows across London Fashion Week, White Light was called upon to provide the technical solutions. The event was produced by My Beautiful City - a full service creative agency that offers end-to-end support across art direction, concept creation and event production. For over 10 years they have worked with some of the world’s most talented designers to bring their collections to life at Fashion Week. They have also worked closely with WL across several London Fashion Weeks. WL’s senior account manager Dominic Yates comments: “We have a strong working relationship with My Beautiful City, which goes back many years, and they calle
UK - Bristol-based LED lighting manufacturer GDS has confirmed Glantre Engineering as an installation partner. Wokingham-based Glantre are experts in designing and installing comprehensive entertainment solutions across various sectors including theatre, broadcast, hospitality and education. The company's installation projects encompass theatre, TV studios and architectural lighting. GDS managing director Matt Lloyd comments: “We’re very much looking forward to working with this internationally renowned and respected company. As the scope of GDS’s technologies continues to widen across a whole variety of market areas, it’s important that we develop and maintain strong partnerships with trusted installers on a global scale. “Glantre’s reputation for service delivery is of the highest order and we’re certain that GDS products will prove to be an invalu
China - PR Lighting has launched Omega, a new moving zoom bar. With six RGBW 4-in-1 60W LEDs, Omega is “a versatile moving bar effect fixture, producing a powerful, zoomable blade of light,” says the company. Each pixel can be controlled individually and the light output can easily be converted into dynamic rays of mid-air micro beams. The fixture contains mechanical dimming (linearly adjustable); electronic strobe (0-25 fps); 540° pan and endless 270° tilt; individually controllable colours; colour touchscreen; over-temperature protection; wireless DMX control. Housed in IP20 high temperature plastic housing, the net weight of the Omega is just 14.1kg. Shipping in late April, and the product can be seen for the first time at Frankfurt Prolight+Sound. (Jim Evans)
World - Irish rock band The Script's current Freedom Child tour features a complex mix of video, live footage, pre-made content and live effects displayed on a multiscreen structure. The ambitious visuals are being powered by Avolites Ai Infinity R8 Servers and Quartz lighting control consoles. The Script's long-time show designer, Jamie Thompson, is working alongside freelance media server expert Annalisa Terranova, Tom and Satoko Wall from Blinkin LAB and video director Ben Farrey, to deliver the architectural content. The multi-screen set-up is being run by four Ai R8 media servers. Two R8 servers process content created in real-time effects generator, Notch, which is then fed into the second pair of Ai servers which handle the main content. All of this is then outputted to the massive, angular on-stage LED screens. "It's a pretty hybrid setup and we've
UK - A.C. Special Projects (AC-SP) has assisted engineering company Hoare Lea in bringing its dynamic lighting scheme to life for etc.venues' 68,000sq.ft multi-use event space inside the London County Hall - providing an e:cue control system to meet the venue's bespoke needs. The historic County Hall location is etc.venues' largest event space of 15 sites around the Capital, and a major historic tourist destination. The lighting team at Hoare Lea worked closely with lead interior designer, Jestico + Whiles and executive architect, Synergy Architects, restoring County Hall to create a unique conference space for etc.venues. The project included upgrading the building with integrated lighting elements to reveal and accentuate its architectural history, and help to create spaces with flexible ambient lighting serving and enhancing different events and tasks, rang
USA - Guests at the Arizona Biltmore often ask if the upscale hotel/resort was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It wasn’t, but it could well have been. Although the famed architect didn’t draw up the blueprints (a former student of his did), he was actively involved in planning the aesthetically balanced 89-year-old structure, which bears his trademark ‘textile block’ construction. Nowhere is Wright’s ethereal touch more evident than in the Biltmore’s spacious grounds, which instantly captivate visitors with their winding tree-lined paths, evocative abstract sculptures from the Master’s own Midway Gardens, and gently curved glimmering pool. The transformative effect of these grounds was made even more powerful at a recent event, thanks to a Creative BackStage lighting design that featured Maverick and Rogue fixtures from Chauvet Professional. “We were b
USA - Paradigm Rigging has worked with Christie Lites to monitor the loads with BroadWeigh wireless load cells on The Killers Wonderful Wonderful world tour. Michael Sorowka, CEO, Paradigm Rigging, explains: "In September we were brought to New Jersey where The Killers were doing technical rehearsals and programming of the show before their UK leg. There we had 56 cells in play to weight the full show before it hit its first arenas. “From initial versions, cells were originally going to be specified for some of the larger video walls and two mother grids to help with determining load distribution, but through a few minor design revisions, elements of that changed which in turn changed the needs of the load cells for the run." The set gives a strong Las Vegas feel consisting of large flown marquee arrows lined in neon, pointing downward to the stage as w
USA - Lighting and visuals designer Tom Sutherland incorporated 110 Spikies into his lighting rig of over 600 fixtures for rapper Pitbull’s current Time Of Our Lives residency at the Axis Theatre, Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas. “We had brand new 470W HMI lamps right next to the Spikies, and on a few occasions, I couldn't tell which lamp was which,” stated lighting and visuals designer Tom Sutherland talking about rapper Pitbull’s current Time Of Our Lives residency playing at the Axis Theatre, Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas. Tom first started working with the popular artist, record producer and activist over the last year, and was asked to redesign his show by producer Macarena Moreno with whom he had previously worked on The Latin Grammys. Pitbull’s Las Vegas residency has been running for the last couple of years, usually in blocks of three o
Austria - Lighting designer Björn Hermann faced major challenges at the 2018 Swarovski Festival in Austria. The exclusive outdoor event took place under difficult conditions, as the temperatures in Tyrol fluctuate between -20°C to + 12°C in the month of January, but it was no problem for the SGM fixtures. "SGM fixtures have been incorporated in all my lighting concepts ever since my first usage of the SGM P-5 back in 2013,” said Hermann. “As most of my projects are outdoors, SGM luminaires’ true IP65-rating is a must for me. But also the enormous range in the product family from wash- and floodlights, to blinders, to pixel products, not to mention the wide range of lenses and that I choose between RGBW, TW, UV, and W. “In addition, I see it as an advantage to move within the same product family, because I remain in the same colour space.” As in 2017,
UAE - Ayrton has named DYNLIGHT LLC. of Abu Dhabi as its new exclusive distributor for the GCC region and Lebanon. To mark the occasion, production director Thomas Linke has been appointed as DYNLIGHT’s brand manager for Ayrton products. Originally from Germany, Linke joins DYNLIGHT from his position as area manager of A&O Technology Middle East, where he spent a decade building a comprehensive understanding of the region. “We are especially excited to be the exclusive distributor for Ayrton in this region,” says Linke. “The entertainment industry is growing at a phenomenal rate in the GCC and the demand for Ayrton products is keeping pace with it as Ayrton’s reputation for quality, reliability and innovative lighting fixtures precedes it. We want to be able to supply our customers with world-class products and already have enquiries from lighting designe
USA - Creative production design company 44 Designs has shaped Mutemath’s live visual look for most of the alt rock band’s 15-year career. For their Play Dead US tour last autumn, the first leg of a larger worldwide tour in support of a September album release, 44 Designs complemented the band’s eclectic sounds using colour and effects from Elation Professional’s Artiste DaVinci LED moving spot luminaire. 44 Designs’ chief operations officer, Clayton Thornton, explains that earlier last year the company was looking for a quality LED spot luminaire and brought the Artiste DaVinci into their shop in Nashville, Tennessee, to see how it would perform up against other fixtures in a side by side comparison. “We were blown away by it. The brightness was excellent and the beam out of it was really amazing,” he said. “The colour rendering and satur
China - Dutch lighting and video creative company Light Image took Visual Productions' TimeCore to China for the end 2017/18 New Year celebrations. The TimeCore is a timecode toolbox. it is a compact device that can perform all tasks related to timecode. It can generate, follow, convert and display timecode supporting SMPTE, MTC and Art-Net timecode. It can convert between any of these protocols as well as converting between different frame rates. The TimeCore has a versatile show controller where it can even handle a number of non-timecode protocols including sACN, Art-Net, OSC, UDP, TCP and HTTP, as well as MIDI, MMC, MSC, RTP-MIDI. Light Image reports on the spectacular project in Guangzhou: “Our team of video creatives has been counting down to 2018 in Guangzhou working on this massive television production in China for hundreds of millions viewers - making it o
UK - In 2015, Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation that runs Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, undertook the task of rejuvenating Perth Theatre, home to Scotland’s oldest repertory theatre company. Northern Light, specialist in technical theatre fit-outs, was contracted to design, provide, install and commission both the production lighting and sound and communications systems to help achieve this transformation. The aim of the project was to restore the theatre’s B-listed, Edwardian auditorium to its former glory. The ‘gods’ seating was to be reinstated, an orchestra area introduced and a new 200-seat studio theatre for small to mid-scale music and drama performances was built. New community and creative learning spaces, including a home for Perth Youth Theatre were also to be provided and access throughout the venue improved. Already on the approved
South Africa - DWR Distribution has partnered with South African technician Jacob ‘Jakes’ Mogale to form a new installation company, The Install Crew. While the new company will run independently from DWR, it will operate from the DWR offices. Mogale, who formerly owned DimBright, comments: “For me, this is the ultimate partnership. We share the same values, we care about quality workmanship and we have also worked on projects together for the past ten years which means we have built a relationship. This is an exciting venture for both my team and me.” Robert Izzett of DWR says: “This will be an installation company with no products involved. It means that The Install Crew will offer skilled labour and good workmanship, backed-up with outstanding service.” Mogale adds: “The aim is to be of service to any theatre or company in the country who n
USA - Chauvet Professional has added two new fixtures to its Rogue series of moving fixtures - the 300W LED Rogue R2X Spot and the 170W LED Rogue R1X Spot. The fixtures s are designed to be compact and affordable, with “intense output and rich collection of features” says the company. Albert Chauvet, CEO of Chauvet, comments: “The R2X and R1X both are true to the Rogue spirit of putting rugged, roadworthy fixtures within reach of the average budget. However, we stepped things up with the Rogue R2X and Rogue R1X, so our customers can add extra punch to their shows even at larger venues.” In addition to their output of 11,000lm for the R2X Spot and 6700 lumens for the R1X Spot, both fixtures offer a range of performance features. The R2X Spot has a 16.5° beam angle, two variable scrolling colour wheels with seven colours and split colour capability, as
USA - Country music singer Luke Pell is out on tour with a lighting package supplied by Bandit Lites. The performer is travelling coast to coast on a 100-stop tour in support of his EP Luke Pell. For David Schultz, the journey to becoming Luke Pell’s lighting designer and tour manager was one that came about because of his experience with Bandit Lites, an experience he refers to as ‘unreal’. After meeting Bandit general manager Mark Steinwachs at the Touring Career Workshop, Schultz was invited to work in the Nashville shop, later joining the Technical Service Department. “Bandit has been an essential part of my career path and has provided me with the groundwork and reference that I needed to earn a gig like this,” Schultz said. “Bandit has been nothing but supportive in boosting my career by giving me my first professional shot in Nashvill
India - Ananta Stagecraft called on a total of 172 fixtures from the PR Lighting catalogue to provide dynamic illumination for the recent Gaana Bollywood Music Project. This two-day event was held in the Indian capital of Delhi, and according to Ananta Stagecraft’s Jay Joshi, the spectators were mesmerised by the spectacular lightshow. Local company Ananta Stagecraft had recently invested heavily in PR Lighting, and as the official lighting partner for the event they were able to field 60 x PR XR 330 Beam II; 50 x PR XR440 BWS; 38 x PR XR480 BWS and 24 x PR XLED 4022RZ to achieve impressive brightness and versatility. These fixtures populated two massive stages, both expertly designed by house lighting designers Jay Joshi and Sohail Mansuri to provide maximum bang for the buck. The lighting designers themselves were hugely impressed. Said Sohail Mansuri, “
Czech Republic - For the 2017 edition of the Transmission Festival, the Spirit of the Warrior, staged in Prague’s O2 Arena, the organisers of one of Czech Republic’s most popular dance events promised their guests “an unrivalled visual and sonic experience” delivered by a creative team including lighting designer Bas Kemper, Dutch VJ collective, Vision Impossible and Rudo Tucek, owner of Slovakian rental specialist, Ministry Rental Service. Ministry had just taken delivery of 24 new Robe MegaPointes in the weeks before the event and these multi-purpose fixtures took centre stage on the lighting plot, positioned prominently around the DJ booth at the suggestion of Rudo. “I was really keen to get MegaPointes right at the epicentre of the event” explained Rudo, “so deploying them around the DJ booth was an obvious place.” Two rows of eight
UK - Theatre design associations and trade unions have formed a working group to address workplace issues affecting professional lighting designers. The Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD) and the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) have for the first time joined forces with Equity and BECTU to “evaluate and unpack the complex nature of current working terms and conditions for designers” and address fair pay, career paths, workplace abuse, harassment and bullying. The aim is to “work towards fair, clear and robust models of engagement”, increase diversity and ensure transparent career paths and address concerns about fees and contracts “within the wider context of fear, bullying and harassment that we are now beginning to evidence has been endemic across the whole of our industry”. In a joint statement, the organisations say: “If a profe
USA - The studio of Vermont Public Radio (VPR), a network of state-wide public radio stations, recently underwent a renovation to enhance its web broadcasts and live performances. The network required a lighting design that could operate within its strict ambient noise guidelines and appointed Dark Star Lighting and Production to provide a complete LED solution with Altman Lighting PHX 150W Profile and Spectra Star Par luminaires. Wolf Wallace, general manager, Dark Star Lighting and Production, explains: “This was a new studio space for both live performances and web streams, so they needed a new lighting system, but they were very sensitive about the sound levels in the studio environment. After they brought in an acoustic company to ensure the room was as purely contained for sound as possible, we knew we needed quiet LED luminaires in the lighting design for soun
UK - Beauty and the Beast enjoyed a six-week run at Byre Theatre in St Andrews, Scotland, as a pantomime produced by Bard in the Botanics. To accent the twists and turns of the story, lighting designer Rory Beaton relied on the vivid colours and bright output of four Chauvet Professional Maverick MK2 Spot and four Maverick MK2 Wash fixtures. “The Mavericks provided the subtle ‘theatrical’ element to the lighting whilst simultaneously supplying flashy, showbiz looks to make the big numbers feel like a large-scale musical,” said Beaton. “The colour mixing ability of the MK3 Washes was what allowed us to switch between the pastel world of the story and the bright, vivid saturated energy of the musical numbers. I was really impressed by their sheer punch - in fact, I’m not sure we ever had the washes at full output.” Whereas the wash fixtures p
Taiwan - The opening of the Silks Club, a five-star hotel in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was marked with a launch party spanning across various venues within the hotel. The main lighting focus was on the entrance lobby performance area, with further abstract performances at the pool deck. Roger Sansom Productions masterminded this, commissioning experienced Malaysia-based LD Steve Nield, who specified 40 GLP X4 atoms. The lighting designer has a long relationship with GLP Asia’s Søren Storm, who met up at GLP’s Hong Kong office late last year where Michael Muenz, general manager of GLP Asia, demoed the units. “At the same time, we also discussed some mounting options for the X4 atom,” remembers Storm. In keeping with the Japanese-themed design, the lighting at the entrance lobby was designed to reflect a very stark and linear concept while at the same time havin
