Da Costa has lit the show (this was the eighth series) since the start, and in that time has seen the demands and challenges of the lighting become increasingly sophisticated. Over the nine shows in the series, he had to programme for about 120 different songs and performances - ensuring that each one looked interesting, fresh and unique for the competitors, the 1300 live audience as well as several million TV viewers.
Robe fixtures were originally planned and specified for German Idol by Cologne- based design house MO2, who's Mathias Alhoff created the lighting scheme, working closely with the show's lighting cameraman.
(Jim Evans)
