Robe rocks PLASA 2018 with SuperSpikie
- Details
Putting performance at the heart of the presentation, the Czech lighting manufacturer launched its new SuperSpikie moving light.
The show also utilised other new and current Robe products, including the new RoboSpot remote follow spotting system running with MDC (multi device control) and the new iParFect, the first in a series of upcoming IP-rated luminaires.
Inspired by the Tomb Raider / Indiana Jones movie and e-games adventure genre - the show concept, The Lost World Trilogy, was originated by Robe’s own creative team led by Nathan Wan and Andy Webb.
It’s the first of three stand designs that will be rolled out by Robe at selected trade expos worldwide over the coming months.
Seven dancers starred in an all-action eight-minute extravaganza choreographed by Chris Manoe, taking them on a risky and dangerous mission negotiating jungles, caves and volcanoes in search of a stash of hidden treasures, which turn out to be SuperSpikies.
The stand show also featured a bespoke soundtrack, an in-house-designed water curtain effect, fog and haze courtesy of several MDG machines, and around 200 skilfully positioned Robe moving lights.
“The goal was to create an immersive, highly visual environment where people would want to stay, meet, chat and discuss business,” says Nathan Wan. “We are here to sell lighting products, so we need to engage people on all levels and get them to look at how the products can enhance their work and projects in an entertaining context”.
Josef Valchar, Robe CEO, comments: “It looked amazing - the best, most interesting and detailed booth design we have produced to date, which really showcased the products in a scenario for which they were designed.”
18 SuperSpikie units were incorporated into the show. The product is a larger, more powerful version of the popular Spikie moving light with the same features and a much brighter and fatter beam plus rotating gobos for producing additional aerial effects.
Robe’s modular RoboSpot remote followspotting system is now available with Multi Device Control (MDC) for use with up to 12 units of Robe’s newest fixtures, including the BMFL range, MegaPointes, DL7 and DL4 series luminaires and Pointes.
BMFL FollowSpot LT was another new product launched at the show - a brighter ‘Long Throw’ version of the standard BMFL FollowSpot, with all the standard features and a different optical system and a tighter beam spread that is optimised for extra brightness over long distances.
The best-selling MegaPointe, which was revealed at PLASA 2017, was prominent in the show, together with Spiiders, Tarrantulas, Spikies, iParFects - in the rain curtains - CycBar 15s, ColorStrobes and Divine UVs.
The set and matching drapes were made in the Czech Republic and road-freighted to site where the Robe team - including exhibition co-ordinator Tomas Kohout and production manager Josh Williams spent two hectic days on site, while Nathan and Andy programmed furiously, and the dancers rehearsed.
Representatives from Robe International were on stand and the company also provided aftershow entertainment with an off-site party on the Sunday night in a central London rooftop location.
Valchar concludes: “We had a fantastic PLASA all round. The atmosphere was amazing, we caught up with lots of good people - many lighting designers were there this year - plus a great mix of rental companies, event producers and venue managers, lots of programmers and technicians and also plenty of young visitors who will be our future industry professionals! We made some excellent new contacts. Above all we thoroughly enjoyed the diversity and energy of London.”
(Jim Evans)
