The range of effects supplied included remote-controlled moving headlamps running at 250W, hazard warning lights and a DMX smoke machine connected to the exhaust with its own PAR 36 key light. Because the car was suspended above the stage, all the equipment had to be self-contained and controllable from the ground. Solutions were found for all of the requirements and the overall effect was to give the powder blue 1968 Ford Anglia, a sense of life and personality. This contributed to the 'ah factor' very much in evidence when the legion of fans turned up to attend the show. The company also worked on part of the stage lighting, installing architectural strip lighting, highlighting various elements of the Hogwarts set.
Specialz also manufactured the three feet high, tomato red, glowing letters spelling L U V, for the recent REM shows. Since it was essential that these letters were built for road use, a steel shell was fabricated around polycarbonate fronts and a fan system was installed. Four fluorescent set pieces were also wired for the series of shows, the brief calling for all internal components to be on view, emulating illuminated advertising signs that have lost their fascias. This was achieved using Encapsulite fittings and a wiring system fixed to internal support bars.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
