The Vines Centre, the university’s basketball and volleyball arena is also used for concerts
USA - The Event Production Department at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia has increased its lighting inventory by adding Claypaky Scenius Spots and Scenius Unicos. They will be used in the Vines Centre, the university’s basketball and volleyball arena, which is also used for concerts, special events and their Convocation service three times a week.
The purchase is the first stage in a “five-year upgrade of our lighting and audio equipment,” according to Amy Justice, lighting director and Tier 2 production technician in the department. She adds: “Most of the Scenius fixtures will be mounted around the ring of the arena but we will keep four for portable and floor lighting. Scenius gives us lots of options for front lighting for various stages, and better ambient lighting and mid-air effects lighting.”
The choice of Scenius was a “team effort” of the department, which is headed by Sheldon Donigan, assistant director of events and logistics. Event Production handles some 1,700 events annually from small audio systems to touring concerts, Justice says.
ACT Lighting, which exclusively distributes Claypaky lighting in North America, arranged for two demos of the Scenius fixtures, “including one up near where we wanted to install them,” notes Justice. “That gave us a really good idea of how they’d work for us.”
“Scenius stood out for three reasons,” she says. “They have great colour mixing. The hues are brilliant and deep, especially the true red, while maintaining a really bright output. There’s also an evenness of lighting across the beam, which is especially important for a front light. And their modular structure means the fixtures are easy to maintain – and when you have a lot that makes a difference.”
The Scenius Spots will be deployed as spots and front lights with near field reflectors; some will use colour and gobos. The Scenius Unicos will showcase their tight beam and wash capabilities.
Francesco Romagnoli, Claypaky area manager for North and Latin America, added, “We look forward to seeing our lights and their effect on the future productions that come from Liberty University.”
(Jim Evans)

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