UK - Lighting designer Jason Taylor has once again opted to use Martin Mac 2000 Performances supplied by Sparks Theatrical Hire for the current National tour of the musical Anything Goes.After lighting a successful national tour and West End residence of High Society, produced by Mark Goucher Ltd in 2004, with lighting equipment provided by Sparks Theatrical Hire, Taylor and his associate Chris Clarke were keen to repeat the successful combination.
Taylor explains the brief for the lighting: "It concerned the size of the rig due to the fact that the show is doing weekly touring with only a one-day fit-up. This is where the MACs have proved useful, as it has allowed me infinite colours from their side lighting positions. I also knew we would have to light specific areas and so the shuttering facility proved very good. The show has several dance sections, which are pretty busy, cue-wise. Lots of colour and position changes take place in these. It's not rock and roll though, so each change is done with a degree of subtlety and the Macs performed well in this area."
Sparks provided a quantity of ten Mac 2000 Performance E fixtures, along with 12 High End Studio Color 575 CMYs. The conventional kit includes 35 various fixed beam ETC Source Fours, 24 Par cans, nine Strand Cantata Fresnels, seven Iris 4 floods, eight Alto Fresnels and a collection of Birdies. Dimming was from 96 ways of Avolites units.
Chris Clarke adds: "Together with the zoom and shutters, the colour mixing system meant that the Mac 2000 Performances could play infinite
UK - SPS has recently adopted an account-team organisational structure. "In doing this, it is our goal to better support our clients; to work more efficiently; and to improve the way we communicate," said MD Robin Coles.
The new structure will see an account director head-up each account team - supported by a team of account managers, project managers and technical crew. The teams are responsible for a shortlist of key clients with whom close working relationships can be developed and built upon. Closer working relationships will allow teams to better anticipate client needs, to be proactive, and to provide cost effective, intelligent solutions.
"It's a very positive, customer focussed move that will also benefit all of our people. Everyone is very excited about the changes to our way of working, and the advantages it offers at many levels," said Coles.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Jake Vernum, one of the UK's youngest LDs, is the 12 year old son of Pearce Hire's owner Shaun Pearce.
Jake independently designed and programmed the lightshow for his school's production of "Grease the Musical" on an Avolites Pearl 2004 console.
Pearce Hire 'sponsored' a lighting (and sound) rig for the show at Orton Longuevile School, Peterborough, that would have made many larger productions green with envy - incorporating 10 Martin Mac 500's, 2 x Mac 600's, a Martin Destroyer, several Par 64, 32 and 16 lanterns, 2 cell moles and a Jem hazer with fan.
Jake has always spent a lot of time with his father on events and in the company's Peterborough premises. Being popular with all the staff, he has been able to watch and learn and has clearly an aptitude to pick things up very quickly.
Father Shaun says: " Jake's taught himself the Pearl since Christmas, spending around three days in the warehouse working it all out. He then had two weeks in his bedroom with a Mac 550 - blinding the neighbours - while other kids contented themselves with Scalextric or Hornby!!!! He then had the evenings of the week before the show for on site programming. I'm very proud of the level of proficiency he's achieved."
Avolites' Steve Warren adds: "This is an inspiring story. It makes Avolites as proud as his father, and brings back memories of the first time my daughter Florence controlled fixtures with a Pearl! I would love to see Jake in Avo for further training, and we are currently also arranging training for the children of Screenco's Mike Walk
USA - Design & Drafting, manufacturer of LD Assistant, is celebrating its 20th year as a leading developer of CAD solutions for the entertainment lighting and event planning markets. The company says it has "both survived and prospered in the past 20 years", adding: "In the theatrical and entertainment lighting design market, Design & Drafting has been able to consistently lead the field with new and innovative CAD solutions that offers more features and ease of use to its users."
Chicago Stage Equipment DBA Design & Drafting Software was established in 1986 by founder and CEO, Rufus W. Warren III, when he identified a niche in the entertainment lighting market - the need for an easy-to-use CAD solution for entertainment lighting design, presentation, installation and event planning. The company's flagship program, LD Assistant, has evolved over the years to become the new industry standard for theatrical and entertainment lighting design.
LD Assistant has been quickly adopted by universities teaching young designers theatrical stage lighting and by event planning and production companies for their in-house design and presentation teams, say the company.
"It's our customers who have kept us in business for the passed 20 years and for that we are thankful," says Rufus Warren. "We are looking forward to another 20 years of supporting our users with new and useful tools to speed their design process."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - The Theatrical Guild (TTG) is delighted to announce that it is exhibiting for the second year running at the forthcoming ABTT Theatre Show 14th-15th June 2006.
The Theatrical Guild is the only registered charity in the UK providing help and support to anyone who works or has worked Backstage or Front of House, be it general staff or management.
Offering an extremely valuable service, TTG gives financial aid to those who are unable to work due to illness, accidents or to those who have retired.
Karen Nichols, Chief Administrator, explained: "We found exhibiting at The ABTT Theatre Show enormously worthwhile. It gave us the opportunity to meet with theatre professionals from around the country. It was invaluable meeting face to face and being able to let them know that The Theatrical Guild exists and explain how our charity can make a dramatic difference should they ever need it."
The ABTT Theatre Show is continually expanding its visitor base, which comprises technicians, technical managers, heads of drama departments, architects, consultants, designers, building services and facility managers who are involved with auditoria. It offers pan-technical solutions for equipping, re-furbishing or up-grading any performance space, beit a drama studio, school hall, auditorium, multi-purpose venue or West End theatre.
As the show approaches its 30th Anniversary it is clear that its limits have expanded well beyond the limits of the West End.
(Chris Henry)
USA - Theatrical Lighting Systems (TLS) has appointed Jennifer Bell as their new sales assistant/inside sales person at the Mississippi office. Jennifer is a former theatre teacher at Starkville High School and has general office experience from her work at Picayune Junior High and with the Mississippi State University Band Department. This blend of technical theatre experience and office skills will prove useful as she assists Rusty Scafidel in the office.
In addition to hiring Bell, TLS are also expanding the Mississippi office. Still in the same location, they now have more space available to them for an additional sales person, and to stock more consumables such as gel, tape, lamps, etc.
(Chris Henry)
UK - For the second year running Stage Electrics supplied staging and lighting for the Laurence Olivier Awards, the highlight of the West End calendar, presented annually by the Society of London Theatre.
Stage Electrics provided crew together with 36 Source 4 lanterns, four MAC 250 Entours, a MAC 250+, 15 MAC 500's and 13 MAC 600's for the awards held on Sunday 26th February. Lighting design was by Matt Evered, the awards were project managed by Stage Electrics' Andrew Loveday.
Stage Electrics would like to congratulate all the Olivier winners especially Paule Constable for Best Lighting Design and Paul Arditti for Best Sound Design.
Stage Electrics have strong links to the awards and winners, especially so in the case of Guys and Dolls who were successful in securing the award for Outstanding Musical Production, Stage Electrics supply lighting equipment for the production which is lit by Howard Harrison also an Olivier Award nominee.
Production manager Andrew Loveday said: "We worked closely with Rich Blacksell from Adam Spiegel Productions for the Olivier Awards, because of our experience in award shows we have a great knowledge base to work from. We are back on site at the Hilton in Park Lane next week for the Football League Awards and at the end of March for the Mobile News Awards for H2 Business Communications."
(Chris Henry)
UK - Birmingham technical services company, Presentation Service Providers (PSP), working with Ben Gallop of Brand and Deliver has just completed the provision of technical services at RBS Insurance Chief Executive Awards. The event was held at Castle Ashby in Northampton and was attended by over 300 guests.
Using PSP's range of Pixel Pars and Battens, the company provided a spectacular lighting effect over the front, back and courtyard of the historical castle venue. It took PSP's lighting director and team two days to rig and to programme the complex colour sequences. A Pearl 2004 lighting desk was used for control and Mac 250s provided moving logo's onto the building.
In total, 30 PixelLine 110ec battens, 20 Pixel Par 90s, 25 Par cans, 24 Codas and six Mac 250s were used for the event. PSP also provided sound and projection for the entire production. The Marquee, situated in the grounds of the castle, was a see through structure allowing guests at the awards ceremony to see the incredible view of the castle throughout the evening.
Tony Grogan, PSP's project manager, comments: "It was a very exciting project. We were literally mixing the best of old and new. A historic venue and the latest technical equipment to bring it to life. I am delighted to say everyone was delighted with the result."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Telectra Ltd, manufacturer of the ABTT Award-winning ice*lighting system, is to change its name to Beadlight Ltd with effect from 1 March. The company says that the name change more accurately reflects the nature of its business, including the fact that the majority of products that the company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets utilise its proprietary intellectual property, Bead*light Technologies (Patents Pending). In particular, the Bead*light LED (Light Emitting Diode) diffusion system is used in the company's principal high-tech markets of the Event, TV and Entertainment Lighting and Commercial Airliner in-seat lighting.
The company points out that there has been no change in the company ownership, management or trading style. The address for Beadlight Ltd remains as B3 - B7 New Yatt Business Centre, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 6TJ, UK. Telephone: +44 (0) 1993 868866.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Production Resource Group (PRG) provided 600 of its new AutoPar wash luminaires to the North American International Auto Show last month. Designer Howard Werner of Lightswitch New York needed a specialty fixture for trade show exhibits and PRG responded. "I was looking for an automated fixture to serve the needs of auto show clients. The fixture needed to have a daylight color temperature with a lens that rotated but it didn't need a lot of other bells and whistles," explains Werner. The result was PRG's AutoPar, which debuted at LDI.
The AutoPar is a compact, automated fixture with a 700-watt arc lamp that features a fully DMX-programmable, rotating lens assembly. "The AutoPar is much smaller and lighter than a standard moving light," notes PRG vice-chairman and chief technology officer Rusty Brutsché. "It provides great value to clients by reducing the labour costs required to install and operate more complex fixtures and it's a product that's ideal for the auto show circuit" adds Werner. "The AutoPar has the features designers want, but without any unnecessary complexity. We didn't need it to change colour, iris or douse."
"The AutoPar is a purpose-built product for the trade show market that provides designers with a white light that has excellent color rendering, a feature that's very important, especially in the automotive market," explains Brutsché.
Since it's debut at LDI, Lightswitch has used the AutoPar extensively on several projects including Daimler Chrysler, Nissan and Infiniti
USA - Eagle Audio and Lighting is pleased to announce that production veteran Randy Wade has joined its operations in Ft. Worth - Dallas as vice-president of sales and marketing. Wade has been tapped to grow and develop audio, lighting, staging and power solutions for clientele in a variety of markets including corporate, theatre, concert touring, festival and themed events.
"We are proud to bring Randy on board. His vast experience in all areas of the entertainment industry will be a tremendous asset to Eagle", states Greg Hulett, CEO. "With a vast wealth of industry experience and a resource network of several decades, we look forward to having him continue to grow and expand our business on local, regional and a national level. It proves that we are committed to provide all the resources necessary to ensure Eagle Audio and Lighting is an industry leader."
Wade got an early start in the business as the youngest booking agent at The Jim Halsey Co. booking such acts as Roy Clark, Ricky Nelson, Badfinger and Leon Russell then assuming the role of Reba McEntire's first booking agent. Later on, after a stint as vice-president of Audio Analysts handling such projects as Woodstock '94, Wade helped blaze trails for Martin Professional by introducing Martin Professional to America market when no other foreign lighting manufacturer had been successful in penetrating the US market, say Eagle.
During his career, Wade has been involved with acquiring and managing some of the most diverse and unique productions: touring artists such as Gloria Estefan an
UK - The traditional new-year rush of new shows in London's West End is well and truly underway, with many of the new productions choosing White Light as their lighting supplier.
White Light rigs can be found on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, starring Kathleen Turner and Bill Irwin at the Apollo (lighting by Peter Kaczorowksi ), Blackbird at the Albery (lighting by Japhy Weideman), Caesar's Twins at the Comedy, Honour starring Diana Rigg at the Wyndhams (lighting by Jason Taylor), Creeper at the Playhouse (lighting by Mick Hughes), Embers starring Jeremy Irons at the Duke of York's (lighting by Mark Henderson ), and Resurrection Blues at the Old Vic (lighting by Rick Fisher). These new shows join other long-running productions using White Light equipment, including Billy Elliot, The Producers, Chicago, Les Miserables and The Woman in Black - now White Light's longest continuous hire contract, the rig for Kevin Sleep's design having been in the Fortune Theatre since 1989!
White Light rigs are also out on the road, with productions of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (lighting by David Howe), Tonight's The Night (lighting by Adam Bassett), Edward Scissorhands (lighting by Howard Harrison) and Romeo & Juliet (lighting by John Harris) joining shows such as Footloose, Miss Saigon, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and others. Beyond the UK, the Belgian production of Mamma Mia, lit by Howard Harrison, is moving from Utrecht to Antwerp.
(Chris Henry)
UK - 19sq.m of Element Labs' VersaTile LED panels were used by the hotly tipped UK indie band Maximo Park, headliners of the 2006 Shockwaves NME Awards tour (AKA 'The Brats'). The 19 sold out dates featured the very best of burgeoning UK musical talent including the Arctic Monkeys, Mystery Jets and We Are Scientists in addition to Maximo Park. The VersaTiles were supplied by Element Labs' UK partners, Projected Image Digital to Maximo's lighting designer Stevie Marr.
Marr, a respected LD for many years, is also currently studying Interactive Media at The Arts Institute, Bournemouth, and this was his first substantial tour since starting the course. Marr produced all video content for the Tiles as part of his coursework. The tour's standard generic and moving light rig was supplied by Siyan. Marr wanted something special to differentiate Maximo's highly energetic set, and he wanted it to be video-based to tie in with his college work about using LED as a lightsource.
It was the first time he's used VersaTILEs. He originally experimented with LED screen panels back in 1999 on a Texas tour, when he realised the medium had huge potential for use as a lightsource as well as a video effect.
He's been working for Maximo for the last two years. When the NME tour was confirmed, he assessed the available products, and VersaTILES came up as the best low-resolution option for what he wanted to achieve: "Nothing else had the right attributes," he explains, adding that the large pixels of the Tiles give a uniform colour and exactly the 'blocky' effect he wanted for
UK - Bandit Lites continued its successful run of work on leading fashion industry events, supplying the Pure fashion trade show at Olympia - the UK's leading fashion industry exhibition - with lighting equipment for their main catwalk show. This aspect of the show was designed & production managed by Derek Halliday with lighting designed by Mark Strange. Bandit's Lester Cobrin has worked with this team before on many occasions, and it's proved a winning combination.
The show ran four times a day throughout the three-day exhibition, staged in Olympia's Grand Hall, showcasing the most creative and innovative designs from emerging and established fashion labels at the exhibition. Strange has designed this show for the last six years, but each year the challenges are different as he explains. "It's extremely fast moving. The models have to look good for both photographers - with an even balance of consistent lighting levels along the catwalk - and for the live audience consisting of major buyers, trend setters and fashionistas."
He also had to contend with the near-daylight conditions of the Great Hall's glass roof, and the black voile draping of the entrance area. The monochrome effect of the black voile meant the lighting needed a particularly skilled approach so it looked lively and bright as opposed to flat and dull juxtaposed against the heavy black backgrounds.
The 19m long runway was this year in a traditional straight line format, so above this, Bandit's crew installed an 80ft long by 30ft wide box truss, with a stretched casement ceiling to redu
UK - As James Blunt's popularity grows, so grows his tour production. When Back to Bedlam kicked off last year in the UK, it carried a Wholehog 3 console to control 900 LED fixtures in smaller theater settings. Now the tour's carrying 2,000 LED fixtures, and worldwide venue sizes are expanding to arenas and amphitheatres, then festivals and stadiums this summer. So a Hog iPC console was added as backup.
Designed by LD Paul Normandale and supplied by UK's Lite Alternative, the tour can accommodate the burgeoning production and venue capacities - and lighting director Glen Johnson explains: "We're controlling 2,000 LED fixtures via PixelMAD from the Wholehog 3 console. We've gotten some stunning effects from the Hog 3 with its Effects Engine, buddy system (advanced group manipulation of fixtures) and grouping, coupled with the timing syntax. We also programmed the show using the Hog 3's hue, saturation and intensity system, giving us more color options from the units and also matching the video content.
"The Wholehog 3 software is fantastic. The main reason for taking the console is the growing nature of the tour. We can just add lights to the whole show without needing to reprogram; we can change the fixture from one type to another without fuss."
Johnson says the Wholehog 3's change-fixture feature is a real favorite and a time-saver. "We had a last-minute gig put in at the House of Blues Los Angeles [HES fixtures are installed in the entire chain]. With a few button pushes of 'Change Fixture Type' I had swapped our existing show to H
UK - Lighting designer Rob Sinclair used fifty square metres of Chroma-Q Color Web as a low resolution video wall backdrop on The Human League's Synth City UK Tour 2005 in December.
The three-week tour featured a career-spanning set of the influential electro-pop group's greatest hits, backed by a cutting-edge lighting and video show designed by Sinclair and supplied by Lite Alternative.
Sinclair had always been intrigued by the group's pioneering use of slideshow visuals during their early days and, having worked as a member of the lighting crew on previous tours, had been trying ever since with Lite Alternative to create a modern video show in the spirit of the original.
Having been promoted to LD for the 2005 tour, the only real brief from the band's manager was that the show look completely different to the last tour, giving Sinclair total freedom to explore his various ideas. However, the tour's production budget also meant that he needed to be careful with his choice of equipment to achieve the desired look.
Having heard rumours of a new low resolution LED display matrix called the Chroma-Q Color Web, Sinclair caught a preview of it in September and was totally sold on using it for several key reasons.
Due to the product's low cost compared to a large LED screen, he could afford enough webbing for a big effect. The webbing's modular design also meant it was flexible enough to go anywhere on-stage, suiting the wide variety of venues the tour would visit. The product's 80% transparent surface area also enabled Sinclair to provide a seamless integ
Canada - Gone are the days of static objects. On March 1, the launch of WYSIWYG Production Design Suite Release 16 will breathe life into productions by giving users the ability to pre-visualize shows with moving scenery! Objects are simply attached to movement axes (either linear or rotational) and moved along them with the moving scenery tool.
For even greater realism, designers can patch control of the movement axes (and their attached objects) and use a console device or a motion control system to manage the progress of the objects along the axes.
Some other innovative developments include a new camera control bar and the ability to easily import floor plans. In addition, overall stability has been improved and several performance features have been introduced.
WYSIWYG was just used for the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, is being used today to pre-program the closing ceremonies of the Games, and will also be instrumental in the Paralympics to follow. As well, the lighting designers for the Lord of the Rings and Cirque de Soleil's show Delirium, as well as the team behind Spiderman 3 have found great success using WYSIWYG.
Cast Software, creators of WYSIWYG, is currently working with multiple motion control system manufacturers to allow them to connect directly to WYSIWYG and visualize their motion controls. These exciting new advancements complement Cast's mission to deliver software tools that give users the ability to show and sell.
Just last year, Cast launched Vivien-Virtual Event Desig
USA - Award winning typeface designer Andrew Byrom makes another in-road into product design with 'Interiors Light', a series of three dimensional neon lamps.
This full alphabet set (26 characters) is constructed from 12 mm neon tubing by a certified neon manufacturer. Each piece is made to order and can be customized for specific display purposes. Most of the letters/lamps are free standing and can be displayed either on a flat surface or mounted to a wall.
In February 2006 'Interiors Light' will be on display at 'Chicago Furniture Now', a juried exhibition sponsored by Design Within Reach.
Andrew Byrom is a British born designer. He currently lives, works and teaches in Chicago. His previous three dimensional type creations have featured in design publications in Europe and America and he has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
(Chris Henry)
Ireland - Dynalite has appointed SquareOne as the exclusive distributor for its lighting control and integration products for the Republic of Ireland. Square One's general manager, Garnett Stewart, says: "As Ireland's premier AV trade supplier, SquareOne imports and distributes some of the industry's leading brands in business, education and residential markets. We recognised that a lighting control system was the next step toward a full-scale solution and there was no doubt that the Dynalite system represented the obvious choice. The strength of the Dynalite name worldwide, along with the flexibility and reliability of the product itself made it a perfect companion to other brands in our offering".
Lucien McQueen, Dynalite Europe area manager, added: "Around the world, Dynalite distributors are selected for their ability to provide the highest levels of engineering, sales and warranty support. We are thrilled to be partnering with SquareOne, as the combination of reputation, experience and established reseller relationships makes them a perfect fit for our global team. We look forward to a mutually beneficial and long lasting relationship between the two companies."
(Lee Baldock)
Spain - Martin Architectural's Spanish representative, Ecler, with the aid of local lighting wholesaler Sono Market, has transformed Barcelona's Sugar Club - a multi-use restaurant, club, and lounge - into a dynamic colour changing venue, radically changing the image of the establishment, say Martin.
The management of Sugar Club sought to transform the venue into a party nightspot, which meant they needed the lighting to help bring about a change of atmosphere. The project involves diffuse points of light behind curtains, creating the illusion that the entire restaurant is open to the exterior. The architecture and location of the room, at the port of Barcelona with views over the Mediterranean Sea, was the inspiration for the project.
The idea was to create the illusion that behind this illuminated fabric are windows that extend the space optically. Light from Martin Architectural Cyclo 03 full-color mixing fluorescent luminaires was used to produce this illusion. The wall that encloses the venue was clad with sheer drapes that hide the spotlights, serving as a filter. Additionally, behind the bar, a rectangular screen hides more Cyclos that radiate like solar rays.
Sugar Club's flexible color changing system allows it to adapt to the taste of its clientele as well as to the necessities of the situation. The venue's unique concept lets it change weekly, setting the mood and keeping the atmosphere fresh.
Further lighting effects - Martin MX-10, MX-1 and RoboScan 918 scanners, as well as MAC 250 profile spots, installed in the ceiling and controlled by the DJ
UK - Amidst a busy start to 2006, lighting hire specialist LXCO has relocated to a newly built premises to accommodate their expansion.
LXCO was formed in 1999 by James Dann, James Cobb and Mark Wheatley since when the company has supplied lighting to a wide portfolio of events. Recent clients range from supplying theatre lighting for two West End musicals, a corporate event for Louis Vuitton, the Olivier Awards, music tours for Kanye West, Gary Moore and Runrig and the Cornbury Music Festival.
The new facility, in Haverhill, is only 15 minutes off the M11, giving good transport links to London and the rest of the UK. It also gives LXCO substantially increased storage for their ever-growing stocks of equipment and improved working conditions for staff.
Director James Cobb said: "The level of growth in the last two years has made this move a must. The new facility now reflects the profile of clients LXCO work with and it will allow us to offer those clients a more efficient service in the future."
The details for the new LXCO office are: Address Unit G, Brocks Business Centre, Homefield Road, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 8QP. Tel 01440 708300.
(Chris Henry)
Italy - Lighting designer Durham Marenghi is using 250 Robe ColorWash 1200 ATs in Torino's Stadio Olympico for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics and the opening of the Paralympics. 130 of the fixtures are rigged in a 'technical trough' running all around the perimeter of the 200 x 60m performance/parade area on the floor of the stadium, sitting at approximately 1.5m off the ground.
The same trough arrangement continues around a large 'tongue' platform protruding from the front of the stage used as the main performance area. These fixtures are used to throw wide angle light all around the stadium on up into the audience, including onto the five-ringed performance structure at the opposite end to the stage.
A further 80 Robe fixtures are rigged in the stage roof - overhead across four trusses - used for lighting performers and for general stage effects. Another 20 ColorWash 1200s are placed on a truss over the top of the 5 ring structure, down-lighting its performers.
Marenghi and the event's scenic/production designer Mark Fisher were initially approached to create a high impact visual scheme for the opening and closing Torino shows at the end of 2002 by Filmmaster who then formed production company K2006 to co-ordinate all the event's technical and production aspects.
Marenghi says he chose Robe ColorWashes because he wanted a powerful, wide-angle light-source. He particularly wanted plenty of lighting near the performers on the Olympic rings that would cut through potential environmental elements like fog, and he also needed plen
UK - Lighting designer Giles Mayall specified an Avolites Pearl 2004 console to control lighting in The Ice House, a promotional ice dwelling constructed by UK based ice artists, The Ice Box, for the Dutch-German IMG Diba Bank.
The Ice House project in Germany was handled by production company Fact & Fiction. The structure was used to highlight the bank's mortgage products and services at trade shows including their Ideal Home Show. Mayall was working for UK-based JVC Events, who take care of the technical and logistical needs of all of the Ice Box's installations.
The Ice House was an 100 square metre single story building measuring 18 metres long by six metres deep and 3.7 metres high, and Mayall's task was to architecturally light the space - inside and out - in the client's blue and green corporate colours.
It was an obvious choice to go for LED light-sources - their low heat emissions making them ideal for illuminating the ice without melting it! Mayall and JVC's Vince Roper spent considerable time researching the effects different LED fixtures had on ice, and seeing how they reacted to freezing environments, before specifying 24 James Thomas PixelLine 1044 battens and 20 Pulsar ChromaFlood 2000s for the project. These were supplemented with a small number of fluorescent tubes.
When it came to choosing a console, Mayall wanted something simple, robust and reliable that could be left to run the show without needing constant attention. "The Pearl was ideal," he says. The Avolites console has also been operated in extremes of weather all over the
Australia - The Palace in Bay Road Brighton, home to Brighton Bay Cinemas, recently received a complete redevelopment at the hands of building owners Manaroy Properties. Included in this makeover was a stunning lighting colourwash on the front façade of the building; visible from several blocks away.
Having witnessed what results they had achieved at the Royal Exhibition Building and Chadstone Shopping Centre, Manaroy Properties owner Ralph Toranto sought Lightmoves out specifically to transform the front of their building. "We weren't sure exactly what we wanted; we just knew that we wanted to make a bold statement and bring some new attention to the somewhat forgotten Bay Street."
After lengthy discussions between Lightmoves' Steven Woloshenko and Manaroy Properties consultant Dale Smith, it was decided that an external colourwash was the best solution. Lightmoves supplied full exterior colour mixing, both in metal halide fixtures and RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED's, and lighting control to make this happen.
The result is a fully automated colour-changing sequence that can be modified by a simple push of a button. For maximum effect, the lights have been pre-programmed to come on from dusk right through to midnight - meaning that the cinema owners don't even have to lift a finger for this display to continue its eye-catching performance.
"I'm still stunned at the results. I can't believe such a simple application could have such an amazing effect. It looks like it should be complicated to run, but the control is so simple," Smith reports.<