RoboSpot system is a winner at Eurovision
- Details
The RoboSpot system was specified onto the show by Jerry and his gaffer Matthias Rau, and used extensively throughout the event’s final and two live semi-finals, which were beamed and streamed live via host broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP), reaching a final worldwide audience of around 200 million.
The RoboSpot system was supplied by main lighting contractor Flashlight from the Netherlands, who worked in conjunction with Pixelight from Portugal.
The RoboSpots, each with individual MotionCameras, were all from Robe’s powerful BMFL series of moving lights – a mix of BMFL Blades and BMFL WashBeams. Having these on the rig for key lighting and highlighting with their intensity and high CRI helped produce excellent results and perfect flesh tones.
They were positioned around a variety of overhead vantage points which meant Jerry was not restricted to using one set of follow spots in a specific location / direction to highlight every performer in every shot.
With songs from 43 countries to light individually and uniquely, this follow spotting system greatly increased the flexibility at his fingertips. He could mix and match the available follow spots to get this essential element precise and exactly to his liking and for what worked best on camera and onstage.
BMFL Blade luminaires were rigged to one of the front trusses with two more single fixtures on side trusses left and right of the stage.
BMFL Blades with one MotionCamera per pair of fixtures, were positioned on an upstage truss and used for rear following, highlighting and silhouetting.
Two more single BMFL WashBeams were rigged on trusses right at the far end of the arena and used for long throw shots and presenter pick-ups. Again the power of the BMFL was ideal for this application.
Another two paired sets - a BMFL WashBeam and a BMFL Blade running with one MotionCamera each - were located over the stage and used for spotting people, interviews and other activities happening in the Green Room which was set up at the end of the arena furthest from the stage.
The 17 x RoboSpot BaseStations were all located in a designated backstage area, so the operators had no direct view of the stage.
Robe Deutschland’s Martin Opitz was the RoboSpot systems engineer and co-ordinated the training and technical support.
(Jim Evans)
