USA - Singer, rapper, and songwriter Bryson Tiller recently recorded an XR concert - for later broadcast - in Calabasas, California at Xite Labs’ XR stage facility, which involved a lighting rig that included Robe T1 Profiles, SuperSpikies, Tetra2s and BMFL Blades. Xite Labs - founded in 2018 by visual and production design specialists Greg Russel and Vello Virkhaus - was approached by producer Amish Dani and creative studio the 92 Group to assist the project in the production of ‘stunning XR environments’. They received a detailed brief with a set of storyboard images and a flow concept of the four dynamic worlds that they wanted to build. The 3D spaces were created by multiple highly skilled artists commissioned by Xite Labs using Unreal Engine and Notch. For the shoot, the physical studio design comprised three-sides - including a back wall - of LED, an LED
Europe - Neutrik UK has announced the appointment of Karl Cowing as its new sales manager. Cowing comes to the position with an extensive 22-year career in engineering, and engineering sales, support and key account management roles within the electronics, automotive, transport, aerospace and defence sectors, including with Formula BMW, Varta, Aerco, Molex and Smiths Interconnect. His experience includes responsibility for electronic interconnect solutions into strategic aerospace and defence customers, helping them adapt to rapidly changing technology requirements within the radar and electronic warfare sector, and positioning high reliability RF electronic connectivity solutions, including fibre optic technology, to help customers address future bandwidth issues. Commenting on his appointment, Cowing says, “Over the years I have known of Neutrik connectors as best
USA - One of the first companies to invest in Claypaky Mini-Bs, OSA has put its inventory of 48 fixtures to work on a diverse range of projects despite the coronavirus pandemic. OSA provides entertainment technology, event production and systems integration from offices in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Nashville. “The Mini-B seemed to be the right size, the right brightness and had great zoom capabilities,” vice president of lighting Mark Fetto recalls. “As a wash light Mini-B may be small in stature but it’s large in output.” Although the coronavirus pandemic slowed production for many businesses, OSA’s development of the Concertata digital engagement platform has enabled a roster of virtual events to take place, a number of them utilising the new Mini-Bs. A national telecommunications company tapped the fixtures for a trio of corporate events staged live
Germany - Last year, GLP presented the new Creative Light 1, a battery operated, completely wireless LED system for maximum flexibility. With 24 individually controllable RGB pixels, the Creative Light 1 offers ‘countless design options and can be installed in no time, thanks to the integrated magnet’. In March 2021, a small GLP team demonstrated this by transforming a dreary motorway underpass into a pulsating dance temple within a few hours. GLP managing director Udo Künzler had previously discovered the aforementioned tunnel during an evening walk. Immediately he had the idea of equipping the tunnel wall, which proved to be magnetic, with Creative Lights. Boogie Pimps (Somebody To Love) were tasked with making the project a special audiovisual experience. The duo not only contributed a track (Awesome), but also agreed to perform on site in the tun
Europe - Harman Professional Solutions has introduced the Martin by Harman VDO Atomic Bold Creative LED lighting fixture. High-lumen output, true tungsten emulation, smart interlocking mechanics and a compact footprint make the VDO Atomic Bold powerfully versatile. Combining an audience blinder, strobe light, creative LED pixel/surface (beam and aura) and stage wash; the VDO Atomic Bold equips lighting designers with a palette of application possibilities. The fixture retains the same precision interlocking mechanics, same universal cabling and a similar look as its popular sibling, the VDO Atomic Dot, but is much larger with higher, full-colour LED lumen output. In addition to its octagonal-shaped design that offers single light or large array configuration options, the VDO Atomic Bold features control via Martin’s proprietary P3 software and Art-Net, sACN and DMX p
Europe - Robe has launched two new products in its all-weather IP65-rated iSeries - the iPointe65 and the iSpiider – both suitable for exterior work or any damp, misty, steamy or high condensation environments. The iPointe65 is a bright, high-performance multifunctional luminaire modelled on the company’s best-selling MegaPointe. The new fixture works equally well as a beam, spot, effects and wash, says Robe. Designed, developed, and manufactured to be sealed against water and particle ingress, the iPointe’s aluminium housing also gives a dust-free environment for the optical, gobo and colour systems, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance. Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology enables access setup, diagnostics and other performance-related features directly from a mobile device using the Robe Com app - even when the fixture is not powered
China - Nanlux has introduced The Evoke 1200, a 1.2kW LED fixture designed for cinema, live events, stills and broadcast. At the heart of the system is a COB delivering “stunning levels of controllable, flicker-free light, comparable to that of a 1.8kW PAR or 2.5kW HMI Fresnel”. Available as both 5,600K and Tungsten 3,200K models, the Evoke 1200 features an interchangeable optic system allowing it to be easily configured, to satisfy almost any lighting requirement. The large aperture and sturdy fixings of the mounting system, allows users to quickly switch between optics, to sculpture, shape and modify the output with absolutely no compromise in beam quality, colour or intensity. The Evoke is fully dimmable and features a selection of onboard creative effects including INT loop, flash, pulse, storm, TV, paparazzi, candle/fire, bad bulb, firework, explosion an
Germany - Two broadcast studio spaces utilised by German prime TV news channel Welt are at the centre of the new Axel Springer Building in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, which recently opened for business. The studio lighting and control systems were specified and designed by the ARRI System Group in Berlin, a division of the Munich-based ARRI Group, whose team oversaw the integration and installation of broadcast lighting for overall systems integrator, Qvest Media. The use of moving lights underpins the fundamental flexibility and efficiency required by the studios’ technical and lighting infrastructure to avoid needing roof access for refocusing and repositioning. The 98 Robe T1 Fresnel luminaires were chosen as a key element of the lighting design for several reasons including the overall quality, value, and form factor of the products. Another main
USA - No one can trust anyone on The Challenge Double Agents, the spy thriller inspired reality show where contestant can turn on contestant in pursuit of ultimate victory. Mike Grabowski knew exactly who he could count on when lighting the final Reunion episode of the popular MTV programme at Manhattan’s NEP Penn Hotel Studios. “There was a wonderful and dynamic collaboration with some stand up people in this show,” said Grabowski of The Lighting Design Group. “I’m very grateful to have worked with Dave Edwards, our production designer; Jon Goss, my gaffer; Sarah Jakubasz my pithy programmer; George McPherson, our staging supervisor, and the entire Top Knotch crew. “The Rogue R2 Wash did a lot for us in this show,” he continues. “It really is a very nimble little thing. We had a large ceiling element, close to the grid, so being aware of our fi
USA - Altman Lighting has introduced the Hydra series, an indoor and outdoor lighting solution designed for performance spaces emerging from the pandemic. “A lot of the work I do is listening,” says Nicolas Champion, VP of sales and marketing for Altman Lighting. “Throughout the pandemic, there was a stated need for a luminaire that could work safely inside and outside, in various weather conditions, integrate with existing systems, and provide a perfect ‘spot to wash’ transition. That’s why we developed the Hydra.” The Hydra Series AIP-200 is a compact 200 Watt RGBL IP65 rated & convection cooled zoom PAR that is packed with a high feature set. The silent, compact luminaire weighs 13.44 pounds and features a powerful lumen output with a wide zoom range. The motorized zoom produces a beam spread between 6.5° and 50° with built-in stops at five diff
USA - Lighting designer Tom Kenny utilised nearly 400 Robe moving lights on his lrig for the debut of Triller Fight Club, a new PPV entertainment and sporting concept partnership between US video sharing and social network, Triller, and rapper Snoop Dogg. Embracing the pro boxing league, live music performances plus celebrities and social media personalities, the first Triller Fight Club event was staged at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The four-hour broadcast was conceived by multiple Oscar-nominated Alex Kavanaugh and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, Bert Marcus. Star power on the entertainment stage included Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Diplo and Major Lazer who punctuated the various boxing bouts with short festival-style sets, together with the first appearance of Snoop Dogg’s new supergroup Mt. Westmore, featuring Ice Cube, Too $hort
USA - The outdoor stage at the Avondale Brewing Company was smaller than the ones Pigeons Playing Ping Pong normally plays on, probably not much more than 30ft in length. But adaptation is the order of the day as live music gradually returns throughout much of the USA. The popular jam band improvised their way through two upbeat sets filled with unbridled energy, antics and original musical turns when they played the Birmingham, AL venue. Flowing with them on this freewheeling journey was their longtime lighting designer, Manny Newman. Described by the quartet as “the fifth member of the band”, Newman also proved that limited space is no obstacle to limitless ideas. His expansive show filled the stage and the entire venue with visual delights that included swirling custom gobo patterns and colour combinations that moved from dreamy pastels on white, to bold edgy mi
World - The programme of events for Virtual Showlight has been announced. The online event, taking place on 25 May, gives delegates the opportunity to hear industry-leading lighting designers talk about their work, ask them questions and network with others from across the industry, for a flavour of the full Showlight experience. The programme is as follows (all timings are BST): 15.00 - Introduction & welcome from Showlight chairman John Allen 15.10 - Paper 1 - The Disco Lighthouse - Hamish Jenkinson 15.45 - Break 16.00 - Paper 2 - Lighting a Comic Book Movie - Birds of Prey Case Study - Mike Bauman 16.45 - Sponsors Breakout Rooms 17.35 - Paper 3 - Lighting Around The World Without Leaving Home: The Story of Waitress in Japan - Ken Billington, Rob Halliday, Aaron Porter 18.15 - Networking, Sponsors Breakout R
UK - Version 2 Lights Limited (Version 2) has further invested in Prolights ArenaCob 4FC and has also added LumiPix 15IP LED fixtures to its extensive rental stock holding. Version 2’s managing director, Nick Edwards comments: “When setting up Version 2, we were in the fortunate position of buying everything new. We didn't want to be burdened by the legacy of traditional tungsten technology, but at the same time wanted to keep the iconic look of the traditional fixtures. We were delighted by some of the LED alternatives from Prolights, which enabled us to keep the style and look desired by many LDs, but in LED form.” Version 2 has been using LumiPix 16H for a number of years, in fact at year end, they were the most utilised fixture in Version 2’s inventory. Edwards continues: “Thanks to its cost-effective price point, LumiPix 16H has always proved popul
Italy - The Aosta Valley is sparsely populated, home to only about 200,000 residents within its villages and countryside. But the picturesque region tucked into Italy’s northwest corner isn’t lacking in welcoming spots where people can go to sit back and relax over a glass of beer or wine. According to a recent study by Statista, there were 548 bars in the region before the pandemic. Sadly, many of them have gone out of business, while others have remained closed during the lockdown, but anyone can still experience the spirited conversations, conviviality and music of these establishments on the Ralbol Network’s Symosyo programme. Airing on the network’s YouTube channel, Symosyo recreates the looks and feel of a real Italian bar, complete with songs, spirits, friendly patrons and even a crusty but amiable, bartender. Adding to the atmosphere to the show’s eig
New Zealand - The 328m-tall Sky Tower in downtown Auckland, New Zealand has had its grace and elegance further enhanced with an Anolis lighting installation comprising 154 x Divine 72 LED fixtures. The high-profile landmark is also a vital telecommunications hub and a popular observation point sitting at the heart of and presiding over this vibrant metropolis. The lighting design was created by Richard Bracebridge and Sam Walle from Light Works Ltd. Technical specification, installation and systems integration were the work of Nick Abel from LS Group, with lighting fixtures supplied through Anolis’ New Zealand and Australian distributor, Jands. Light Works has been involved with lighting the tower since 2007 when it was first re-lit following the original metal halide installation which dated back to 1996 whilst it was under construction. The 2007 flood
China - Follow-Me, manufacturer of remote follow-spot and auto tracking solutions, has announced the appointment of ACE, Advanced Communication Equipment (International) Company as its distributor for China. “As an established name, marketing quality manufacturers and their products throughout China, we believe ACE is perfectly placed to promote the Follow-Me brand,” explain Gary Yates and Erik Berends, co-founders of Netherlands’ based Follow-Me. “Due to their experience and professionalism we see ACE as the ideal partner to support our growing client base in China.” “Follow-Me is the perfect addition to our lighting product portfolio, being both a flexible and cost-effective performer tracking solution that can be deployed in multiple applications,” says ACE’s vice-president, Mr. Bingo Tso. “We are constantly looking for products that represent the
USA - BriteShot, vendor of LED lighting solutions, has shifted its manufacturing strategy amidst the global pandemic and now specializes in COVID-19 decontamination products. Mitigating COVID-19 exposure in indoor environments, BriteShot’s decontamination solutions include its AirAffair air filtration system and BriteShot decontamination tent. “To help venues re-open safely amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, we have dedicated our R&D resources to design ground-breaking innovation in air filtration and air purification,” says Roy McDonald, co-founder at BriteShot. “With more than a decade of knowledge and experience working in the entertainment space, we aim to have our decontamination technology be a factor in helping entertainment venues, restaurants, schools, houses of worship and more, reopen their doors in a safe and effective way.” BriteShot’s AirAffair
USA - Lighting design house, Lightswitch, transformed an everyday parking garage on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe into an experience for the senses and turned to Elation luminaires, including Proteus Hybrids, for much of the sensory-rich exhibit. Called designspace, the drive-thru experience featured visual design installations from industry professionals, structural artists HYBYCOZO and ASU students enrolled in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Lightswitch, who successfully redesigned The Morton Arboretum in Illinois into a drive-thru experience this past holiday season, tapped into that knowledge for the mile-long drive adventure through the Packard Parking Garage. Described as an exploration of the duality of space, both the space above us and the space between us, the experience took riders on an immersive journey from our world to ou
China - Amsterdam -based live experience design studio Live Legends has delivered the full production design and implementation – including lighting, video / visual, laser, scenic and related 360-degree interior elements plus equipment specification, programming, and commissioning – for the new 1,200 capacity nightclub OT Cities Gui in Nanning. This is the newest club experience presented by the Noa Group, located in Nanning, capital and largest populous city of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China. A Live Legends creative team led by principal designer and show director Daan Oomen, set designer Stefan Peters and senior lighting director Serge Patist specified 270 x Robe moving lights to be signature fixtures in the innovative venue, right at the core of the lighting design. Central to the ambitious visual concept for OT Cities Gui is the ri
USA - Chauvet has introduced the Ovation Rêve E-3, a versatile fixture that allows theatres, broadcast studios, houses of worship and other users to get more for their lighting investment by serving as both a variable white and colour rendering unit. The Ovation Rêve E-3 performs this double duty without sacrificing brightness or performance, says the company. When creating whites with a 95+ CRI and high TM-30 RF, it delivers a level of brightness equal to that of a 750-1000W incandescent fixture. It also features a linear CCT adjustment with +/- green to match other sources light sources in a rig, and colour temperature pre-sets from 2800 K to 8000 K with high CRI and CQS. Brightness levels are even greater when the Rêve E-3 is creating realistic colours, ranging from soft pastels to bold primaries, with its RGBAM LED engine. Its “mint” colour LED has been show
South Africa - For curious minds intrigued by anthropology, archaeology and the San people, the oldest residents of South Africa, the Origins Centre Museum at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, has an extensive collection of stone tools, fossils and rock art, all interwoven with technology. Since opening its door in 2005 Gavin Olivier of Digital Fabric has been intricately involved in the museum, recently installing a Visual Productions system to centralise lighting control via a single button, but which has delivered more than expected. Having spent the last two years in Dubai on Expo 2020, Olivier of Digital Fabric, a company that specialises in heritage work and attractions internationally, was pleased to be back at one of his earliest installations. “I never really stopped going to Origins,” he says. “I was part of the original team, working
Belgium - The still-to-be-announced winners of Popquiz, a popular show on the VTM television network that asks 14 teams of two contestants to guess the titles of pop classic songs based on a series of audio and visual clues. The winning pair, who will be announced soon now that the pre-recorded show is completing its 10-week run, will get to attend every concert in Belgium for one year, even sold out performances, once live music returns. Adding to the show’s energy level was a distinctive set created by the Arf & Yes set design team that featured a high-impact lighting design anchored by 160 ÉPIX Strip Tour linear fixtures, as well as 48 ÉPIX Strip Tour 50 units and 25 COLORado 1 Solo washes from Chauvet Professional. The Arf & Yes team hung the one-metre long LED strips in a circle over the stage deck, whilst the remaining ÉPIX units were integra
The Netherlands - Osram, parent company of Claypaky, will be the official lighting partner of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), held this year at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam on 18-20 and 22 May 2021. Claypaky will be represented by a complement of 481 Xtylos luminaires equipped with a tailor-made laser source and boasting concentrated beams of coloured light. They are being provided by the shows’ rental and production companies, including Ampco Flashlight, the ESC’s Official Technical Supplier for lighting. “Xtylos was launched by Claypaky about 18 months ago and has already been used in a number of major world events and specified for others, which unfortunately were cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Claypaky sales director Alberico D’Amato. “All the Xtylos that will be used at the ESC 2021 are already available on the market and
