Exhibition Stand Lighting, Hanover
Today, James is in Hanover for CSP AV to rig and light an exhibition stand as part of the big commercial vehicle show at the Hanover Messe.
Due to the limited availability of rigging points, truss bridles were used to get the grid as wide as possible over the stand area. Since the rig will be in place for 4 weeks, budgets are tight and as such manual chain blocks had to be used and this makes for a tricky lift!
Basic Monkey provided lighting plots, weight calculations and James as crew for the install. Keven Heyes from Theatr Clwyd was also there and providing all truss and rigging.
Global Gathering 2010
For the past few days, James has been at Global Gathering in Stratford-upon-Avon working for XL Video who are providing video kit and support across the site.
XL provided a variety of screens and projection across the site; F-30 for main stage, Bedrock and Random arenas, Martin LC for Global Arena and 4x Barco R22+ projectors for the Godskitchen tent.
James was tasked to rig and maintain the Martin LC 2140 panels in the Global Arena, which anyone who has worked with this screen before would know is no simple task. Being the older version meant that the whole rig had to be driven with DVI which meant short cables and lots of distribution. Thanks to the keen support of the local crew, the task was made much easier. The panels were positioned on a 'virtual screen' to give an abstract spaced image across the stage, lighting poles were placed between the panels to provide an effective mix of video and lighting.
Also within James' remit was the Godskitchen Arena which was to use the 'Boombox' design that the promoters are currently touring. This involved using 4x Barco R22+ projectors onto a scaffold box with white gauze across each divide, leaving a gap for the DJ in the middle. The graphics were provided by Exyzt, who first showed this principle as Etienne De Crecy's touring rig of 2 years ago. Their software was custom written for the task by the François Wunschel who used custom visuals and live video fed over microwave link by Pier Schneider.
Their show was something to behold, with live video sampling using a PlayStation controller to create incredibly well timed video loops to match the music, all matched with their infamous geometric patterns which create a real optical illusion.
Connolly Wedding, Lancashire
This weekend saw James back with Lightech, this time at a wedding reception in Lancashire.
James was there to help with the finishing effort and to operate the lighting in the disco area, which was hidden from view until a grand reveal.
Fireworks also provided by Lightech added an extra 'bang' to the night, followed by band and DJ music until the early hours.
Catering was provided by With a Twist with Nicola and Catherine on the front lines ensuring the excellent food was served with efficiency and style.
Unilever Christmas Party 2009
Based on the success of the Catalyst and Barco iLite 12 combination at Paul Hogarth's birthday party, James was asked by CSP to reproduce the spaced screen effect for Unilever's Christmas party in a marquee at Chester Rugby Club. The event had a strong Hollywood/Oscars theme with lighting designed and implemented by James to enhance this.
Jeremy from Unilever asked that as the guests arrived, it would look as if he had spent no money on the event and as such all screens were off, intelligent lighting was off and the room left dark with only a hint of colour. After the guests had all arrived, an intro video was played on the iLite screens and projection surfaces mounted on the gable ends of the marquee (also fed by Catalyst). After this intro video, the full lighting effect was revealed and film trailers were played on the iLite pillars, a different one on each.
As the evening progressed and entertainment from the band began, stock content from Basic Monkey's large library was played on the iLite pillars along with lighting effects from the array of LED and moving fixtures to support the performance.
The night was real show piece, demonstrating the benefits of combined lighting and video design. Ideas brewing for next year already...
James to de-rig Sting’s Durham Cathedral DVD Record
HSL have asked James to assist with the de-rig at Durham cathedral of Sting's new show recorded for DVD.
Not sounding a very glamorous role, it did involved working in the bowels and heights of one of the most beautiful buildings in the UK. 100x Robe ColorWash moving lights in both 1200 and 2500 models were used on specially built rigs strapped to columns, on cases around the organ, or high up on the cathedral's walkways. Also, 9x A&O Falcon 7000 moving lights were used, in both beam and flower varieties with 2x hung from a truss suspended from the bell tower, a 200ft drop!
Harnessed up, James and Paddy spent most of the night lowering the wash moving lights from the high walkways on a builder's wire hoist. Then they made their way to the bell tower to drop the two huge falls of wire and motor chain.
James to rig for Kooks in Blackpool
The Kooks are playing tonight in an old ballroom in Blackpool, not suited to touring bands and their production requirements. To adapt for this, Ian from HSL created a ground support truss system to accommodate the band's lighting and PA rigs.
Since this installation is done overnight, Ian would be in no fit state to go climbing all day to pull the motor chains up. James was asked to spend the day on site to cover Ian's responsibilities. This involved positioning the rigging points on the GS truss, pulling and attaching motor chains and rigging the two house points for the audience truss.
