The ninth series of shows, broadcast live every Friday during prime time from the Teatro delle Vittorie in Rome, has some elegant new scenery based on natural materials, designed by Riccardo Bocchini. There is wooden parquet on the floor and on the arch enclosing the stage, and chrome-plated trim behind the three large LED walls.
The lighting equipment has been supplied by Di & Di Service, and consists of 20 Alpha Profile 1200s (half of which are arranged at the height of the proscenium and the other half in the auditorium for front lighting), 20 Alpha Spot HPE 1200s (all as backlighting), 16 Alpha Spot HPE 700s (arranged around the whole internal perimeter of the auditorium) and 16 Alpha Spot HPE 300s (also as backlighting). A few CP Color 400 MHs complete the rig.
Fausto Carboni, the director of photography, says he has used the Profiles to "cut out" the special areas of the scenery that need highlighting with clean-edged light. "I also had the pleasure to try out the Alpha Spot HPE 700s, and I must say they offer truly innovative graphic effects," says Fausto Carboni. "For example, we were able to use some lighting effects on the large entrance sphere, which is a highly characteristic special scenic element consisting of motorized plates that close with a circular movement."
The lighting has to illuminate several materials ranging from iron to wood. The different colours and different degrees of light reflection and absorption therefore had to be taken into account. The wooden floor, for example, is enhanced using the water effect produced by the animation disc on the HPE 1200s. It was also necessary to blend the light with the video effects. There are three large LED walls, one in the middle at the back of the circular sphere, and two on the side walls. Carboni calibrated the light intensity and colour meticulously, together with director Maurizio Pagnussat, to achieve a harmonious result.
(Jim Evans)
