Golden Balls is an Initial-produced 40-part series being recorded in TV6 at the BBC's Wood Lane Studios. It is directed by Simon Stafford and Julian Smith and aired daily during the 5-6pm prime time slot on ITV1. Presented by veteran comedian Jasper Carrot, it is a game of luck, intuition and barefaced bluff as four contestants battle it out to win - or loose - thousands of pounds.
HSL's project manager Sean McGlone comments, "We already had 150 Chroma Hearts in stock and allocated for this project, and then at the last minute, it was decided to increase the level to over 700 units. Rising to the challenge, Sean decided to purchase the additional 600 units and Pulsar decided they were going to build them."
Even after making this decisive move, it was still touch and go as to whether they would get the extras delivered and installed in time for the first show - but everyone at Pulsar and HSL worked hard to ensure it all happened. "HSL were absolutely brilliant," says Tom Kinane. "There were no ifs, buts or maybe's. Everything was just sorted and happened. That's one of the many reasons I like working with them - great positive energy."
The stunning set designed by Chris Webster is semicircular and features the Chroma Hearts ensconced into the myriad of holes all across its surface. "You are somewhat limited for choice in terms of lighting instruments when offered upwards of 700 holes, but we found the perfect solution," says Kinane.
The Chroma Hearts are being driven by video content stored on a PixelMAD computer supplied to the show by Sven Pedersen and Ross Williams. Richard Bleasdale created a custom template for them to use with the PixelMAD, allowing them to treat each panel of the set as a whole group of pixels, which really speeded up the mapping process, and Pedersen created special custom content for the lightwall.
HSL has additionally supplied Robe's new ColorWash 700 fixtures and JTE PixelPARs for the show and a WholeHog 3 console for control. Pedersen, also programmed these fixtures into the Hog which is being operated for the series by Louise Lesley. The lights were rigged by Richard Jarvis. Generic lighting is being operated by Simon Braddock, and while Kinane is busy with other commitments, including the Dame Edna Everage Show, Golden Balls' lighting is being looked after by Mike 'Sooty' Sutcliffe.
(Jim Evans)
