I-Vision's latest DMX-controlled LED lighting product utilizes Luxeon high-brightness LEDs. Fentura's Tim Matthews explains that they added the I-Vision strips to their hire stock because the fixtures are ideal for 'set' lighting, and are equally as bright as other LED products - but more cost effective. Matthews' lighting design for the L'Oreal show featured seven I-LED 1200mm strips and four I-LED 600mm strips, which were used to up-light the shiny PVC set, designed by Russ Mamik of Pulse Event Services. The LEDs produced a full range of pastel and deeply saturated colours.
Matthews' biggest challenge was to make the set look unique for nine very busy musical numbers within the show, He thinks the I-LEDs produce some great colours and are highly responsive, making effects like colour strobe work really well: "They can change faster than you can actually see!" he says. Other key elements in the show included the first five Clay Paky Stage Profile Plus's to tour in the UK, rigged front of house for gobo projection onto the set. Featuring twin rotating gobos and a complete set of shutters to fully chop the beam, these were used to great effect by 'wiping' gobo looks up and down the set. The show was controlled by Fentura's Wholehog II, running VL2416s, ETC Smartrack Dimmers, and a full compliment of smoke, haze, wind, and bubble effects.
(Lee Baldock)
