It is one of Slovakia's largest annual media events, and attracted a phenomenal domestic audience of four million people - 80 per cent of the country's population for its Thursday night prime time slot. The 12 finalists were chosen from over 1500 initial applicants.
Lighting and sound production was supplied by Slovakia's number one rental house, Q-99, co-ordinated by Marek Adamik. Kubanka is the country's highest profile TV lighting designer/director and works on some of the top events and programmes. He now always uses Robe as his first choice of moving lights.
The Miss Universe Slovakia set - an asymmetric series of white-scrimmed trapezoidal shapes piled on top of one another, integrated with eight giant scenic windmill fans - was designed by Michael Klank - and was ideally suited to being lit.
"It was absolutely essential that I had a dynamic selection of moving lights available to light the set" explains Kubanka, "And to keep the show looking different and vibrant for all its various sections", which featured appearances by assorted guest artists including top Czech international singer and recording artist, Karel Gott.
Kubanka used 20 Robe ColorSpot 575ATs, 16 ColorSpot 1200 ATs, another 16 ColorWash 1200 ATs and twenty Robe 575 XT scanners on the show. These were arranged across three over-stage trusses measuring 16, 10 and 12 metres respectively and also scattered over the stage floor for low level infill lighting.
"Robe allows me to use less lights than in a traditional TV lighting scenario" he says, "I can be ultimately more flexible". This was particularly useful as many of the creative and directorial decisions were made while the show was being rehearsed, so reacting 'on the fly' with the lights was essential. "I simply would not have this option with no moving lights at my disposal."
He adds that the fixtures also produce an excellent quality of white light for the cameras. The colour temperature flags in the 1200 Wash and Spot fixtures are a really useful feature for TV work.
Kubanka operated the show himself using a GrandMA console - his desk of choice. Q-99's crew totalled 14 for sound, lights and rigging. They had to work fast to meet the schedule of a Monday/Tuesday get in for the Wednesday and Thursday rehearsals and a Thursday evening show. In addition to the Miss Universe title voted for by the judges, the public were able to vote for their own favourite finalist by text message. Over 1.5 million text were received to decide the title of Miss Intercontinental. Miss Universe Slovakia 2005 was won by Michaela Dren?ková, who will represent her country in the final on 31 May in Bangkok.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
