Spread across two full windows, the 007 montage includes the special agent’s fantastic silver Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and General Zao’s electric green Jaguar XKR from the latest movie Die Another Day. The latter vehicle is complete with reclining blonde spread-eagled on the bonnet! Other window props include 007 dummies, plus several plasma screens showing action from the various Bond movies.
The display is highlighting a special Bond video promotion offered by Harrods, celebrating 40 years of the UK’s favourite special secret agent. Paul de Ville, MD of Lightfactor Sales, was called in to design the lighting scheme for the windows. He was approached by AV installer Andy Evans from Practical Creative Solutions, who needed the cars to become a colourful, head-turning centrepiece during both daylight and night-time hours.
De Ville explains: "I try to design a few things each year because I enjoy the challenge, and also because it helps me keep abreast of the latest technology and its application in the marketplace. So this was an opportunity that really appealed to me!" The challenge was in balancing the light levels between day and night and not overpowering the video screens, whilst at the same time lighting the cars effectively, attracting the passing public.
The choice of equipment was important - the lightshow runs for 18 hours a day for two months -and De Ville wanted to create a strong theatrical feel to complement the cars. After seeing film footage showing the cars chasing around on ice, he sought to continue that theme in the windows. After tests with the Martin Glaciater low lying smoke machine, he also obtained permission to use this in the windows.
The design utilizes six Pixeline 1044 battens and six of the Pixelpar 660 Par 64-sized fixtures. He was impressed with the sheer flexibility of the units, and the high brightness performance of the LEDs was even better than expected, especially when projected through the smoke. All lighting were controlled by an Artistic Licence DMX controller on auto-chase.
The installation of the cars, illuminated pictures, video screens and lights happened over two nights including the removal of the previous displays. The rigging of the lighting and control was managed by Andy Evans. James Thomas also supplied to Lightfactor a quantity of customised MR16 fittings, used for picking out features on the cars, and for close up gobo projections. The plasma screens and projectors were supplied by manufacturers LG, and played back scenes from assorted Bond movies.
(Ruth Rossington)
