The popular programme, presented by maverick Italian TV personality Carlo Conti and produced by Magnolia Productions sees non-celebrity contestants from all types of backgrounds and careers compete to become singing stars. It is recorded at RAI's Studio De Paolis in Rome, and lighting equipment was supplied by Rome based rental house, DI & DI Lighting.
For I Fuoriclasse, the moving lights - over 200 in total, along with 300 white light sources, were all mounted on aluminium trussing that followed the lines of the eye-catching set, designed by Marco Calzavara. The ColorWash 575E ATs were rigged behind the set and used for colouring and texturing the main back wall.
Quini specifically wanted to be able to utilise all areas of the set, and to capture "musical moments" everywhere, each of which needed to have an individual look created through different lighting effects. He also wanted the stage and set to provide calm and relaxed environments for the contestants to perform and feel comfortable - without too many dramatic contrasts.
The 16 DigitalSpots were used to contribute assorted graphic elements to the overall visuals, and were fed with content stored on a Catalyst digital media server. The Catalyst was triggered by a WholeHog 3 lighting console operated by Fabio Pimpinelli. The ColorWash 575 E ATs were controlled from a Compulite Sabre operated by Fabio Antonetti.
DigitalSpots have made a big impact on Italian TV productions over the last 12 months since their introduction to the market. Quini has used them on numerous other high profile shows including Tutte Donne Tranne Me. DoP Gianni Mastropietro used them on Canale 5's Matrix and for Mediaset production Zelig, and DigitalSpots have also been used on Anno Zero for Rai 2 in Rome, along with over 100 ColorWash 575E ATs. Units are also in action for various programmes for private TV channel La 7.
(Jim Evans)
