Pen was introduced to Robe Show Lighting's array of moving lights and the great potential of the Robe Spot 1200 in particular, by Robe America's Randy Wade through Linkin Park's production manager, Jim Digby. This is the first time Pen has used Robe, and the powerful 1200 Spots are proving to be a great creative asset for the show. Six Spot 1200s are deployed on the upstage truss for beam effects, four are used as followspots, 10 are rigged on custom trussing and utilized for specials and cosmetics, and four are placed beneath the stage, shooting up through the downstage grille deck. All are used to produce high-powered hard-edged beams as well as for air texturing and dynamic effects.
Followspots are Pen's top priority during the show. Linkin' Park's two singers, bass and guitar players are all highly energetic performers and are never static for more than a few seconds! These four are currently all covered by both front and rear spots, while the 1200s are used to simulate the followspot 'look' on the DJ and drummer.
Pen also designed the show's video, all of which is run via a Catalyst digital media server from his MA Lighting grandMA lighting desk. He mixes the mediums of lighting and video into a slick, edgy and coherent visual collage for the show, colour-tinting video elements to match the lighting, etc. Lighting equipment is being supplied by leading Canadian rental house, Christie Lites Ltd.
(Lee Baldock)
