It was the first time that lighting designer Robert Coia had used Robe's new ColorWash and ColorSpot 700E AT fixtures on a major show, and also the first event in Australia to utilise Robe's powerful new ColorSpot 2500E AT units.
Staged in The Palladium at Melbourne's Crown Casino complex, the 2007 Brownlow Medal dinner was attended by 1500 sporting celebrities and VIPs. It was broadcast live on the country's Channel Seven TV station, topping the evening's ratings with an audience of over 1.5 million people.
Coia worked closely with scenic designer/art director Mal Nichols to develop the room's aesthetics and look for the dinner and award ceremony. Both set and lighting were matched to the room's neo-deco opulence, which included a series of ornate chandeliers and gold scalloped ceilings.
The stage set was finished in a combination of reflective surfaces and paints that maximised certain lighting effects, and two sets of stairs were internally lit with LED strips.
The Robes were arranged all across a series of room trusses - two running down each side of the space, each measured 33m and one along the back was 24m long. A 9m diamond shaped truss was rigged in the centre of the room. Robes were also placed on the seven FOH and three over-stage trusses, and on the floor at the rear of the stage.
The moving lights were used to produce general room looks, for set and stage floor dressing and occasionally for back-lighting of the stage action and the judges panel on stage left.
Selected ColorSpot 700E ATs rigged on the room trusses were also used for close range lighting to highlight specific tables for camera pick-ups throughout the evening.
The Clifton Production's crew was led by Aaron Humber and Mike Parsons, who were joined by Matt Downes, Dave Richardson and Alex Saad.
The 2007 Brownlow Medal was won by 23-year old Geelong midfielder Jimmy Bartel who proved a very popular choice. Geelong (AKA The Cats) went on to win the 2007 Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final in Melbourne four days later.
(Jim Evans)
