Robe on track at Autosport racing car show
- Details
Wan utilised over 250 Robe moving lights, working for the Live Arena’s equipment suppliers and technical consultants Network Productions. Network Productions’ Nick Halliday looked after the Live Arena’s technical direction and management aspects, with Dave Beel as production manager.
Nathan introduced the power of Robe BMFLs into the mix last year for the first time, which enhanced the dynamics he could create with the rig.
Apart from getting enough brightness in there, other parameters to consider include not blinding drivers as they belt round the short track at supernatural speeds, so fixture placement was crucial.
In the centre of the arena facing the 5,000-capacity seating tribune were three large LED screens, and to get some more lighting architecture into this area, the design included two 6m diameter circles of truss, hung vertically either side of the centre screen facing the audience.
Each of these was populated with 20 x Robe MegaPointes which provided two high impact blocks of effects lighting at Nathan’s fingertips, capable of reaching along and across the 150m-long by 40m wide arena / track.
A series of long trusses in the roof were trimmed at about 9m, and these were rigged with 88 x BMFL Spots, 40 x Pointes and 36 x LEDWash 600s.
Thirty-six Spiider LED wash beams were rigged on top of six 5m high scenic L-shaped Singapore F1 night-race style gantries that reached 9 metres over the track. These were introduced last year for the first time and were a big hit with everyone when Nathan rigged them with LEDBeam 100s. This year he wanted a totally different lighting effect from this lower angle, and so chose the Spiiders, with six per gantry.
A major reason for using Spiiders in this position was to introduce some more kinetic video-styles and shaped effects that capitalised on the map-ability of the fixtures.
“I was keen to bring a new visual dimension to the show,” explained Nathan. “It’s in a very similar setting each year, so it’s important to keep that evolving and changing as many people return year after year. They all enjoy the thrill of the race, the action and the exhilaration of high octane driving ... and so I want to make sure they get an equally stimulating lightshow!”
Nathan utilised the Spiiders’ embedded ArKaos Kling-Net protocol - allowing the distribution of real-time video data to remote display devices - to create great eye candy, while the potent wash properties of the units provided excellent general track lighting.
Nathan utilized a combination of custom and library video content which was run via ArKaos MediaMaster software to the Spiiders, triggered from his lighting console.
Four of the BMFL Spots – positioned above the FOH position - were used as follow spots – remotely controlled by Nathan via his Avolites Tiger Touch II console, which were great for illuminating the presenter David Croft and guests coming onto the track for interviews.
The BMFLs were used generally as track lighting for the races, and for texturing and adding colour and depth cross the arena in between races and during the interview sections.
The Pointes were deployed for what they do best, making lots of spectacular specials and co-ordinated beam-work as well as to augment some of the cheekily impressive MegaPointe looks.
Nathan programmed and ran the show on two Avo TigerTouch II desks plus lots of network processing, with the ArKaos MediaMaster on a laptop running video to the Spiiders plus 70 metres of LED batten placed around the track’s concrete safety wall.
(Jim Evans)
