The show was staged at the Sibamac Arena in Bratislava in front of a live audience of 4500, simultaneously broadcast live on STV1 to record ratings. It was directed by Thomas Eibner, and Kubanka also worked closely with DOP Vladimir ?ur?ansk? and set designer Martin Klang.
This year, the creative theme was nature and the scenic elements reflected grass and foliage, sea and sun. The overhead trussing configuration followed the wide lines and gentle V-shapes of the stage set below, presenting a coherent and highly attractive visual package to compliment the nature of the occasion and the 12 finalists.
Kubanka wanted to make a big impact with the lighting. He used 50 Robe ColorSpot 1200E ATs, 24 ColorWash 1200E ATs, 24 ColorSpot 575E ATs and 20 ColorMix 575 ATs.
These were rigged over the stage and audience and on the sides of the set. Scenic blades of grass were illuminated with the ColorMixes positioned on the stage deck, and from above by the ColorSpot 1200s in the truss. Plotting some complex combined moving light effects cues into the grandMA full size console, Kubanka made the grasses wave in the wind, created different weather conditions and generally made them come alive and three-dimensional with the application of meticulously thought-through lighting.
Lighting for Miss Universe Slovakia 2009 was programmed and operated by Michael Schmidt using a grandMA full size console, and video was operated by Tomas Lecký. Q-99 also supplied a number of other moving lights and effects, a large generic lighting rig, follow spots, lasers and all trussing and rigging required to fly the show's technical elements.
Miss Universe Slovakia 2009 was won by Denisa Mendrejová, who goes to the Bahamas in August to represent the country in the 2009 Miss Universe Final.
(Jim Evans)
