Lighting

Lighting:

Lighting is often overlooked and left out as 'the icing on the cake' that the client feels they can't afford.  What they don't realise, is that often, lighting is something they can't do without.

Most conference venues require stage lighting, both for the presenter to be clearly seen, and so that they become the main focal point of the room.  'Theatrical' style lighting gives frontlight at angles that illuminate the whole face, and backlight which gives them a '3D' quality, and also allows them to read their notes!

A step up from this stye of lighting, is lighting for camera (see IMAG below) where the camera requires a certain level of lighting in order to pick up a clear image that can be put to screen or recorded.  Without backlighting, and lighting of the backdrop, no contrast between the presenter and the backdrop behind them can be created, meaning the presenter will blend into the scenery.  Most colours such as blue and red look almost black on camera, especially when not lit, so lighting dark backdrops is essential when filming.

Then comes the 'icing', but then again, who eats cake without icing?

Often guests who attend conferences and events pay a substantial fee to attend, and their expectations grow ever-more sophisticated as technology progresses.

There are simple ways to make your audience feel they're getting what they've paid for, and these often involve lighting.

When an audience first walks into a room, their expectation of the rest of the evening or event is set in the first few minutes.  On walking into a bland, house-lit room, guests' energy levels almost immediately begin to fade.  If they're tired from a long day's conferencing, or from travelling to the venue, this rather dull environment will sap their strength.

What's needed is some excitement, and it's so easy to provide!  We offer two basic standard options for our clients, on which we can build to provide a full, professional light show.

The Walk-In Effect. 

The walk-in effect is a room-wash that covers tables or seating, generally with one or more colours, so that guests walk in from a very staid environment into the unknown.  The stage is generally lit as well, perhaps with 'moving head' fixtures, which can be hung in one position, but can be remote-controlled to light a number of different areas throughout the evening.

These lights, generically referred to as 'intelligent lights', are used for projecting patterns, changing colours, and providing movement, either slow or fast, giving a look which is very effective through haze (artificially generated 'smoke' that does not harm guests or cause them discomfort).

Stings and Entertainment Lighting.

'Stings', both audio and lighting-based are generally used for awards.  Where the award is announced, a music clip might play, accompanied by some form of change in the lighting, often using moving lights.  'Stings' are not just useful in this situation, but can be used to good effect at conferences when introducing presenters, drawing attention to special items during the programme, or for the entrance of someone important within the organisation.

Entertainment lighting takes many forms, but a band without lighting is naked on stage.

From a basic rig of static (non-moving) coloured lights on a dancefloor or stage, through to intelligent lights scanning the floor, changing colours or spotting individuals on stage, your paying audience deserve a good show.

And no lighting rig would work at all without a skilled operator behind the desk.  Our lighting operators are all seasoned professionals, who love what they do and are excited to create new and different looks for our clients.

It takes years and a great deal of artistic flair to take lights and create effects with them.  Often programming for hours prior to a show, and continuing to alter the design during, it's this skill that sets our team apart.  Like painting, lighting requires a high degree of love and dedication, and this is evident in the final product.