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Los Angeles, September
15,
2006
It’s nice work if you can get it and grandMA’s got
it
onboard six Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships where it plays a key
role in the line’s entertainment show control. A.C.T.
Lighting is
grandMA’s exclusive distributor in North America.
“The grandMA system is an important component for technical
operations in the main showroom on our ships,” says Preston
Bircher, entertainment technical projects manager for Carnival.
“Carnival shows are very fast-paced, 55-minute shows with
lots of
glitz and constant movement. No two seconds are the same. Most ships
have between two and seven production shows and
althoughthey’re
completely different, they utilize the same basic rig and light plot.
The difference is in the programming with all the moving lights and
color changers.”
“The flexibility of the grandMA system is
fantastic,” he
continues. “The desk typically controls VARI*LITE 2500 spots
and
washes, Cyberlight Cls, standard dimmers and Wybron color changers plus
haze, smoke and fog effects and confetti canons. Our latest show uses
multiple LED scenic elements, and grandMA’s ability to
control
them is amazing. The versatility of its effects and chases is also
quite impressive.”
Demfis Fyssicopulos of dfdesign served as grandMA lighting programmer
for Carnival’s 2,052-passenger Sensation with the next
installation scheduled for the line’s 2,052-passenger
Fascination. “These vessels are floating cities with a
variety of
shopping, dining, and entertainment options. They are simply
spectacular. The main showroom seats about 1,000 people (Keep in mind
this is a ship) and is two- to three-decks high. The theater has all
the accustomed lighting positions: ladders, pipes, front of house
truss, balcony, etc. The larger ships also have a full fly space. This
has been a fantastic experience and working with Preston and other
members of the Carnival team has been a true and great
pleasure”
Fyssicopulos was charged with programming two shows for Sensation, an
’80s-style show, “Far From Over” and, the
fleet’s latest show,” Curves” which he
characterizes
as “very Vegas.” “The shows have
breathtaking
costumes and elaborate scenery which includes an orchestra elevator.
‘On Far From Over,’ there is even a full size
motorcycle on
stage which is quite unusual especially for a cruise ship!. A variety
of LED fixtures were used to light the key set elements. All of the
data distribution was done via PathPort coming out directly from the
console. The entire show runs slaved to SMTE Time Code. Lights, lasers,
video, and even Pyro are slaved to Time Code. The grandMA was simply
the best tool for the job”
In Sensation’s main showroom, grandMA controls 26 VARI*LITE
2500
spots with custom magenta mixing disks and custom gobos; 20 High End
Systems Cyberlight CLs with custom colors, gobos and effects; 84 Wybron
Colorams with 22 colors; a Martin CX-10 Extreme; and 70 ETC Source 4
36-, 26- and 19-degree 575-watt ellipsoidals. The grandMA’s
DMX
control also encompasses two Radiance hazers, two 9-D smoke generators,
two LSG foggers with pop-up traps and six Pro-Launcher confetti canons,
all from LeMaitre. A grandMA MA Replay Unit provides day-to-day show
playback.
“Preston and other members of the Carnival team are true
professionals. Seeing them work with Demfis, and seeing how deep into
the feature-set they reach, gives me a great deal of satisfaction. I
look forward to a long and fruitful relationship,” commented
Bob
Gordon, President and CEO of A.C.T Lighting.
MA Lighting is
exclusively distributed by A.C.T Lighting.
A leading importer and distributor of lighting products, A.C.T
Lighting, Inc. strives to identify future trends and cutting-edge
products, and stock, sell and support their inventory. The company
provides superior customer service and value for money to all of its
clients.
For more information call 818-707-0884.
Copyright © ACT Lighting 2009. All rights reserved.
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