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Los Angeles, May 29,
2007
A pair of grandMA consoles is accompanying Beyonce on her world tour,
which kicked off in Tokyo and excited Australia before commencing its
European leg. A.C.T Lighting is the exclusive distributor of the
grandMA in North America.
With the tour described as a cross between a theatrical play and a rock
’n roll show, the grandMAs control an extensive array of
media
servers and lighting instruments. Show numbers run the gamut from
theatrical-style, classic Baroque scenes to old-school R ’n R
acid guitar solos to gold-plated hip-hop extravaganzas. The set is
dominated by a tracking staircase unit where the band and back-up
vocals live, entirely fitted with Barco’s OLite modules.
Complementing the staircase unit are drapes, which fly or track in and
out to create not only additional scenery but also projection surfaces.
“Beyonce wanted something simple yet sophisticated. The
aesthetic
is very clean and simple, and the technology is neat,” notes
JUSTIn Collie who created the performance environment design for Artfag
LLC. “Video is an integral part of the show and the visual
effects created with the layers of video are particularly deep. There
are regular LEDs, projections and soft LED."
“The grandMA is always our favorite in terms of
multitasking,” Collie continues. “No other console
would
have come close. Its programming and design was a success, especially
considering the short turnaround time coming out of rehearsal into new
show formats.”
“The video routing of all media servers, the Encore system
and 14
DL2s is done entirely from the grandMA via Control Freak's Encore DMX
bridge,” notes programmer Demfis Fyssicopulos.
“This proved
to be an intuitive task due to the console’s customizable
layouts
and easy access to fixture attributes."
“A key feature of the console that makes controlling all the
video components of the show is the ‘Smart’
window,”
he points out. “The ‘Smart’ window is an
active
display of possible fixture features that automatically changes
according to fixture selection.” In addition, the
grandMA’s
ability to control the 20 universes of DMX (four of them delivered via
Artnet) in perfect sync and without any delays was a huge advantage.
Fyssicopulos and Pat Brannon, lighting director for the tour,
programmed the show on two grandMAs networked on multi-user mode, then
the consoles were switched to Full Tracking for playback during the
tour.
The gear controlled by the grandMAs includes 60 VARI*LITE VL3000 spots,
58 Mac 2000 washes, six Robe 1200 spots, two Hippo systems, 10 FagPods,
three Quazars, Martin 14 QFX 150's and 23 mirror balls.
“Working on this production was a very gratifying and
fantastic
experience,” says Fyssicopulos. “As a programmer,
it is
outstanding to work with people like JUSTIn and Stuart White from
Control Freak Systems. JUSTIn's artistic eye is simply jaw dropping,
and Stuart's capabilities with his video software make you wonder if he
is an Einstein descendant. Only great things can come about when
you’re surrounded by great people like them - and they
did…”
"JUSTIn and Demfis are two of my favorite people. I know that they will
really use the grandMA to the edge of its capabilities and the result
will be breathtaking. I cannot wait to see the show," comments A.C.T
Lighting's President and CEO Bob Gordon.
Ed ’n Ted’s Excellent Lighting is the lighting
vendor and XL Video the video vendor.
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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