In Broadcast - May 2016 - 44


44

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 6 - Issue 5 | May 2016

InStudio

Lighting Efficiency
The demand for innovative yet energy-efficient lighting both in and out of the television
studio is being seriously addressed by the specialist manufacturers and designers,
Contributing Editor Jim Evans reports from Frankfurt...

S

tudio lighting, especially in the
light entertainment and 'live'
sectors, has become an increasingly
vital ingredient of any television
production. Lighting designers have
become more and more creative as
the manufacturers develop fixtures
and systems embracing the latest
technologies. Energy-efficiency is also
becoming a key factor, reflected in the
growing use of LED-based products.
Perhaps
the
most
intriguing
development
among
the
manufacturing fraternity over the
last few years has been the rise of
Czech Republic-based Robe Lighting
which first started making waves
in the industry in 1990. Robe's two
founder/owners Josef Valchar and
Ladislav Petrek are both still actively
involved in the day-to-day running of
the company. Over 330 employees
now work at Robe's primary facility in
Valašské Meziříčí, and the products are
exported via a worldwide distributor
network to over 90 countries across all
continents.
Valchar states: "It's a very exciting
time to be involved in lighting
manufacture with the increasing
convergence between the mediums
of lighting and video into one
integrated visual tool. Environmental
concerns and the importance of
developing energy efficient and
sustainable technology for the future
is also starting to shape our industry.
These and other issues are already

influencing our future plans and R 'n'
D at Robe - which continues along the
proactive and innovative path that has
made it a market leader."
Robe's new Square LED fixture made
its European live TV debut on the three
shows produced by Flanders' public
broadcaster VRT which selected the
song to represent Belgium at the
2016 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC)
in Stockholm. The shows featured
an intricate and interesting lighting
design by Ignace D'Haese from Arf &
Yes.
The 24 active Square fixtures were
central to Ignace's scheme and
concept for the shows which were
staged at AED Studios in Lint, Belgium,
in front of a live audience and a huge
TV following who tuned in to watched
the five final contestants perform their
songs before voting on the winner.
Ignace
has
an
architectural
background and is known for his
intelligent and thoughtful approach to
lighting high profile, blockbuster music
television shows. He unties all the
drama and emotion of the music and
the 'moments' on screen and for the
live audience by introducing light art,
subtleties and detail which is picked
up by multi-camera shoots. It's more
about adding dynamics through proper
application - rather than just blasting
the stage with LED and other lighting
clichés!
This show was no exception,
explained
the
designer,
who
reveals that he had
conversations in the
past with Robe's CEO
Josef Valchar about the
possibilities of creating
a square lightsource.
"For me a square shape
is much more interesting
than a round one".
Robe's
growing
influence
was
reflected at the recent
prolight+sound
show
in Frankfurt which is
The Voice - South Africa, Angola & Nigeria recorded at
aimed mainly at the live
Stage One, Sasani Studios, Johannesburg - featured over
sector,
100 Robe moving lights (Mediaset TV) studio is equipped entertainment
with the Clay Paky Alpha Profile 800 STs
but turns more than a

Lighting Designer Francesco De Cave's (Mediaset TV) studio is equipped
with the Clay Paky Alpha Profile 800 STs

cursory eye to the broadcast market as produce a sharp, thick beam, which
the different media sector boundaries may be used for striking, colourful
continue to blur. At Frankfurt, Robe aerial effects.
launched and showcased a raft of
The SHAR-BAR is an advanced
new and innovative products, the moving LED bar with features that
company booth was lit with over 250 transform it into a brand new multimoving lights including the new DL7 beam effect light. It fits six 30W
and DL4 ranges of luminaires designed powerful new OSRAM Ostar RGBW
for theatrical and performance LEDs. The optical unit coupled to
applications, Robe's signature high each LED consists of a motorised
powered BMFL range
as well as several new
products like the Spikie,
Strobes and ColorStrobes
and picklePATTs.
Also going large at
Frankfurt was Italian
manufacturer
Clay
Paky which launched
three new products as
it celebrated its fortieth Clay Paky launched three new products for the first time
internationally at ProLight+Sound 2016
anniversary.
The Scenius Profile is the new beam system with double mirror: this
shaper at the top of the Clay Paky means each light beam can be pointed
moving head range. Its advanced independently of the others or locked
optical unit and the 1400W OSRAM within a 60° (+/-30°) cone. Thanks to
discharge lamp provide very high this ingenious, original optical unit,
light output and an excellent CRI. the SHAR-BAR can produce an effect
Its framing system consists of four similar to six separate lights working
independent
overlapping
blades synchronously or asynchronously.
which create shapes of all sizes and
True variety shows have all but
proportions by working simultaneously disappeared from American television,
on four different focal planes
but if anyone can revive the genre
The Hepikos is a 700W washlight that it's Neil Patrick Harris who headlined
combines low power consumption with the eight-episode Best Time Ever
colour quality, without compromise. live variety series on NBC. Lighting
Thanks to its PC front lens and narrow designer Matt Ford of Magic Lantern
5° beam angle, the fixture can also Creations in Woodland Hills,
http://www.inbroadcast.com https://youtu.be/jkvl31xwC2M https://youtu.be/TXcooCLNA8I http://www.robe.cz/
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