FLORENCE, Italy – LD Mamo Pozzoli used Clay Paky's new Alpha Beam 700s for beam effects to complement Martin's LC Series panels that were configured in a cylindrical shape for Gianna Nannini's 16-date GiannaDream tour last fall. The LED structure is positioned at center stage and serves as the visual centerpiece of the set. "This LED screen is a powerful object," Pozzoli said. "Thanks to its three-dimensionality, it can create graphic shapes through the textures it transmits, as well as physical shapes, since the whole structure of trusses and lights accentuates its circular features."
The six-meter-by-four-meter structure was actually a dual LED screen, since it has two faces – one concave and the other convex – both turned towards the audience. Its inside can also be used thanks to its semi-transparency, simulating 3D effects. No narrative animations were used, just effects – suitably chosen textures and graphic loops.
"With both concave and convex sides facing the audience, in practice we achieved two superimposed screens," Pozzoli said. "The configuration produced three-dimensional effects with attractive overlays and unusual perspectives. The cylinder was open at the sides, which allowed the artist to perform inside, interacting with the images."
To make the LED cylinder work, Pozzoli needed to balance the visual density of the imagery. "I needed LED panels with a medium pitch between 30 and 60mm to ensure intelligibility and transparency simultaneously," he said. "Rental company Giochi di Luce offered me the LC Series so I took the opportunity to test them in combination with Martin's Maxedia media server and Maxxyz lighting console.
Pozzoli also needed to balance the visual effects created by the other fixtures in the rig so that the washlights, beamlights and LED screens could work in harmony. He deliberately avoided spotlights to keep the visual focus on the LED screen effects.
"All the lights were external and effectively embraced the scene," Pozzoli noted. "I used washlights and beamlights as backlighting, side lighting and front lighting without distinction, since I was interested in making an even impact without a preferential front view position. This is the main feature when curved shapes are used."
Such a large LED screen placed right in the middle of the stage behind the artist needed a very powerful tracer light so it could be seen. The Clay Paky Alpha Beam was therefore an almost "unavoidable" choice, as Mamo Pozzoli said.
"Clay Paky has 'invented' a new way of conceiving shows with its concentrated beam lights," Pozzoli said. "The Alpha Beam 700s are very powerful, practical and flexible lights that make a difference. I very often use 'indiscriminate' positioning, and beamlights are absolutely perfect for this type of arrangement. I also wanted to experiment to see if the Beams could replace spotlights if I got rid of them completely. I must say that I partly managed, although I continue to consider them a third innovative type of light for shows."
Pozzoli also noted that he used several conventional incandescent lamps for the floor so he could "play with the different color temperatures." Pozzoli's rig also included Martin MAC 700 Washes and Atomic 3000 strobes.
As for the cylindrical LEDs, Pozzoli noted that the LC Series' 40 mm pitch were well-suited to the structure's design and added that the 1-by-2 meter dimensions of the panels proved "very smart" and "easy to set up and robust to take on tour."
He added that he was surprised by the brightness and color characteristics of the panels. "We even had to reduce their power in order to not be misaligned with the lights," he said. "The reliability and speed of response of the whole control system – the media server to the console – was also excellent. In general, the LC series has proved an excellent choice. I easily obtained what I had in my mind."
The graphics used for the tour were generated with a Maxedia Broadcast media server and worked effectively with the screen's resolution and transparency of the panels.
The video programmer/operator for the tour, Cristiano Blandin Savoia, used a Martin Maxxyz console linked to the Maxedia.
"Thanks to its proprietary user interface and video engine, the Maxedia Broadcast is a powerful tool to compose or manipulate video in real time with really advanced creative possibilities," Blandin Savoia said. "The Maxxyz Compact is the perfect interface to improve the control of the Maxedia and to time/program the cues with great efficiency, all thanks to its physical layout and software interface, which are coherent with Maxedia.
"Maxedia and Maxxyz permitted a high level of creativity and control possibilities as required in a high profile rock show and proved to be absolutely reliable during the tour. I appreciate the perfect integration between the two machines," Blandin Savoia added.
For more information, please visit www.claypaky.it and www.martin.com .
