JOHANNESBURG – SABC's studios for the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer competition have been equipped with Robe ROBIN 300 Spot and Wash moving light fixtures. The set is designed by Dewet Meyer and very much has lighting, depth and dynamics in mind. The lighting design is by Andre Rossouw of SABC and Francois van der Merwe of MJ Event Gear. Van der Merwe also programmed the show and is sharing operating duties with Theo Roodt. The equipment is supplied by MJ and SABC.
MJ brought in the moving lights – including the 36 ROBIN 300s – which were purchased for this project. MJ also supplied the Robe Media Spinners, LED lights, trussing and control. All the white and studio lights are supplied by SABC.
Meyer's set features two semi-translucent trussing arches covered in white knitted material and a series of scenic columns at the back, which use the same material.
The floor is printed, features lots of curves, and is divided into four separate areas. There are two circular interview/presentation areas left and right; a center stage section, which can also be used for performances; and there is a panel discussion area in front of that.
The space can also function as one large environment if needed. There is a large projection screen at the rear, and numerous plasma screens have been positioned around the space.
MJ Event Gear first invested in Robe products about three years ago. When they were confirmed for this job, it was an ideal opportunity to buy the latest technology. Robe's South African distributor, DWR, handled the order, which included 24 ROBIN 300 Washes and 24 ROBIN 300 Spots.
The ROBIN 300 Washes are placed inside the pillars at the back of the studio and used for color changing effects. The Spots are positioned on the floor at the back of the studio, used for backlighting, "beauty shots" and medium close-ups.
The ROBIN Spots are also in close proximity to some other 2K moving lights, and are said to hold their own in terms of output, despite their smaller size.
"They are absolutely phenomenal," said van der Merwe, of the ROBINs. "The zoom is incredible, and they are a nice small unit, very punchy and perfect for up-lighting and washing sets."
Robe's Media Spinner 50s are used with eight large plasma screens dotted around the studio floor.
Rossouw already knew about the capabilities of the Media Spinners, and when he looked through the show scripts, he realized that it would ideal to have a monitor that could rotate to show SABC branding on the reverse. The Media Spinners help make that happen.
All lighting in the studio and the Media Spinners are programmed into a grandMA console run by van der Merwe.
The studio is running for nearly 18 hours a day throughout the World Cup tournament, which runs through the early part of July.
For more information, please visit www.robe.cz.
