NASHVILLE — Bandit Lites Inc. has invested in scores of Robe’s newest moving lights as specified by creative director and production designer Seth Jackson and lighting designer Nathan W Scheuer for the current Selena Gomez Stars Dance world tour, which kicked off recently in Canada.
More details from Robe (www.robe.cz):
The sale involves 16 Pointes, 18 LEDWash 600s, 12 LEDWash 1200s and 36 LEDBeam 100s — 82 fixtures in all— from Robe’s Robin range of “smaller-lighter-brighter” luminaires. These were delivered to Bandit by Robe Lighting Inc., coordinated by Eastern Region Business Development Manager, Kevin Loretto.
Jackson has worked with Selena Gomez since her first ‘We Own The Night’ tour in 2011. His very talented creative team for this tour includes Scheuer, Video & Media Designer Brent Sandrock and Lighting Director David “Fuji” Convertino who will be out on the road with the equipment.
It is the first time that Jackson and Scheuer are working with Robe products. They both visited the Robe factory in Valašské Mezi?í?í, Czech Republic earlier in the year, which proved an eye-opening experience.
Says Jackson, “We saw the manufacturing process and the care and meticulous attention that goes into every fixture. We met with Robe’s engineers, designers, product development team, sales and support staff with CEO Josef Valchar always at our side. Everyone’s dedication to the company sent us away with a real appreciation for the uniqueness of what Robe is doing and the elegance and quality of what they are building”.
As a result, they decided to incorporate many of the Robe products into the tour design.
Harry von den Stemmen, Robe’s Sales Director and CEO of Robe Lighting Inc., comments, “We are delighted that Seth has chosen to work with some of Robe’s newest technology on Selena Gomez, which will be among the highest profile tours of the year. Likewise, it is a great endorsement of our brand for Bandit to make this commitment.”
It’s Bandit’s second purchase of Robe equipment, following that of several DigitalSpot 7000DTs to realise a design by Simon Tutchener for Mark Knopfler’s 2010 world tour. These worked flawlessly and Tutchener was very happy.
Jake Tickle, Bandit’s Director of Technical Service enthused, “The entire Robe line is very dynamic and loaded with unique features. The Pointe is a highly versatile, mid-range unit with the feature sets of both a beam fixture and a 700W profile.”
Pete Heffernan, Bandit’s President, stated, “The Robe products are very well built and capable of performing in extreme situations. Robe really seems to be at the forefront of innovation.”
Kevin Loretto follows up with, “The opportunity to work with Bandit Lites on this tour is excellent and their reputation in the industry is legendary. It’s great that they have chosen to add to their rental inventory with Robe and feel certain that this is the beginning of an ongoing mutually beneficial partnership.”
Bandit has worked with Seth Jackson for nearly 20 years on projects that have included a series of acclaimed international artists such as Barry Manilow, Toby Keith and Carrie Underwood.
Jackson concludes, “Lighting Director David “Fuji” Convertino as well as our Bandit staff, has been amazed at the reliability and effectiveness of the new products. Robe’s support and willingness to connect with not only us as designers but our vendors as well speaks volumes about the quality of the company and their products.”
More details from Bandit Lites (www.banditlites.com):
Selena Gomez Takes Bandit On Her Stars Dance Tour
NASHVILLE — Superstar Selena Gomez is appeasing her millions of fans worldwide with the stunning Stars Dance Tour, which will cover the US, Canada and Europe and promote her number one selling album Stars Dance. Having worked with Bandit before, the pop’s reining princess and her team are trusting Seth Jackson and Bandit Lites’ again to light the colossal tour.
Lighting designer Nathan W. Scheuer worked with Seth Jackson, who serves as the creative director and production designer, to create a dramatic lighting design for the tour. Since her breakout role on Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” Selena has been evolving into more mature roles, including a recently released thrilled “Getaway” and the acclaimed indie-flick “Spring Breakers.”
“Selena drove this conversation,” explained Jackson. “From the beginning she wanted to push the boundary of her show: More adult; more elegant; 1950s movie star quality; Judy Garland kind of poise and elegance.”
“I designed the set and the overall production and then turned the specifics over to the two people I rely on for everything; Nathan W. Scheuer (lights) and Brent Sandrock (video),” said Jackson. “After working on my own for 15 years, it means everything to have the collaboration with these two brilliant and talented guys.”
Equipment used includes VL 3500 spots, VL 3000 washes, GRN Par 3-36’s, Robe Robin 600s, Robe 1200s, Pointes, Robin 100s and two Grand MA2 Lite consoles.
“The Robe 100s line the S runway that goes 40ft into the house, the 1200s are on the house trusses, the pointes are all over the stage and the 600s are on a midstage truss to light the dancers. We have three trusses over the stage and 4 curved trusses that cover the thrust and audience.”
David (Fuji) Covertino is the touring Lighting Director and Programmer. Bandits’ crew includes Jason Workman, Scot Sepe, Joshua Fenn and Patrick Cowden.
Bandits’ unwavering support for its clients and team members is one of the many reasons Jackson enjoys working with Bandit and its crew.
“Since 1999, I have had the privilege of working with Bandit on numerous projects and tours,” explained Jackson. “Mike Golden and the staff have an energy and craft for problem solving that I can always count on. In the process of Selena we had numerous versions of the rig and equipment list, and yet at every turn we found a solution that got everyone aligned, stayed on budget, and kept the client happy. It gives me great confidence walking into rehearsals knowing what a quality team I have supporting me.”
“We are quite honored to be working with this organization again,” said Golden, Bandits’ vice- president. “The production team of John Lafferty and Mark Holloway are complete professionals, and of course, Seth and his team are always a joy.”
