ROME — Clay Paky fixtures were used to light a series of variety shows on Italian TV that played on the traditional and perceived differences in the way of life in the northern and southern regions of Italy. Called Da Nord a Sud… e ho detto tutto (From North to South… what else can I say), the program aired on four Monday evenings earlier this fall, was hosted by Vincenzo Salemme and Anna Falchi and broadcast in prime time on Raiuno Italian TV.
The series was televised from the Teatro della Vittoria in Rome, with a set designed by Marco Calzavara, using an intricate lighting design.
“We built a magnificent backdrop in transparent and backlit PVC that surrounded the studio at 360°, completely covered with LED points all along the perimeter,” noted Fausto Carboni, photography director. “This wall was divided into three levels, connected by circular balconies where a section of the audience sat. We did this to try and retrace the original environment of the Theatre, but adapting it to a typical television context.”
The lighting systems, supplied by DI and DI, included Clay Paky Alpha Profile 1200s, Alpha Spot HPE 300s, Alpha Spot 575 and Clay Paky CP Color 400 MH fixtures.
The Profiles were used primarily for special effects during the show, during breaks, and to “shape” the elements on the stage with light.
“We fully exploited the main feature of these products — the ability to precisely shape characters and studio elements, thanks to the wide range of possibilities of the framing system,” Carboni said. “I really appreciated the variety of graphic effects,” he added, crediting the Alpha Spot HPE 300s in particular for their compact size, power draw of just 300W, and ability to substitute for projectors requiring higher wattage.
The backdrop was the most visible element of the scenery, a synergy of effort between the set designer and director of photography. The work was carried out with two goals in mind: the need to define the spaces and the scaffolding of the backdrop inside the theatre, and the need for a lighting design that would harmonize this wall with backlighting.
A total of 70 CP Color 400 MH lights were used to achieve these objectives, with the Clay Paky moving head color changers fitted along the perimeter of the backdrop and connected in sync.
“They created extremely large and spectacular background colors that acted as a cyclorama, embracing the entire stage,” Carboni said, noting the ability for those colors to change in sync with the various moments of the program.
“I liked to alternate the use of LEDs with the backlighting of the color changers,” Carboni added. “The final effects were all so different, and turning the LEDs off allowed you to cancel the scene.”
Another important aspect was the large video wall made from screens placed side by side with vertical scrolling options to allow the guests on and off the stage. “We mixed many light sources of different natures: special effects, walls with LEDs, colored backlighting, white lights, videowall,” Carboni said.
“The console operators Enrico Cairoli and Gianluca Brunacci worked alongside me on this project, providing me with their valuable experience,” Carboni added. Giovanni Caccamo directed the show.
Some of the scenic elements used with Da Nord a Sud… e ho detto tutto were set to reappear for Gianni Morandi’s program, Grazie a tutti (Thanks to everyone), a one-man, four-episode show that was to be held at the Teatro delle Vittorie later in the fall.
For more information, please visit www.claypaky.it.
