BRATISLAVA, Slovak Republic — Lighting designer Martin Kubanka specified more than 100 Robe moving lights for the 2011 Miss Universe Slovak Republic beauty pageant, which was staged at the Sibamac Arena at the National Tennis Centre in Bratislava and broadcast live on the main national TV channel, RTVS.
Slovakia rental company Q-99 supplied lighting, sound and AV production for the event, and Kubanka returned to light the show for the 13th year.
The set was designed by Michael Klang and featured 75 square meters of high resolution LED surface, over 70 square meters of medium resolution LED surface and 60 square meters of LED floor along with the extensive lighting rig. The set was “stepped” on five different levels and the far wings were shaped to resemble speaker horns. It had a stylish flourish designed to take the light well.
The Robes included a mix of 46 ColorSpot 1200E ATs, 18 ColorWash 1200E ATs, 18 ColorSpot 575E ATs and 16 ColorMixes, most of which were dotted all across a large overhead trussing grid, including more than 240 meters in all. This was installed above the stage and the audience. The remaining fixtures were positioned on the stage floor.
The Robes were the workhorses of the rig and had multifunctional roles – for general lighting as well as for specials and set washing. They were also used to create atmosphere, mood and to provide contra-lighting for the TV ‘white lights’.
Specific units also had their own individual positions to highlight the 12 contestants when they were all standing on their marks onstage for certain sections of the show.
A row of ColorSpots 1200s was rigged in a trough separating the back and front parts of the stage, interconnected on both sides by the steps.
“There are certain basic lighting rules when it comes to beauty shows,” Kubanka noted. “Obviously, it has to look glamorous and gorgeous, and it has to be lit so the contestant’s flesh tones are perfect for the camera.”
Over and above that, Kubanka has the challenge of making the show look new and different each year. “I have to say that I have not yet run out of new things to discover using the Robes, and I have never stopped experimenting.”
In addition to the moving lights, the rig included a large selection of generics, LED fixtures and a white light package. Michael Schmidt ran the fixtures using a grandMA full size console, with Thomas Lecky manning another to send video content to all the onstage video surfaces and set elements.
“Robe products are reliable, versatile and offer lots of creative scope,” Kubanka said. Q-99 bought into the Robe brand right from the start, and has a large stock that is used constantly. They service a variety of shows and events including many of Slovakia’s top TV shows.
The director for Miss Universe Slovakia 2011 was Thomas Eibner and the DoP Vladimir Durcansky. Dagmar Kolesarova was crowned Miss Universe Slovakia 2011, and will represent Slovakia in September at the Miss Universe 2011 final in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
For more information, please visit www.robe.cz.
