BELFAST, Ireland – Production Services Ireland (PSI)'s annual Festive Party for the company's staff turned into an event used to showcase their products and services for the entertainment industry. They staged the event in the Ballycultra Town, part of the Northern Ireland Folk & Transport Museum, an attraction covering 170 acres with a 19th-century-styled church, bank, police station, school and houses. The event, which included key clients and suppliers, included a turnout of 150 people.
PSI's Sean Pagel said, "Once we'd decided that this was the route we would take, we were determined to go all out to ensure that everyone had a good time, enjoyed our hospitality and also had the chance to see what could be achieved with some well-applied lighting and visual ideas,"
The experience began with guests ushered into a traditional style Irish pub – which has changed very little over the years – where they received mulled wine before embarking on a tour of the town.
The tour concluded at the church, which featured PIGI projection onto its exterior, and two Space Flowers positioned from behind. The church was also internally lit with a colorful glow.
The cobbled streets leading to and from the pub were lit with window gobos in lightsources concealed in the houses, focused to project out onto the street. The schoolhouse was also lit with profiles and breakup gobos.
The old Northern Bank buildings were architecturally lit, and the Coal Merchant's yard and hay loft featured a back wall of ColorWeb LED cloth, fed with content from a Hippotizer digital media server.
The Coal Merchant area was also updated with theatrical lighting effects, enhanced with flames from the animation wheels in two Robe ColorSpot 700 moving lights plus generated smoke.
PSI also presented local singer/songwriter John Gribbon onstage at the Old Picture House with a lighting rig that showcased what could be done on a budget at a smaller club or music venue.
The Ballycultra Photo Studio featured an installation of TV lighting fixtures, and the Tea Room was lit with ChromaQ ColorBlock DB4 fixtures.
PSI's Brian Reilly said, "We were delighted to host this event in such a prestigious location and it was great to see so many people there."
The event, which included a fireworks display from Pains Fireworks, is expected to become an annual celebration, although possibly at a different time of year when the company's work schedule isn't quite so busy.
For more information, please visit www.productionireland.com.
