Brit Awards

[sparkies]

So, what was going on last night during the Brit Awards during Duffy's number? The follow spot was bouncing up and down, and why did they need five backing spots, but they toned them down to three towards the end...

[Ynot]

Well, normally I wouldn't bother with this sort of post, but curious, I Googled the event (didn't watch it, seldom do this type)..

The headshot follow spot was indeed going a little bananas - rather odd for a pro spot op on a supposedly prestigious event...

 

And the five back spots did look a little OTT, I agree, though whether they looked that hot on her hair off screen, I don't know - possibly not...

[JDP]

I have been heavily involved with the production at the Brits this year... NOT the lighting, the production with this title, I feel myself perfectly free to comment on all aspects.

 

As usual, the rig was a completely over specified rig of VL3000s, Mac 2000s, Atomics etc. Once again, a complete over specification on LED screens (I think these ones were Stealth actually), but typical of any new production...

 

As far as the gig goes. It looks average in real life. There were plenty of gizzy moments with strobe and things you perhaps didn't see on TV, but thats as far as it went. ALL the colours he used were either Whites, Tungstens, or a hint of blue. For some odd reason, either to do with exposure on the cameras or the lx operator, whenever they went for a close up for an artist any ambiance of colour was drowned out by white light - which looked really bad. But to be fair, not a lot of colours were being used. Pet Shop boys looked ok, but thats because he had 2 lights from above, so you got a lot of the content colours - but it still when Brandon came one it was drowned out again.

 

Regarding follow spots, I have no idea where the followspots were for Duffy (I was a little Piste by this point), but its worth remembering that 1cm movement at spot end, could end up with a 1M movement at artist end...

 

I am sure Al will blame it on the spot operator. But, without speculating too much, the entire thing didn't look like it has in previous years. Theres a 'new age' look of white and tungsten that LDs are going for, it looks OK for one song, but for an entire job/concert - its boring and doesn't look that good for an entire show. I wouldn't mind putting some money on the fact Al won't be LDing it next year. I know who I think should do it, and I will be informing production of that on the de-brief

 

John

[Guest lightnix]

I didn't watch the show, but did notice the bouncy spot on breakfast telly this morning. I'm not going to criticise the operator, partly because my follow spotting was never particularly good, either; but also because we don't know the exact circumstances.

 

Yes, the five spots did look a bit hot on Duffy, which is probably why they were cut back to three. Why there were five spots in the first place is, again, something we can only guess at; maybe the rehearsal stand-in had jet black hair... or something

 

The general vox populi opinion on various forums, expresses disappointment at several aspects of the production: The "Glasto" themed set (complete with cardboard cut-out cows); unfunny attempts at risque humour by the presenters; Duffy winning everything (she's good, but not that good and in no way the next Dusty Springfield IMO); the bad language; the cutting of the bad language; Take That miming; Coldplay miming everything but the vocals and the general shambolic feel of the show, especially when compared to the Grammys.

 

There were one million fewer TV viewers than last year (source...).

 

If you're really that interested, then there's 74 pages of forum discussion (and counting) to mull over - pardon me if I don't join in

[johnhuson]

So, what was going on last night during the Brit Awards during Duffy's number? The follow spot was bouncing up and down

Have a crack at followspotting in an arena with a 250' throw (I don't know if that's the actual throw distance but highly possible in a venue like Earls Court, possibly even greater) and see if you can do any better, it's not that easy, particularly with that amount of back/top light.

 

and why did they need five backing spots, but they toned them down to three towards the end...

Having watched the clip the Ynot linked to I'd suggest it was intended as an effect.

 

EDIT: SPAG

[Sound In Gloucestershire]

as for the back lights, as johnhuson suggests, I think it was there as an effect, to give that wow factor

[alex_kyuss]

I haven't seen the TV stuff but I was there working. I don't think coldplay mimed, I saw microphones, cables all going to a patch and there was deff there usual monitors / desk. I don't no about take that. as im not a lampy, I don't no about follow spots but they looked like moving heads, VL3K?

[Big Jay]

I don't no about take that. as im not a lampy, I don't no about follow spots but they looked like moving heads, VL3K?

 

 

Sureley not, a VL3000 Moving Head spot as a followspot on an event like that? I doubt it very much

[oli]

I think alex is talking about the backlight! I cant see them using a VL3000 as a followspot and if they did then the operator was having a fit whilst using it! :(

[J Pearce]

Actually, I understand it is not unusual in rock and roll world for the followspotters to use modified VL3000s, with the motors disabled and a handle fitted.

 

This gives the LD control over everything but position, which can be important as rock and roll followspotters are often crew used elsewhere (drivers, caterers etc) followspotting on the side.

 

Though, this is only what I've heard so I could be talking out of my posterior.

[tokm]

Actually, I understand it is not unusual in rock and roll world for the follow spotters to use modified VL3000s, with the motors disabled and a handle fitted

Indeed your correct Jon.. Its mostly so the LD can control the beam size and the colour coming out the front. Course when your using something like a VL3k and you've got a CMY facility in your spots, it makes it possible to have whatever colour you like.. i.e. to match or complement the colour on stage at any given time.

 

Recent example

 

And here's a picture of it being done..

 

http://www.vari-lite.com/clientuploads/backstage/Truss_Spot.jpg

 

Don't know if VL3k's were being used as spots on the Brits, but I'll ask when I see someone who was on it, tomorrow.

 

T

[oli]

I stand corrected...and very interested in this idea!!

[alex_kyuss]

As I said I will fully admit knowing nothing about lighting. But If I remember rightly there were 5 "moving lights on the back truss being used as follow spots, with normal follow spots on the front. The VL3K was a guess. But im sure I've seen them used in the way stated above with the pan and tilt motors disabled. Plus almost all of the follow spot operators on the rock & roll gigs are load in/out crew or truck drivers.

[jim_bob]

Hi,

 

There was 18 followspots in all, 5 which were backlighting performers, 2 over the front of the stage for artist walkup's, 2 either side of the stage and 7 FOH. All of which were used quite alot.

 

Most of the rig was VL's with no movers being used as followspots. There was however 4 VL3000 spots on the back followspot truss as extra backlight. No other bands apart from Take That Mimed.

 

As to the Duffy spot issue, johnhuson is correct, it was a very hard pickup to do as the throw was long and the stage was washed out with white. Its much more difficult when things are done for TV as they are much brighter for the camera to pickup.

[gvcymru]

So, what was going on last night during the Brit Awards during Duffy's number? The follow spot was bouncing up and down, and why did they need five backing spots, but they toned them down to three towards the end...

They had 5 for Girls Aloud so probably thought they might as well use them!