Matthew Robinson Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 You are correct, the countdown is projected using well programmed Clay Paky Alphabeams. I think the explanation regarding your "circle of light" might be something as simple as a digit shaped gobo in each fixture ? As for the angle of projection, I don't know for sure but I can only assume that due to the fact all projected segments in each digit are the same size, and angle... the movers where simply positioned directly in front of the building, nearer the eye than the building though of course. The circles of light were dancing around on the building for a couple of hours before the count down clock was shown. My point was about placement: they, surely, had to be pointing pretty much face on to the building to get such a perfect circle; if they had been pointing from the ground you would have ended up with an ellipse rather than a circle where the light beam hit the building? Thus, my question was about where they were, it wasn't obvious to an observer, as surely they would have been on the North bank of the Thames. It was a misty enough night to be able to see the beam of the movers in the London Eye capsules, so surely it would have been possible to see the beam if it were going over our heads? In terms of projection of the count-down clock, thanks for clarifying that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
son of lx dad Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 In actuality Hootenany was shot on or around the 16th Dec this year IIRC. The Alpha Beams that do the countdown on the Shell Building are situated in the back of a curtain side truck parked at the base of the Shell Building on the south bank. The truck is only 100m or so from the building. Each unit has a precisely keystoned gobo which is used to create the countdown. The show is run on timecode, which for these units is fed into a Chamsys desk in the back of the truck. Freelance lampy Dave Sulch has looked after this part of the system for the last 2 years on behalf of Stage Electrics. Lighting was a bit of a damp squib though. I know its not meant to be overuling the fireworks and has to take a backseat a bit - but come-on!!, your telling me that nothing visually exciting can be done before and after the show? Why couldnt a few 5kw space flowers and a load of Bad Boys be specced. I think they should just lose the movers in the eye pods. Would save a lot of hasstle and could spend the money on something more visual. Sky Trackers, 5kw moons and some Bad Boys and prehaps a couple of lasers would do the job. Obviously you are entitled to your personal artistic opinion, but please do not assume you understand the technical challenges of this show. In actuality loading each pod of the eye with a VL3500 (or Mac2KW as it used to be) is the simplest part of the whole operation in lighting terms. I don't think you appreciate the "live" public space the search lights have to be installed. The entire show is loaded in and out 4 times for rehearsals as the area around the eye the dock for the Thames Clipper are all active public spaces. It is not simply a question of putting kit where you want it. Each is a negotiation with the local Councils, land owners, Power, public safety, effect to local business, are all considered. Sky Trackers are virtually obsolete pieces of kit that can do nothing more than wiggle around in white and require a trailer mount system with built in genny. A Bad Boy simply does not have the muscle to throw visibly without haze over the London Eye when taking into consideration scale and camera. A 5K Moon Flower is a static piece of kit again it gives little for its size and how many of these reliably exist today for extended outdoor use and storage? I can appreciate your comments regarding the art but I find your commentry on the technical lacking in thought. Regards SoLXD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 even a smaller shell is quite capable of taking your head off as it comes out of its mortar...Ah yes, as some headmaster demonstrated a few years back, causing the banning of the selling of shells at your local firework shop. I mean, who would look down a mortar tube to see if there was anything in there... ... and when lots of large shells lift at once the combined effect of the lift charges (the sparks, debris and smoke coming out of the top of the mortar, the noise of the charges going off and the 'thump' of air pressure and recoil as the shell leaves the tube) the result can, to the 'uninitiated', sometimes be as impressive as an entire small display!I love the thunder of big shells launching ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LXbydesign Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Yes, SOLXdad Please dont misunderstand me! I do highly respect the technical logistics of putting on the event in such demanding circumstances. Ive done enough work with Westminster County Council that can caus hair to turn grey due to all of the above you mentioned!! I agree that saying using BB's and moons may have been a bit flippant, but im just saying that with the effort that goes into the tech side of things, its a shame that there isnt that much more impact. Of course the fireworks this year, over others, were exceptional so of course was the 'star of the show' Im not adding I know what the soulution would be!! I just think that in past years, the lighting was certainly more dramatic and created its own wow factor aside from the fireworks! Just an opinion ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvenprince Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I don't know, having never seen the event live, but I'm assuming that the lighting acts as a warm-up for the actual countdown? So in the hours beforehand, they're performing a sort of light-show for the spectators; even if it is just making the eye change colour. When it comes to the actual stroke of midnight, you sort of want the fireworks to take priority; that's what everyone expects. Of course; I could be completely wrong about the run-up to the countdown and it may be that the lighting is only used in the actual 10 minute display (what a waste if it is!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 when I was there 2 and 3 years ago the lights dont really start until 1030/11 ish and do not much. its more the projection on the shell building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Robinson Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 This year, the movers in the eye capsules were struck and moving occasionally from the time I arrived. Similarly, there were some movers struck and moving about on the Shell Building- the circles I was asking about earlier in the thread. Apart from the count-down clock, nothing much seemed to change during the fireworks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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