Fashion Show.

[Brian]

Make sure that you get the right pods though!

 

I am lead to beleive that if you use the very small Le Maitre ones for theatre flashes etc) that they will go about 4ft off the floor, or be blown to peices.

What other type of pods are there?

 

Surely you just use normal flash pods and screw/weigh them down?

Absolutely, that it why Le Maitre put screw holes in them!!!! Leaving pods loose is just asking for them to be kicked over.

[paulears]

pods on the catwalk? people get very, very close to see properly.

 

Biggest snag I've found is that there is rarely enough height so you end up squirting light into the faces of the audience as they cross over.

[wycome5]

I am only going to use the pyros if the stage is in like a t shape (the T end being the end where the models walk on) so that they are totally out of the way.

[paulears]

I think the idea of zig zags could be an issue with the people running the models - most have trouble doing turns. A T shape where the T is at one end or other is quite common - sometimes both ends - as in an H, but zig zag prevents straight line walking, which shows the garments off best. The usual stick insects balanced on high heels have trouble keeping upright in some of the more crazy designs, and the occasional big one wobbling around the corners, although fun to watch, would not be that attractive. If kids are involved in any of the ranges, don't forget they will want a wider catwalk too so two can walk side-by-side.

[Guest lightnix]

pods on the catwalk? people get very, very close to see properly.

Paulears is right - people do tend to crowd catwalks and bearing in mind the general issues of safety, competence and insurance surrounding the use of pyros, I would avoid them on this kind of show. Have a look at using CO2 confetti cannons as a substitute. Some nice, glittery / fluttery confetti can actually produce a longer lasting and prettier effect than pyros, without the foul-smelling smoke.

 

Biggest snag I've found is that there is rarely enough height so you end up squirting light into the faces of the audience as they cross over.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's my experience, too. I cut my teeth on London Fashion Week back in the 80s and regularly used to focus the catwalk lighting "blind" by shooting the lights into the second row of the audience on the opposite side. Also, don't forget to light the catwalk from front and back in equal measure. Apart from that, I'd go with the basic lighting suggestions made so far: bright, soft, even white wash over the whole thing, with colour washes and gobos to paint the set and beam effects to paint the air. I'd avoid tungsten floor lights, again for safety reasons associated with the heat / burning hazard.

 

Backstage, make sure that the dimmers are well away from the models and staff, are well labelled with warning signs and (ideally) have a crew member manning them, lest they become used as a drinks table ;)