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Lighting Sets the Mood
May, 2009
By Ralph Niekamp
Lighting plays a key role in setting the mood of a room. Studies have found that red is energetic, blue is calming and orange is warm and enthusiastic. Many event planners use lighting scene changes to help shape the mood of the room throughout the day.
While there are many different types of lighting instruments, “wash” and “beam” are still the two basic types of lights. Wash lighting delivers a diffuse light that illuminate general areas. There are theatrical instruments that are specifically designed to produce wash lighting. A ballroom’s chandelier is also an example of a wash light. Beam light, as the name suggests, produces a defined beam of light and is used to illuminate an object such as a keynote presenter and podium or an award that will be presented.
When conducting site inspections, be sure to check the venue’s lighting features. What types of lights are available? What custom changes are easily made and how are they controlled? Even a room that does not have theatrical style instruments can have many options with which to work. What wash instruments are available? Are there any beam lighting instruments? If there are, can they be adjusted or are they set to a predetermined spot? Is there a central controller with pre-determined room set-ups that enable you to change quickly?
Consult with the venue and your AV company if you want to add additional lighting. Many venues do not have professional theatrical lighting instruments but they may have a lighting bar installed or are able to hang truss from their ceiling. Electrical power availability is also an important lighting consideration as many lighting systems do not use conventional power outlets.
Traditional lighting instruments throw color light by inserting a “gel” into a frame. Today many lighting instruments can change color on their own and can be controlled by an AV technician.
LED lights are the latest technological advancement in lighting. These programmable lights are set up near a wall or drape and throw “up lighting” changing the color of the surface. Besides being able to actively change color, they are environmentally friendly as they use very little electricity and produce very little heat when compared with traditional lighting.
Modern beam lights are often robotic in that they can swivel, producing the “Hollywood” roving spotlight effect. These lights can be programmed to focus on different locations in the room. For example, an awards show can utilize two podiums and the robo-lights move from one podium to the other at the touch of a button.
Gobos are used to create a pattern out of light. Traditionally, a gobo is cut out of sheet metal and inserted into a frame on the lighting instrument. The sheet metal blocks the light from passing through so that a pattern of light is displayed.
A theatre group would use a gobo to quickly add a window to a previously blank wall. Many corporations have their logo cut into a gobo and project it on a wall, floor or stage backdrop.
Once you understand what lighting is possible with the venues system you should consult with your AV supplier and discuss any additional lighting equipment you may need to set the mood and add some visual excitement to your event.
Ralph Niekamp, Inland AV Saskatoon General Manager addresses audiovisual considerations important to event planners. As a branch manager, Ralph brings a unique perspective as he is involved in both permanent systems design, integration, and AV rentals applications.
Filed under: The Industry
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