Hitch a Ride with the Genlyte Controls Road Show

Tuesday, October 11, 2005 || Vari-Lite

rotated to the front and center position, where the action took place. Lighting designers for the opera created scene transitions as the different elements rotated.

"We did cueing sequences where we picked the actors and other elements up with three different VARI*LITE fixtures at different points on the turntable and followed the piano around," Aufdem-Brinke explained. "The learning curve on the opera was very steep because we hadn't had the automated lights for very long. Fortunately, we had a wonderful lighting designer, Nancy Schertler, who has used the VARI*LITE fixtures before."

The four-blade automated shutter feature of the fixtures was beneficial as Schertler and Aufdem-Brinke were able to light actors on a ramp that began at the far edges and ran along the back of the turntable without spilling light onto the turntable or the backdrop.

The university will also be taking advantage of the flexibility of the automated units during an upcoming scholarship benefit in the concert hall. The fund-raiser will include a variety of entertainment, ranging from singing and music to skits. An MC will host the event, and between skits, the VL1000 fixtures will be used for house patterns and texturing to add atmosphere to the space.

"Our theater designers have seen the fixtures and are excited about using them this semester," Aufdem-Brinke added.

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