Month: January 2019

What Can Make or Break A Live Event?

Posted on by J3551CA

Planning a live event can feel like a thankless task.  All that behind the scenes planning can take months to come to fruition, even though the event itself will be over in just a matter of hours.  Putting on a live event that really packs a punch means that you need to be prepared for anything that could happen on the night.  From badly behaved performers to equipment failure and so much more, you need to be ready to react at a moments notice.

While you can’t prepare for everything, there are some certainties that must be considered during the planning phase.  Following these top tips to ensure that your live event is the best ever.

  1. Test Your Audio Equipment BEFORE the Event

Running live audio is a particular skill set that should almost always be left to the professionals.  If you are planning a live show, you need to know that your audience can enjoy crystal clear audio all night long.

Whether you are using the equipment and sound engineers provided by the venue or hiring your own from an external company, you need to be 10o% sure it will sound absolutely awesome when your audience arrives.

Sound checks are vital for every speaker, performer and even background music, so anyone performing on your stage will need to have their levels set and recorded before the big day.

A good audio technician will be able to make some adjustments to the sound quality during the event itself but limit the possibility for potential problems by ensuring that all equipment is tested and working, and levels are planned before the audience arrives.

  1. Choose your playlist well in advance

Playing the wrong kind of music between bands, or even all night long can really kill the mood.  If you have a DJ booked, to ensure that your guests are able to dance the night away, he or she will need to be given a specific idea of the right type of music for your audience. A great DJ will be able to pick up physical cues from your guests – even if they are not throwing shapes on the dance floor.  Toe-tapping and head nodding are precursors to them getting up and strutting their stuff, so your DJ needs to keep his eye on the ball.  Providing a prepped playlist that doesn’t do the job on the day is also a no-no.  Whoever is provided the music needs to be flexible enough to make changes if the audience isn’t biting.

  1. Light it up

Lighting is one of the most important elements of any live performance or event. Without it, your venue will look dull and disinteresting, and the mood will feel flat.  From the lighting you use to welcome your guests, to the flashes of color and light that illuminate the stage, every part of the event is made more exciting with a finely crafted lighting display.

A professional lighting company will be able to enhance the mood and add excitement to any event, using a series of pre-programmed lighting effects.  From lights that dance to the music, to dark spots that ramp up the anticipation, failing to provide a professional light show will have a huge impact on audience enjoyment.

Professional Live Event Lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates

Meet and exceed the expectations of your audience with a professional light show from the experts at Frank Gatto. Call us today at 561-368-0101 to find out more.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Keeping Your Event Stress Free

Posted on by J3551CA

If you have been tasked with planning a live event, fundraising evening or corporate occasion, you may already be feeling under pressure.  With so much to organize to ensure that everything runs smoothly, it can feel like the weight of expectation is resting heavy on your shoulders.

Seamless event planning is never without its ups and downs, but by putting tried and tested plans into place before the big day, you should be able to manage every aspect of the occasion perfectly.  The venue you choose, the food your order, the band you book, the invites you send and even the design and lighting of the site on the day are all individual components of the perfect occasion.

Take a deep breath, grab your laptop and start to work through this list of the 7 best ways to keep your event stress free, to see you succeed at this, your biggest challenge yet.

  1. Define your end game

Before you can begin your journey to create an epic event, you need to have a starting point. Are you putting on an event to entertain, to raise money, to reward hard-working employees or even just to bring people together to have a good time?  Knowing what you want the evening to achieve from the outset, makes it far easier to figure out how to make it happen.

  1. Think about the type of event that best suits your needs

A glamorous black-tie occasion will work well as a fundraiser but may be completely off the mark for a more laid-back affair.  A live band in an intimate setting will be great for a party to celebrate the season but will be too informal for a corporate event.  Think of your guest list and your end game, before deciding which type of event will work best.

  1. Set a budget

Knowing how much you can afford to spend makes all the difference.  Grand ideas are great, but if your budget is more bar snacks than a champagne reception, you and your guests will be woefully disappointed.  Work out how much you have in the kitty to spend on your venue, your entertainment and your catering in the first instance.

  1. Find a venue

Whether you are entertaining 100’s of guests or just a handful, you need to find a venue that suits.  Upscale hotels, clubhouses and restaurants bring kudos, whereas outdoor spaces, empty gymnasiums and even sports venues may not be as glamorous on the face of it but may buy you more floor space for less dollar.

  1. Design your theme

A theme is an easy way to seamlessly bring together all the components of your evening.  Whether you choose something classic like a Black and White ball that attendees can easily get on board with, or something more complex, a theme adds interest to your evening. You should incorporate the design into every aspect of the event, including table decorations and interiors.

  1. Book your entertainment

If you are having a live covers band, a refined quartet or even a 100-strong gospel choir make sure they have enough room to work with.  If there is no stage at your venue, you can hire one in.  Also, be sure to check the audio system at the venue before they arrive.  If the one supplied is not up to the job, you can hire AV equipment for the night.

  1. Light it up

One of the easiest and most effective ways to transform a venue from mainstream to magnificent is with the addition of professional lighting.  A lighting company will be able to add awesome effects simply by lighting up the venue itself, as well as the stage area.  If you want it to be really impressive you could even ask for your logo, or company name to be projected onto walls or ceilings to ensure that none of your guests forget why they are really there.

Professional Event Lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates

We can supply you with the right lighting for your event – whatever the occasion.  Speak to us today at 561-368-0101 to find out more.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Frank Gatto – A Reputation for Excellence

Posted on by J3551CA

When you are planning your next awesome event, stage show or studio production, you need to be sure that only the best professionals are working on your team.  When it comes to your lighting, Frank Gatto and his crew have a reputation for excellence that is virtually unsurpassed.

With over 30 year’s experience of designing television and special event lighting, Frank Gatto & Associates have worked with some of the biggest names in the business, including HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision. From sports telecasts, to live shows and everything in between, the expertise and skill of Frank and his team can be seen on the set of College Gameday, NFL Countdown, World Series, Ultimate Fighting Championships and many more.

Offering the highest quality of service in the lighting industry, the team at Frank Gatto & Associates have worked nationwide and even internationally to provide lighting for large scale events.  They also regularly undertake work close to their base in Miami and are the #1 choice for lighting events in the Caribbean and into South America.

Excellence Across All Disciplines

While Frank Gatto may be a big name in the lighting world, he ensures that everyone who works for and with him is versed in the same high standards of service as he is. From Lighting Directors to stagehands, every member of the team at are seasoned professionals, who can transform any kind of event or production using seamless, professional lighting techniques.

With so many years of experience, they understand the importance of effective lighting for every kind of event, and they only use the very best lighting equipment to ensure complete success every time. As a team, they have been on hand to provide award-winning lighting in a wide variety of venues and locations including Madison Square Gardens, the Home Depot Center, Staples Center and large Sports Arenas.  They have also worked in a plethora of smaller venues including Convention Centers and Theaters, to ensure that every event is perfectly illuminated, regardless of its grandeur.

Bringing Lighting Excellence Direct to You

Being able to travel to your location or venue adds an extra dimension to the services they offer.  Their tractor trailers are able to bring their first-class lighting rigs from the east coast to the west coast of the U.S. and Canada and are all fully equipped with the most up to date lighting equipment required to make your production a success.

The crew will transport everything you need and ensure it is set-up on time and in full working order, in readiness for your event.  This hassle-free turnkey lighting service is tailor-made to suit your requirements.

Leading the way in lighting

Because lighting is their life, Frank and his team only work with the very best lighting equipment on the market.  Their ability to provide and operate cutting edge LED lighting technology makes them a leader in the televised sports lighting arena.

Choose Frank Gatto & Associates for All Your Lighting Needs

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we can offer free lighting evaluations for your production. We are also available for consultation on lighting jobs as well as lighting sets still in the planning and pre-production stages. Call us today at 561-368-0101 to find out more.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Why Communication Is Key Between Client and Lighting Director

Posted on by J3551CA

Hiring an experienced lighting director can bring a whole new dimension to your live show, corporate event or studio performance.  From the outset, they will bring their expertise to ensure that the lighting becomes an integral part of every performance. But, like every other member of your events team, they need to have a full understanding of what you are trying to achieve.  From the initial planning stages through to the main event, working in sync with your lighting director is key to making your event a success.

Whatever the occasion, keeping the lighting director on board at all times is crucial.  The expertise they bring to the table is worth so much more than just making sure the lighting looks good on the day.  Whether you are planning a live event, a studio production or are heading out on location, keeping your lighting director and his crew by your side will add value.  His crew will also be on hand to set up rigs, run cables and even help to ensure that your set is safe at all times.

Establish your lighting requirements

This is probably the most obvious reason to work alongside your lighting director.  He is the expert at knowing which types of lighting will work best for your event.  From spotlights to wall lights and everything in between, he knows it all.

Interpret your creative vision

Your script, your setlist or even your motivational speakers will all benefit from a full lighting plan that will enhance all aspects of their performance.  A professional lighting director will liaise with the producer and their team to understand their goal from the outset.

Creating a lighting plan

Great lighting techniques never happen by accident.  Every flash and pop of color is planned down the last second to ensure that the lighting runs in sequence with the action on stage or screen.

Assembling lights and planning locations

Again, you can’t just throw a load of lights on a stage and hope that they look awesome. Every can, rig and stand-alone needs to be mapped out to ensure that the light they create matches the atmosphere you are hoping to achieve.

Testing and safety

Lighting directors spend a long time ensuring that their crew always provide equipment that is in good working order and that can be relied upon to perform.  They will also be responsible for ensuring that everything is safe, down to tidying cables away and ensuring every switch is safe to use.

Building rigs

Large events call for a lot of lighting.  In many cases this also involves lighting being hung up high to illuminate to stage below or shine out onto the audience.  A professional lighting director will be able to plan a rig that his crew can assemble to ensure that every aspect of the action can always be seen.

Integrate with the rest of the crew

On large productions, the lighting director will have his team integrate with the rest of the crew to ensure that they are there when they are needed.

Become an integral part of the team

The lighting director will become as important as any other member of the team.  Where necessary, they will visit locations to assess the feasibility of lighting plans and work alongside the floor manager, producer and sound technicians throughout the course of the event or production.

Program light effects

Using complex and technologically advanced DMX consoles, the lighting director will be able to program entire lighting routines that will run throughout the course of the event.

Professional Lighting Direction from Frank Gatto & Associates

If you would like to work with our world-class lighting director and his team, call us today at 561-368-0101.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.