Author: J3551CA

How to Light Live TV

Posted on by J3551CA

When it comes to live TV, you literally only get one chance to make a first impression.  Everything is captured exactly as the action happens, meaning that if something goes wrong, there is no way of editing it out or starting again.

The cameramen, the sound crew and of course the lighting guys all need to be ready and waiting to capture everything and be on standby to deal with anything that could, and often does happen.

Lighting Live TV – How to Make It Happen

Illuminating a live set is a challenge, but it can be done.  Experienced lighting directors and their crew will have no problems in creating a lighting plan that takes into account any sudden changes or potential problems that could arise during the filming.

As a basic guide to lighting a live TV production, the following lighting set up can help ensure that the newbies are ready for anything:

Get Set to Capture the Action

Your first light on set should be the key light that is positioned about forty-five degrees to the side of the camera.  Whether you are recording live tv or pre-recorded, your key light is vitally important.  Your key light should be focused on the main subject, so get ready to move it around should your subject make any sudden movements (think Tom Cruise on Oprah’s sofa and you get the idea).

Your backlight should be placed directly behind the subject, in line with the camera.  Flood that light down at a forty-five-degree angle to produce a crisp, but subtle border around your subject.

The fill light should be set at about half the intensity of your key and backlights, in order to provide a softer glow that doesn’t produce any harsh shadows.  And finally, your background light should be subtle and unobtrusive and merely there to bring the background up to an acceptable level.

Be Ready for Anything

Preparation is the key when it comes to successfully lighting live studio situations.  Even though the Director has probably spent serious time explaining to the guests that this is where they should stand or sit, and this is the camera they should look and speak into, things can still go mobile in an instant.

Being able to direct the entire lighting set up to follow the action is an absolute must, as suddenly losing an excited guest in a sudden sea of darkness is a definite no-no!

There are two ways of handling wayward actors or TV guests when it comes to keeping them illuminated.  If they suddenly move along an obvious line through the studio, call upon your extra fill lights to overlap the distance and create a reasonably level constant light. If you have planned your lights to overlap, this shouldn’t cause too much of a drama when it happens.

Random movements can cause bigger problems, but a reliable base light should help keep the worst of the shadows at bay.  Not entirely ideal, but sometimes the best you can do at short notice, the base light will keep all shadows within an acceptable contrast range.  For more improved lighting, have the director, presenter or anyone on set gently persuade the subject to return to their original positions.

Expert Live TV Lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates

You can’t control live television, and that is exactly why it is so exciting to watch.  From a crew perspective, it can make for a more challenging proposition, but never one that is impossible.

With over 30 years of experience behind them, the team at Frank Gatto & Associates are skilled enough to capture all of the action, no matter what happens.  If you have a live studio event that needs to be captured in all its glory, speak to the experts at Frank Gatto 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.

            

How to Light A Haunted House

Posted on by J3551CA

Nothing says Halloween like a super scary haunted house experience. Halloween is now the second most decorated holiday after Christmas here in Florida, and however, you are celebrating, creating a spooky atmosphere is essential for ensuring that your scare fest is the best ever.

The humble haunted house, for example, is one of the most popular Halloween attractions ever.  While haunted house attractions rely on props, sounds and actors, they would be nothing without the clever use of lighting. The use of shadows, bright flashes of light and craftily lit crevices create a feeling of drama and suspense as you travel along the attraction.

Here are some of the lighting techniques used to create some of the spookiest haunted house experiences even known:

Black Light

Black lighting goes hand on hand with fear when it comes to illuminating everything from stage shows to haunted houses.  The light throws a purple sheen over everything in the room, and also helps neon colors to really “pop”.  Blacklight is created via ultraviolet or infrared radiation, which is invisible to the human eye. Black lights can be as simple as single bulbs that can be plugged into an electrical socket or can be a huge back panel that illumines entire room at a time.

An interesting fact; lots of black light and neon paint can be found at the Black Sabbath “13” haunted maze at Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as in one of the haunts at Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare.

Red Light

Red is not only the color of passion, but it is also a color that creates fear.  Flooding a room with red light makes for a really tense and heavy atmosphere, perfect for Halloween attractions.  The use of colored lights can also conjure up images in the brain, and red helps to make the visitor think of the color of blood.

Spotlights

You usually think of a spotlight as a positive force for good, enlightening a single entertainer or piece of the action on the stage.  But, when you focus the same spotlight on something spooky, it takes the focus away from whatever is happening back there in the shadows, adding ambiance and increasing the fear factor.

Strobe Lights

Strobe lights are used to change the way the audience or visitor sees the action happening in front of them.  Fast, intense flashes of light create a jerky, blinking effect which disorientates the audience and transforms something innocent in something completely terrifying.

Candle Light

Candles are synonymous with everything spooky.  The flicker of candlelight creates an instant spooky feeling, and the can be used in a variety of ways to create atmosphere.  Hidden inside at light jack-o’-lanterns used to summon spirits, or dotted around an empty coffin, candles are an easy way to raise the fear factor.

Flashlights

Finally, flashlights can be used in a multitude of ways to make a haunted house feel super spooky.  They can be aimed through the middle of a fog machine to create a pathway of light or shone beneath a face or object to make it look really scary.

Call in The Experts

If you are looking to create the ultimate Halloween attraction, why not call in the experts here at Frank Gatto & Associates.  We produce first-class professional lighting design for events and live shows throughout Florida and beyond.

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.

            

Stage Magic – How To Light A Broadway Show

Posted on by J3551CA

Taking in a Broadway show is a magical experience for everyone.  A night out at the theatre can be whatever you want it to be – pure escapism, a fun evening out, or a journey to a magical land, far, far away.

Creating such an enjoyable experience takes the skill and expertise of many different professionals.  From the actors who enthrall us to the stagehands who keep the show going everyone has their part to play.

One of the most important elements of creating the magic we see on stage is the lighting that illuminates the set, creates the mood and adds all the more drama to the action in front of our eyes.

Stage lighting is a skill all of its own, and those that have perfected their craft to work on the stages of Broadway are some of the finest lighting directors and crew in the world.  Whether you are watching a dramatic stage show or an all-singing, all dancing musical extravaganza, only the very best lighting techniques will be found here.

What Is Stage Lighting and Why Is It So Important?

Stage lighting is a highly specialized area of theatre and there are many types of lights, special effects and techniques that enhance the look and feel of every Broadway performance.

Without excellent lighting, the magic of Broadway would be lost, and the experience would be nowhere near as amazing as it is.

By adding colored gels to the front of stage lights or lanterns, the mood on stage can be enhanced as they throw different lights onto the actors and the backgrounds.

Broadway lights can also be fitted with what is known as a gobo. This is a sheet inserted on a frame at the front of the light with a design cut into it. It filters the light, creating a picture effect on the stage. Gobo’s add incredible effects that could be used to create dappled lighting to look like the leaves of a forest or cut to create strips of light onstage which look like the bars of a prison.

The world-famous spotlight, on the other hand, has a hard-edged effect and is used to light characters or elements on the stage to focus all of the audience attention on one moment in time.

To create a romantic feel, the lighting experts of Broadway use Fresnel lights that offer diffused lenses, creating a softer lighting effect overall. To add drama, a highly skilled lighting director will add floodlights to produce a clear wide-angled light, that literally “floods” the stage with white or colored lighting for maximum effect.

Finally, the Broadway stage is a great place to use a Strobe light to create fantastic special effects or to give the look and feel of an old-fashioned movie.  By producing an intense flashing light, it can make the actor’s movement appear to be jerky, which adds drama when it is used on its own.

Whatever lighting effects you are lucky enough to see next time you catch a Broadway show, every single one of them is guaranteed to delight.

Epic Stage Lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates

Frank Gatto & Associates offer first class lighting solutions for both television and stage.  We have worked with some of the world’s most famous networks including HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision.

If we could help light your next event, speak to 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.

            

Teamwork – The Important Relationship Between Lighting Director and Crew

Posted on by J3551CA

Just like any successful team, the Lighting Director and the lighting crew must work in perfect harmony to ensure that every event, live show or outside broadcast is perfectly illuminated to enhance the action that the audience sees.

What Does A Lighting Designer Do?

A Lighting Designer – also known as an LD – works hard to create a comprehensive lighting plan, while working in conjunction with the director, set designer, costume designer, sound engineers and choreographer.  They plan every aspect of the lighting design taking into account a wealth of other important issues like visibility, safety and overall cost.

The LD will carefully read through the script and have extensive discussions with the director, designers, stage manager, and production managers to understand the show’s mood and the director’s vision when creating the lighting design.

How Does the Lighting Director Depend on His Crew?

While the LD may be the brains behind the operation with his ability to create beautiful lighting plans, without his crew behind him, he would not be able to execute any of these big ideas.

Every member of the lighting crew is equally as important as the next.  From new beginners helping out on set to learn their trade, to highly experienced old timers who know every type of light and rig, every member of the lighting crew is needed to ensure lighting perfection every time.

The size of the lighting crew needed to help turn the LD’s vision into a reality will depend on the size and type of production.  Lighting technicians are always needed to rig up the lighting equipment, carry out lighting tests, position lights during shoots, manage the supply of light bulbs and plenty of other on-set duties.

The lighting crew might report directly to the LD himself, or they may be working under the watchful eye of the Assistant Chief Lighting Technician – often referred to as the “Best Boy”.  He (or she) will help the LD coordinate the work of the lighting technicians and liaise with the rest of the production team to ensure the lighting plan is correctly set up and installed.

Another important member of the LD’s lighting team is “the Gaffer” who oversees all the practical lighting issues and tasks that arise. The Gaffer will oversee all the work undertaken by the Best Boy and the lighting technicians and work closely with the LD to help make big creative lighting decisions.

For the Lighting Director to be able to deliver the lighting effects and visual enhancements that he has outlined in his plan, he needs to be able to rely on his entire team.  Successful lighting crews often work together for many years and across a wide variety of projects.  Understanding the vision of the LD, and being able to work together as a team, is what transforms an efficient team of riggers, sparks, best bots and gaffers into a highly sought after, first-class lighting team that directors across the country want to work with.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, our teamwork is second to none.  We have over 30 years’ experience within the lighting industry and would be delighted to help your production come to life.

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.

            

Is Outdoor Lighting Really Necessary for Your Production?

Posted on by J3551CA

You may think that when you are filming outside, that the natural sunlight will be enough to light your set.  The truth of the matter is that natural sunlight is not always enough to make your set shine.

The use of artificial lighting outside is just as important as it is when filming inside.  Every scene needs to be correctly illuminated from every angle to create ambiance and enhance the action.

If you are unsure of how best to get your outdoor lighting working well, try these tops tips from the experts at the award-winning Frank Gatto & Associates:

  1. Work with What You Have

While we agree that you do need extra lighting to enhance your film shoot or live event, you can still find ways to make the natural light work in your favor.  The big blazing ball of light in the sky does have its uses when it comes to location shots, and while you cannot control its position or intensity you can move the action down on the ground to make the most of it.  Where you stand will affect the way the footage looks, so move into the shadow if the light is too bright or shoot with the sun behind or to the side to create a more dramatic effect.

  1. Harness the Magic

Every photographer and cameraman worth their salt knows all about specific times of the day when the sun casts a magical light over everything below.  The “Golden Hour” as it is known, is a short period of daytime just after sunrise or before sunset, during which the daylight is redder and softer than when the Sun is higher in the sky.  If you can position the action down below just right, you can create intense lighting effects using nothing more than the sun at its highest point. Be ready, however, with your lighting rigs or stand-alone equipment to continue your filming as the light fades or changes.

  1. Be Bold

If you are holding an outdoor event during the day, the sunlight will mean that your audience can see the action on stage, but will they be able to “feel” it?  Festivals, concerts or sporting events often need much more than just a soft light to be a success. Add colors and strobes that dance to the beat, or pyrotechnics that explode when a goal is scored.  All of these effects require the addition of state-of-the-art lighting equipment and a competent team of technicians to make it happen.

  1. Control the light

Whether you are using portable lighting equipment or relying on the light from the sun, it is important that you are able to control the light and the shadows it casts as much as possible.  An experienced outdoor lighting crew will know exactly how and when to use light blockers, flags, reflectors, and bounce boards to control the direction of the light and add ambiance to your set or stage lighting.

  1. Be prepared

Any changes in the natural light can wreak havoc on your filming schedule.  Cloud cover, early sunsets and even changes in atmospheric conditions can all alter the way the light appears on film.  To limit time lost to poor lighting conditions have a portable lighting set up with you on the day.  Tripod lights, diffusers, and reflectors, as well as a variety of camera lenses, should help to protect you against poor natural lighting conditions.

Whatever you are planning to capture on film or whatever kind of outdoor event you are holding, Frank Gatto & Associates have all the experience you need to ensure that the light is always just right.  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.

            

How to Light Your Event – Safely

Posted on by J3551CA

Lighting an event is not just about impressive effects or wild light shows, it is also about keeping the perfumers, crew, and audience as safe as possible from huge lighting rigs and other equipment.  Accidents happen, and as a professional lighting company, it is our job to ensure that our lighting rigs and equipment is always 100% safe on every occasion.

Because we work on a wide variety of high-volume projects and events throughout the US and internationally it is always important to us that we always operate under the highest level of safety.  If you are worried about the safety of any lighting devices at your event, follow our checklist to ensure that you are always protected:

  1. Plan your lighting in advance

Just throwing a few tripods on stage and hoping for the best is never going to have the successful outcome you are looking for. It’s not just the way they look that will be a problem, but without proper planning, there is nothing to stop your performers from crashing into them or tripping over dangerous cables.  A lighting plan will not only ensure that the lighting looks on point throughout the production, but also ensure that every piece of lighting equipment is safely positioned on the stage, well maintained and safe to use.

  1. Check your equipment

This should obviously go without saying, but sometimes the pressure of pulling together a live event can see important safety checks overlooked.  At the very least, you should ALWAYS check the condition of the following:

Plugs

The cable clamps should hold the cable outer sheath firmly; the color code should be correct, and the wires should be fully inserted.  You should also ensure that the terminals are always tight.

Lighting Bars

Check that the lighting bars have at least 3 fixing points so that the bar can remain in position if one fixing fails.

Safety Chains

Always fit a safety chain directly between the luminaire and the bar or suspension point. You should also be sure the never simply rely on just a hook clamp or bolt and check that all accessories such as barn doors, color frames, and color changers are secure and cannot fall out of the guides.

Fire Precautions

Some lights can get incredibly hot and pose a risk of catching fire.  That is why you should never enclose a spotlight in scenery, and always ensure that the spotlight is at least 0.5m from the nearest flammable object. To protect yourself further, you should always be belt o locate the position of the nearest fire extinguisher when working on stage and find out how to use it in an emergency.

Fuses

When a theatre lamp reaches the end of its life, the filament frequently collapses on itself, causing a short circuit which blows the fuse. When this happens, you must never replace it with a larger one.  Always replace the fuse with one of the same size. If a fuse does fail, there could be a problem with the circuit so be sure to investigate this further before you change the fuse.

  1. Cable safety

Even if your electrical lighting equipment is in tip-top condition, having a performer trip over an exposed cable can result in injury and upset your production.  Always ensure that extension cables are tidy and are not left trailing across an entrance on stage. It is particularly easy to trip over a trailing cable in the darkness, and if that cable is connected to a spotlight on a tripod stand, it could result in an accident.

  1. Rigging Procedures

Climbing up high above the stage, with a spotlight in one hand and a color filter in the other is never a safe way to proceed.  Climbing rigging should be left to professional lighting crew only, but even then, they should look to use a tower that can be firmly locked in place, or at the very least a secure locking ladder with a fellow crew member stood at the bottom to prevent it slipping.

Call in The Professionals

Of course, the safest way to ensure that your lighting equipment is 100% safe for any event is to hire a team of lighting professionals to supply and work the lighting for you.  Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we can provide top of the range lighting equipment that is planned and operated by fully qualified and highly experienced members of staff.

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.

            

Have Your Own Lighting Equipment? We Can Provide the Crew for You

Posted on by J3551CA

If you are arranging an outdoor event, an awards ceremony or a studio production, you will have your work cut out for you.    Ensuring your lighting kit, audio recording equipment, camera operators and even performers are all working well and in harmony can be a daunting task.

When it comes to illumination, you need lighting that will enhance all of the action on the stage or screen, and no matter how much equipment you may own, getting the lighting design and operation just right is key to the most effective lighting for your production.

Here at Frank Gatto, we can provide you with a first class, highly experienced team of lighting operators and technicians who can make your lighting work for you.  That way, you can concentrate on the rest of the production, knowing that your lighting is always in safe hands.

What Does A Lighting Crew Do?

Our lighting technicians use their skills to prepare, rig, operate and maintain all of the stage and studio lighting and effects you need to make your production the very best.  They will also be able to produce a wide range of lighting effects that are usually seen in live theatre productions and in studio setups, and seamless transitions from one effect to the next.

Our technicians are on hand to assist with every aspect of your lighting requirements and they can work with everything from operating basic spotlighting through to strobes, lasers and even pyrotechnics that meet your exact specification.

Working with You to Achieve Perfection

From the outset, our lighting crew is on hand to assist with every aspect of your production.    They will work closely with the lighting designers, sound technicians, the director, and the stage manager to create a collaborative approach to complete lighting solutions.

By combing their skills with those of the other professionals working at your event, they can create a perfect live event or studio experience.

Comprehensive Lighting Solutions

Our crew will work with you to interpret the lighting designer’s plan and vision.  Once they understand your design goals, they will get to work on the creating the technical plan required to make it happen.

Rigging and lighting will be erected in the appropriate positions to highlight the action for the audience or on screen, and our lighting crew will liaise with performers and other crew to keep them in the loop.

Taking their cues from the producer or stage manager, our crew will program consoles and load automated color change systems in advance of your opening night, so that every lighting effect and transition is completely seamless.

It’s not just the way the lighting looks that is important to your production, you also need to ensure that all of your lighting equipment is safe and well maintained.

Our crews are will check that all your equipment is in safe working order and can help with front-line electrical duties when required. They are also well versed in current health and safety regulations and always work to ensure that the lighting in every production strictly adheres to them.

If you would like to hire our experienced and professional crew to take charge of the lighting at your next event, speak to our team today at (561) 368-0101 to see how we can help.

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 Choose an Emmy Award-winning Pro for Your Event?

Posted on by J3551CA

Whatever product or service you are looking for, it makes sense to choose a provider who is at the top of their game, right?  Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we are delighted to offer our Emmy Award-winning services to all of our customers.  With over 30 years experience in the entertainment industry, and with some of the very best lighting directors and technicians on our team, it is no surprise that our award-winning services are always in demand.

But don’t just take out word for it! We have been awarded the highly acclaimed accolade for best Lighting Designer/Director Award not just once, but an impressive 3 times so far!  And we are not planning on stopping there either.  Our services are always first class, meaning that there are still plenty of opportunities for us to win more awards – perhaps even while we are working for you.

What Is an Emmy Award?

The Emmy Awards are designed to recognize excellence in the television industry and are the equivalent of some of the most highly revered awards across the industry including the Academy Awards for film, the Tony Awards for theatre and the Grammy Awards for music.

The Emmys are given across all sectors of the American television industry, meaning that it is not just actors and actresses that take-home awards.  Every aspect of the production process is also recognized, and anyone that is talented enough to receive one really should be considered a true artist and one of the best in the business.

What Makes Award-Winning Lighting Design?

Lighting design can make a world of difference to the look and feel of any production, either live or pre-recorded.  The Emmy Awards recognize the skills required to produce first-class lighting design by awarding the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Series to one television series each year.

Our technical know-how, and ability to continually contribute to the success of live events using innovative lighting techniques and cutting-edge technology has led to us scooping up a variety of awards so far.

Why Choose Our Award-Winning Lighting for Your Next Production or Event?

Cleverly crafted lighting design, using a wide variety of state-of-the-art lighting techniques is what makes our lighting so effective it is award-worthy in its own right.

Great actors, spellbinding scripts and high-end performances all make for amazing television, but the light and sound that takes place throughout the production, are usually the unsung heroes of the show.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we are consistently breaking new ground within the lighting design profession.  Using a canny combination of experience combined with our obsession with ever-evolving lighting technology and digital desk operation, Frank and his team have everything in place to continue to produce award-winning lighting for many years to come.

If you are focusing on the world stage, we have worked with some of the biggest names in the business including world-renowned networks and companies such as HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision.

For more intimate affairs, we are adept at providing superior lighting systems for network television lighting, corporate industrials, award ceremonies, and sporting events.

You want your production to be the very best, and to do that you need the assistance of some of America’s finest lighting professionals.  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 You Should Consider Renting Your Lighting Equipment

Posted on by J3551CA

Why You Should Consider Renting Your Lighting Equipment Instead of Buying It

If you are considering buying the right lighting equipment for your venue, event or production you may already have discovered that great lighting requires more than just a couple of rigs and some colored bulbs.

Having all the elements that make up effective lighting design can be a costly business. You will need to spend a sizable amount of your budget and invest a lot of man-hours in finding the right lighting set up.

Being able to buy the right equipment is one thing but knowing how to use it in your specific venue to produce dazzling lighting effects is something else entirely.  When you rent your lighting equipment from a specialist, you will also get their expertise thrown in for free.

Rent Your Lighting Equipment – An Affordable Alternative to Buying

If you aren’t prepared to spend all your cash on your lighting or would like the assistance of a professional lighting team on the night, renting your lighting equipment is an affordable and effective alternative to buying.  Renting you lighting equipment means that you will always be sure of the following:

Custom Designed Lighting Solutions

All the internet research in the world won’t turn you into a lighting professional overnight.  A professional lighting director with years of experience, however, will be able to design an entire lighting plan that really makes your event shine.   All the equipment needed will be provided by the lighting director and his crew, delivered to your venue, set up and operated, then swiftly taken away again when your event is over.

The Right Lighting for Every Occasion

Different occasions call for different lighting. If you are looking to illuminate your wedding, for example, a lighting hire specialist will be able to provide you with uplighters for that soft, romantic glow, pinspots for tables and even LED parcans that dance to the music when your guests are enjoying the party portion of your big day.  Buying all these different types of lighting would be a big investment and take a large chunk out of your budget.

Alternatively, if you are looking to light up an outdoor event, then large rigs of floodlights will make sure that your spectators never miss any of the action.

Renting your lighting equipment from a professional lighting specialist means that you will have the right lighting to complement your event, whatever it may be.

  • Give Your Event That Professional Look

If you are holding a corporate awards night, ceremony or other occasion, Gobo projection can provide you with instant, illuminated branding solutions that add kudos for your clients. When you rent a Gobo, your logo or corporate message can be projected onto any surface and will act as a constant reminder that your event outshines the rest.

  • A Spot Light on Your Stage

Whether you are holding a one-off production, or a run of shows, renting your stage lighting can enhance the overall look and feel of your show.  A professional lighting company will be able to rent you everything you need including a wide range of effects, control systems, media servers, dimming, rigging and all the extras you need to make your vision come to life.

  • State of the art equipment

Lighting professionals are at forefront of lighting technology and have access to some of the most innovative and exciting lighting available today. This means that you don’t have to spend $1000’s on top of the range kit, as they will be able to provide it for you.

Lighting Rental from Frank Gatto & Associates

With over 30 years’ experience in the lighting business, Frank Gatto & Associates can provide you with the very best advice and recommendations to help your event glitter and shine.  Your lighting should enhance every aspect of your event and is as important as the action on the stage, the music, and the attendees.

Don’t blow your budget on basic lighting equipment, hire an expert to provide you with lighting solutions that really work.  Speak to us today at 561-368-0101 to find out about our rental services.

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.

            

A Brief History of Stage Lighting

Posted on by J3551CA

The use of lighting to enhance stage productions was first recorded as far back as the early Grecian and Roman times.  Even all those centuries before the invention of electricity, budding producers built their theaters facing east to west so that in the afternoons the sunlight would shine on the actors, without getting in the eyes of the orchestra.  Many centuries later, Shakespearean theaters were built with a circular opening in the roof to allow the natural light to flood in and illuminate the action on stage.

In 1880, Thomas Edison received the historic patent embodying the principles of his incandescent lamp that paved the way for the use of electric lighting in theatre. The Savoy Theatre in London was the first in the world to install new electric lights for their stage productions, swiftly followed by the Bijou Theatre in Boston as well as the Vienna State Opera.  The introduction of footlights, border lights, and strip lights completely transformed the way in which the audience could view the action taking place on stage.

Spring forward to mid-20th-century theatre and the evolution of moving pictures, and suddenly we start to see stage lighting take on a whole new meaning and become an art form. American theatrical producer and play write, David Belasco, worked tirelessly with his electrician, Louis Hartman, to develop a range of single source lighting equipment that was used to light the acting areas from above the stage as well as from the auditorium.

With the introduction of the moving picture, studios began to spring up all over the world, and advances in lighting took a new turn as mobile lighting devices were used to light the action on screen.  Soft focus lenses, basic effects and a deeper understanding of how images are seen by a movie theatre audience paved the way for investment in the lighting industry as a whole.

From the 1960’s onwards, new and more exciting lighting effects were becoming the mainstay of theatrical performances the world over.  With strobe lighting, parcans and automated variable color changing lights gradually becoming increasingly common up until the 1990’s, stage lighting had become an art form in its own right.

In recent years, the 21st century has seen a tremendous amount of technological advancements in the way stage lighting is used to enhance audience enjoyment.  Whilst the basic concepts still exist, LED technology and digital consoles allow much sharper, quicker and even more exciting illumination to take place at the touch of a button.

The Future of Stage Lighting

Without a doubt, the most innovative development in stage lighting over the last few years has been the introduction of LED light sources.  Being energy efficient, cost-effective and producing very little heat, LED is the future of stage lighting across venues of all shapes and sizes.  LED also offers endless color options that create atmosphere at every event from small intimate productions through to large scale rock concerts and beyond.

Lighting Solutions from Frank Gatto & Associates

As a team of lighting professionals with a thorough understanding of how lighting can complement every occasion, Frank and his team can supply you with every type of lighting solution for any event.

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 

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