Category: Lighting Directors

The Evolution Of Broadcast Lighting

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From the earliest days of television, lighting has been used to enhance the way a picture looks on camera.  What started out as a simple transition from stage to studio, has become a multi-million dollar industry that offers a huge range of powerful tools and advances in lighting technology.

As far back as the 1900s at the birth of television, the best source of illumination was considered to be natural sunlight. As technology moved on, studio lighting became a standard fixture in studios the world over.  Large lighting rigs that involved lots of heavy fixtures, plenty of power to illuminate them all and a heap of air conditioning to keep them cool, became an intrinsic part of studio filming.

In recent years, however, the lighting industry has found ways to produce lighting tools that illuminate entire studios and sets perfectly, but in a far more efficient and cost-effective way.

From Traditional Tungsten to LED – An Innovation In Studio Lighting

Traditionally studios were lit using tungsten lighting instruments.  These heat inducing, power guzzling lights were famously hot and difficult to work with. They were also potentially hazardous in the wrong hands or in cramped environments.

Tungsten lights were also renowned for producing off-white lighting meaning that color correction was often necessary after filming.

Innovations in studio lighting meant that more efficient light sources such as LED lighting became more readily available, leading to a new generation of lighting tools for both indoor and outdoor usage.

Another major advancement in studio lighting was the ability to operate lights remotely.  DMX control panels offer technicians complete control over every element of set lighting without them having to interfere with the action in front of the camera.

While the original LED lighting was not infallible,  advancements have been made since their introduction into. These days lighting crews have access to some of the most advanced and efficient lighting tools ever seen.

These include:

Punch Lights

Punch lights are one of the most powerful, daylight- balanced LED white light solutions available on the market today. These high-intensity luminaire lights flood an area with light whose color temperature is approximately that of daylight, making them perfect for studio filming.

Space Lights

Space Lights are usually used in concert with multiple other space lights to provide an ambient, soft lighting source from above.   They help to create a base daylight ambiance or an overall soft base exposure.

Fresnel Lights

 These are very common in studio environments and use a special type of lens that is divided into concentric circles, resulting in a much thinner lens than a conventional lens of the same power that evens out the light.  Lighting technicians can then easy vary from floor to spot by changing the distance between the lamp/reflector unit and the lens.

Practical Lights

 A practical light is considered any light source that will appear in the scene such as a table lamp, a car headlight or even just a handheld flashlight. Existing bulbs can be swapped out for those of a different wattage or color temperature depending on the needed effect and desired contrast ratios required within the scene.

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent lighting is much more efficient than incandescent light and is capable of generating up to 100 lumens per watt, similar to the output of HMI. Fluorescent film lighting is most often used in fixtures containing banks of tubes, that are either tungsten or daylight balanced to produce a soft, even light that can be used in close proximity to the subject.

Frank Gatto & Associates – The Lighting Experts

Whatever your event or production, the team at Frank Gatto are all about harnessing innovations in lighting technology to ensure that we continue to offer the finest lighting direction in the business.

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 Hire A Lighting Director?

Posted on by J3551CA

If you’re planning on producing great looking live events for television broadcast, ensuring the lighting is just right is vital if you want your work to look and feel professional.

When it comes to lighting, as much time should be spent on planning the lighting as is spent on other areas of the production. With plenty of experience behind them and an intimate knowledge of every aspect of studio and event illumination, a professional Lighting Director will quickly become one of the most important people on your set.

What is the difference between a lighting technician and a lighting director?

Lighting technicians are also called ‘sparks’ and are responsible for setting up and operating equipment under the supervision of a Lighting Director.  Whilst they are very skilled in their own right, lighting techs are generally responsible for rigging up lighting equipment, carrying out lighting tests, positioning lights during shoots, and managing the inventory of bulbs and filters. It is the Lighting Director that makes the big creative decisions about how best to light the set, and they are hired to call upon all of their expert technical knowledge and creative flair. It is also the job of the Lighting Director to create detailed lighting plans that the “sparks” will follow when setting up.

How Does The Lighting Director Create A Lighting Plan?

To create an effective lighting plan, the Lighting Director will need to liaise with various other professionals involved in the production.  To get a good understanding of the design and feel of each piece, the Lighting Director will need to spend time with both the Director and the Designer of the production.

It’s not just how the lighting should look that is important, it is also knowing exactly when it should change in line with the action on stage or in front of the camera.  A Lighting Director will, therefore, need to get to know the script and storyline in order to compile a cue list to ensure that lighting effects are changed at the right time.

With all this information behind them, the Lighting Director can create a comprehensive plan that sets out exactly which kind of lighting should be used and when.

What Type Of Lighting Should Be Used On Set?

Again, this is where a Lighting Director comes into their own.  Anyone can add stage lighting and hope for the best, but an experienced Lighting Director will be able to choose lighting that not only looks amazing on camera but is also safe for the conditions on set.  Knowing exactly where lighting rigs should be positioned is also a skill that comes with plenty of experience. From lanterns to LED lights and everything in between, an experienced Lighting Director will know which lights work best for every scene.

Lighting Directors Are Artists In Their Own Rights

More and more successful producers understand the importance of hiring an experienced Lighting Director for their productions and events.  With a plethora of skills needed to create great lighting, including technical knowledge, an understanding of stagecraft and the ability to comprehend the overall design vision, Lighting Directors are creating truly amazing cinematic action, across a wide range of genres.

If you would like to find out more about our Lighting Director services, 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.

            

The Challenge Of Mixing Light And Sound

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Epic stage performances aren’t just about great sound, the lighting is just as important when it comes to creating awesome audience experiences.  The key to stage lighting is anticipating what the music or action on stage will do and programming the lighting to complement it. A good lighting technician will blend the sound and visuals seamlessly, and to make this happen, the whole lighting team, from the Lighting Director through to the sparks, needs to be highly skilled and have a really good knowledge of stagecraft.

A carefully crafted light show can add excitement, energy, and emotion to a performance. Finding a way to coordinate the lights to change in time with the music, turns a mediocre show into an epic performance. As the tempo of the music speeds up, the lights should become more exciting too, and are experienced lighting technician will know that changes should happen on the downbeats and when the music changes parts.

Effective stage lighting enhances the emotion of the performance on stage and brings the music to life.  This is why focusing not just on the sound, but also the lighting of your production is so important to make it a truly memorable one.

Which type of lights works best with music?

There is a wide range of lights and lighting tools that can be used to create awesome live performances: The most common types of lighting include:

LED Lights

These inexpensive, low energy lights can create a myriad of color combinations at the touch of a button.  Unlike traditional lights, they don’t produce much heat making them perfect for use on stage.

Fresnels

Fresnels was a soft light and are typically used close to the stage to produce color washes.  They are easy to set up and offer uncomplicated, easy to use washes light for almost every stage set up.

Spotlights

Spots create a tunnel of light on one area of the stage.  Used to draw the audience attention to just one part of the show, these big bright lights usually follow performers around the stage.

Moving Lights

These are super sophisticated bits of kit that are controlled by a joystick.  They also offer color changing capabilities, focus the controls and have motorized shutters.

Par Cans

The stage equivalent of a car headlight with a metal casing, Par cans are very common in stage lighting setups.  They can provide a good amount of light, but they can also get super hot.

How do the lights work in time with the music?

Lights can either be programmed in advance to precisely match the action on stage via a time code or can change using performance cues. Time-coded programs are very rigid and offer little or no flexibility, while cues-based lighting is based on a technician hitting the button as the music changes.  If the lighting technicians are familiar enough with the music, they can anticipate changes and creatively move between cues or even run things manually to smooth over unexpected transitions

How is the lighting controlled?

Using a DMX Controller, a single operator can control both the light and sound via one console. These digital communications networks allow the technicians to control stage lighting and effects, including color blending, the movement of the lights, stoves and fades to offer the audience an epic live experience.

Experience operators will program the lighting scenes before the show opens.  These preset order of lighting effects can be toggled and adjusted from song to song, and the technician will work with a cold wheel to create dramatic lighting to complement the action on stage.

If you are looking for a world-class lighting show to complement your live music, speak to Frank Gatto & Associates.  With over 30 years in the business, Frank and his team are on hand to help.  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.

            

How To Understand Color Temperatures In Event Lighting

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To the regular audience member, stage lights are bright and colorful and are there to enhance the overall live experience of any event. But, did you know that while the lights on stage may just appear too bright white, there is actually an entire spectrum of colors that make lighting effects look as awesome as they do?

So, How Is Color Used In Lighting?

The way we experience the color of light depends upon the mix of light frequencies that reach our eyes and how they get there. The way in which we see the color of light also depends on the frequencies that the object absorbs, and the frequencies in the original light source. Using colors carefully in stage lighting can dramatically enhance the on-stage visuals, as well as completely changing the feel and atmosphere of the performance,

Experienced and highly skilled lighting experts are able to plan an entire light show using a variety of colors that blend so well the transitions are almost entirely seamless to the audience eye.

By using a mix of cool and warm lighting tones they can create awesome looking light shows that add ambiance and fill the stage with energy.

When planning the light sequences for any staged event, lighting directors use a number of different factors, including the use of:

  • Pale colors for acting-area lighting
  • Deep colors for side or back-lighting, or for special effects.
  • Yellows and oranges are “warm” colors for sunny days or happy times.
  • Pale blues are “cold” colors for less happy times.
  • Lavenders are “neutral” colors and can appear warm or cold depending on the other colors in use at the time.
  • Lanterns with no color gels can appear warm due to the high color temperature of the light source.

They will also carefully consider the use of some other colors and types of lighting which will produce certain very specific effects, including:

  • Avoiding the use of green colors for front light – unless these have been specifically chosen to light a witch or evil character
  • The use of contrasting warm and cool colors to add interest and make the lighting look more dimensional when they are using two light sources at once
  • The fact that not all skin tones are the same – for example, lavenders & pinks work better on dark skin than yellow colors.

Combinations of colors can also produce highly effective lighting results.  Using a warm rose, pink or yellow from one side, and a cold blue or lavender from the other side helps to create a wide variety of different moods.  Colors like lavender can also act as a neutral balance and can look either warm or cold depending on the other lighting on the stage at that time.

Lighting Your Studio Set

When it comes to television lighting, finding the correct grid and mix of colors can be a complicated business.  Experienced lighting technicians will be able to not only provide the right placement for studio lighting but also be able to successfully blend warm and cool colors to enhance the overall look and feel of the performance, without leaving it looking flat and washed out.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates few provide first-class lighting services for network television lighting, corporate industrials, award ceremonies and sporting events. Speak to us today at (561) 368-0101 if you would like 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.

            

The Lighting Control Console

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Essential Event Lighting: The Lighting Control Console

To understand how best to control all of the many different lighting devices used a large event, you need to have a good idea of how a lighting control console works.  With most of the lighting effects being controlled from one central location, our specialist lighting technicians and desk operators are able to completely transform the look and feel or an event at the flick of a switch.

What Is a Lighting Control Console?

A lighting control console is an electronic device used in theatrical and event lighting design that enables the technicians to control multiple lights at once. They are used throughout the entertainment industry and are normally placed in a front of house position so that they have uninterrupted views of the stage, or in a separate control booth.

Even the most basic of control consoles usually have dimmers that control the intensity of the lights, while more advanced ones feature ways to control intelligent lighting that can move and change colors and patterns.  They can also control fog machines, hazers, and other special effects devices as well.

Because a great stage production is about much more than just great lighting, the technicians who use the control console usually have access to other electronic performance software too such as soundboards, projectors, and media servers.

Using an electronic control protocol, the lighting control console will be able to communicate directly with dimmers and other devices.  There are various kinds of control consoles available for concerts and events, but the most common one is:

Preset Boards

Using identical fader banks called “scenes”, the faders can be manually adjusted by an operator using a cue sheet.  Working from a diagram of the board with the faders in their positions, as previously determined by the lighting designer, the technician can change the lights to suit.  While preset boards can still be found in many smaller installations and older venues, they are slowly being superseded by digital memory boards.

Memory Boards

Memory-based consoles have become very popular in theaters because they allow the lighting designers to digitally record the lighting scenes. Many memory consoles also have a bank of faders that can be programmed to control a single channel or a group of channels, helping to save time and reduce the risk of human error, a well as the ability for programming scenes or live control.

 Moving Light Controllers

Moving Light Controllers are a step up from Memory Consoles as they provide extra features that allow the operator select the fixture or fixtures they want to control using a joystick to change the orientation, focus and even color of the light fixture. Unlike a fader that shows its value based on the position of a slider, a wheel is continuously variable and provides no visual feedback for the value of a particular control, meaning that operators of these types of lighting desks need to be highly experienced and be able to read the data displayed in the LCD panels to meet the requirements of the lighting plan.

Who Operates A Lighting Control Console?

The light desk is worked by a specially qualified programmer – a lighting control technician – who knows how to read the lighting plan and program the equipment accordingly. He or she will need to configure the console’s initial settings and will then work directly with the designer to talk through every scene of the show to set focus positions, color, gobo pattern, and rotation of each lighting instrument. These attributes are recorded, and the lighting desk operator will be in charge of overseeing the correct performance of the sequence during each and every performance.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we have over 30 years’ experience of working with some of the very best lighting control consoles in the business.  If you would like to find out how we can help with your entertainment lighting, 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.

            

Behind the Scenes at A Concert

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Whether you are working with a brand-new band or an established rock legend, ensuring that a concert looks and sounds great is a time-consuming task.  Even before the audience turns up to enjoy the show, there will have been swathes of professionals working behind the scenes to make sure that every element of the performance is carefully planned to look, feels and sounds completely awesome.

  1. Lighting

Great lighting at events is a fundamental part of making a live show successful.  A full lighting plan will be designed by a highly skilled lighting director and his team, who will ensure that every flash of light or total blackout perfectly matches the music or action on stage.  Using huge lighting rigs and a wide variety of lamps and bulbs, the lighting design is every bit as much of a show as the action taking place on the stage itself.

  1. Staging and Equipment

If you are attending a concert that is taking place is a theatre or arena, the stage and much of the technical equipment will already be there.  But, if you are visiting an outdoor concert or one that is so epic that it will need more than is already in place, professionals will be needed to install additional staging, screens and much more.

Planning how to build up a stage is a long and complicated process.  Not only does it need to be as large as possible, it will also need to be solid enough to support the weight of the performers, instruments, lights and speakers. Special effects will need to be considered as well as access to and from the stage area, and backstage facilities for the crew and performers.

  1. Video Cameras and Screens

Many large venues use screens on either side of the stage to ensure that the audience doesn’t miss a thing, regardless of where they are seated.  The screens themselves need to be sourced and set up by professional AV teams, and the camera setup has to be controlled and edited, often in real time.

  1. Sound and Speakers

From earpieces, microphones and monitors to giant speaker stacks that push the sounds out across vast open spaces, every element of the sound system have to be carefully considered before the event.  A team of engineers work diligently throughout the concert to make sure that the sound is always perfectly reproduced without feedback or distortion, and the sound desk that they use will also need to be built and set up somewhere a safe distance from the stage itself.

  1. Controls

The sound, the lighting, and the visual feeds will all need to be closely monitored in real time throughout the event.  This means that control panels and desks will need to be installed both at the side of the stage and somewhere out front for experienced lighting, video and sound technicians to ensure that their individual responsibilities are fully taken care of and working exactly as they should at all times.

Putting on a world-class performance may be the job of the artists on stage but making sure that every single member of the audience can hear and see them is equally as important.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we can ensure that your event lighting is perfect from the outset. Speak to us today at (561) 368-0101 if you would like 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.

            

Projection Mapping – How It Works And Why It Is So Cool

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Projection Mapping – How It Works And Why It Is So Cool

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, videographers, advertiser and production companies can now produce amazing graphic images that can be displayed on virtually anything.  From the side of a building to the inside of a convention center, projection mapping can transform a plain surface into a wall of wonder.

What Is Projection Mapping?

Projection Mapping uses technology to project objects onto a surface. Using this kind of special technology, everyday objects are transformed into a display surface for video projection. These objects could be as complex as an entire landscape, or as simple as just a few shapes that help to enhance the ambiance of a room.

Unlike flat screen mapping, the objects are not just projected onto a flat surface, they are designed to wrap around buildings and mold into their shape,  turning common objects into interactive 3D displays.

How Does Projection Mapping Work?

By using a pre-production process during which images are fitted onto a 3D graphic model of the building, the same images appear to wrap themselves around the physical features of any structure. They give the appearance of being painted on and part of the same structure even though they are not.

This process can also be used on a smaller scale to project virtual images on anything from a mannequin to a car to completely change their color, structure and appearance.

Why Is Projection Mapping So Cool?

Creatives love projection mapping, and the advertising industry, in particular, has picked up on the uber cool environments that can be created using this unique tool.  From expensive and complex advertising campaigns to simple but effective projections used at conventions and product launches, projection mapping is huge in advertising and promotions right now.

If you have the budget for it, you can transform any space into something otherworldly and awe-inspiring simply by having a creative team of projection mapping professionals create a projection just for your organization.

From dancing butterflies on a wall, real-life dinosaurs on the escalator and even huge works of art projected onto city landmarks, projection mapping completely changes the way we view our surroundings.

Projection Mapping has fully evolved since its first outings in the early 2000s when it was used to project visual-art and enhance live-music shows.  It can now be used by production companies to incorporate the telling of entire stories, by using animated visuals and music to produce cinema style action and narratives.

Projection mapping can turn buildings, walls, floors and even common objects into something truly magical.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we provide awesome lighting for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor events.  From major league sporting tournaments through to intimate awards ceremonies and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.

We provide a full-service package, and absolutely everything you need to light up your event from start to finish.  Speak to our team today on 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.

            

The Top 10 Ten Film Schools In The World

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Illuminating The Way With The Top 10 Ten Film Schools In The World

Becoming a professional lighting technical or director requires many years of experience that can only be gained by working on set. But in order to succeed in this highly competitive sector, you would also benefit from a qualification from one of the many respected film and cinematography schools in the world.

To become competent in the skilled art of lighting, you need to understand how to use illumination to add depth and ambiance, as well as how lighting works with cameras and on-set production as a whole.

Cinematography Classes

Cinematography is the art of storytelling in film and video.  It encompasses much more than just the way the cameras are used and covers every aspect of production including lighting. Many great lighting directors have studied the art of cinematography in detail and are able to use this knowledge to create the perfect lighting configuration for the cameras to work with.

If you are considering a career in cinematography and set lighting, these are the top 10 schools in the world that offer the lucky few the opportunity to study the craft in detail:

  1. The National Film and Television School, London

The NFTS offers the only specialist 2-year Cinematography course in the UK and is considered to be one of the best film schools in the world.  With extensive facilities and access to Britain’s thriving movie and TV industries, BFTS is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to study at a Masters level.

  1. Wesleyan University, Connecticut

Not one of the most well-known schools in the US, the Wesleyan’s Film Studies program is giving bigger schools a run for their money. Film department founder Jeanine Basinger makes her film majors learn to write, direct and edit a movie by hand, thus teaching them every single aspect of how to make great movies.

  1. Columbia University School of the Arts

With Oscar winners and established directors working as professors, this Ivy League university is considered one of the foremost film schools in America.  With James Schamus heading up Focus Features and Milos Forman, Barbara De Fina and Mira Nair on the staff, students have a rare opportunity to learn from the best.

  1. The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague

FAMU is the fifth-oldest film school in the world and one of the most prestigious. Offering classes in both Czech and English, it draws foreigners looking to study there from all over the world.

  1. California Institute of the Arts

CalArts was founded by Walt Disney and now occupies 11 acres’ worth of square footage,30 miles north of Los Angeles. It is famous for training animation talent, but also offers a class in dramatic narrative, documentary and experimental live action.

  1. University of California Los Angeles

UCLA has prestigious alumni that include the likes of  Francis Ford Coppola and Alexander Payne, and producer Peter Guber is a member of the teaching staff.  The school is one of the most prestigious in the world and is moving towards specializing in “humanistic storytelling and global diversity”, setting it apart from the competition.

  1. New York University Tisch School of the Arts

The Tisch School is highly acclaimed and has previously proved a direct route to the top for gritty artists like Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone and Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. Graduates of the school also have the opportunity to compete for a $200,000 prize to complete a debut feature film – a bonus that none of the other schools offer.

  1. Beijing Film Academy, China

The Beijing Film Academy is China’s most elite school for film direction, production, and writing. Only accepting around 500 applicants every year, it is incredibly difficult to get into and was once the old stomping ground of directors Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige.

  1. University of Southern California

USC probably has more graduates working in the industry than any other school in the world and has a huge amount of the support.  Regularly contributors include such luminaries as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Robert Zemeckis, meaning it is able to offer state of the art facilities to all of its students.

  1. American Film Institute

As well as being the most selective film school in America, it is also the best.  It is a smaller school than UCLA and USC, and most of its “fellows” are in their mid-twenties and upwards, but for first class, specialist tuition, the AFI teaches on the finer points of directing, producing and writing to some of the finest new talents in the world.

With over 30 years experience behind us, and working with some of the most talented lighting technicians in the country, Frank Gatto & Associates have all the skill you need to light your next 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 

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

            

Lighting Engineers – Just What Is It That They Do?

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Being able to control the lighting in film or television is very important, and it can often take an entire team of lighting designers and engineers to get every shot just right. Their skills enable them to create lighting effects that change the viewer’s perception of the mood or the piece and the overall feel of the footage.

A lighting engineer will be on hand throughout filming to ensure that the lighting is just right at all times, and is just as important as any other member of the cast or crew.

Lighting Engineers – A Shining Light On Set

The lighting engineer is responsible for controlling all of the lighting and visuals that appear onstage by operating a lighting board.  They, and their fellow technicians are also responsible for rigging lights, hanging lights and moving equipment from place to place.

They oversee the transportation of the lighting equipment from one location to another – from a studio setting to an outside broadcast, for example – and make sure that everything is in excellent working order before filming begins.

A professional lighting company will only work with experienced and talented lighting engineers to ensure that the Producers vision is brought to life.  By working alongside them, they can create lighting designs that enhance the on-screen action.

An efficient lighting team is crucial to any successful production.  Lighting teams will work at live and pre-recorded media events such as concerts, television shows, movies and public events.

Taking Direction

Usually, the lighting team will be directed by the production director who will explain from the outset exactly what it is he wants from the lighting.  It will be the job of the lighting engineers to bring that vision to life.

During the production, the lighting engineer may sit at the lighting board and set different lighting effects in action at pre-determined cues. Often, series and sequences of effects are configured with computer programming, so the process involved a lot more skill than just simply knowing where to shine a light.

Depending on the type of production they are working on, lighting engineers may need to navigate their way around live events that can often be unpredictable and challenging affairs.  The key to great lighting is plenty of forward planning combined with the ability to adapt to any situation that unfolds in front of them.

Many lighting engineers start their careers by working backstage at local theaters or arenas.  This way they get to understand how lighting effects every aspect of the audience’s enjoyment of the performance.  Hard work definitely pays off in this industry, and those who are dedicated can have a long and highly regarded career ahead of them.

Frank Gatto Lighting Engineers

Our engineers routinely work with some of the biggest names in entertainment including HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo, and Univision. They can also be found working on the set of College Gameday, NFL Countdown, World Series, Ultimate Fighting Championships and many more major sporting and television events.

With over 30 years experience, Frank and his team are able to design truly stunning special event lighting for network television, corporate industrials, award ceremonies, sporting events and much 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 Lighting Has Your Event Covered

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No matter what the occasion, Frank Gatto & Associates offer 30 years of expertise to capture your event in the very best light possible.  From large outdoor sporting events to intimate indoor ceremonies, the team is on hand to design and create the perfect lighting.

Covering all of the USA and the Caribbean, the team at Frank Gatto will ensure that every aspect of your lighting requirements is completely covered before the big day itself.  From the initial design to the transportation of equipment, everything will be carefully crafted to ensure that your audiences never misses a moment.

Lighting Design And Planning

Our Lighting Director will be able to create stunning visual enhancement for multi-camera productions.  Working closely with the director and the rest of the production team, we will deliver the type of pictures that they are hoping to see.

A lighting plan will be devised that sets out exactly what the lighting needs to achieve, by taking our directions from working from a cue list and complete plan of the set.  From here, we can design the most effective and awe-inspiring lighting for your entire production.  Our light desk operators will create a program that knows exactly when to move and change for maximum impact.

We will also undertake comprehensive risk assessments that will include all aspects of the rig, scale drawings of all lamps and their positions, and what lighting gels and circuits to use and when.

Set Up And Construction

Our “Gaffers”  are responsible for all the practical aspects of your lighting and location requirements.  They work closely with our Lighting Director to realize the creative vision for the production and will be involved during the pre-production stages to assess exactly how much crew and equipment will be required for filming.

Having studied the lighting plan, our Gaffers will brief the rest of their crew and advise them of all relevant health and safety requirements.  Having carried out a detailed risk assessment, they will then be charged with overseeing the setup and construction of lighting rigs and lamps, as well as the operation of the lighting board.

Transportation

Because we are experts in our field, we can advise on the best types of light to use for every kind of occasion, and will personally ensure that they reach your event or set in full working order.  We work alongside specialist contractors who transport lighting rigs and equipment on a regular basis, to ensure that they are ready to be installed and illuminated on arrival. Our team can also provide fast and efficient load-ins and load-outs, meaning that there is less time spent setting up, and more time spent filming.

Maintenance And Care

We want our lighting equipment to be perfect for every occasion which is why we only supply the very best technical specifications available to us.  All of our equipment is regularly tested and fully maintained to ensure our lighting services are second to none.  We never work with faulty or underpowered pieces of kit, and our risk assessments cover every aspect of any set, event or outdoor broadcast that we work on.

Frank Gatto – Working Together To Achieve Perfection

Because we understand that great television and video requires a wide range of talent, we work in collaboration with other members of the technical team and crew on every occasion.  In the preparation stages, we will meet with the producer, director and other department heads in order to be able to understand their vision and requirements.  Our team is able to integrate and assist with all other members of the crew as necessary, and you will never find us to be anything less than friendly, helpful and professional with everyone we work with. If we could help with your next event, call us today on 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.