Tag: event lighting equipment

3 Things you Should Leave to the Pros

Posted on by J3551CA

Special celebrations of any kind require a lot of planning whether it’s a corporate conference or an awards ceremony. Hosts have enough details to worry about and it’s essential that some services be provided by experienced professionals to ensure that guests have a superior experience.

Lighting

You may not be aware, but lighting will play a major role in your event and it’s equally important if the event is held outside during daylight hours. The angle of the sun is a critical factor and can result in speakers or presenters appearing washed out. Conversely, the sun can cast harsh shadows that detract from the moment at hand.

A professional lighting and design company has the ability to illuminate for any situation whether it’s indoors or outdoors. The typical types of lighting installed in indoor structures aren’t conducive to filming and can fall far short of the desired ambiance.

Entertainment

For any grand event, you want your guests to have a memorable experience and that can include a wide variety of entertainment options ranging from vocalists and bands to Cirque de Soleil acts or a light show, all of which requires the services of a lighting professional.

It can call for spotlight illumination and can encompass special effects for the performance or an all-out laser light display synched with music. Your lighting professional will also be able to provide that type of lighting and entertainment.

Food

Guests may be conversing, dancing or participating in the entertainments offered and one thing is for certain – they’ll work up an appetite. Food is always something that should always be left to the professionals. A caterer has the experience, staff and equipment to keep everyone in attendance happy and fed. They can provide chef-prepared international cuisine, custom menus, and trendy beverages to accommodate every need.

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.

      

What it Takes to Light up a Stadium

Posted on by J3551CA

Illuminating a stadium is no easy task and lighting will depend on whether the event takes place during the daylight or nighttime hours. Around the world, those attending activities ranging from concerts to premiere sporting events are seeing a change from the HID lights that have been used for decades to the new, eco-friendly LED light technology that provides an enhanced experience for fans.

Metal Halide

Metal halide lights are a form of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps. For years, metal halide lamps were standard fixtures in stadiums. It’s the type that was used during the Super Bowl Sunday blackout of 2013 that suspended play for over 30 minutes.

The drawback to the light source is that they require a warm-up time that can take 30 minutes. They provide a bright, white light that’s desirable for illumination, but they have a relatively short life span.

Metal halide also has a long cool down time if bulbs have to be changed. When a bulb malfunctions, all the lights automatically go off. Color distortions are also a problem as the bulbs age. HIDs generate UV rays, contain mercury, and they’re expensive to operate.

LED Lights

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) produce the bright, white light required for illuminating large venues at a fraction of the cost of HIDs. The cost savings was the motivating factor for many stadiums to convert to LEDs. They produce light by moving electrons around in a semiconducting material rather than the filament in HIDs.

They have a much longer lifespan than other types of lighting and are ready instantly when illumination is needed. If an LED malfunctions, it doesn’t affect the rest of the bulbs. The bulbs are also less likely to be damaged should they be bumped or jostled. They contain no mercury or similar materials and can be recycled.

Light shows are just one of the benefits that LED lights provide, along with enhanced visibility for those on the field. LEDs can produce multiple colors without the use of expensive filters. A bank of LEDs is much lighter in weight, easier to set up, and can be combined with control boards to produce a wide array of effects at a moment’s notice, making them extremely versatile and beneficial for stadium usage.

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.

            

Common Lighting Attachments

Posted on by J3551CA

Lighting professionals will encounter a variety of commonly used attachments during their work. The sooner that aspiring lighting specialists know what they are and how to use them, the better they can provide the type of specialized illumination they will be called on to perform during their careers. The following are some common attachments used in modern cinematography.

Barn Door

A barn door is a light modifier that’s affixed to the front of theater or studio lights. The hinged doors are similar to old-style barn doors, hence the name. They enable operators to change the shape of the light without affecting the softness or hardness of the light source. Available in a wide variety of sizes, the positioning of the doors will dictate the shape and nature of the illumination.

Flags

These are also utilized to block and control light. They’re used to protect a lens from flare, produce a shadow, control reflections, and reduce contrast. They’re offered in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from a few inches to several square feet to minimize reflected light.

Filters

The translucent or transparent devices are affixed in front of a lens to modify and alter the characteristics of light. They’re also utilized to add colors and special effects. Filters are available as slot-ins and screw in types. They’re particularly effective when working with surfaces such as glass and water that are highly reflective, along with pollution or moisture in the air that can produce glare.

Gels

This is a colored and transparent sheet that changes the color of the light to create a specific mood or to correct for color. They became known as gels since gelatin was used for decades in the manufacturing process. Modern gels are actually a heat-resistant plastic, though colored glass filters are also used as the plastic-type has a limited life span.

Many Tools

The number of tools used to illuminate environments varies widely and any lighting professional will need to know how each can be used to obtain very specific effects. They can make the difference between an average project and an extraordinary one.

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.

            

History of the JumboTron

Posted on by J3551CA

A staple at sports arenas and stadiums around the world, the JumboTron changed the way that people view everything from sporting events and concerts to church services. The technology is considered essential today and its history epitomizes the spirit of invention.

Though Sony is associated with the JumboTron today, Mitsubishi was an early pioneer in technology for large screen displays, with an early version debuting in 1980 at Dodger Stadium during the Major League Baseball Game in Los Angeles, CA. At that time, it was touted as “the biggest television in the world.”

The LED technology that’s now associated with the Kiss Cam at sporting events is the result of Yasuo Kuroki that was the creative director at Sony. The Sony JumboTron appeared at the Japan tech expo in 1985. The technology was an unequivocal success and soon sports teams wanted to have their own JumboTron.

The JumboTron has undergone a number of innovations and changes throughout the years to provide better picture quality. One of the first JumboTrons was at the former Tampa Stadium in FL. That screen measured 30 ft. diagonally with a visual resolution of 240×192 pixels. It was followed later by a screen that measured 72 ft. tall, 160 ft. wide, and with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels.

In the early days of its use, the JumboTron didn’t utilize an LED display. Blue LEDs weren’t available, only green. Colors didn’t always appear quite “right.” The screens were transitioned into LED technology when pure green and blue LEDs were developed. LED lights provide longer longevity, which makes them more cost effective.

The JumboTron hasn’t been without its share of controversy. As venues got larger and fans became farther away from teams and performers, they spent more time watching the screen than they did the action in front of them. The JumboTron took on a life of its own and became the centerpiece rather than an enhancement to the experience.

It’s interesting to note that author, Ray Bradbury, foresaw the rise of the JumboTron in his book “Fahrenheit 451” published in 1953. It only took a little over 30 years for the giant screens to become a reality and “part of the show.” Whether people love it or hate it, one thing is for certain – the JumboTron will continue to be part of the overall entertainment experience around the world for many years to come.

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 Production Success from Coast to Coast

Posted on by J3551CA

One of the keys to successfully illuminating any venue is having the equipment needed ready to go and use upon arrival at the destination. To accomplish that, lighting directors need equipment that’s ready to travel. It needs to be compact, lightweight, durable and adjustable to meet the variety of requirements that may be encountered.

Every lighting director has their favorite equipment, so there’s no one-size-fits-all go-bag. Each project will have specific requirements dependent upon variables such as the locale and budget, whether it’s a documentary in the desert or a newsfeed from a mountaintop. Each illumination expert needs to experiment and assemble a kit that works best for them, but there are a few things that will be on the list of must-have items.

One of the greatest innovations for modern lighting is LED lights. They require considerably less space and emit more illumination with less equipment. They’re more economical to operate and lightweight, enabling them to be moved and positioned in less time and with fewer people.

Air travel isn’t cheap. Add to that the cost of transporting production equipment and the cost can quickly skyrocket. The gear that’s taken will need to be easily maneuverable so it won’t cost a fortune to move. Above all, ensure it’s packed safely and securely. Smart lighting specialists travel light, but take everything they think they might need for multiple contingencies.

The crew responsible for operating all the equipment is equally important. It makes the entire process go quicker and smoother if it’s people that the illumination master has worked with before. It’s even better if they’ve worked in the types of conditions in which shooting will be conducted. They’ll know what to expect and have workarounds if needed to alleviate any difficulties that arise.

Production success is dependent upon the lighting director being able to plan ahead and utilize equipment that meets the greatest variety of needs in multiple conditions. It needs to be light, portable and utilize modern methods for savings and ease of use.

If you have the need for lighting equipment and design far away from home base, Frank Gatto and Associates 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.

            

Lighting Quality can Change your Photos and Videos

Posted on by J3551CA

When it comes to taking photos and videos, all light is not created equal. Almost everyone has shot a video that was too dark or taken photos that had a yellow tint. The problem isn’t the equipment – it’s the quality of the lighting.

When taking photos indoors, even flash and fill flash camera options won’t be enough to dispel the tones emitted by certain types of illumination sources. Undesirable light will adversely affect the entire mood and effect of the scene you’re trying to capture.

The angle of the light is equally important. Side lighting will throw harsh shadows and only illuminate one side of the subject, but can create some uniquely artistic perspectives. Frontal lighting makes it easy to reproduce colors, but can leave the subject looking faded, washed out or flat. Backlighting originating from behind the subject can make them seem nothing more than a silhouette, but can also produce some dramatic effects.

Taking photos outside in bright sunlight results in images that have sharp contrast, but it also increases the potential for dark shadows. A cloudy day produces softer, diffused light that minimizes shadows and reduces the amount of contrast.

The type of available illumination also affects videos and can create a vastly different effect than what was intended. A beautifully framed shot can easily transition into something that would be more appropriate for a horror movie or psychological thriller. The way lighting is placed can add texture, color and depth to the video and work to de-emphasize specific elements in the shot to guide the viewer where to look.

Light is even more important in photos and video than how the shot is framed. The way lighting is arranged creates different moods and effects within each frame whether it’s a still image or a video. Correct illumination seldom happens by accident. It’s one of the primary reasons that professional videographers and photographers are in such high demand.

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.

            

Color LEDs vs. Gel Filters

Posted on by J3551CA

The award-winning firm of Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. has created innovations that have changed the way lighting is installed and used in arenas ranging from TV and movies to sports events and weddings. One of the biggest differences was the use of colored LED lights instead of traditional gel filters that were used for decades.

From the time of Shakespeare, filters have been used to set the tone or establish ambiance in a production. Those early lighting technicians used whatever was at hand, shining light through a glass of red wine or inserting silk material in front of the illumination source.

In modern times, gel filters were typically used. The thin sheets of heat-resistant material were simply placed in front of a lighting fixture to achieve a specific effect or color correct in specific environments. One of the major drawbacks to gel filters is that they have a short life and can represent a significant production cost when they need to be replaced.

Newer types of materials were developed that were less expensive to make, but still had limited life spans and had to be replaced with regularity. Another problem was that the colors varied substantially depending upon the manufacturer.

Frank Gatto is a pioneer in the use of LED lighting across multiple venues. LED lighting offers enormous savings and they use less power making them eco-friendly. The lights require far less maintenance, they provide better color consistency and facilitate better color rendering even in slow motion filming. LED illumination is more flexible and versatile than traditional forms.

LED lighting emits little heat compared to other types of lighting, which makes them much more comfortable for anyone that must work under them for long periods of time. They’re equally applicable for studio lighting, on film sets, and can be used for shooting in outdoor environments.

Less space is required when transporting the lights and they’re just as effective at establishing mood and ambiance. They can be combined efficiently with Fresnel lenses to highlight or scoops to reflect and have the same ability to diffuse light as old-fashioned lighting techniques.

The work done by Frank Gatto has revolutionized the way lighting is used. His techniques are utilized on TV and movie sets, for exclusive sporting events, corporate activities, award ceremonies, political debates and even weddings. LED lighting provides high-definition quality illumination for any event that’s cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

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 Always Makes A Difference

Posted on by J3551CA

Lighting is used in a wide variety of different ways to enhance or change the way we see the action in front of our eyes or the landscapes that surround us.  Here at Frank Gatto Lighting, we know exactly which lighting works best for live events and how to use it effectively to create awesome looking television.  Because we are experts in our field, we also appreciate that there are many different applications for first-class lighting all around us.

On Stage

Any stage production will need great looking lighting to ensure that the audience never misses a moment of the action happening in front of them. Great stage lighting can draw the eye of the audience exactly where you want it to be, as well as helping to set the mood or emphasize particular pieces of the play.

Stage lighting is also used to work alongside audio effects, like a flash of lightning during the audio of a thunderstorm for example, and different colored lights can be used to enhance emotional aspects of any performance.

In the Studio

Carefully planned studio lighting is vital for producing high-quality footage.  Most of the lighting techniques used in a studio setting are based on the standard 3-point lighting arrangement that uses a key light, a fill light, and a backlight.  This type of set up offers the most effective studio lighting and is an excellent starting point for creating special effects. Spotlights are also useful in a studio setting and can be utilized to add drama to a scene or highlight a person talking or draw the viewers eye to a particular part of a scene.

In landscaping

It’s not just action and drama on stage and TV that can captivate an audience, as enticing design and beautiful surroundings are also enhanced by the use of great lighting.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the landscaping of outdoor spaces.  Lighting designers add depth and interest to landscaped areas with the clever use of high-quality lighting, strategically placed to maximize the overall aesthetic of the landscape design.  From streets scenes and public spaces to golf courses and private clubs, landscape design works so much better with well-planned lighting.

In photography

Lighting is a key element in the creation of high-quality photographic images.  Not only does it determine the contrast between the bright and darker areas of an image, but also the tone, the mood and the atmosphere of the piece.  Different types of photographs demand different types of lighting, and depending on the subject you are shooting, you will usually need special lighting to take good pictures.

For truly awesome images it is necessary to control and manipulate light correctly in order to get the best texture, vibrancy of color and luminosity on your subjects. By distributing shadow and highlights accurately, you can always create professional looking photographs.

Professional Event Lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates

If you would like advice and assistance with the lighting for your next live event, speak to our experts 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.

            

Spotlight on Outdoor Lighting

Posted on by J3551CA

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we are often called upon to light up outdoor filming, concerts and sporting events to make sure that they look absolutely awesome at all times. 

With over 30 years’ experience in the lighting industry, we know tons of stuff about how best to light up an outdoor scene, but in this week’s blog, we thought we would share some of the basics with you.

Sunlight is the best light

Sunlight is the most beautiful light on earth, and if you can harness its beauty to its full potential you won’t need any other light to make your production look ace.  But to ensure that you get the most from that big ball in the sun you need to be able to control where or when it will shine, and how it will affect the overall look of your production. 

Understanding the Principles of Outdoor Light

At its brightest, the sun can shed more than 10 times the light of one typical indoor instrument. The downside to this is that when it shines brightly, it also casts very dark shadows.  The difference between these light and dark areas is commonly called the contrast ratio, or contrast range.   Our eyes can compensate for the high contrast range of a bright day, but cameras often don’t cope so well and need a much lower range to be able to capture detail accurately.

The goal of outdoor lighting design is to lower the contrast range without damag­ing the natural look of the subjects and the outdoor setting. As we already mentioned, the very best outdoor light source is the sun, but the light it gives off needs to be diffused or redirected to point the light in the right direction and alter the way in which it illuminates the subject.

Reflect the Light

Learning to use reflectors is easy as light bounces in predictable angles, meaning you can move reflectors around to help redirect the light.  When you are working outside, portable, lightweight, collapsible reflectors are available in a range of sizes and colors that will reflect the sunlight back upon the subject and reduce the shadow.

Reflectors only really vary in terms of their size, how much area their reflection covers and the color of the light they reflect.  All of this will be determined by the size and style of the reflector. Mirrored surfaces reflect the most light over a small area, while white surfaces usually cover larger areas, but with less light. Some reflectors have a gold foil sur­face that is used to bounce the light with a warm, rich quality that really flatters skin tones, making these a favorite with actors on location.

Diffuse The light

Diffusers are used to filter beams of sunlight and just like reflectors they are easy to use to help harness the light from the sun. Diffusing sunlight is an effective technique that removes shadows and reducing contrast. It does an excellent job of brightening dark areas while retaining much of the outline and contour.

A diffuser can be made from a wide variety of materials, but it is the porosity of the same that determines how much light passes through.  The diffuser will need to be suspended or positioned between the subject and the sun, and its positioning will dictate how the shadows fall and where.

Outdoor and Location Lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates

If you have outdoor lighting requirements, we are on hand to offer professional, practical and awesome lighting wherever you need it.  Call us today at (561) 368-0101 to find out more about our first-class lighting solutions.

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.