Tag: event lighting

Lighting Technician are Essential

Posted on by J3551CA

Once a lighting plan has been created for any type of production, it’s essential to have a lighting technician on any crew to ensure light sources are positioned correctly – among many other things. They have extensive experience working with equipment that’s heavy and very hot to ensure the safety of other crew members and actors.

Lighting technicians will follow the technical set-up and design plan established by the lighting director for appropriate illumination and is able to work creatively to solve any problems that arise. They’ll work closely with a wide variety of other industry specialists to orchestrate the lighting set-up needed for entire performances. Lighting technicians need a variety of skills that include:

  • Ability to work well under pressure
  • Ability to meet deadlines
  • Ability to work as a team
  • Attention to detail
  • Creativity
  • Excellent communication skills
  • High level of physical fitness
  • Manual dexterity
  • Organizational skills
  • Technical knowledge of lighting
  • Time management skills
  • Understanding and familiarity with a wide range of equipment

In the past, many lighting technicians began in lower-level positions such as transporting equipment and worked their way up the ladder. The range of equipment, techniques, and technology is much different in today’s industry. The professional environment is highly complex and a bachelor’s degree in theatrical production arts is typically required.

Anywhere illumination is required in venues ranging from movies and TV to the theatre – a lighting technician is an essential and integral part of the production. Depending upon budgetary concerns and available personnel, lighting technicians may also operate lights during a production either manually or through computer consoles. They may also be responsible for performing routine maintenance.

Whether a production is taking place on a studio set or on location in venues around the world, a lighting technician will ensure that lighting arrays are safely and properly installed. The lighting industry provides a variety of professional challenges for a highly rewarding career.

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 can Make or Break Your Event

Posted on by J3551CA

Everyone has experienced the disappointment and frustration of viewing a special event, only to discover upon playback that the once-in-a-lifetime event is too dark, there are distracting shadows, or glare. Proper lighting techniques and a thorough understanding of how illumination works is essential.

You want lighting that warms the environment and emulates natural illumination. The lighting sets the tone and mood for any event, whether it’s a wedding, seminar, trade show, or political rally. Always do a visual sweep of the venue you’ll be lighting. That examination will tell you where dark corners and shaded areas will occur and the type of lighting that’s already available.

It’s also essential as a lighting director to know if existing lights can be lowered or if any special illuminating features are already in place. That walk-through will also provide you with the lay of the land in regard to where the subjects and/or guests will be.

It’s important to talk with the company that will be doing the filming. The type of film and equipment used will have a bearing on the lighting and layout. Depending on the event, you may need spotlights or lower level illumination at various points throughout to create the correct ambiance.

Illumination has the power to reinforce décor, theme and mood whether you’re lighting a sporting event, a podcast, product launch, or a corporate gathering. While it’s important to highlight the principals of the event, you also need to plan for audience comfort. Illumination that blinds viewers won’t be appreciated.

Ultimately, no one will remember the lighting after the event – unless it was done poorly. What they will recall is how beautiful the bride looked or how the event made them feel. In many instances, the audience won’t even be able to put their finger on exactly what it was about an event that stood out for them because everything was perfect – but the lighting director will know.

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.

            

Different Avenues for Lighting Design

Posted on by J3551CA

Anywhere an event is taking place, there’s an opportunity for a lighting design expert. Many individuals obtain their education in lighting design with the goal of working on blockbuster movies, only to find themselves following completely different avenues that are equally fulfilling and allows them to use their creative talents in unique ways.

One of the most obvious venues for lighting design is TV, movies and the theatre. Actors to newscasters always look bright and brilliant on the screen. That flawless appearance is partly makeup artists and the rest is due to the skills of lighting design professionals.

Illumination specialists understand the unique placement of lights to highlight subjects and the type of lighting required to eliminate harsh shadows. They also provide professional lighting design for commercials, infomercials, documentaries and music videos.

Concerts and sporting events offer a multitude of opportunities for lighting designers and they can find themselves working in locations around the world. Sports and concerts each have their own particular range of challenges. Concerts and some sports take place during nighttime hours and people that can illuminate those events properly are in high demand.

The corporate, political and religious arenas often overlap and lighting designers are needed for them all. Designers provide illumination for events that include political debates and state events, along with televised religious services, large corporate gatherings, webinars, seminars and conventions.

As brides demand more elaborate weddings, there’s an increasing demand for lighting designers that can create a cinema-like experience. Couples are even requesting that the experience of having their wedding photos taken be filmed for posterity.

Amusement parks, museums, planetariums and other entertainments are an often overlooked opportunity for lighting designers. Illumination is a key ingredient for setting mood and ambiance, whether it’s lighting for simulators, specialty rides or highlighting unique exhibits.

There’s a myriad of avenues for professionals skilled in lighting design, many of which often go overlooked when individuals first begin their careers. Those that revel in the interplay of light and shadow can paint their own story anywhere in the world.

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.

            

Lighting Should be Left to the Pros

Posted on by J3551CA

There are some tasks that are better left to professionals and one of those is illumination for theatrical productions, political rallies, trade shows, major sports competitions, and even high-profile weddings. It’s particularly essential when illuminating international events that can present unique challenges.

A professional lighting company has experts experienced in every aspect of illumination, technology and rigging to light every facet of an event to the best advantage while maintaining the highest level of safety for everyone involved. Lighting designers have the artistic eye and advanced technology for optimal placement of essential equipment for overall lighting, spotlighting and special effects.

Illuminating international events has its own set of challenges, some of which are cultural while others are physical. Residents of some countries prefer specific lighting types and brightness levels over others. Equipment in the U.S won’t work in Europe, and vice-versa, without the use of adapters or converters since the two electrical systems aren’t compatible.

Lighting for arenas and events that will be broadcast requires specialized knowledge that only lighting professionals can comprehend. A lighting designer will develop a plan for illumination and a lighting director will utilize his/her technical knowledge to implement that plan.

Professional lighting companies employ a highly skilled team of individuals that take on the practical tasks and solutions of lighting, along with technicians that position lights, securely rig equipment, and coordinate audio and visual components.

To ensure the best illumination options and safety solutions for any event, a professional lighting company is essential. Lighting is much more than simply a way to “light things up” so everyone can see. It’s an art form that requires skill, specialized knowledge, and an understanding of cultural differences wherever they may be working. They use innovative techniques that are cost-effective and environmentally-friendly while maintaining the highest level of safety at all times.

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.

            

Lighting the Tree – A History of Christmas Tree Lights

Posted on by J3551CA

Twinkling lights really make the holiday season feel special, and most of us couldn’t imagine seeing a Christmas tree without them.  But did you know that using lights to decorate trees only became commonplace at the turn of the 19th century, as more and more families started bringing trees into their homes to celebrate the festive season?

If you are about to start decorating your tree, consider the history of the tradition, while you decorate yours.

Back in the 1800s, wealthy homeowners would have their staff spend hours fixing lit candles to their trees using melted wax or pins.  They also had the good sense to keep a bucket of water or sand close by just in case the candles burn too far down and ignited the tree, although that didn’t always stop accidents from happening.  Despite the very obvious safety concerns of having lit candles precariously balanced on flammable pine needles, this type of decoration remained popular.

In 1848 the Illustrated London News ran a picture of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert gathered around a lit Christmas tree with their children, spurring on the upper classes of British society to embrace and emulate the tradition. This image spread as far as America, where it gained popularity and became known as the first “influential American Christmas tree”.

Fast forward to 1888, and respected inventor of the light bulb Thomas Edison became involved in the story, although strangely enough, it was not him who invented the Christmas tree light, instead of someone who worked for him.

One year, Edison decided to forego the Christmas tree and opted to use light bulbs on a string to decorate his Menlo Park Laboratory, as a marketing ploy to help him secure the electric contract for Manhattan.  At the same time, Edward H. Johnson, the vice president of Edison’s Electric Light Company, decorated his tree with 80 specially made red, white, and blue bulbs that he displayed in the window of his Fifth Avenue home.

While the lit-up tree didn’t make the news at the time, local people love it and it wasn’t long before Johnson gained his place in history as the Father of the Electric Christmas Tree.  Those rich enough to afford the cost of renting a wireman to install the lights, and a generator to run them could enjoy them in their own homes, for the princely sum of over $300 per tree.

In 1917, things took an exciting turn as a called Albert Sadacca thought to repurpose the white novelty lights his family produced, switching them over to colored bulbs.  He instantly created the first Christmas lights safe for widespread use in the home, and history was made.   His family business cornered the market in Christmas tree lights, and he went on to form an organization called NOMA in 1925, which became the largest Christmas light manufacturer in the world.

During the war years, Christmas tree lights on outdoor trees became almost obsolete as large displays and even domestic decorations were toned down and switched off in line with blackout regulations.  The loss of interest in Christmas tree lights was further compounded following the rise of the aluminum Christmas tree in the 1950s, where electrical lighting was obviously not safe to use.

The mini bulbs that we know and love today, were first introduced in the 1970s and were produced cheaply overseas, meaning that their popularity grew once again as almost everyone in America had access to them. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Modern Day Christmas Light Displays

Nowadays, we have moved on from just electric string lights on trees, and many of us enjoy creating elaborate displays outside our own homes. Organized displays and Christmas light enthusiasts can now program complex displays using lights and strands with varying luminosity and even synchronized timing, making Christmas light displays that are absolutely awesome.

Professional lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates

While we may not be able to light your tree for you, we can provide world-class lighting for your indoor and outdoor events all across the holiday season.  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.

            

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.

            

What Is IMAG And Why Is It So Great?

Posted on by J3551CA

What Is IMAG And Why Is It So Great?

It is usual these days to see a stage surrounded by big screens at a wide variety of events and productions.  As you would expect, these are set up to help everyone in the audience get a great view of the action on stage.  IMAG – short for image magnification – makes it possible for even those viewers in the cheapest of seats to still be able to see everything that’s happening on stage.

What Is IMAG?

IMAG is an umbrella name for a technique that uses one or more cameras, projectors and screens to enlarge the image on stage at a live show, in order to give the audience a much better view.

What IMAG isn’t however, is a zoomed in, super-sized picture of the person on stage, but instead a clever use of cameras to live stream the action as it happens.

How Does IMAG Work?

By using a specific type of camera, images on stage can be projected onto screens simultaneously.  This means they capture and display everything that those with a good vantage point can see close up.    The camera used is often a broadcast camera set in the middle of the auditorium, with a big long lens that is not designed to shoot close up.

Often, the same camera shots used for IMAG are also used for live streaming so it needs to be able to capture not just the speaker on stage, but also record close-ups, audience reactions and any pre-recorded graphics or presentations that are used.

By combining big projection screens and specially designed cameras, an experienced production company and a competent camera operator can show everyone what is happening on stage in great detail.

Where Is IMAG Used?

IMAG screens are often found in large assembly areas where views may be limited towards the back, or off the side of the stage.  Usually always seen at huge rock concerts or sporting events, they are now becoming just as prevalent at corporate events, awards ceremonies and audiences with a single speaker.  Sure, at a rock concert you can still dance to the music even if you can’t see your hero on stage, but for smaller, more intimate affairs seeing the person on stage is equally as important as hearing what they are saying.

Why Is IMAG So Awesome

Well, simply put, IMAG is awesome because it enables everyone in the auditorium to see what is happening on stage.  No more bad seats or cheap tickets for poor visibility, as the screens used in arenas and auditoriums are so technologically advanced that you can literally see everything.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates we regularly work to provide first class lighting rigs and solutions for events and productions of all sizes.  We work hard to ensure that everything is perfect, and that all of the action on stage is captured in the very best light.

IMAG enables everyone to see how carefully crafted out lighting techniques are, and more important, for everyone in the auditorium to thoroughly enjoy the entertainment before them.

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.

            

Everything Lighting For Every Event

Posted on by J3551CA

Frank Gatto & Associates – Everything Lighting For Every Event

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we have over 30 years experience of being the very best in the business.  We provide a one-stop-shop service for indoor and outdoor events and have worked with some of the biggest production companies, movie companies and broadcasters in the world.

We don’t like to name drop, but when you have worked with the likes of HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision, we sort of can’t help but tell the world all about it.

Lighting For Every Occasion

As a result of our first class reputation within the entertainment industry, you can find our lighting crews on the set of College Gameday, NFL Countdown, World Series, Ultimate Fighting Championships and many more sporting events.

But it’s not just the big boys that we work for.  We can also provide lighting solutions for more intimate affairs including corporate events, award ceremonies, parties and even weddings.

First Class Lighting Design

We understand that the way light is used to create mood and atmosphere can add a whole new dimension to any event.  That is why we cleverly craft entire lighting design strategies, that align perfectly with the production values of any live show, television set or outdoor event.

Our experienced team are wizards at the lighting desk and can illuminate shadows at the click of a finger. We have worked at such prestigious venues such as Madison Square Garden, the Home Depot Center, Staples Center and large Sports Arenas, but are just as happy to light up smaller venues, conventions centers, theaters and even large private houses.

Professional Rigging

Our lighting rigs are designed using only the highest quality components.  We work to pre-planned set designs and have extensive experience of using a wide array of lighting techniques and equipment.  We work with state of the art lighting equipment to make every production a success, and our acquisition and operation of new LED lighting technology make us a leader in the televised sports lighting arena.

Speedy Assembly

Our crews can set up and assemble lighting rigs in almost any environment.  Fully trained to work in collaboration with all other members of the production crew, they will work tirelessly away in the background to construct lighting rigs that really work.

Easy Transportation

Because of our unique Miami location, we are easily able to access almost every area of the United States and into the Caribbean and beyond.  Our transportation vehicles can carry everything needed for a single event, and our crews are always on time!

Super Fast Load Out

We take the strain out of the cleanup operation by safely taking all of our rigging and equipment away from the venue, and restoring it to its former state quickly and without a fuss.

Eco-Friendly Disposal

We know that the safe disposal of lighting elements is important to both the environment and public safety.  That is why we always take our used and blown bulbs and lighting equipment with us for safe disposal.

Frank Gatto & Associates For All Your Lighting Needs

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we provide first-class lighting solutions for a wide range of indoor and outdoor events and film productions.  Speak to us today on 561-368-0101 to find out more about our first class film and TV lighting 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.