Tag: Lighting Engineers

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.

            

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 Director Training

Posted on by J3551CA

Many people that are fascinated with the nuances of lighting one day dream of becoming a master of the skill and working for TV, film or the Broadway stage. There’s a lot of practical knowledge that goes into the skill set of a lighting director, coupled with artistic vision.

A lighting director is responsible for all the aspects of lighting a stage, whether it’s in Hollywood or a royal wedding. It’s the individual that designs and arranges the lighting to create the mood for any type of production. They’re cognizant of lighting techniques, budgetary requirements, and works with everyone from actors and musicians to costume designers to discern the ideal placement for lights, the colors, and the safety of all concerned.

Those that aspire to be a lighting director will need to meet a variety of educational requirements that include a Bachelor’s degree in theatre production or lighting design. Depending upon what line of work the lighting director chooses, there are additional requirements for different levels of expertise. They’ll also need experience and training in electrical safety and construction.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program will include the design aspect and the technical elements. They can obtain a Master of Fine Arts in lighting design to continue their education. A master’s program will include classroom work and hands-on training that includes lighting technology and history.

Lighting directors must have technical skills with computer programs used within the lighting industry. A variety of universities and college have internship programs that enable budding lighting directors to work under professionals in the field, gain experience, and build their portfolios.

Lighting directors are the architects of the lighting world. The most revered lighting directors in the world are creative visionaries and innovators that work in venues that include broadcast media, live sporting events, and have lit pathways on the red carpet and royal events.

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.

            

The Top Jobs in Film and Television Behind the Camera

Posted on by J3551CA

Ask anyone who’s worked in film and TV and they’ll tell you the real talent is behind the camera! Sure, the actors dish out the charm, looks and words but they would be nothing without an army of talented, highly-skilled individuals working feverishly in the background to produce a polished final production ready for the audience to enjoy.

If you’ve ever sat through the end credits of a show and wondered just what some of those strange job titles actually mean, the read on and we’ll give you a little inside knowledge…

The Gaffer

Every movie set requires electricity to function and a gaffer is the person responsible for everything to do with this. He or she will be fully responsible for making sure there is power on set, from making sure all the plugs are pushed in and flicked on to ensuring everything is safe and up and running before the talent arrives on set. If you’ve ever seen a movie set and noticed the amount of lighting and other powered devices, the gaffer is the person who feverishly makes sure all this works.   All hail the gaffer!

The Best Boy

It may be a strange job title, the best boy is the person who works directly under the gaffer, ensuring all their commands are carried out. In other words, the gaffer shoulders the responsibility whilst the best boy does the actual work!  If you need something electrical sorted on a set, chances are it’s the best boy you’ll deal with rather than their boss.

The Dolly Grip

Ever seen those little train tracks on movie sets? Those are dolly tracks. They usually carry a little platform with a camera crew on it, allowing a smooth transition of bulky camera equipment, delivering a seamless, smooth shot. A dolly grip is a much-loved individual who has to lay these tracks and push the dolly camera platform along. Often found between takes massaging their lower back while making “Oooh!” faces.

The Line Producer

A line producer is a mystery to anybody not actually involved in that day’s shoot. To those on set, however, the line producer is mother and father all rolled into one. They are the person responsible for handling all the logistics and running of the set on a day to day basis. They work tirelessly to ensure every element of the shoot is ready to go when needed, from camera operators and props, through to making sure that the cast is ready to be in their places when the director calls “Action”.

The Foley Artist

Most people don’t realize that movie sets are incredibly noisy. A studio set or an outdoor location has so much background noise that sensitive microphones and cameras can pick it all up, leaving most of the audio recorded on the day rendered useless. This is where the foley team steps in. They replicate the sounds needed, from walking on gravel and opening doors right through to all the squelchy sound effects used in horror films. They can be found doing these using ingenious methods, usually involving vegetables and hammers, and, once added to the film, it all gives a seamless extra layer of sensory enjoyment.

The Lighting Technician

Remember at the beginning we looked at a gaffer? Well, working closely under that person is the all-important Lighting Technician. This talented person is responsible for maintaining and utilizing the myriad of lights required to bathe a set in brightness (or gloom) to meet the Director’s requirements. Whether the need is for a gloriously sunny day or a moody, atmospheric night shoot, you can bet your last penny it’s all achieved through the use of lighting. The techs work under the watchful eye of the Lighting Director and are responsible for positioning the lights, making sure they stay working and all other aspects of illumination.  Without these unsung heroes, you might as well be making a radio show!

Studio Lighting from Frank Gatto

Our team provides first-class studio lighting to some of biggest names in the business including HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision. Speak to us today to find out more about the services we offer 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.

            

Lighting Engineers – Just What Is It That They Do?

Posted on by J3551CA

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.