Tag: lighting equipment rental

Renting Lighting Equipment can Save you Money

Posted on by J3551CA

It can be far more economical to rent lighting equipment than to purchase it, especially for companies just starting out in the industry. It’s especially beneficial when a job calls for specialty lighting equipment that can be particularly expensive. An added bonus is that lighting rental companies often have a crew that will perform the heavy lifting and work of setting up and dismantling the equipment.

Renting lighting equipment is especially advantageous if a highly specific specialty lighting array is required and it’s something unique or unusual to the lighting expert’s typical work. It’s convenient to own a wide range of equipment and have it on hand, but if it’s something that may only be used once a year or even less, renting can be much more cost effective.

Automated systems are real time savers. They’re also efficient and cost effective. It can be expensive to hire a crew to man the lighting. Automated equipment can require more up-front monetary outlay even when renting, but they save on labor costs.

Less is sometimes more and those responsible for lighting venues must use their knowledge and be creative. There’s a tendency toward pomp and circumstance in everything, but not every event has to be a multi-colored spectacular. Strategic placement of lighting equipment is essential. There are multiple types of less expensive lighting options that can be rented that use state-of-the-art technology.

Another way to save money is by renting wireless lighting technology. It has the potential of reducing costs by as much as 50 percent, but can be pricy to purchase outright. The same can be true of LED lighting, though pricing is coming down. LED lighting arrays use less energy, are easier to set up, and enables lighting professionals to do more with less.

Renting lighting equipment of any kind can be an economical solution for a wide range of lighting situations and requirements. Specialty illumination and technology can be expensive to purchase. Renting can soften the cost.

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.

            

Set Lighting Techniques

Posted on by J3551CA

At some point, everyone has viewed a film and talked about certain scenes, how they especially liked a romantic interlude or how sinister the villain looked. While the actors’ portrayal of the characters is extremely important, lighting plays a significant role in the way audiences view the characters and scenes.

The illumination of sets, scenes and even special events is the result of careful planning and a working knowledge of how lights and cameras work in harmony. It’s a task that relies on equal parts of creativity, artistic flair, and technical knowledge. Professionals work with a myriad of techniques to ensure every seen is picture perfect.

A three-point lighting set-up is comprised of key lighting, fill lighting, and backlighting – and fulfills a variety of essential functions. It illuminates subjects from three directions and focuses attention on the actors. The technique is used to control shadowing. It can also be combined with backlighting for a four-point system.

Key lighting will be most prominent and will be focused on the area or individual that is to be emphasized. Fill lighting penetrates the dark corners and shadows, while backlighting is used to the rear of the subject and typically from a higher angle to add depth.

Two types of illumination utilized by filmmakers are soft lighting and hard lighting. This lighting is emotional in nature and contributes to how audiences perceive a scene. Soft lighting makes use of increased key lighting to balance the light ratio, thereby creating a scene that has virtually no shadows at all. Diffused overhead lighting is also soft and is especially effective for close-ups and conversations between actors.

In contrast, hard lighting utilizes bright sunlight or smaller light sources to create and heighten shadows. It’s used to great effect for heightening scary and dramatic scenes, along with volatile, suspicious and dangerous situations in filming.

Motivated lighting is a technique that enables shooting in an enclosed studio while imitating other types of existing lights that might be experienced in everyday life situations. This type of lighting can emulate everything from an 18th-century lamp to sunlight from a window.

Last but not least is natural lighting that’s especially effective when shooting on location. Mother Nature creates some stunning effects, but they can be enhanced with carefully placed lights and illumination techniques that are benchmarks of a professional.

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.

            

Some of The Best Light Shows in the World

Posted on by J3551CA

Many cities around the world are famous for their impressive seasonal or year-round light shows.  With it now being easier than ever to be able to capture the wonder of these events on cell phones and mobile devices, these types of events are becoming an increasingly popular part of any vacation.  The advancement of lighting technology has also added an extra dimension to light shows, as complex displays and patterns are able to be remotely controlled and set to music to create truly awesome light shows.

The next time you find yourself off around the globe, check out some of the best light shows this planet has to offer. After all, they’re usually free to watch and always look great on camera!

Dubai

Home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, this spectacular light show takes place at the base of the said building and use the towering skyscraper as a backdrop. Visitors head on over to the Dubai Fountain for a show that takes place every 30 minutes in the evenings. The combination of choreographed water and light displays marvels the crowds and adds yet another reason to visit this amazing city.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong goes big for their light show! They use 40 buildings spread along Victoria Harbor to flash and dazzle the entire waterfront in a show that can be seen from anywhere nearby. As one might expect, the best views are from across the harbor, especially in one of the designated music spots. The whole show is set to music, and even if you can’t make it to one of the best spots in the harbor to listen along, there is a downloadable app that you can play as you watch a whole city come to life with one of the most amazing light shows in the world.

Singapore

Head down to the Gardens by The Bay for an incredible light show put on by the huge ‘trees’ there. These amazing artificial trees gather solar energy throughout the day and transform it into a twice-nightly light and music show in the evenings.  These incredible light transitions and imaginative displays are all set to popular music, transforming a night out in Singapore into something truly magical.

Talking of Singapore, no piece on spectacular light shows would be complete without mentioning the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Three towers connected at the top by a huge infinity pool come to life of an evening in an amazing display of lasers and lighting that transforms the buildings and nearby waters into a multi-colored feast for the eyes.

Las Vegas

To go to Vegas and miss the Fountain Show at the Bellagio would be an absolute crime! Running throughout the evening, usually every fifteen minutes, the one-song length display of lights and water leaves visitors in awe as jets of water are blasted in perfect synchronicity 500 feet into the air and ‘caught’ by the jets next to them.  All of this is accompanied by a spectacular display of lighting that showcases the finest Sin City has to offer, and all in the middle of the desert!

Event Lighting from Frank Gatto & Associates

Our team has over 30 years experience of creating awesome lighting for a wide variety of events, televised occasions and outside broadcasts.  If you would like to find out how we can add a whole new dimension to your next event – speak to us today at (561) 368-0101.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

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

            

Why You Should Consider Renting Your Lighting Equipment

Posted on by J3551CA

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

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

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

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

Rent Your Lighting Equipment – An Affordable Alternative to Buying

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

Custom Designed Lighting Solutions

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

The Right Lighting for Every Occasion

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

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

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

  • Give Your Event That Professional Look

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

  • A Spot Light on Your Stage

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

  • State of the art equipment

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

Lighting Rental from Frank Gatto & Associates

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

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

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

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

            

Rigging and Trusses

Posted on by J3551CA

Everyone knows just how important it is to have good stage lighting at any entertainment event or on a tv or film set.  But, behind the glamour of the spotlight, there are miles upon miles of infrastructure that makes the magic happen.  A complex system of aluminum supports and poles are carefully built to form a solid structure from which to hang all the lighting effects any live show or production could ever need.

This system of rigging and trusses is the unsung hero of the lighting world because without them production teams would be limited to simple floor and ceiling lights that wouldn’t look even half as effective.

What Is A Rig and Truss System?

First off, let’s look at the basics:

Rigging is created using a series of rope lines, pulleys, counterweights and other devices, that enables the stage crew to quickly and safely move lighting and other components around to the back and side of the stage.

Trusses are a series of sticks and poles that can be connected to create a structure that allows lighting fixtures and other staging equipment to be hung with ease.

Rigging and trusses are the behind to scenes saviors of the lighting world, and without them, the audience would have a very boring time watching live events.   Rigging and trusses can be found in theaters, concert venues, arenas and stadiums anywhere in the world.

Who Works on Rigs and Trusses?

Working with rigging involves climbing up high above the stage area, and members of the rigging teams definitely need to have no fear of heights!  Different members of the crew, have different jobs to do to ensure that every part of the rig is safe and that provides effective support for the lighting.

The Ground Rigger looks after the perimeter around the aerial work platform, while the Bucket Rigger needs to be able to operate the aerial work platform as well as undertake groundwork.  High Up Riggers and Rope Riggers will be responsible for the installation of equipment way up high and they are often suspended from the rigging itself by a harness, and they may also need to demonstrate exceptional rope skills.

Why Are Rigs and Trusses So Important for Great Lighting?

The very best way to illuminate a stage is to employ a three-point lighting technique.  In simple terms, that is the first point 45 degrees to the left and 45 degrees up, a second point 45 degrees to the right and 45 degrees up, and a third light 45 degrees up and straight behind the subject.

To facilitate that kind of angles, you need to be able to lift any lighting equipment up off the floor but still be able to suspend it lower down than usual ceiling lighting would allow.  Large venues and professional studio sets require carefully constructed rigs that can contain many individual lights and effects to enhance the performance in front of them, but the ideology is the same – better lighting comes from the ability to elevate your light source.

Here at Frank Gatto Lighting, we have many years’ experience of providing the very best rigging and truss systems for some of the biggest shows on earth, so we are pretty good when it comes to finding the perfect rigging solutions for every event.  If you would like to find out more, 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.