Tag: professional lighting company

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.

      

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.

            

Vegas Lighting Magic

Posted on by J3551CA

The Fremont Street Light Show in Las Vegas is a feast for the senses and a technological masterpiece. Over 22 million people visit the city each year to experience the sight. It’s composed of more than 12.5 million LED lights creating high-resolution images set to concert-quality sound of famous musicians. Best of all, the light and sound show is absolutely free.

The extraordinary, hour-long displays run throughout the evening in June, July and August across seven blocks. The event is a cooperative effort by hotel and casino owners. Construction for the extravaganza began with a $70 million budget in 1994 and was completed in 1995, but the location of the festivities has a much older history. The original concept for the event was a sky parade that eventually evolved into its current incarnation.

When Las Vegas was founded as a city in 1905, Fremont Street was the community’s first paved road. It’s only fitting that the light show would be designed around the historic street. In addition to the millions of lights, the event also has the largest video screen in the world measuring 1,500 long and 90 feet wide that are suspended above the mall below.

It’s an engineering feat of epic proportions and the Freemont Street Light Show is also home to the SlotZilla zip line. The original show utilized light bulbs that could display a full-color spectrum all housed under canopy constructed overhead.

In 2004, the expensive and traditional incandescent light bulbs were converted to LEDs that are less expensive to operate, more eco-friendly, and enabled an expanded range of color combinations. The LED lights provided a display that’s seven times brighter and more vibrant. The show is still held under a permanently constructed canopy, providing an immersive experience.

The Fremont Street Light Show required innovative technology to make images appear real, the syncing of music, and coordination of individual lights. It’s now all tied into a central control unit that enables pinpoint accuracy. The technology and innovative techniques behind the massive display are impressive and a testament to the creativity of professional lighting experts. For people around the globe, it’s become one of the essential must-see wonders of Las Vegas.

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

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

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

            

The Challenge of Lighting Different Skin Colors

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Just as certain make-up is used for different skin tones and colors, lighting professionals face many of the same challenges when providing illumination for TV, film and theatre performances, along with weddings, special events and corporate engagements. Lighting specialists must “paint” all the actors or subjects with light that shows them to their best advantage.

Lighter skin colors tend to reflect light, while darker colors tend to absorb it. The different colors also create different levels of shading and shadowing and poor lighting choices will make an individual appear an entirely different shade than their actual skin tone. Those disparities become even more pronounced when shooting under certain conditions.

The color of the garments an individual is wearing also affects how a studio or venue will be lighted. An element that many individuals don’t account for is skin texture. Even with make-up, imperfections and flaws are more obvious on darker skin. It’s just one of the variables that Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. works with every day. The award-winning lighting specialists have provided illumination for high-profile celebrities, politicians and CEOs around the world.

The issue becomes even more complex when providing lighting for two or more people of different colors, tones and textures. The light has to flatter and highlight while maintaining the integrity of color. When the use of colored lighting is required, it becomes much more complicated. Some colors can’t be used with certain skin tones or the subject looks washed out, sallow, and unhealthy.

Lighting plays a significant role in the psychology of the way a still image or film is perceived and the same is true of the subject. Colors have an emotional impact on the viewer and lighting can be used to show that someone is healthy, vibrant or down on their luck using different lighting techniques for any skin color.

While color correction methods are available and regularly used in the film industry, it’s not an option when filming live and it adds significantly to post-production costs. When working in those types of situations, appropriate illumination requires professionals like Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc.

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 to Expect from An Event Lighting Consultation

Posted on by J3551CA

Bringing your vision to life takes a lot of planning and expertise, and it can be easy to focus all of your attention on finding a venue, booking a band, choosing a theme and inviting the right people.   Even though we know that event lighting is the unsung hero of successful events, you may not even have considered calling on a professional lighting company to turn your event into something truly epic.

We know that you are busy organizing every aspect of the perfect occasion, which is why our team are on hand to offer a complete lighting design and management service that will help us to bring your vision to life.

We will work alongside you to make your event the best yet, taking into account all of the following:

Your Venue

Depending on where you are holding your event, your lighting needs will vary.  Conference centers, corporate venues and hotels all offer functional spaces that are practical for a wide range of occasions.  What they may not offer, however, is effective lighting.

An evaluation of your venue will enable us to work our magic to transform it from just an ordinary space into some extraordinary!  We can add perimeter lighting, stage lighting, mood lighting, dance floor lighting and even impressive effects and light shows to will transform a mundane space into a work of art.

We can even work outdoors to turn a garden into an elegant space for a large-scale dinner party or illuminate a beach scene using lanterns, chandeliers, and other unique décor elements for corporate celebrations by the ocean.

Your Event

Every event is different, and will all have different requirements when it comes to lighting.  Our experienced lighting director will start every project with a blank page, and bring to you the very best lighting design to enhance the look and feel of your event.  We offer standard and intelligent DMX controlled lights to fit any room, and can even add battery operated lighting in spaces where there is no access to power.

We will tailor our lighting design to fit your theme and event decor. Galas, fundraisers and upscale corporate events benefit from seamless lighting effects that are able to enhance the occasion without overpowering it, while parties, fashion shows and events that draw a younger crowd are a great place to use lighting effects that dance with the music and light shows that are guaranteed to impress.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we specialize in providing world-class lighting for:

  • Award shows and ceremonies
  • Corporate events and occasions
  • Sports events
  • Television and studio productions
  • Special events and celebrations
  • Weddings

So, whatever the occasion, we can help design and plan the perfect lighting for you.

Your Budget

Hiring a lighting company may seem like an additional expense, but our knowledge and expertise can prevent you from wasting money by hiring the wrong kind of lighting for your event.  We can design a lighting plan that will not only transform the look and feel of your occasion, it will also add value by making it a memorable occasion for every guest.  Invest to impress with professional lighting, installed and operated by a talented crew who will take control of the lighting throughout the event.

Stage and Studio Lighting

It’s not just events that benefit from carefully crafted lighting design, stage shows, studio productions and even outdoor sporting events all need to be correctly lit to ensure that the audience is always able to see the action in front of them.

We can evaluate all of your lighting needs and provide everything you need, including rigging, set up and operation via remote DMX controllers.

Book the Best for Your Event

Frank Gatto & Associates is a 3-time Grammy Award Winning lighting company that works with some of the biggest names in the business including HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision. We have also provided lighting for some of the biggest events and celebrations in the USA.

Our Lighting Directors and Associates are able to offer you the very best lighting design and have the talent and expertise to make your next event your most memorable yet.

Speak to us today at (561) 368-0101 to book your lighting consultation and evaluation with one of our experts.

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 Choose an Emmy Award-winning Pro for Your Event?

Posted on by J3551CA

Whatever product or service you are looking for, it makes sense to choose a provider who is at the top of their game, right?  Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we are delighted to offer our Emmy Award-winning services to all of our customers.  With over 30 years experience in the entertainment industry, and with some of the very best lighting directors and technicians on our team, it is no surprise that our award-winning services are always in demand.

But don’t just take out word for it! We have been awarded the highly acclaimed accolade for best Lighting Designer/Director Award not just once, but an impressive 3 times so far!  And we are not planning on stopping there either.  Our services are always first class, meaning that there are still plenty of opportunities for us to win more awards – perhaps even while we are working for you.

What Is an Emmy Award?

The Emmy Awards are designed to recognize excellence in the television industry and are the equivalent of some of the most highly revered awards across the industry including the Academy Awards for film, the Tony Awards for theatre and the Grammy Awards for music.

The Emmys are given across all sectors of the American television industry, meaning that it is not just actors and actresses that take-home awards.  Every aspect of the production process is also recognized, and anyone that is talented enough to receive one really should be considered a true artist and one of the best in the business.

What Makes Award-Winning Lighting Design?

Lighting design can make a world of difference to the look and feel of any production, either live or pre-recorded.  The Emmy Awards recognize the skills required to produce first-class lighting design by awarding the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Series to one television series each year.

Our technical know-how, and ability to continually contribute to the success of live events using innovative lighting techniques and cutting-edge technology has led to us scooping up a variety of awards so far.

Why Choose Our Award-Winning Lighting for Your Next Production or Event?

Cleverly crafted lighting design, using a wide variety of state-of-the-art lighting techniques is what makes our lighting so effective it is award-worthy in its own right.

Great actors, spellbinding scripts and high-end performances all make for amazing television, but the light and sound that takes place throughout the production, are usually the unsung heroes of the show.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, we are consistently breaking new ground within the lighting design profession.  Using a canny combination of experience combined with our obsession with ever-evolving lighting technology and digital desk operation, Frank and his team have everything in place to continue to produce award-winning lighting for many years to come.

If you are focusing on the world stage, we have worked with some of the biggest names in the business including world-renowned networks and companies such as HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox, Showtime, Telemundo and Univision.

For more intimate affairs, we are adept at providing superior lighting systems for network television lighting, corporate industrials, award ceremonies, and sporting events.

You want your production to be the very best, and to do that you need the assistance of some of America’s finest lighting professionals.  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.

            

Light Shows Attract Millions of Visitors to Niagara Falls

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The world-famous waterfalls of Niagara are a sight to behold any time of the day or year.  But at night, they are simply magical as state-of-the-art illuminations give them an ethereal quality. On the Canadian-US border, the Bridal Veil Falls, the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls throw as much as 170 million gallons of water from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario.

During the day, visitors don ponchos and enjoy the legendary Maid of the Mist boat tours, but at night the falls glow three times brighter than ever before, thanks to innovative, color changing lighting that has been designed to make the water look absolutely breathtaking.

With over 20 million visitors a year, the Falls are one of the largest tourist attractions in the area, and if you are planning a trip to see them, you should definitely stay to take in the light show.

Lighting Up Niagara Falls

The falls are illuminated throughout the year, to mark holidays and significant occasions. They are also lit in a range of colors to mark specific dates for charitable causes.  Keeping the lights bright underneath such a huge amount of fast-flowing water has been a challenge for the designers at Niagara, but technological advances in lighting have meant that the illuminated falls are now more beautiful at night than ever before.

In 2016, almost 20 years since the last major investment in falls lighting, the existing Xenon lights were replaced.  Now using new, energy efficient LED lighting technology, the falls are easily illuminated with programmable lighting effects and an array of colors. Where once there were gaps in the lighting pattern, the new LED lighting has filled them to provide a stunning and thoroughly constant effect throughout.

All of the lamps are weatherproof and remain relatively cool, even when they are running at full brightness.  The designers behind the light shows, updated lighting programs, created a system that can rotate and adjust to seamlessly blend colors, as well as altering the intensity of the lights and colors as and when required.

Using a total of 12,600 individual LEDs, arranged in 1,400 three-by-three squares of color, and illuminating 120 areas across the American Falls and 230 across the Canadian Falls, there is the potential to produce up to 16,777,000 different color combinations. The finished effect gives the appearance of a video production that constantly changes, making every visit to the Niagara Falls illuminations completely different from the last.

Why Visitors Love the Lights at Niagara

Every evening at dusk, the Falls are transformed into an incredible, multi-colored masterpiece, fusing fast-flowing water with an amazing light display.  This daily occurrence alone is enough to keep visitors coming back for more, but the Niagara Festival of Light that runs from November through January see’s not just the falls, but the surrounding areas bathed in festive sounds and colors.

Light Up Your Event with Frank Gatto & Associates

With over 30 years’ experience in the lighting industry, Frank and his team are on hand to help with every kind of large-scale lighting requirement. 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.

            

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

Posted on by J3551CA

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

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

What Is Projection Mapping?

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

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

How Does Projection Mapping Work?

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

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

Why Is Projection Mapping So Cool?

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

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

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

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

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

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

We provide a full-service package, and absolutely everything you need to light up your event from start to finish.  Speak to our team today on 561-368-0101 to find out more.

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

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

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

            

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.