Tag: specialists in lighting for television

TV Sports Lighting Experts

Posted on by J3551CA

The lighting and special effects that the correct illumination can create looks effortless when it’s executed properly, particularly in TV sports broadcasts. The result can be stunning and contribute to the entertainment factor. Lighting for sporting events is also immensely complicated and complex, requiring the services of professionals of the caliber available at Frank Gatto Lighting.

Lighting at sporting events must provide the right amount of illumination for athletes on the field or drivers on a race track, along with the fans in the stands. The lighting arrays must provide illumination that’s uniform in all areas of the field or track without any dark spots or shadows that will interrupt the action. Dark spots and shadows will affect the performance of the athletes.

The angle and height level of the lights are just as important as the brightness factor. Individual beams or banks of lights can distract or even blind athletes at a critical moment. It requires extensive knowledge of the type of lights being utilized, the requirements of the area to be illuminated, and a high-level of experience in the industry to provide the best range.

Sporting events don’t always occur under optimal conditions and temperatures can adversely affect the type of lights being used. Traditional arrays required significant warm up times and were extremely sensitive to temperature changes. If one light went out, an entire bank could also be affected. Lighting masters know the value of LED lighting to combat those problems and provide a more economical solution.

There are dozens of techniques and possible solutions for illuminating any sports venue and Frank Gatto Lighting is the creator of new groundbreaking LED lighting techniques that are now being used in TV sports coverage around the globe. Illuminating sporting events for TV is complex and it’s a specialty in which the company excels.

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

Phone: 561-368-0101
Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 
We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

      

What it Takes to Light up a Stadium

Posted on by J3551CA

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

Metal Halide

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

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

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

LED Lights

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

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

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

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

Phone: 561-368-0101
Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 
We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Changing Studio Lights from Fluorescent to LED

Posted on by J3551CA

People watch programs for story lines and to see their favorite celebrities, but the lighting of that environment is a primary element in all studio broadcasts. Without the proper lighting, the subjects appear too dark or washed out. Improper lighting can change the color spectrum that’s captured by the cameras.

The lighting needs of broadcasts vary widely. Some companies utilize traditional fluorescent light bulbs, while others have opted to use LEDs. There are multiple facets to consider before making any changes. It doesn’t matter whether individuals are working in a broadcast studio or still photographers taking wedding photos, making an informed decision is essential.

Heat

Illumination isn’t the only thing that lights emit. Depending on the number of bulbs, the heat can be intense. Those working under the fluorescent lights can be extremely uncomfortable. Subjects sweat and makeup is ruined. Approximately 90 percent of the energy used by fluorescent lights produces heat. The other 10 percent produces illumination. Fluorescent lights are hot when in operation. LEDs remain cool to the touch through heat dissipation management and fewer lights are required to light the same area.

Eco-Friendly

Fluorescent lights contain toxic chemicals, such as mercury. They’re typically thrown in the trash when they’re no longer operational and that poses a hazard to the environment. LEDs don’t contain those elements and are 100 percent recyclable. An LED has a longer life span than a fluorescent and provides savings of approximately 25 percent through the use of less material and production costs.

Durability and Versatility

LED lights are stable and able to withstand vibrations, shocks and impacts. They perform in wind, rain and snow. Fluorescents can easily be damaged when bumped and are limited to indoor usage. LED lights can be used even in low voltage situations to produce the requisite amount of illumination, thereby preventing broadcast interruptions.

Informed Decisions

Studio work is comprised of closer range shots whether it’s in a photographic or broadcast studio. Making informed decisions about the type of illumination is essential. Companies must weigh the pros and cons of cost, heat management, and the impact on the environment.

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 Lingo

Posted on by J3551CA

Every industry has its own set of terminology and language. Those in other professions would be at a loss to explain what a Fresnel, gaffer or gobo is in the lighting lingo common within the TV and movie industry. The following provides a sample of the terminology used by industry pros when illuminating venues and events around the world.

  • Gaffer – The person that oversees operation or luminaire equipment.
  • Luminaire – An electric light unit.
  • Gobo – This is a general term for an opaque item that’s placed in front of a luminaire to block all or a portion of the beam.
  • Color temp – Rated on the Kelvin scale, it’s the color appearance (warm or cold) of different types of lighting, from candlelight and tungsten lights to electronic flash and a clear, sunlit day.
  • Fresnel – It’s a flat lens constructed in multiple concentric rings to reduce the loss definition and used to adjust the focus from spotlight to floodlight.
  • Card – A circuit board.
  • Saturation – The amount of white light – from low to high levels – that affect the overall color.
  • Graduated scrim – A round and framed metal screen, it increases or decreases density from one side of a frame to the other.
  • Barn doors – It’s a device with adjustable flaps, attached to the front of a luminaire to shape or block the beam as needed.
  • Egg crate – A rectangular device with partitions attached to luminaires to reduce glare.
  • Accent light – Lighting to highlight a person in a scene through the intensity of illumination or color.
  • Key light – The primary source of light used to establish the mood in a scene.
  • Fill lights – Supplemental lighting used to fill in shadows.
  • Back light – Illumination to artfully separate the actor or subject from the background.
  • Bleed through – An effect created by the intensity of illumination.
  • Cold mirror – This is a mirror that transmits infrared radiation while blocking light.
  • Snoot – A metal tube in various sizes that’s mounted to luminaires to control light spillage.

There are hundreds of other lighting lingo terms used within the illumination industry that every member of a professional lighting crew will know and use. It may seem confusing at first, but it’s the language of lighting that every professional 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.

            

Dress Your Set to Impress with LED Video Walls

Posted on by J3551CA

These days, everyone is looking for the next big way to impress their audience, and set their own live production or studio event apart from the competition.  LED Video Walls are an impressive way to project the action on stage, or pre-recorded videos out to huge audiences while delivering the ultimate wow factor for anyone who sees it.

What are LED Video Walls?

LED video walls are made up of a number of Direct View LED displays that work together to produce a single display.  These LED screens work so well because each of them is responsible for conducting and emitting its own light.

The “light-emitting diodes” are tiny, two-lead semiconductor light sources, that can produce and emit their own light, making them long-lasting and incredibly durable. LED lights do not run hot or burn out as they are only illuminated by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor, and not a heat producing filament.

The LEDs used in video walls are also special because the displays can achieve “true black” because each screen is coated in black resin epoxy. Shades are then inserted in between the lights to separate the illuminations and eliminate reflectance.

The Benefits of Using an LED Video Wall

If you have space and the capacity to install an LED Video wall at your live music show, outdoor event or even indoor production, they can create the most amazing effects that are always truly memorable.

Lighting

LED Video walls are designed for high levels of illumination, making them perfect for night time events. They can also be displayed beautifully in a well-lit room or on a showroom floor, creating awesome effects for your business.

They are also able to handle ambient lighting far better than LCD can, and the runs on NIT, not Lux.

Reliability

LED Video walls are highly energy efficient and the light source they use is incredibly long-lasting, with a lifetime of at least 50,000 hours.  They also offer the very best refresh ranges of any video wall on the market, meaning they will always look crisp, clean and totally in synch with their surroundings.

Seamless Installation

LED panels have minimal bezels (seams) and can be tiled together to create a display that is totally tailor-made to fit the space it is needed for.  They also offer lower pixel density and wider viewing angles and can show any size or shape, not just 16:9.

High-Quality Pictures

Because LED video walls can achieve true black using epoxy coated LEDs and offer a wide color gamut, you can create the perfect picture for your entire audience to enjoy.

Use an LED Video Wall to Really Set the Scene

Whether you want to simply display your logo, a promotional short, or something unique to your brand, an LED wall is far more dynamic than just a plain old backdrop.

The same applies to live music events, fashion shows, parties and other big events, as only LED video walls have the sheer display quality, ease of use and affordability to create such dynamic effects across a wide range of applications.

Awesome Lighting Displays from Frank Gatto & Associates

With over 30 years’ experience in the lighting business, we can produce awesome LED wall displays for your event.  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.