05 August 2010
http://www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=114830http://www.robedigital.com/news/read/article/robe-digitalspots-get-lucky-with-mark-knopfler/Robe DigitalSpots Get Lucky With Mark KnopflerMark Knopfler has incorporated video into his performance for the first time on his Get Lucky tour, projected courtesy of 4 Robe DigitalSpot 7000DTs.The DigitalSpots were specified by lighting designer Simon Tutchener, who has been working with Knopfler since 2002 and completed his major tour with him in 2005.
Tutchener specifically wanted a neat, tourable, flexible lightweight video solution that would integrate seamlessly - both physically and creatively - with the lighting.
He discussed the matter at the outset with Lester Cobrin from Bedford-based Bandit Lites UK, the lighting contractor for the European legs of the tour, and Cobrin suggested he checked the DigitalSpots as the latest innovative digital lighting technology that fitted all the criteria. In addition to that, the fixtures benefit from Robe's robust engineering which makes them ideal for touring.
Robe UK arranged a demo at Bandit Lites UK's HQ and shortly after they made the purchase. The same units also went to the US where the tour was serviced by Bandit Lites out of Nashville, Tennessee.
The four units are rigged on the front lighting truss. They are soft-edged together and project one large image onto a 26ft wide by 16ft deep video screen hung on the back truss, which is covered by a pair of starcloth curtains for most of the show. They are controlled via ArtNet protocol over Ethernet from Tutchener's grandMA lighting console.
The video clips are all stored in the DigitalSpots' onboard media servers, uploaded via Ethernet. Tutchener uses a mixture of library images and specially created content - all of it abstract, subtle and intelligently crafted to blend seamlessly into the lightshow.
Footage is also taken from four surveillance style mini-cams (supplied by XL Video UK) dotted around the stage, plus one wireless camera from Broadcast RF. These are positioned on Knopfler's mic stand, on the drums, keyboards, etc
