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CT’S Stunning VersaTUBE Provides the X-Factor
With the creative team of Al Gurdon (lighting designer), and programmer, Ross Williams, Christopher unveiled a staggering design, with the CT-supplied Element Labs VersaTUBE colour-changing light tube dominating the production.
He made the decision to use 226 pieces of VersaTUBE — along with 380 Barco plug-in MiPIX LED’s — for advanced décor edging, after seeing a demonstration at CT’s facility, near Gatwick (a decision endorsed by Al Gurdon).
Christopher remarked: “This has allowed us to move the creative canvas forward. VersaTUBE produces some beautiful effects and as soon as I saw it, it was obvious how we would use it — to line out the stairs and edge the giant ‘X’ graphics suspended over the stage and audience.
“Aside from the enormous range of colours, the tube produces a beautiful light which is not harsh, and also takes video signals. MiPix is also a fun product, and the combination of both works well on the stair risers.” For this the MiPix modules are inserted into prefabricated aluminium.
Resembling a conventional neon tube, the 16-pixels-per-metre resolution VersaTUBE display relays any video source or graphic programme via an HES Catalyst server. It works by mapping pixels from a computer monitor directly to the pixels in the tube.
Further graphic content — created by Ross Williams — is sent to a 6m x 4m Barco iLite LED centre screen and two 4m x 3m Barco iLite 10 side screens … designed in diamond format, and again supplied by Creative Technology.
Creative Technology’s German operation had already used both VersaTUBE and VersaTILE extensively on television and corporate shows, and CT’s UK sales director Mike Walker, stated: “Having seen the impact made in Germany we decided to make a major investment in VersaTUBE with this show in mind.” Some 240 pieces were thus ordered from Projected Image Digital, Element Labs’ UK distributor.
“We have a long relationship of working with Christopher George and are delighted that he now plans to use the product even more creatively — along with sister product, VersaTILE — on the Westlife Christmas show at London Studios for ITV.”
The set designer confirmed, “Now I am familiar with the potential of these effects, I plan to use them a lot more. It enables designers to create great shapes and introduce virtual reality into a 3D space which people can see; effectively, you can put live and graphic images wherever you want.
“There is always a synergy between the set designer, lighting designer and director; working with this lighting team has enabled me to relax because they are a creative powerhouse within themselves.”
And production manager, Mandy Lee, added, “The set looks absolutely brilliant and everyone is very happy with it. Having worked with CT in the past we know how competent they are.”
The Thames/Syco production — representing ITV1’s biggest talent search to date — reaches its finale on 11th December after starting from an original 50,000 applicants. Hosting the show — and keeping outspoken judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh under control — is Kate Thornton.
22nd November 2004
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