latest news headlines
Rush Takes HES Catalyst On Anniversary Tour
An all-High End Systems rig featuring Catalyst is catapulting Rush's 30th Anniversary Tour above and beyond Rush spectacles of the past. LD Howard Ungerleider of Production Design International in Toronto created the look and feel of this visual extravaganza as the production designer, lighting designer and lighting director. He and PDI partners Brian Beggs and Louis Chu also provided lasers.
Lighting contractor Premier Global Productions of Nashville is supplying the North American summer tour, featuring High End Systems moving and digital lighting and control products: one Catalyst Pro v3.0 Media Server, 60 x.Spot Xtremes, 40 Studio Beams, 24 Cyberlights, three Wholehog II consoles
Other lighting products include: 28 MR-16 zip strips, 3K Atomic Strobes, six Lycian M2 spotlights
"The show, " says Ungerleider, "is a highly complex visual experience thatis well-paced through 3 hours and 20 minutes. I think it's the best design I've done for Rush so far."
Ungerleider credits the video aspects for helping expand his vision when designing the production – more specifically, the Catalyst Pro v3.0 Media Server not only as a major design tool, but also as a video controller.
"The Catalyst is not only supplying visual images, it is also controlling the video routing system," Ungerleider says. "We're using IMAG, Derivative and Catalyst, and the Catalyst allows us to decide what image to put on what screen. The video comes in seamlessly -- it avoids the delay you normally get with video."
There are lots of screen surfaces to choose from on this set. At center-stage is a 22 feet wide by 12 feet high screen. Flanking it are 14 LED panels custom-made by BCC Screenworks to resemble windchimes. "The Catalyst gives me complete versatility, " says Ungerleider. "It gives me the opportunity to blend stock visuals with other elements. It expands the stage video presentation and complements the lighting."
The visual team working with Ungerleider and Geddy Lee included Alan Weinrib, video coordinator; Norm Stangl of Spin Productions, film animation; and Greg Hermanovic of Derivative (video animation). Helping Ungerleider with Catalyst programming was HES' director of Creative Services Tim Grivas, with HES "Catalyst Guru" Danny Beardmore offering tech support.
The crew also includes: Keith Hoagland, lighting tech/Ungerleider's assistant, Jamie Grossenkemper, lighting tech Rich Vinyard, lighting crew chief, David Davidian, video director, Bob Larkin, video engineer, Norman Sliwa, master electrician, and Scott Wilson, laser operator
The tour runs May 26-Aug. 22 in North America, then kicks off Sept. 8 in the UK.
16th June 2004
HEADLINES
news archive
search stories
FOOTNOTE: Select the news type you require in the red band above; this will enable you to see the current news stories from that section
© 1999 - 2012 Entertainment Technology Press Limited News Stories
