Flying the MAC’s (For BBC1)

The annual competition to select who will represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contestant went off with a bang this year. ‘Making your mind up’ was broadcast live from the BBC’s Maidstone Studios with all the fanfare and lighting extravaganza of Eurovision itself. With a line up of accomplished artists from groups like; The Darkness, East 17, Atomic Kitten and Big Brovaz, the show had the smell and feel of the big time.

Lighting designer Roger Williams set out to differentiate this year’s live broadcast from past shows by moving away from a studio feel and creating a much bigger ‘arena’ experience. Set in larger studios with weaving catwalks and an impressive but concealed lighting rig of over 90 Martin moving lamps, he achieved just this.

Joining at the concept stage, Roger was also able to integrate lighting directly into the set design and worked with Essential Lighting to dynamically create an almost individual set and atmosphere for each of the 6 acts. “I used MAC 500s in the air with MAC 700 Washes, and MAC 550s on the ground.” Said Roger.

The lighting rig was flown high so the lights were largely out of camera shot and the focus was more on the video screens to the side. But even from 25 feet up, their effect was powerful and the set seemed awash with colour and atmosphere.

“As the set was almost entirely grey I automatically put a lot of colour in to liven it up, so I needed to make sure I had enough wash lamps for this. I had heard a lot about the MAC 700 Wash but hadn’t ever used them, so I was pleased Essential Lighting had so many. The zoom was brilliant. Even from that height they worked well with either a very narrow beam or a wide and soft wash.”

The show was also the first time Roger worked with the MAC 550.

“I love the MAC 500 and know exactly what they do and what I can get out of them, but the 550 is incredibly powerful and optically brilliant, fantastic.

“Being so used to 500’s, it is good to see slightly different gobos and colour. Having said that, any lamp can have a nice gobo or colour in it, but the MAC 550 has a real optical brilliance with a sharp edge, a great zoom and a uniformed beam. The effect is very stylish.

“The animation wheel also gave a nice soft effect in the beam which was a nice touch.”

Martin Lubach from Essential Lighting commented; “It was a pleasure to work with Roger and to provide equipment that helped him create impressive and flexible effects through the live shows.

“This was an excellent and high profile test for our brand new Martin investments and they really shone on the night”.

And as the night moved on, each artist took their place upon a seemingly customised set for their own special act. As always, the live show was not without surprises, but these were all of the human kind.

“The lamps are incredibly reliable” Said Roger, who formerly worked at the BBC before moving on and independently lighting shows such as; The Apprentice, Top of the Pops and Panic Room to name but a few. “I was very pleased with the results.”

So with the votes counted and the winning group Scooch packing their ‘salted nuts’ for the trip to Finland this weekend (May 12th) it’s fingers crossed for Old Blighty.

10 x MAC 700 Wash
4 x MAC 2000 Performance
12 x MAC 550
47 x MAC 500