MAC 2000 at Lotusphere in Berlin

The largest event yet using the new Martin MAC 2000, the opening event for Lotusphere 2000, a conference for software company Lotus Development Corp., recently took place at the International Congress Center (ICC) in Berlin.

Stage Electrics, one of Europe´s leading suppliers of technical equipment to the entertainment, leisure and presentation industries, supplied 28 of Martin Professional’s new MAC 2000 profile spots for the event, a showcase for cutting-edge technologies that shape the future of business.

The opening event featured a massive stage set created by Michael Woodage with lighting design by Durham Marenghi. “The brief called for the set to change color in sympathy with the opening video sequence,” comments Durham. “And the auditorium was to have 24 Lotusphere logos moving slowly around the room to provide an interesting walk-in environment.” Color wash for the large set was provided by 46 MAC 600s projecting from above with 38 MAC 300s placed around, and within, the scenery.

Durham continues, “The profile spot units (MAC 2000), which had to supply four separate moving and rotating custom gobos in sharp focus and differing sizes, also had to be able to front light the set with a high degree of light spill control to protect the screen images as well as matching the video color palette.”

According to Durham the new MAC 2000 was chosen as being perfect for the task. “The zoom optics provided crystal clear gobo image projection with the smooth pan and tilt giving a subliminal drifting movement when needed and a fast and accurate movement between focus positions for the various set reveals.”

“The color palette was able to match all the colors utilized in the video graphics and faded between them without the associated intermediate and unwanted colors which was most impressive. The beam shaping effect was used to light the tall 3D numeric figures at the rear of the set and allowed us to keep the beam completely off the screens. The adjustable color temperature feature kept the camera images flattering when the units were used as stage key lights for presenters.”

Durham also added that the system ran every day for the entire week of business meetings and the MAC 2000s proved themselves to be very reliable with only one unit out of twenty-four having to be serviced. “This was, quite frankly, a very pleasant surprise,” said Durham, “especially for the debut of a brand new product. I look forward to using more MAC 2000s on my forthcoming designs.”