“The MAC 2K Wash continues to establish itself as the most versatile and reliable high discharge wash light in the industry,” was award-winning lighting designer Bob Dickinson’s comment when asked about his use of the MAC 2000 Wash on the 77th Annual Academy Awards show.
For the third year running Bob Dickinson has turned to Martin’s MAC 2000 Wash to paint Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ annual award show. Television’s most watched awards program was broadcast live by the ABC Television Network on Sunday, February 27.
Dickinson incorporated approximately 260 MAC 2000 Wash fixtures into this year’s design. “Good color mixing combined with exceptional output make it the perfect tool for television, especially broadcasts with very high trim heights,” he said. “The Grammy’s had trims of over eighty feet and the Oscars were some 45 feet.”
Positioned on side pillars and in the overhead rig, the MAC 2000 Wash was used as the main stage wash light on the show. Its nearly limitless color palette was incorporated into every look throughout the evening as back and front light, as well as painting a variety of set pieces.
“Considering a live television broadcast is a one chance circumstance, dependability is very important,” Dickinson states. “I have come to trust the MAC 2K as a solid player, a very dependable light. The MAC 2K Wash is a lot of light when you want it, where you need it and you know the damn thing will be working when the cue is called!”
Martin Atomic 3000 DMX strobes were also on hand to provide some star flash just prior to the awards show. Because photographer access is strictly limited on the red carpet as the stars arrive, some 22 Atomic 3000 strobes were used to provide simulated camera flash. The Martin MAC 2000 Wash and Atomics were supplied by California-based Production Resource Group (PRG).
Martin’s Ray Whitton and Martin Tanzarelli were on hand to provide manufacturer presence, obviously very important at such a prestigious event. The crew was reportedly extremely pleased with both the MAC 2000 Wash’s performance and the Martin support.
Lighting Designer: Bob Dickinson
Assistant Lighting Designer: Dan Reed
Lighting Director, Automated Board Operator: Andy O'Reily
Lighting Director: Bob Barnhart
Associate Lighting Director: Jon Kusner
Conventional Board Op: Gil Samuelian
Crew Chief: Steve Oleniczak
