Projecting the Right Image at International Motor Show in Geneva

Launch of the new Jaguar X-Type Sports Saloon took place earlier in the year at the International Motor Show at Palexpo Hall in Geneva, Switzerland with a lot of fanfare helped along by the use of intelligent lighting.

Lighting Design with No “Disco” Effects
Lighting Designer Chris Watts was asked to produce a lighting design for the launch with explicit instructions to include no “disco” effects. Chris designed a lighting rig with a range of generic units and moving lights including 4 MAC 600s, 2 MAC 500s and 2 MAC 2000s. Stage Electrics of Bristol, England supplied the Martin MAC’s.

Custom Gobo Images
The MAC 500s and MAC 2000s housed custom made gobo images of Jaguar cars and the new X-Type logo, which were made of glass in three different sizes. The gobo images were projected onto the car and across the stand during the reveal to help add to the excitement of seeing the car for the first time.

Gobo Projection Made a Difference
“I wanted to have a high definition in the gobos - so that’s why they were glass,” Chris comments.  “This also meant the logos would be projected in a very clean and precise way. They looked great and were made so well, I had full confidence that they would work in the way I wanted them to. Using the gobos in such strong lights made it very easy to see the gobos moving across the car and the stage.  I could see what was being projected from the lights while all the generic lighting on the car was at full. I was very pleased with the gobos. They really made a difference.”

“I was glad to have the moving lights I had specified for the project. They gave me the room to create a different look and style when I needed to. With more movement and the request for the car to be brighter, I was able to move the moving lights onto the car for the final reveal and create the movement and brightness I wanted easily. With the final cue, I was really able to bring out the contours of the bodywork on the car, it looked fantastic.”

Jaguar Green to White
Chris wanted the moving units to create a dream like effect on the screen surrounding the car, and by projecting the “X-Type” gobo onto the screen while the attendees were arriving, they would then know they were going to experience something very special. Chris also wanted the moving units to be able to change from green, the corporate color of Jaguar, to white at the moment when the car was revealed.

“I wanted to use white on the car when it was revealed. This would make the car jump out towards the audience when they see it for the first time,” stated Chris. “The car was platinum in color, so the white light just made it more attractive”.