 Dynamic
House Party Lighting
Looking Through the Windows
at the VanLandingham Estate
Lighting Dialogue by Jack Kelly
September 16, 2006 | The Forum | Charlotte NC
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Equipment:
2 Elation 250 XT spots
2 Elation 250 XT washes
2 Elation 575XT vision scans |
8 American DJ Par64 LEDs
2 Altman Bases and Pipe
2 Moving Light Stands
Martin Light Jockey |
| DJ
Levi Brown, a friend of mine, ask me to bring lighting for the White
Party in Charlotte NC. I was free so I agreed. I have never done
a party at the Van Landingham Estate and love to work new spaces.
The VanLandingham Estate is one of charlottes premiere Southern
homes and event locations. Lighting this beautifully maintained
historic estate was both a joy and exposed my work to over 1000+
of Charlotte’s philanthropist and party goers.
The trick to club lighting in the home is keep
it in the air. When I work with young lighting programmers,
they usually place gobos on the floor and walls because the room
is empty. Once the room is full all the beautiful floor effects
are lost in the crowd. One is left with a weak 5 foot beam throw
from the fixture to the first person it meets. I like to keep the
lights low 5 to 7 feet off the ground which allows three things.
First, the lights scan the crowd; the sweeps throw the entire length
of the room just
above everyone’s head maximizing beam effect and visibility,
particularly when a hazer is used. Second, the lights can now project
onto the ceiling. If the lights are near the ceiling they can only
cast light on the floor and walls, leaving only the beam effect
with few possibilities of projection surfaces when the room is full.
The ceiling is always the most unobstructed location in any building
and the best place for projections. Finally, ground mounted fixtures
are easiest to set up, adjust, and break down. Although the foot
print is large the possible effects grow exponentially.
The 6 Robe movers and 6 LED pars created a rich
texture in the VanLandingham Estate filling the entire room with
color. The tall ceilings were conducive to dramatic lighting with
plenty of space for beam effects and projection surfaces. Unfortunately
they nixed the hazer and naturally smoking was not allowed. Not
that I encourage smoking . . . just that I have been known to ask
smokers to stand near the lights when they smoke (insert cheesy
grin here). |
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The
grounds and the home are lit with low color temperature lamps giving
an amberish antique glow throughout the estate. With the lighting
splashing off the stone walls, ceilings, and white clothing, the
view into the room was spectacular. Throughout the estate, the party
room exploded through the elegant windows attracting the curious,
establishing the dance floor and creating the mood.
The White Party at the VanLandingham Estate is
a benefit for the Metrolina Aids Project. M.A.P. improves the lives
of individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS and strive to prevent
further spread of this disease through services, education and client
advocacy. MAP helps as many as 3000 clients a year. With 1000+ attendees
the White party raises 10’s of thousands of dollars every
year on a single night, increasing awareness of MAP. When our community
bonds together we can over come this tragic illness. Although AIDS
has affected many, progress is being made. There are reasons to
celebrate our small victories, which encourages us to win the war
against this terrible disease.
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Eye
Dialogue is an Authorized Dealer for Martin,
Color Kinetics,
Sennheiser, Da
Lite, Road
Ready, Elation,
Ashly, Chauvet,
American DJ,
Antari, Global
Truss, Alkalite,
American Audio,
Enlux, EAW,
Rapco, Rosco,
and adding more every month. Special pricing on about everything
else. |
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