MA Case Study - MA Lighting

Another of many reasons for usinggrandMA2 was the sheer size of the 1,6GBshowfile, which would have been too big forgrandMA ‘series 1’ because of the extendeduploading times needed. On the grandMA2,this was uploaded in just 17 seconds!During the pre-programming phase, the teamhad their own collection of reference lightsfor all the fixture types used in the show.This enabled them to adjust the 3D accuracyof each fixture. The whole lighting plot wasdrawn in 3D, so proper fixture positions couldbe added to grandMA 3D via XML data, whichwas a huge benefit, and all fixtures weredisplayed exactly in grandMA 3D as they wererigged in the real show.Additionally, all the show LED screens werevisualised in order to balance the lightingwith the video content beforehand. The teamalso built in moving paths for all the automatedtrusses in grandMA 3D, which showedthe exact positions of the different lights ineach song, so the kinetics team could easilyprogram their axes.Integrating VideoAll video content was operated off 8 MA VPU(Video Processing Unit) each with a fullback up. A Barco Encore screen managementsystem routed the signals from the OB truckto the LED walls. All media equipment waspositioned next to the FOH mixing position.Video content stored on all the MA VPU wasalso part of the overall showfile which wasalso stored on all MA VPU. This enabled allthe video content to be handled from thegrandMA2 consoles as well, including the setupof the SDI inputs, the resolution, changingof the cameras and all basic settings in theMA VPU. At the same time this was perfectto deal with a backup situation. If an MA VPUhad crashed, a backup MA VPU would havebeen selected via the console, and a serverfarmer would then just have to have switchedthe output manually.Video content was displayed on a 67-metrewide by 18-metre tall CT Spider 30 N5 LEDscreen which formed the back wall of thestage. 2,100 Barco MiSTRIP 1,480mm and165 MiSTRIP 375mm elements plus 2,480Barco MiTRIX tiles were used for visualdetailing around the stage and the movablerings overhead. Twelve Barco R20 projectorswere used to feed the audience screens.Even the satellite stage and green roomreceived special treatment with 400 metresof Schnick Schnack Systems’ LED strips builtinto the surfaces.Cape Cross of Cologne, Germany, provided alllighting and rigging equipment for the show,which filled 130 trucks each with 40 tons ofequipment.“grandMA2 is a very popular brand forus. The grandMA2 is a smart consoleand it’s great that we can totally rely onMA Lighting.”Thomas Brügge,Managing Director of Cape CrossWhen the final was broadcast live on 14 thMay 2011, 120 million people watchingexperienced a flawless and unique show.Ralph@Larmann.com Ralph@Larmann.com6 www.malighting.comwww.malighting.com 7