City of Angels Illuminated in LED Lighting, According to ETC Lighting Technology
In the world of theatre lighting, flexibility, energy efficiency, and versatility are essential for small-capacity venues, especially when productions demand frequent changes between monochrome and colorful lighting states. Enter the ETC Source Four LED Series 2 spots, a game-changer for small theatres.
These colour-change capable fixtures offer seamless colour flexibility, allowing quick and precise adjustment between colour and black & white lighting without the need for physically changing gels or fixtures. This feature is particularly beneficial for productions with varying scene demands, enhancing storytelling and mood transitions on stage.
The high-quality colour rendering of ETC’s Source Four LED Series 2 ensures realistic and vibrant colours on stage, which is crucial when switching between white light and saturated colours. This helps actors and set elements appear natural under all lighting conditions.
Energy efficiency and lower heat output are other notable advantages of these LED fixtures. They consume less power and produce less heat compared to traditional incandescent or halogen spots, improving comfort for performers and audiences while reducing operational costs.
Retaining the form factor of the popular Source Four spots, the Series 2 spots are easy to integrate into existing lighting rigs in smaller venues without cumbersome adjustments. With direct DMX control eliminating the need for external dimmers, operators can achieve smooth fades and transitions critical for dynamic productions that alternate between black and white and colour scenes.
Long-term durability is another essential benefit. LEDs have longer lifespans and require less maintenance than traditional lamps, reducing downtime and ongoing expenses, which is important for smaller theatres with limited technical staff.
Howard Harrison, the lighting director of the musical City of Angels, currently playing at The Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden, found the Source Four LEDs to be a suitable solution for the small-capacity venue, given the theatre's budget and space limitations. The musical alternates between black and white 'film' and Technicolor 'real life', and Harrison noted that using traditional lighting for the colour transitions would have caused some real problems.
Harrison, who has worked on numerous productions, including the first showing of the hit Mamma Mia!, expressed satisfaction with the Source Four LEDs, stating that they turned out to be exactly the right thing. However, it is not mentioned if Harrison has worked with ETC’s products in any of his previous productions.
ETC, a world leader in the production of lighting and rigging technology for both architecture and entertainment needs, will be present at the upcoming Prolight + Sound 2015 this April. They will take part in the theatre and film colloquium, but it is not confirmed if Harrison will be attending or participating.
In conclusion, the colour-change capable Source Four LED Series 2 spots provide small theatres with a versatile, high-quality lighting solution that enhances creative flexibility, improves energy efficiency, and simplifies operation—all essential benefits when productions demand frequent changes between monochrome and colourful lighting states.
- The seamless color flexibility offered by the ETC Source Four LED Series 2 spots, as seen in productions like City of Angels, allows for quick and precise adjustment between color and black & white lighting, enhancing the storytelling and mood transitions in entertainment.
- Technology advancements in theatre lighting, such as the energy-efficient ETC Source Four LED Series 2 spots, not only provide vibrant and realistic colors on stage but also reduce operational costs and improve comfort for performers and audiences through lower heat output and longer lifespans.
