TPi AWARDS 2009: The Production
BRENNAN TALKS LIGHTS
A lot of companies and
individuals came out of the
woodwork to offer services and
I think we struck very lucky with
Neg Earth Lights, whose Dave
Safe Working Ltd.
Ridgway and Carl Burnett were
magnificent in their support of
the project.
Working with Ben Behan at
Grosvenor House was never a
RIGGING
problem. We [Spirit Design] have
a great relationship with him
anyway, and his team were very
TRAINING
supportive in all ways from our
rigging proposals to the on-site
staff there on the day.
We have a WYSIWYG version
EARLS COURT,
of the room available at Spirit
and were able to do some pre-
LONDON
programming before we went
on-site. The fixtures were even
2009
annotated correctly, so updating the pan — she gave plenty of notice for each
and tilts was minimal. award and winner’s table number, and
The only problem we had in the venue whether or not the walk-up music was live
was that the in-house bars could not take or on playback.
the weight of the MAC IIIs, and seeing as Looking back on the event, I felt it
2-day courses to be
our budgetary restrictions meant that we was very enjoyable; there were a series
were not able to fly independent trusses, of challenges that were met head-on and
held on:
we had to floor-mount them. James Cobb’s production management
Despite on-site programming time was fantastic. He was a voice of calm from
being extremely limited, Barco’s Jens inception to completion, and realised what
Hillenkotter did a fine job with the issues needed addressing and what was
January 20-21 and 22-23
Showpix and the TPi logo looked great, irrelevant. He also trusted all of his HoDs
considering there are only 127 pixels in and suppliers to do what they said they
each unit. The potential for them is great. would.
April 21-22 and 23-24
Everyone pulled together on the day The venue itself has its challenges,
and the challenge of rigging the big as many of us know so well. My main
LED screen via ground support was met gripe was that as soon as punters come
July 21-22 and 23-24
brilliantly by rigger Bowie Ebrill, who anywhere near the venue, the extractor
went above and beyond in his scheduled fans are turned on, and the smoke
commitment to the project. vanishes quicker than a backline guy at a
The Spirit Design lighting crew also bar when it’s his round! October 20-21 and 22-23
worked with great humour and aplomb, The gig was a big learning curve, even
most notably Lorenzo Sagrillo, who for an old b**tard like me! We rocked!
took a bunch of scaff and PixelPars, and
assembled them into the TPi logo set-up. N.B. Martin Brennan’s team also included
For further details visit:
There was an addressing issue, but my crew chief Steve Major, rigger Ricardo
whole team got involved to make it work. Coimbra and lighting techs Jon Tingle and
Alex Clayton is a wonderful show caller Tom Comrie.
www.safeworking.com
by the ever-helpful Sophie Robinson for the far too early to reveal any plans. We’re currently
third consecutive year. She worked as James looking at a whole range of possibilities, some
Cobb’s production assistant and runner, and of which are based on suggestions from regular
Courses at other venues
majestically transformed herself into Mr. Jupitus’ guests. Feedback is always helpful.
stage assistant on the night, ensuring that We hope to put you in the picture over the available.
each trophy and nominations envelope was course of the next few months.
dispatched on cue and in the correct order! TPi
A hearty ‘Congratulations!’ goes out to all of Main photography by
this year’s award winners, while we thank our Louise Stickland & Jim Ellam
sponsors and production suppliers for their vital
contributions to another successful TPi Awards. Additional images by
So what’s in store for 2010? Steady on — it’s Mark Cunningham & Graham Brown
TPi MARCH 09 • 61
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