The COVID-19 lockdown has required companies across the event production industry to look at new ways to deliver client communications. When the message is important, it’s imperative that this is delivered in a slick, professional manner and sometimes this can be tough to do outside of the normal production environment. Working for digital web streaming pioneers Beings Broadcast, on behalf of creative agency Collider, TSL developed an innovative new “remote control” lighting system to enable a simple setup and professional results.
TSL were contacted by Lighting Designer Paul Cook to work through this interesting brief – the system needed to be lightweight and easily transportable, with no bulky flight cases which might not be suitable for a home broadcast; the system needed to be designed in a way which meant it could be setup by someone from a non-technical background; and lastly, the system needed to be able to be controlled remotely, to make sure lighting levels for camera balance could be monitored during the presentation.
After exploring various options, a system was devised using TSL’s Litepanels Astra 6X Bi-Color LED Panels and a pre-configured laptop as the interface to the remote lighting controller. Once the client receives the lighting and control package, they connect the colour-coded system by following the supplied instruction manual and simply connect the laptop to the local network or WiFi. Once connected, the laptop automatically logs on to TSL’s central server, and onwards to the remote console, enabling the lighting designer to remotely set levels for the cameras, adjust colour temperature and obtain the optimum results.
“This is part of TSL’s continued commitment to supporting our clients during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says TSL’s Loz Wilcox. “Networking of show consoles is something we do on many events we supply, so this was really just a means of expanding that network knowledge across the web rather than within a venue. Working through the brief with Paul we considered and tested a couple of options but we’re confident we’ve come up with a robust system which gives the best mix of functionality and most importantly reliability, which is paramount when considering remote control. Our system is designed so if there is a break in connection the local lighting levels stay constant until the session reconnects. The system is sympathetic to the event and the location. Lighting levels are monitored throughout so that nothing is a distraction outside of the show environment and even remotely operated lighting cues that suit the show’s running order are possible.”
Systems are scalable and can be designed to fit any size space and can be set up in advance to make sure that all cabling and connections are colour coded and pre-labelled. TSL have also worked hard to ensure their system leaves as much remaining bandwidth as possible for the video and audio transmission, so the system is designed to operate using the minimum possible upload/download data.
“The system packages neatly into Peli-style custom boxes, ensuring that no large flight cases are required and that transport and set up to a residential venue is possible with the minimum of stress,” Wilcox continues. “We are glad our solution allowed our client to present a beautifully lit event online as we all adapt to new ways of doing business.”
For more information on this system or to find out about how to have it on your next video call, please speak to your account handler directly or email [email protected]