Lighting designers Andreas Ellmerer and Thomas Brügge used nearly 180 Robe ColorSpot 1200E ATs for the high profile TV event, “Pro 7 Stock Car Race”, compered by Stefan Raab. Lighting equipment was supplied by Ellmerer and Brügge's Cologne based company, Cape Cross Studio & Filmlichtgesellschaft GmbH, who were working for show producers Brainpool.
Staged at the LTU Arena in Düsseldorf, the latest Pro 7 event, the “TV Total Stock Car Crash Challenge” saw about 30 VIPs – including singers, TV and sporting personalities – competing to demonstrate their driving skills in the race that was recorded and broadcast on German TV channel, Pro 7.
Cape Cross has worked with Brainpool on several other projects. Very satisfied with the long term collaboration, once again Brainpool trusted the skills and experience of the lighting crew to handle this massive event with a live audience of over 40,000, plus all those tuning in on TV.
Of the 177 ColorSpot 1200E ATs, 40 were placed in the pit lane of the track , 72 were on a stage in the middle of the track mounted on the floor and 72 were on trusses in the ceiling of the indoor venue.
These were programmed, along with other moving lights, by Arkin Atakan on 2 grandMA full size consoles . One desk drove the show and effects lighting, while the other controlled all the white light sources.
Cape Cross has been investing in Robe for some time, and the overall performance, brightness and reliability impresses them greatly.
Their Robe inventory has grown steadily to include ColorSpot and Wash 1200E ATs as well as 250 and 575 units. “The Robes keep working constantly,” says Ellmerer, “We like the gobos, and use all of them including the extra set that is supplied with the units. The features, functionality and brightness of the units is second to none. But most important for any busy rental house ….. it is the reliability that really counts!”
He adds that often they are rigging fixtures in inaccessible places for a show or a TV shoot, so it was vital to have moving lights that won't break down. Their Robes have proved so rugged and robust, that they “Hardly need spares” he concludes.