When Engadget, the go-to web blog for daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics, decided to launch a monthly video show delivered on the blog's website (www.engadget.com) and to subscribers' mobile devices, it turned to Vibrant Design LLC to develop its lighting scheme.
Lighting designer Matthew Piercy was charged with crafting an exciting, dynamic look for "The Engadget Show" that reflects the fast pace of technology and the brisk mix of segments that comprise each program. Shows include an in-depth interview with an industry leader, news reports, pre-produced video featurettes and live music. "The Engadget Show" is hosted by Engadget editor in chief Joshua Topolsky with editors Paul Miller and Nilay Patel and is taped in front a studio audience.
"It's an 'Inside the Actors Studio' for the tech industry but with music performances and product demos," explains Chad Mumm, the show's producer and director.
When "The Engadget Show" debuted last September the program was taped at the Tishman Auditorium at Parsons The New School for Design. "It was a very challenging prospect for Matthew to light the show," says Mumm. "The building was very cool but had nothing in terms of lighting. We brought in Vibrant on Thursday and without even a prelight day they were ready for the shoot that Sunday. Since we were in a university, they had to work really fast."
Mumm reports that Piercy "built the lighting from the ground up in a number of hours and went above and beyond our expectations. Matthew and his crew showed up with ColorBlast LEDs and made everything look amazing."
"The Engadget Show" recently moved production to the New York Times Center in midtown Manhattan "We called Vibrant again and Matthew and his team stepped in and did up the place like we've never seen before. The house crew was very impressed, and we couldn't be happier," says Mumm
"Moving to the Times Center has allowed us to be much more flexible when it comes to meeting the needs of the show," says Piercy. "Now if Chad wants to have a helicopter flying around the audience I can say 'Sure, no problem.'"
While the Times Center has a well-stocked lighting grid, "Vibrant supplemented it and adapted it," Mumm notes. "The grid doesn't necessarily make things easier, but it enables Matthew to have a lot more tools at his disposal and work at an even higher level than before." Vibrant is always good about keeping calm and making quick changes and adjustments, too. I've been happy from the time Vibrant first stepped in to help us."
For the most recent "Engadget Show" Vibrant furnished the lighting crew and a complement of Source 4 750-watt lekos along with 36 Color Kinetics' ColorBlast LEDs. Gerard McCarthy served as the gaffer and Greg Cangemi as electrician with Nicholas Harris coming in as an assistant.
About Vibrant Design
Vibrant Design LLC is an entertainment design firm providing a full range of set and lighting design services to broadcast and cable TV, live productions, corporate events and theater as well as architecture and interior design. For more information, visit www.vibrantdesign.tv.