When it comes to special effects for the live concert industry, Drake technical manager and Show Director Guy Pavelo of Virtual P Services notes, “ffp effects touring inc. is precise, direct, safe, and provide the wow factor that is desired, yet rarely delivered. The flame systems ffp bring to the table definitely are one of the high points in the current production regarding EFX insertion.”
This is Drake’s second time out with ffp; the current tour, “It’s All a Blur - Big as the What,” includes a unique blend of ffp proprietary effects including flames and pyro scattered throughout the production. “In ‘Meltdown,’ we have 12 red laser comets that shoot out of the eyes of the Travis Scott head flying on the gantry facing towards the stage with a rapid chase on the snare drum hits. ‘You Broke My Heart,’ has 14 LFM flame heads firing from the center lift, 16 red laser comets and 16 white laser comets also firing from the center lift. The laser comets are in a step sequence together with 28 air bursts located under the overhead truss. The very last hit in the song consists of 16 gold glitter flash trays together with 4 cannon sims,” explains ffp effects technician Lukas Riffel. The rig also includes sparkle cannons and glitter flash trays. ” All of the effects are coordinated with lighting, audio, and automation moves,” Pavelo notes. “We utilize timecode to make sure everything is in time- linear check, but also worked to make sure our automated gantry system is safe, yet can be fired around and upon to really round out the looks, allowing the props to be immersed in pyrotechnics. Lighting was also lessened during certain pyro cues to amplify the visual aesthetic of the pyro that was fired,” he adds.
For control, “Everything regarding timecode and flames happens within the [ma Lighting] Dot2 console. For pyro we use a fully wireless bidirectional firing system from Galaxis Showtechnik,” Riffel explains.
Riffel is a key part of the Drake effects team. “Lukas was essential during pre-production,” notes Pavelo. “We worked on timings, and system offsets as a team, and Lukas interjected adjustments to the creative vision and had ideas to help us get the most bang for the buck, as well as achieve the looks in the safest way possible,” he explains. Another key member of the pre-production team was Jonas Born. “Jonas went through all the flame systems that went out on Drake and updated them to the latest tech standard in the week prior to this tour leg,” notes Nicolai Sabottka, Managing Director of ffp.
When the production got on the road, Riffel continues to perform above and beyond the call of duty. “Lukas' attention to detail, timing, and cleanliness are definite skills he brought to the job, which makes him a definite asset while building and operating the show. He’s also a pleasure to work with, and has an extremely pleasant character that makes life during the work days a breeze. Lukas is always one that can be counted upon, and never leaves you hanging,” Pavelo concludes.
Drake’s “It’s All a Blur - Big as the What” tour continues into April.