To kick off 2021 with a good start, Live Design has collected its most visited stories of 2020. Below are the top industry updates, webinars, and case studies of the last year. Read, reflect, and ready yourself for the year to come!

redrocks1RedAlertRESTART A Massive Success

Over 2,000 buildings, iconic structures, and private residences were lit in red to urge Congress to pass the RESTART Act and extend unemployment benefits as the live events industry continues to stay shuttered.

 

Empty Theatre Getty Images

The 2020 Pandemic: Impact Of COVID-19 On The Live Events Industry

The live events industry has essentially been shuttered since March 2020. The cost has been great, resulting in financial loss, economic hardship, and difficult business decisions in an attempt to stay afloat. Live Design sent out a survey in late July 2020 to see exactly how hard the industry has been hit.

 

Relief Bill Signed: An Update

Michael T. Strickland of Bandit Lites gives an update on the COVID-19 relief bill that was signed into effect on Sunday, December 27, 2020 and how it impacts the entertainment design and live events industry.

 

Mandalay Bay Events Center LED Wall Collapse

A massive LED wall collapsed at Mandalay Bay Events Center, part of the larger 43-story luxury resort and casino venue on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, owned and operated by MGM Resorts International. No one was hurt in the accident.

 

Concert Touring & Events Shortlist Announced for the 2020 Design Achievement Awards

The judges of the Concert Touring & Events panel, chaired by lighting/production designer Cory FitzGerald, have revealed the CT&E shortlist of nominees for Live Design's 2020 Design Achievement Awards. Readers can vote for the most outstanding projects to determine winners.

 

Sweet Land Feast I

Theatre Shortlist Announced for the 2020 Design Achievement Awards

The judges of the Theatre panel, chaired by Lauren Warnecke, dance critic for Chicago Tribune, have revealed the Theatre shortlist for Live Design's 2020 Design Achievement Awards.

 

Cirque du Soleil Mystere Getty Images

Cirque du Soleil Files for Bankruptcy

Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group released a statement that the company was filing for bankruptcy protection as part of a comprehensive plan to restart the business.

 

Plot Lines Clifton Taylor

Plot Lines with Roma Flowers and Clifton Taylor

KOI-USA Award-winning lighting designer Clifton Taylor takes a deep dive into the light plot for A View From The Bridge at The Alley Theatre in this video.

 

Hugh Vanstone's Atmospheric, Tony-nominated Lighting for A Christmas Carol

The Ghost of Christmas Past visited Hugh Vanstone on October 15 with the news of a 2020 Tony Award nomination for his lighting design of A Christmas Carol, which graced Broadway last festive season at the Lyceum Theatre.

 

WorldStage and Intrepid Studios Partner to Launch the Highest-Resolution Extended Reality Stage Available for Rental

WorldStage and Intrepid Studios have joined forces to open the highest-resolution Extended Reality (xR) production stage ever built and the first and only facility available in Northern California.  Located at Intrepid Studios’ comprehensive 12,000-square-foot production and post-production facility in San Rafael, California, xRStage-SF brings next-generation creative capabilities to content creators in the virtual event, corporate, broadcast and film production communities. 

 

Tizzy Bac's 20th Anniversary Concert

Tizzy Bac's 20th Anniversary Concert

For Tizzy Bac's 20th Anniversary concert on December 14, 2019, Shen Chia Ying designed the lighting in the shape of an "X," which was used instead of signatures in ancient Europe.

 

EAMOTION Tempo

Tempo: A New Form of Live Event, And Pandemic-Proof

Brainchild of Erik Anderson, co-founder of Cour Design, EAMOTION is a new live event production company that creates first-of-their-kind, pandemic-proof entertainment experiences. Its inaugural show, Tempo, debuted September 18-22, 2020 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in Tennessee. 

 

Lighting Designer Howell Binkley Passes Away

Award-winning lighting designer Howell Binkley (born July 25,1956), who won a second Tony for his lighting of Hamilton, passed away on August 14, 2020 after a battle with cancer. Live Design offers heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.

 

Hamilton Lighting Design Webcast Featuring Howell Binkley

Watch lighting designer Howell Binkley and associate lighting designer Ryan O'Gara in their in-depth discussion of the Tony Award-winning lighting design of hit Broadway musical, Hamilton.

 

Ming Cho Lee Dies at 90

Ming Cho Lee, who greatly influenced several generations of stage designers, died on October 24, 2020, just three weeks after his 90th birthday.

 

Last-Minute Gift Ideas For Live Sound Engineers

Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift for that special audio engineer on your holiday list, or maybe just treating yourself to a little something special (go ahead, you deserve it!), we have some great suggestions that will make your gift giving easy.

 

Rammstein's Europe Stadium Tour 2019 2

Rammstein's Europe Stadium Tour 2019

Production designer Florian Wieder and LD Roland Greil at Woodroffe Bassett Design created a holistic, visually concerted show which took the audience through various scenic looks and worlds. 

 

Notch MTV VMAs main stage

The 2020 MTV VMAs Takes XR to the Next Level

Creative director Paul Caslin tapped extended reality specialists XR Studios to facilitate the two-hour show’s XR segments, including house presenter looks and several performances.

 

Live for Broadcast Shortlist Announced for the 2020 Design Achievement Awards

The judges of the Live for Broadcast panel, chaired by lighting director/programmer Tiffany Keys, have revealed the Broadcast shortlist for Live Design's 2020 Design Achievement Awards.

 

On Demand: Live Design Virtual Master Classes: Lighting

The Live Design Virtual Master Classes launched with three sessions that focused on lighting, including GDTF and MVR file formats, LED color mixing, and immersive lighting. Watch them on demand now.