Torrential rain didn’t dampen the spirit or enthusiasm of Robe, Clearsound and Silverstone’s events and conference team who joined forces to transform the racetrack’s ‘Wing’ building and conference centre into a beacon of red light on 30 September 2020, in support of #WeMakeEvents Global Day of Action.
Almost 100 Robe moving lights supplied by Clearsound and Robe helped light two key locations at Silverstone – The Wing pit lane and paddock building, which resembles the wing of a race car with extensive event and conference facilities on the higher floors, and the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Clubhouse.
Robe luminaires were combined with around 150 other lighting fixtures sourced from Clearsound, with additional fixtures from Dragonfly Lighting and CSR Lighting with additional control from Antire Technical Productions, contributing to the spectacle.
AE Hire supplied power distribution, ARB provided three mobile LED screens; Onpoint Logistics supported Clearsound and Robe, having transported during two previous #LightItInRed and #WeMakeEvents campaign events.
MLE Pyrotechnics provided lasers and drone footage, while The Flightcase Warehouse deployed a custom range of #WeMakeEvents branded flightcase, with Frasershot Studios capturing the imagery.
A technical crew of 22 – a mix of Clearsound regular freelancers and others who responded to a Facebook crew shout out – plus Robe UK’s Jordan Tinniswood and Simon Gooding were led by Project Manager, Steven Haynes of Clearsound. Haynes and Phillip Berryman are founders of the #LightItInRed movement.
On site, Haynes and Robe UK Head of Marketing, Theresa Gibson liaised with Silverstone Circuit Technical Manager, Paul Goodall, PR Consultant Alison Hill and Head of Sales, Hayley Smith to ensure things ran smoothly. Gibson commented: “Led by our very own team principle Steven Haynes from Clearsound Productions and the awesome crew who volunteered their services, the event was a testament to the sheer passion, drive and determination that these talented individuals have for an industry they all love and are desperately missing.”
She added: “The feeling of unity, togetherness and empowerment was really something else and not only did it help raise vital public awareness about this usually unseen industry, it brought people together and created some unique memories in the way that only this industry can! A heartfelt thanks to all of you that made this happen!”
Most of the Robe fixtures – a mix of Pointes, MegaPointes, Spiiders, Spikies and LEDBeam 150s – were located inside on the third and fourth floor of the Wing’s 360m length, blasting out through the glass into the cloudy, wet night skies.
The side of the building was lit red with waterproof LED floods deployed on the ground along its length, while additional beams of light blasted out from the pit garages below. On the track starting grid adjacent to the pit lane garages, Silverstone provided a selection of super-fast vehicles – Ferraris, Aston Martins and BMWs – together with two fire trucks, which were lined up together with a selection of flightcases.
At the BRDC building, the lighting scheme for the night was designed by Ryan Murfet of Antire Technical Productions, who utilised a Robe MegaPointe, a Pointe and an ESPRITE to fire beams out from the top of the balcony, skimming the low clouds to be visible from all around the site. The balcony canopy roof and the atrium of the building were lit with LED PARs.
Haynes commented: “It was another amazing #LightItInRed event uniting a fantastic crew who gave it lots of energy and weren’t the slightest bit fazed by the awful weather. I would like to say a massive thank you to all those involved both onsite and behind the scenes, we wouldn’t have been able to do this without you. It was a pleasure working with Silverstone’s team and being part of a unique global event representing this incredible industry and assisting #WeMakeEvents to hopefully get our collective voices of heard.”
Tarqs Bridgwood of Northampton-based SoundSounds commented: “I would have been more at home rigging a dirty great big line array PA system, but this was fantastic. While the weather wasn’t kind, this was a real testament to the fact that we really DO make events happen. Whatever curved balls are thrown our way, we can deal with them with imagination and lateral thinking. I’ve lost count of all those I’ve done in the rain, wind, and other hostile elements over the years, and the show always happens!”
Gibson summed up the experience: “What the team achieved has been truly incredible. To have the opportunity to support the #WeMakeEvents Global Day of Action at Silverstone Circuit as a prominent #LightItInRed illumination on the UK map was something very special. It was a great opportunity to collaborate with existing and new industry friends and colleagues who contributed their time, equipment and services free of charge, despite the plight and pain the industry is feeling across the sector!”
