Lighting Designer, Ezra Donellan of Moon Bolt Designs specified over 200 Robe moving lights – 83 FORTES, 88 Tetra2s, 44 Tetra1s and 32 Spiiders, delivered by Gateway Studios & Production Services (GSPS), for AJR’s Maybe Man campaign.
“It’s a very invigorating way to work,” Donellan said, citing the collaborative nature of the design process with Production Designer, Mitchell Schellenger of Station Six. “There are challenges, and we all enjoy dealing with these and finding the best solutions.”
On tour, there’s a prominent curved video screen upstage, and a downstage ROE Visual Vanish screen divided into six sections, each independently moveable by a TAIT control system, which also forms a rounded edge and moves into different formations.
Transitioning from ESPRITES, given the move to the larger venues, the LD selected FORTES positioned on two curved upstage trusses. “It was the logical choice and perfect for its greater firepower but using the same excellent colour and optical systems as the ESPRITE,” he noted, adding that “punch” was extremely important with so many LED screens in the production design.
Due to some flying treadmills and other moving set elements, real estate in the roof for lighting onstage was extremely limited, so the LD kept the lighting rigging simple, with a ring of lights upstage and another one downstage, filling the negative airspace in between these two entities with Tetra fixtures.
Over 100 Tetras are positioned mainly upstage above the FORTES, and ‘yoked out’ around the rear video screen to provide extra orientation and jauntiness. This enables geometric shapes to be created, together with kinetic movement effects that ripple through the Tetra lines. “They have completely exceeded my expectations,” he stated, explaining that he coordinated intricate musical hits and accents with hi-impact Tetra effects that boost the energy and flow of the show.
Donellan describes himself as “like a kid in a sweet shop” creating all these Tetra pixel effects from random shuffles to bumps and blasts, “Even a single Tetra pixel can create a significant effect – I am super impressed by these luminaires,” he enthused, treating fans to Tetra flower effect chases amid the tracks, Don’t Thow Out My Legos and Birthday Party.
According to the LD, Spiiders are a “great wash light” which he has used extensively on previous designs, and he also appreciates their beam light capabilities. The lighting package also featured a three-way RoboSpot system connected to eight FORTES, providing back and a front light on Adam and Ryan and two FORTES front and back for Jack.
The Maybe Man tour marks the first time Donellan has collaborated with GSPS as an equipment vendor for lighting and video, which he dubbed as “fantastic”, extending his praise to GSPS President of Business Development, David Haskell; Project Manager, Adam Ellis and Lighting Crew Chief, Jeffrey Metter.
