Robe moving lights and two RoboSpot systems provided a creative solution for Eesti Laul 2021 – Estonia’s preselection competition for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Lighting and Set Designer, Rene Jõhve was approached to work on the project by Estonian national broadcaster, ERR. This event marked a decade of year of lighting the finale and semi-final events which were aired live and staged without an audience.
The lighting rig included a selection of Robe fixtures including two BMFL WashBeams, 13 DL7 Profiles, 12 300E Spot, 42 Pointes, 25 Spiider LED wash beams, 18 LEDBeam150s and eight MMX WashBeams, among other lights, which were supplied by Cuuclub.
The main stage design was triangular, with angled side struts meeting above the centre to create a triangular arched ceiling over the upstage section which were clad in LED panels, leaving the forestage open.
The transparent stage floor also contained tilted LED screens, and another main triangular LED screen upstage had lights rigged on both edges to accentuate its shape. A long and elegant runway at the front of the stage connected it to a smaller B stage out in the centre of the arena.
Custom LED pixel fixtures were rigged in squares above the stage and along the structural metalwork supporting the arch to the sides. Two BMFL WashBeams were positioned on the front truss and connected to the RoboSpot systems with three of the upstage DL7S Profiles.
The two RoboSpot base stations were located at FOH behind the lighting console, with parameters controlled from a lighting console apart from the pan and tilt movement and the iris. The systems were run in multi-device mode, allowing for key light and back lighting to be calibrated in tandem.
Having the additional three DL7S Profiles on the system allowed different rear spotlights to be selected and used if needed depending on the camera shot.
Three ChamSys MQ500 desks were used for lighting control. Jõhve programmed and ran the moving lights, Erki Kukk handled key light and Črt Birsa operated digital pixel LED fixtures, in collaboration with RoboSpot Operators, Mihkel Viinalass and Marit Kutser. Director, Sebastian Koljak worked closely with Camera Directors, Marke Miil and Tarmo Krimm.