CHAUVET Professional Maverick MK3 Profile Powers European Election Debate
Posted on: 29th August 2019
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - Televised debates have been pivotal events in presidential politics since the 1960s. Images conveyed before the unblinking and unforgiving eye of the TV camera can make or break a candidate’s chances. Casting each would-be chief executive in the same consistent supportive light is critical to the democratic process itself and 28 CHAUVET Professional Maverick MK3 Profile Moving Heads were used to accomplish this.
With Europe’s diverse multi-party system and reliance on coalition-forming governments traditionally providing a strong foundation for an intense and exciting TV debate, all candidates were required the best possible and equal light. The Maverick MK3 Profile was key to creating a visual panorama that was engaging, interesting and respectful of the moment.
Due to a number of restrictions posed by the venue itself there was a limitation to the proximity in which the fixtures could be positioned to the stage. Thanks to the Maverick’s 6° to 54° zoom angle and flat, even field of projection, a balanced and clear key illumination was ensured of all of the electoral candidates and moderators despite the challenging trussing conditions.
Alongside highlighting the periphery of the stage with a number of saturated hues and gentle wash effects, a combination of gobo and prism effects were also used to craze the ceiling of the venue in a subtle lattice of coloured illumination, made possible by the Maverick MK3’s strong toolbox of effects.
With 50 cameras in the studio to record and broadcast the debates a number of requirements for the television producers regarding image reproduction for the screen had to be fulfilled and the Maverick came through thanks to its’ adjustable mixing CRI (73 to 93) feature for broadcasted events.
“After using the MK2 Spot fixtures, I was confident that the MK3 would provide all the benefits and performance of LED without any of the drawbacks of traditional incandescent,” concluded Michiel Milbou, Lighting Designer for the event. “As they served as a direct replacement to the old fixtures in the venue, the Mavericks had a tough crowd to please, but they performed flawlessly and reliably throughout the entire event.”
While the incredible amount of heat emanating from traditional incandescent fixtures would normally have candidates of TV debates sweating in front of the cameras, Milbou’s decision to incorporate the Mavericks into his production rig ensured that the most heated aspect of the entire production was left to the debates themselves.
Photo Credit: Picturesk
Courtesy of CHAUVET Professional
