The X Factor is drawing to a close and over the past few weeks we have been treated to a smorgasbord of creative lighting courtesy of lighting designer Ian Anderson.
With over 120 production numbers to light, each having to have an exciting and completely new lighting look, Ian requires a rig that is super versatile as well as lights in the roof that are extremely reliable. That is why this year, Ian chose to use a ‘shitload’ (that’s a technical term) of Martin MAC Vipers; 48 x MAC Viper Profile, 24 x MAC Viper Wash and 4 x MAC Viper AirFX.
“The MAC Vipers never give us any issues,” he commented. “This is the first year I have used the MAC Viper Washes on X Factor and they are an awesome wash light that we use all the time. The MAC Viper AirFX sit on the floor and can be quite prominent in their use. Again, I think they are awesome; they’re bright, punchy and you can get some great beam looks out of them.”
A total of 32 x MAC Aura’s are used to ‘fill in’ holes and Ian likes to use them whenever he needs a bit of red or green, as he finds these colours better from the Aura than the discharge lamps. 24 x MAC2000 Washes are used to light the audience and added to that are 16 x MAC TW1.
“We couldn’t do a show without the MAC TW1’s,” declared Ian. “If you’re lighting a tungsten television show they are a must-have. I think so many of us around the world yelled and screamed when Martin said they were discontinuing the TW1, they are rethinking the move! The majority of people’s faces on the show are lit with the TW1’s.”
32 x Clay Paky Alpha Beam 700 and 8 x Clay Paky Alpha Profile 1500 are joined by 32 x Clay Paky Sharpy to do all of the ‘razzle dazzle’.
“I’ve been using the Alpha Beams since season 2, pretty much in the same spot, as they are probably my favourite beam light,” said Ian. “They have CMY, a good set of gobos and are very versatile and quick.”
The show is shot in a compact studio so for follow spots, Ian chose 4 x Robert Juliet Ginger follow spots as he can get more beam width out of the short distances.
Atmosphere is supplied by 3 x ZR44 Foggers and 2 x Martin 365 Hazers, the latter Ian has fallen in love with.
“In my opinion, the Martin 365 Hazer gives a better haze than the DF50 and they’re very quick at pushing out the haze,” he remarked. “It also delivers a good haze linger time, not too long or not too short which is ideal for television.”
Ian simply does not do a show without grandMA for control and for the X Factor he had 4 x grandMA2 lights, 2 x grandMA2 Faderwings, 6 x ELO Touchscreens, 3 x grandMA NPU and 6 x grandMA NSP.
“The MA system is rock solid in terms of controlling all of the lighting, the coolux Pandora’s Box, and special effects such as flames and CO2,” said Ian.
Weekly performance extra lighting has included 36 x Clay Paky Sharpys, 58 x Jarags, 60 x Sunstrips, 50 x PixPads, 4 x Martin MAClll Performance, and 14 x Martin Quantum Wash.
Lighting supplied by Chameleon Touring Systems.