SKATE!

BIG hART

Head LX / Eos Programmer / Custom systems

Lighting Designer: Stephen Hawker

This project involved programming the showfile for an ever-changing show, with a limited rig (20 moving lights) being used to the maximum. Around 200 presets and 350 cues across multiple cuelists.

Alongside the lighting programming, I took on the role of electronics developer. I created a custom wireless pixel control system that streamed DMX data to addressable pixels embedded in 7 different battery-powered props wirelessly, and practically instantly. This worked alongside the IR tracking system developed by AV designer Jordan East to produce animations in props & set reactive to the movement of skaters onstage.


Prop ‘shards’ with built-in wireless pixels, used together with traditional moving lights

Prop ‘shards’ with built-in wireless pixels, used together with traditional moving lights.


[Video] Skate rails with LED pixels streaming data from AV animations, generated live based on movement through the space.

Wiring LED pixels in one of the ‘shards’

Wiring LED pixels in one of the ‘shards’.

AV & Lighting production desk panorama, showing AV designers Samuel James and Jordan East

AV & Lighting production desk panorama, showing AV designers Samuel James and Jordan East.

Lighting programming setup with Ion console, programming keyboard, and monitors (one touchscreen)

Lighting programming setup with Ion console, programming keyboard, and monitors (one touchscreen).