Carnival City Casino’s Big Top Arena used their brand new grandMA2 light console for the very first time at the WBFF (World Beauty Fitness and Fashion), an internationally born competition where participants compete for titles such as Diva Fitness Model, Diva Bikini Model, Mens Bodybuilding and Men’s Muscle Model awards. Magz Schoeman from Carnival City designed and operated the show held on the 11 June, making use of a full Robe rig. Photos by Carl du Preez
Carnival City purchased the grandMA2 light console with an on-PC Command Wing for back up and an 8 Port Node from DWR Distribution. “For the size and calibre of shows hosted at Carnival City, this is an excellent choice because of its versatility,” said Nick Britz of DWR.
Founded by Paul Dillett, the WBFF are professionally produced shows held worldwide, and the South African leg is a popular event on the fitness calendar.
“The grandMA2 actually saved my life on WBFF, said Magz, “particularly because of the effects that you can import, and then being able to add onto that. I had limited time to programme, the MA offers short-cuts and made my life so much easier, it really was quick and effective.”
Magz Schoeman
Magz has had experience on the MA platform, has attended training at DWR, and has her head around the system. “I have programmed on a MA before when I went from my venue with a show to do a tour in Cape Town. On that occasion I pre-programmed on it and that’s another feature that makes the desk so much easier. The operator can pre-programme with the visualizer and of course time-code is also an option.”
Lighting for WBFF was predominantly a Robe rig. “It was actually the first time that I had used LED for FOH,” Magz explained. She used 16 Robin ParFECT 100 for the front of house bar. “I was a bit concerned and hoped that it would work, but it really did, giving me a warm tungsten colour which was important to light up the athletes on stage.” On either of the stage floor were two truss totems, each one a home to a further three ParFECTs to provide side wash, and each totem topped with a Martin MAC 575 Krypton for gobo projection.
A screen, used for videos and sponsor clips, was positioned at the back of the stage, with two screens on either side of the stage dedicated for live feed. Lighting fixtures were placed on a straight truss above the screen and on three V-shaped trusses over the stage. Each truss had the same fixtures positioned on it, namely a Robin 600 LEDWash in the centre (a total of four units used), a Robin MMX midway on either side (a total of eight units) and a Robin 300LEDWash at the end of each truss (total of eight units).
Because of the distance between the screen and the stage floor, Magz filled the gap with eye-catching effects and beam works created by 6 Robin Pointes and 7 Robin 100 LEDBeams lined-up on the floor beneath the screen.
While the event was mostly lit to beautifully wash the toned bodies on stage, Magz created colour and effects for the prize giving awards and a few other highlights during the show. “It was great and I had a lot of fun,” she ended.
