Icy Stage Design Tributes Lightning at Fast 50 Awards

Yesterday was all about lighting for the Lightning (try saying that 10 times in a row)! We had the privilege of creating an “icy” stage design for Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Fast 50 Awards Luncheon, held at A La Carte Event Pavilion.   

The lighting design for this event revolved around the event’s keynote speaker, Jeff Vinik, Chairman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the club’s Governor on the NHL’s Board of Governors.

Working alongside A La Carte Event Pavilion and Audio Visual Support Services (AVSS), we created a perfect “cool blue stage tribute” for the hometown hockey team.  

With Color Kinetics ColorBlast 12 LED fixtures, along with ETC Source 4 Lekos and Pars, intense shades of blues washed the stage and enhanced the “cold ice rink” ambiance. A Rosco X-Effects projector used with a slight motion simulated ice to complete the stage tribute.

We have done many events for Tampa Bay Business Journal, and it’s always a pleasure designing their events. Also, working with professional and reputable vendors like A La Carte Event Pavilion and AVSS, allows for a flawless production and that desired audience reaction.

Congratulations to the Fast 50 award winner, Dynamix Mechanical with 733% growth; which makes them the fastest-growing company in Tampa Bay.  

New Decor Frames Are Here! Perfect for Corporate Presentations and Weddings

Our two new custom décor frames are here! The two frames are identical, so they can either be used together, for presentation purposes, or separately as décor elements, like shown below.

The new frames have a whimsical look to them and have the same gold-leaf finish as our large 14’ x 16’ frame. Similar to our other frames, they are lightweight and can be rigged or ground supported. However, they’re ideally to be used as screen surrounds, due to their thinner, more ornate sides.

Each frame comes in four separate, 12” wide pieces. When put together, each frame has the total (outside) dimension of 9.5’ x 12’. The inside dimension measures 7.5’ x 10’, which is the standard size for a Stumpfl fast-fold screen (for all you AV people). The frames were sized so that they could be used universally. A 7.5’ x 10’ screen is used widely amongst venues and AV companies, and is the standard screen size for corporate meetings and large presentations.

Although these frames were sized for presentation screens, they still make for great décor elements at any kind of event. As I mentioned before, high-end wedding planner, Sandy Rule, used the frames for a wedding seating chart.  Photographers can showcase pre-wedding photos of the bride and groom in a new way; or can use the frames as a prop in a photo shoot.

These frames are designed to be used for anything. So if you can think it, these frames can do it! They are now available for rent. They can be rented individually or as a pair. And don’t forget, we have smaller and larger frames available for rent as well. Pricing for our custom décor frames start at $150. To see more, click here.

Event planner, Sandy Rule, used the new 9.5' x 12' frame to present her bride and groom's seating chart.
Names have been blurred to respect the privacy of the bride and groom, and their guests. 

Large, gold decor frame

Small, gold decor frame
Courtesy of Sandy Rule Events, Inc. 

Small, silver decor frame

Lighting Trends & Misperceptions

What are the latest lighting trends?

LED up-lighting is new and very common for events. Bay Stage Lighting has been recognized as LED innovators due to their expertise with the fixtures. Here are 4 reasons why LEDs are perfect for any event:

1.)          Each fixture uses the combination of three colors, red, green and blue (RGB) to produce over 16 million different colors. 

2.)          Cost and energy efficient as well as safe, generating little to no heat.

3.)          Small and compact while illuminating high intensity light (keep in mind this doesn’t always mean “bright” light)

4.)          Fixtures can constantly be controlled, changing lights throughout an     event, with a click of a button

Are there any misperceptions with lighting?

Many people don’t consider lighting as a necessity for event design, but it is. Even the simplest lighting can transform any space. No other décor element can evoke guests’ emotions or create dramatic ambiences like lighting can.

We also hear “I don’t have a large enough budget to incorporate lighting,” when in reality, funds just 

need to be reallocated. Top event planners around the nation are advising their clients to forgo expensive accessories and spend on lighting, which is cheaper, since lighting has a larger impact. With good lighting, no one will think twice about where the expensive linens or centerpieces went.

These pictures from the 2010 Sun Coast Hospice Ball, showcase the LED trend and that no matter what, a room doesn't look complete without lighting. 

Ballroom complete before LEDs

Ballroom transforms with LEDs. 

Different colors create different ambiances

Event Lighting 101: Budget & Common Mistakes

Okay, so now that you know lighting is important (at least we hope you do after reading our past blog posts), you will need a strong foundation/ knowledge base when consulting lighting providers.  

Budget and quality are two important aspects to consider when shopping for event lighting. To get a better grasp on the two, we have provided answers to common questions regarding budget and quality. 

What should a client budget for lighting?

Good, professional lighting doesn’t come packaged (or at least it doesn’t at Bay Stage Lighting) so there are rarely “set” prices to go off of.  We say to commit at least 30% of your event budget to lighting. When sitting down with a lighting designer, they can develop a custom design to maximize your budget.

What are the most common mistakes clients make with lighting?

Going off the topic of LEDs, we want to give you a word of advice when choosing a LED provider. Many event entertainers will offer their own lighting as a part of their entertainment package for a cheaper price, but like they say… you get what you pay for. There are good quality LEDs and bad quality LEDs out there. Think of it like using a camera vs. a camera phone. At the time using your camera phone to “capture that moment,” will do just fine, but when looking back at the quality of the photo, it’s nothing but disappointing and that “moment” wasn’t captured like you wished. The same goes for LED lighting, stick with lighting professionals for best results because if you don’t, you are going to wish you had.  

We demonstrate the "camera phone mistake" here, when we were setting-up for the 2011 Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Coronation Ball and tried to capture the magnitude of this event.   

Camera phone snap-shot 

Actual camera captures the magnitude of the Ball

The Event Planning Process and Lighting

At what point in the planning process should lighting be introduced?

Preferably, as soon as the event’s overall décor theme is determined. When meeting with a lighting designer, you really need to have some idea as to what you want the design to accomplish. Details like venue and entertainment should already be decided upon, so a LD can ensure the design covers event specifics.

However, we know event planning is notorious for last minute add-ons. Find a well-established lighting company equipped with a large inventory of lighting equipment, and last minute orders shouldn’t be a problem. For example, Bay Stage Lighting’s Customer Service Counter located within the 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse provides professional, face-to-face assistance to customers.

Unique design tools like Bay Stage Lighting’s Dream Theater, has the technology to digitally walk clients through a 3D rendering of their event design. Not only is the event design seen with realism and accuracy, but design changes can be made with a click of a button and seen instantly; making last minute event design changes easy as pie. 

Dream Theater at within Bay Stage Lighting's Tampa warehouse

 A Dream Theater digital rendering 

The actual event

Event Lighting Basics: Spots & Washes

What kind of lighting should a client consider when designing their event?

Here are simple explanations of some fixtures commonly used for event design. Keep in mind, that most lighting designers will know what to use to best accomplish a client’s desires.

If you want the room to change colors throughout the event, consider LEDs as they can be pre-programmed to automatically change. LEDs are great for up-lighting a room, don’t use much energy and generate little/to no heat. They are also small and compact making them easy to hide.

Lekos and Parnels are static lights, meaning they don’t move and can only change colors by placing gel sheets over the lamp. So if you want to project an image in the same spot, Lekos are the way to go. If a single color is desired for the event space, Parnels can accomplish such.

Lekos (spots) can be used to project a static image, like a logo or  pattern on a wall. A metal or glass Gobo (stencil) is made to create the image that will be projected and is placed inside a Leko fixture.   

Parnels (washes) create a solid “wash” of color on a surface. This is another way to up-light or down-light a room; however, they are larger than LEDs and cannot change color.   

Here you see Lekos projecting a static pattern. LEDs are up-lighting the area.

Venue: St. Pete Museum of Fine Art
Wedding Design: Sandy Rule
Photo: Lockwood Studios
There are also moving fixtures (called moving-heads) spots and washes.

Moving-Head Spots also use Gobos to project an image but has the ability to move it around the room. They can also interchange between different images, patterns, etc. with a click of a button. This fixture can produce many different kinds of special effects; all of which can be programmed to synch with music.   

Moving-Head Washes do the same thing as Parnels but are able to change the wash color and control the movement of the wash, with a click of a button. These fixtures are mostly used for stage design (the moving beams of light).

Here is an example of the effects moving-head spots and washes can create.

Tampa Bay NACE meeting
Photo: Pezz Photo

Moving-head washes are great for stages, as seen here.

2011 Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Coronation Ball
Stage design: Greg Utley, Bay Stage Lighting
Photo: Amber Wolcott, Bay Stage Lighting

Reinventing the Disco Ball

If something is good then don’t change it, just make it better…like we did with the infamous disco ball. I’m sure you’re probably thinking “with all the lighting technology out there, you’re talking about disco balls?” But think about it…disco balls, a staple in the 70s, combined with today’s LED technology, can create effects like never before.

Bay Stage Lighting offers 4 different size Mirror Balls (today’s term for disco balls) to rent, a 12”, 16” 21” and 36”; the larger the ball the larger magnitude of effects.

We have used mirror balls for a lot of recent events and when guests realize that it’s not some high-tech piece of equipment, they are blown away.

Our Colorblast 12 LEDs illuminate the Mirror Balls with high-intensity, producing a dramatic effect projected all over an event space.

Here at the Florida Aquarium’s 2011 Sea Grapes Festival, the 36” Mirror Ball created a fun, yet elegant ambiance.

Media Servers: An Event Decor Secret

For many brides and grooms, the purpose of having a wedding is to:

a.) express and commit their love to one another

 b.) celebrate with loved ones

 c.) create a night they will never forget.

Tying in personal elements and paying tribute to those close to the newlyweds is a way to achieve such a purpose; but how is this done in a unique and fun way, you ask? Well, by completely submersing guests into an interactive and personal environment with a push of a button.

 I’m not talking about just lights here; Bay Stage Lighting utilizes what is called a “Media Server” to project static or moving images, as well as videos (pre-recorded or live). Whatever you can image, can be programmed and projected by a media server and go throughout an entire venue space. Don’t think “typical” projection and screen…think IMAX Theater and the feature presentation being whatever you desire.

Here are some ways media servers can create a personal, memorable and interactive wedding.

1.)    Pay tribute to loved ones or show special home videos by projecting them onto every wall, as if the entire venue space was one big IMAX screen. Guests would literally be the center of the video, giving the sense they are the ones taping it.

2.)    Stream live videos or photos with added special effects onto a surface framed by one of Bay Stage Lighting’s custom décor frames. Bay Stage Lighting can work with a videographer or photographer to showcase live photos and videos; to create one massive photo-booth for everyone to see.

3.)    Decorate furniture and other elements by completely wrapping them with projections. Make lounge chair look like moving water while having the bar “on fire.” Guests won’t believe their eyes and will be entertained like never before.

4.)    Enhance any theme by using projections to wrap the room from floor to ceiling (floor and ceiling included) creating a realistic environment.

Three simultaneous projections, 2 showcased in our small silver decor frames

Large gold-leaf decor frame projecting event seating chart

Media Server projection on dace floor to create illusion

Trying to explain Media Server technology, its anatomy and effects is almost next to impossible. Hopefully the pictures due some it justice (even those don’t capture the full essence of the Media Server).  But what I can tell you is that its possibilities and impacts are endless and priceless. Media Servers are on the horizon for today’s weddings due to the high demand of wanting the “special day” to be interactive and entertaining for guests.

The Colors of Spring & What They Mean

Spring is here and that means a new color palette for event designs, but this season expect to see an interesting marriage of warm and cool tones. According to Pantone Color Institute warm colors like: Honeysuckle (vibrant pinkish-red); Coral Rose (sophisticated orange) and Beeswax (honey-yellow) will be seen paired up with cool tones like Regatta blue or classic Lavender. A fresh yellow-green (Peapod) is also expected to be seen frequently.
But how do these popular spring colors incorporate with your upcoming spring event? As a professional lighting company, we can guide you to decide which of these colors to avoid and which can take your event from mediocrity to success.
The bright pink-red Honeysuckle is said to increase excitement and to encourage action. This would be a great color to use for a corporate function or fundraiser. Coral Rose has the potential to encourage socialization; however, we advise to use this color with caution as it can create a “love it” or “hate it” atmosphere! Get the creative juices flowing or instill positivity by incorporating warm tones of yellow like Beeswax or Amber. Again, this would be a good color for corporate event design.
Complementary cool colors like Regatta blue can create a sense of serenity and intimacy. We would suggest using blue tones at personal functions like weddings or parties, as the color can relax guests a little too much (if you know what we mean). Lavender, or any purple tone for that matter, is at the top of the popularity charts right now. This is a color that can result in a successful outcome at any type of event . Green tones like Peapod are refreshing and natural, being a great backdrop to both warm and cool colors. But again, we advise to use with caution as many people associate this color with formal institutions like a government agency. So it all depends on what type of environment you want to create.
And there you have it….so spring into action and get to creating a colorful and meaningful event!

Bon Appetit!

Having catered food at an event is one of the most expensive & memorial aspects of the night, so it needs to be illuminated…with proper lighting. But there is an oxymoron here. Most of the time, you want to create an environment/ ambiance so the room is on the darker side; but no one likes to eat in the dark. If it is dark people won’t be able to see the amazing cuisine you paid big bucks for and therefore won’t eat it. But yet if the room is too light, people won’t dance and the overall look of the room won’t be as impactful. 

What we suggest… using spotlights, hanging the fixtures from the ceiling or truss to shine directly down on the food. Using colored lighting on food can make it more appeal and appetizing. Light colors like a soft pink or icy blue are great colors to really make the food “pop”. However, experts suggest staying away from heavy colors like red, yellow and green; such colors tend to make the food look dull and unappealing.

Ask Your Venue About Lighting

Lighting is a very important decor element for weddings and other events, especially if your wanting guests to interact with one-another. It is a proven fact that people are very self conscious about dancing and/or mingling with people they don't know. Lighting can help with this problem. By lowering the brightness of a room and adding LED  lighting to create a certain mood, can make guests feel more comfortable in the event space.

Make sure your venue doesn't have a policy about lighting brightness, some venues require their house lights to stay on 100% for liability reasons. If they require something like this, you might want to re-think booking that location. If your space is too bright, guests wont be as comfortable dancing and interacting with others.

But at the same time, you don't want complete darkness because that will make people just as uncomfortable. That's why LEDs are the perfect solution!

LED up lighting is the in thing right now and will be for a very long time. These lights are small, cost efficient and generate no heat. LEDs can be programmed to fit the color of your decor and give off ample amount of light, making a big impact. LEDs can change colors as the event progresses, creating appropriate moods at any given time.

Most venues don't supply their own LEDs, so hiring an outside vendor will  be necessary. Many DJs will offer lighting as a part of their service. While their service is offered at a cheaper price, we are advising people to steer-clear of getting their lighting through a DJ. Just like anything else, you get what you pay for. A lot of the time, their LEDs are not good quality and don't illuminate as bright or as sharp of a color. It is best to leave lighting up to lighting professionals.

A Large Venue Space is a Blank Canvas, Paint it with Lighting

After recently reading the Completely Unveiled blog about a wedding we lit in July, made us want to share some tips-and-tricks for those of you dealing with large reception sites. Katherine and Cam had their wedding reception in the conservatory at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts located in St. Petersburg, FL. When the bride & groom, along with their planner, Sandy Rule of Sandy Rule Events came to us, we looked at the space as a blank canvas. We used gobo designs which projected onto the large walls and incorporated the reception colors by using LED up-lighting. The lights changed as the evening progressed to accompany the desired mood.

The ceiling at St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts is such a wonderful architectural characteristic that we used lighting to highlight it and to also tie the whole area together. With such a large area like this, there is a chance that the space can feel “empty” and “distant”, even with all the décor accessories available. The lighting in this case created an intimate feel, bringing the guests “closer” to the bride & groom; as well as, tying all those beautiful décor pieces together, making one unforgettable and colorful reception.

The bride & groom also used one of our small custom décor frames as a great photo-op. Our frames are intricately carved out of Styrofoam and have a gold-leaf finish; making them lightweight and easy to suspend like the bride & groom did for this wedding.

So the next time you are dealing with a large event space, look at it as a blank canvas and paint it with lighting.

 

Credits:
Origional blog post: Completely Unveiled by Weddings Unveiled. Photography: Aaron Lockwood Photography. Wedding Planner: Sandy Rule Events. Paper Goods: Not From A Box. Venue : St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts. Linens, Chairs and Florals: conceptBAIT.

Illuminating Light for our Future

Giving a complete sponsorship for the Calendar for a Cause Soiree that benefits the Children’s Cancer Center (CCC) of Tampa, is the least we can do for these brave children and their strong families. On the Evening of March 10, the Grand Ballroom at the Don CeSar Beach Resort will be all glitz & glam; enjoy great entertainment, food & drink and fabulous company, all to support these future leaders and their strong families. Works of art from CCC’s own patients will be auctioned off and 100% of the soiree’s proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Center.  This event is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend; tickets are $60/ person and can be purchased online.

Georgia Watson, owner and coordinator of Georgia Watson Events Inc. started the calendar idea; now developing it into a public charity cocktail event which launches the calendar while also raising money for the cause. Being a professional in the event industry can be stressful and very time consuming; however, Georgia Watson sets a great example that no matter how demanding your professional life may be, there is always time to give to those in need. We support her efforts, the CCC and all others who share the passion for this cause.  

Stay Creative, Stay Great

Constantly pushing the margins while maintaining the essential needs for a good lighting production isn’t as easy as it sounds. Everyone has their own means of inspiration, but here are some that we turn to and thought would be helpful for you.

Have a sense of wonder- don’t be afraid to explore your mind, you will surprise yourself with what you find!

Face your fears, just go for it- go for the impossible, and when you achieve it then there is nothing stopping you.

Keep your eyes and ears open- Most creatives find inspiration in the most unexpected places.

Have a roadmap- set realist goals leading up to your event. When you complete them, check it off the list. A clear plan and concrete goals and keep you on track and save you a lot of time and money!

Keep learning- trends change with a blink of an eye, it is important to stay on top of trends. There is a lot of free information out there (i.e. blogs, newsletters, online discussion boards, etc.). Go to expos and training seminars to learn what other professionals are doing.

Hope this helps!

Save Money, Spend on Lighting

Many planners and other event professionals are saying out with the expensive and in with the lighting! We recently came across an article in SmartMoney Magazine that read, “10 Things Event Planners Won’t Say,” and #5 caught our eye. Event planners like Andrea Lyons, owner of All About Presentation, in Richmond, VA, are telling clients to forgo expensive accessories and spend on lighting.

Although lighting seems like a heavy investment, it actually can save money, since lighting has a bigger impact than accessories. Lyons says that with good lighting, no one will think twice about where the fancy linens or centerpieces went.

Not only can it save money but according to BizBash Magazine article “7 Lighting Trends for 2011: LEDs, Interactive Projections, 3-D, and More,” lighting designs will be shaping the look of upcoming 2011 events like never before. And they aren’t talking about just illuminating a room; guests will soon have interactive experiences and be submersed in arty installations.

Lighting is a real-live, interactive and an interpersonal décor element; something which other décor elements can’t do.

Bay Stage Lighting Continues to Grow

Bay Stage Lighting hires new Sales Administrator in efforts to grow and improve customer service department. Starting on Monday, February 21, the new smiling face of Heather Clark will be greeting Bay Stage Lighting customers at the company’s Sales Counter, which located within their Tampa warehouse. As the team’s full-time sales administrator, Clark will handle all walk-in and custom orders pertaining to rentals and sales. Clark will also oversee inventory of expendable sales to better assist customer needs.

“Our customers are number-one priority and with this new addition, we will be able to focus on our customers and any needs they may have,” said Yvonne Justo, President of Bay Stage Lighting. 

Clark graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Sociology in 2007. Clark is looking forward to strengthening her community relationships through Bay Stage Lighting’s involvement in events like; Gasparilla, Super Bowl XLIII and the Republican National Convention.

Clark has been a long-time family friend of the Justo family and has even attended many of Bay Stage Lighting’s events. “Over the years, I have witnessed Bay Stage Lighting accomplish great things, and now I have the privilege of being a part of the greatness,” said Clark.  

This is Bay Stage Lighting’s second hire since the New Year. “Although we are growing, we are still that ‘family-owned business’ we were 3 generations ago,” said Justo. “Heather has been a part of the Justo family for many years and it is a pleasure to have her in the business family as well.”

For more information about Bay Stage Lighting, please contact Danielle Justo Sherwin at Danielle@baystagelighting.com . 

Bay Stage Lighting is a family owned business since 1957, specializing in rentals, sales, custom designs, and full productions.  Bay Stage Lighting has been and will always be a leading provider of entertainment technologies.  Within its complex you will find a state of the art Dream Theatre, utilizing the latest innovations in pre-visualization and 3D Animation software. A world class staff of lighting designers, event producers, and production support will customize your experience one idea at a time. Bay Stage Lighting is proud to be the preferred lighting vendor for Tampa Bay Business Journal, Tampa Bay & Co., Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Georgette’s Boutique, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, and many more. See our largest LED installation on top of the SunTrust Financial Centre in downtown Tampa.  

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New Employee

Hello World,

As some of you may know, Bay Stage Lighting is proud to announce our newest addition to our team, Crystal Gaskin. As our new sales executive, Crystal will be responsible for all outside sales. Here is a short press release for more information on our new family member!

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:          Danielle Justo Sherwin

                                    Danielle@baystagelighting.com      

                                    813.877.1089

Crystal N. Gaskin Named Sales Executive for Tampa Bay’s leading event entertainment lighting design company Bay Stage Lighting. 

Tampa, FL. January 26, 2011. This week Bay Stage Lighting has expanded their family once again with the addition of a new sales executive. The young Tampa business professional, Crystal Gaskin, will be responsible for all outside sales. With a BSBA in Finance from the University of West Florida and over 8 years of sales experience, Gaskin will contribute to Bay Stage Lighting’s growth efforts.

Owner of Bay Stage Lighting Yvonne Justo, expressed her excitement for the company’s new family member. “I am anticipating all the new great opportunities for both Crystal and Bay Stage Lighting.”

Inspired by the teams' creativity and no limits nature, Gaskin officially joined the Bay Stage Lighting team in hopes to help them grow to a new level of success. “A great friend of mine introduced me to Greg Utley and his vision and passion for the business was inspiring.  I quickly met with the entire family and knew that was where I belonged,” stated Gaskin.

This third generation family owned business has grown since their doors opened in 1957. Starting with a single employee, Bay Stage Lighting is now comprised of the 15 employees they have today. “Constant internal and external prosperity is vital to our family and our business,” said Justo.

For more information about Bay Stage Lighting and their creations, please contact Danielle Justo Sherwin at Danielle@baystagelighting.com . 

Bay Stage Lighting is a family owned business since 1957, specializing in rentals, sales, custom designs, and full productions.  Bay Stage Lighting has been and will always be a leading provider of entertainment technologies.  Within its complex you will find a state of the art Dream Theatre, utilizing the latest innovations in pre-visualization and 3D Animation software. A world class staff of lighting designers, event producers, and production support will customize your experience one idea at a time.  Some of Bay Stage Lighting’s other accomplishments include; downtown Tampa’s SunTrust Financial Center as mentioned in the  January/ February edition of Maddux Business Report and sponsorships with WEDU and Hospice.

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