By Dominic Fanelli, Lighting Designer – Alford Media
When planning a corporate event, there’s a lot to consider – but one of the most important and often overlooked aspects involves the show’s lighting. It creates emotions and sets the feel of the atmosphere. The correct lighting, or incorrect lighting, can make or break an entire event.
Whether it’s their first show or hundredth, it’s crucial these professionals understand the types of challenges that typically pop up throughout production. And trust us when we say, there are a lot of them! Proper preparation can help avoid obstacles that may derail portions of their events, or worse, the entire show.
“Lighting is a critical factor in how well companies deliver their messages at events.”
The importance of proper lighting can’t be overstated. When you last attended an event, did it leave a lasting impression on you? If so, ask yourself why. Was it because of the sound, imagery or atmosphere? Was it all the above and then some? Chances are, you may not have thought lighting was a contributing factor to your overall experience, but actually it was one of the main reasons the event flowed or didn’t flow smoothly from beginning to end. It’s such a critical factor in how well companies deliver their messages that ignoring it could actually warp those messages, causing attendees to feel confused about what they should do next.
The type of lighting used at events is industry, company and situation dependent. For example, concert lighting is typically vastly different than the lighting used at corporate events. However, a planner that wanted to put on a high-energy event could incorporate concert style lighting, such as lasers, if it would help keep the audience better engaged.
Types of Lighting Producers Can Take Advantage Of
Producers are the show’s overall designers, which means they must ensure that the event’s finer details, such as lighting, complement the main message and brand. For example, some lighting is brand specific. Company A is more likely to incorporate shades of red into their event and would never want to see swaths of yellow as it nods to a competitor’s brand.
Uplighting, , a tasteful gobo, and haze or atmosphere are all lighting effects that can wow attendees, but only if used properly. For example, producers or meeting planners who have to rent out conference centers or ballrooms that are bland looking may lean on uplighting to give it more character and accentuate any interesting architecture in the space.
Companies may also opt for gobos to better set the mood and create environmental depth. Gobos are used to project anything from a logo, various textures and breakups, or even a custom image. Haze adds a whole other dimension to your lighting and changes the entire look throughout the room. Adding just a little atmosphere to a room gives the designer an ability to envelope the audience and bring them into the show. Exposing the maximum impact of the lighting system.
It’s All About the Layers
Lighting is only one aspect of a show, but without it, the entire development falls to shreds. Imagine an event that hosted a great speaker, boasted crystal clear sound and included a fun balloon drop at its conclusion, but had an uneven stage wash with hot spots? Trust us, you’d notice something was off. In lighting, it is all about the layers – that is, great lighting complements video projection, the speaker or talent, and special effects such as confetti, pyrotechnics and balloon drops. All of these elements work together to deliver the overall experience.
For anyone who wants to put on a show that wows attendees, they must put the spotlight on their lighting efforts and strategy.
