New Robe MegaPointes and LEDBeam 150s, purchased by SJ from Birmingham UK based rental and technical specialist DMX Productions, were used to spectacular effect in lighting the 2018 Voice in a Million (VIAM) extravaganza which was staged at London’s SSE Wembley Arena.

VIAM amasses some of the largest children’s choirs in the world.

The organisation ‘Voice in a Million’ was founded by Robert and Jo Garofalo in 2006, to raise awareness of the millions of children worldwide who are orphaned, abandoned or separated from their birth parents. In 2009 the VIAM shows began to showcase children’s choirs from around the UK. Now these annual shows are full scale arena concerts with some of the largest children’s choirs in the world … this year comprising 10,000 children’s voices.

DMX productions, for the second year, supplied lighting and all other technical elements – including audio and video – for this year’s VIAM Wembley event. The lighting was designed by Tom Grant and operated by Jack Pettit.

A network of flown trusses was installed in the venue’s roof, and the 16 x MegaPointes were hung on sections of super-truss. The 44 x LEDBeam 150s were attached to vertical ladders around the side of the stage as well as on a V-shaped truss upstage.

From these positions, the whole stage could be lit up.

The MegaPointes were used extensively in both spot and beam modes and, being so effective in both modes, in addition to the wash functionality, it meant that using them could actually reduce the number of units needed … without compromising the overall look.

They worked in perfect harmony with LED blinders and also wash and beam lights illuminating the audience too.

Jack ran all the lighting from a GrandMA2 and comments, “The MegaPointes were right at home in this year’s rig. They were perfect for both impactful beam looks and huge gobo breakups, using multiple prisms to fill the arena.

“The LEDBeam 150s with their huge zoom range were great as a secondary wash fixture, and also eye-candy when needed and looked great on camera all the time”.

The main challenge for this year’s show was being show ready by 3pm, as production was only loaded in at 7am the same day, so the pressure was definitely on. However, everyone was extremely proud to be supporting such an excellent charity and producing an entertaining and enjoyable fundraising event which balanced out the intensity and pressure to get everything in, rigged, programmed and ready on time.

DMX productions took delivery of LEDBeam 150s and then invested in MegaPointes at the end of last year: SJ is delighted with the investment and has received very positive reviews from clients already.
Initially SJ saw the MegaPointe at Prolight+Sound Frankfurt last year and placed an order. He was immediately impressed and stated: “The fantastic optics, great features-to-weight ratio and many other benefits and functionality impressed me”. Then added that DMX Productions, having used them on a selection of shows, found them to be “completely unparalleled”.

The LEDBeam 150s were also purchased for the output and the value they bring to any lighting scenario – DMX Productions works in a variety of sectors including as a production supplier for a raft of top-level corporate events.

SJ also revealed that the LEDBeam 150 has actually been the “most profitable” Robe fixture that DMX Productions has ever owned. The fixtures are constantly booked out of the warehouse and the MegaPointes, as a cross-rental item are also in constant demand.

DMX Productions was founded in 2005 by SJ and has been expanding year-on-year. SJ has been investing in Robe steadily over the past 8 years, starting with the Robe Robin 300 series fixtures which are still working hard!

As a brand SJ believes that Robe is “right up there” at the moment. His final endorsement: “They are without doubt the strongest and most visible moving light manufacturer”.

Photo credits to Dawn Tolmie – PhotoKandi.

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