Pixelline battens chosen for Pop Idol

Lighting for the current series of 'Pop Idol' features 30 James Thomas Pixelline battens, supplied to the show by lighting contractors VLPS, as specified by lighting designer/director Al Gurdon.
The ‘final 12’ stages of the popular series are being recorded at Fountain Television Studios in Wembley, London, following the early rounds that were shot at Teddington Studios.
Lighting is being programmed and operated by Mike Owen using a Virtuoso VX console. and the rig features over 100 Vari*Lite automated luminaires, assorted PARs and conventionals as well as the 30 Pixelline units.
The Pixelline’s are being used upstage in a broken up matrix-style - 15-wide and 2-high - to illuminate the back wall of the set, a large translucent metallic structure. They’re used to create different looks and effects, and as an alternative to a traditional cyc. The units are being run in their fully expanded DMX mode.
Pixelline is proving to be a highly in-demand rental item generally, and VLPS now has over 78 battens in stock, which are out most of the time, “It’s definitely the product of the moment” said VLPS’s Pop Idol account handler Keith Duncan.
The ability to feed video signals into the Pixellines is also generating huge interest from LDs and programmers. Achieved via a number of different software packages including James Thomas’s proprietary PixelDrive, this vastly reduces the amount of programming time needed to produce highly complex ‘liquid’ effects. The whole concept of controlling LED lighting fixtures with video input offers immense creative scope.
(GB)