Martin Professional Lights Up Olympic Games

China's celebration in August to mark the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games at Beijing National Stadium (pictured here) is to be a 'highlight' for one particular company.
With the stage lit by over 1,100 automated luminaires from UK company Martin Professional, the massive event will be the culmination of a huge effort by the company's personnel.
The automated lighting system, the largest single automated lighting system ever assembled for a single event, and the largest Martin rig ever, is run by Martin's MAC 2000 Wash and new MAC 2000 Wash XB moving head luminaires.
Martin will be the largest automated lighting manufacturer represented at the Beijing Olympic Ceremonies with more Martin MAC 2000 Wash luminaires in use than any other single fixture in the lighting system.
Most of the MAC luminaires will be rigged in the roof of the stadium with several hundred lining an upper balcony.
Lighting design is by Chinese LD Sha Xiaolan with main lighting supply by China Central Television (CCTV).
Lighting sub-suppliers include Chinese company Beiao, among others. Lighting personnel began initial installation of the fixtures already in March with programming inside the stadium to take place in June.
The Martin fixtures will remain in place for the Beijing Games' Closing Ceremonies on 24 August 2008 and subsequent Paralympic Games to be held from 6-17 September 2008.
An additional 800 Martin fixtures will be used for an Opening Ceremony at an alternate site in Tsingtao (Qingdao), home to sailing events.
Christian Engsted, Martin Professional Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are honoured to again play an integral role in the staging of the world's most prestigious sporting event.
"The MAC 2000 Wash's extremely high output and long throw capability coupled with its proven reliability make it ideal for such a large scale event.
"Martin's position as an industry leader with an extensive global reach allows us to deliver in these record breaking quantities while our support network provides 100% on-site backing throughout the course of the event," he said.
With 80,000 spectators in attendance for the ceremony at Beijing National Stadium, the event is widely expected to attract the largest sports television audience of all time.
(BMcC)