Revolutionising the World of Event Lighting
How Intelligent Lighting Changed the Creative Possibilities of Live Events
Lighting has always been one of the most powerful tools available to an event producer.
It can transform a room, focus an audience’s attention, reinforce a brand, create anticipation and completely change the atmosphere of a live event.
But event lighting has changed dramatically during Comtec’s more than four decades in live production.
What once required large numbers of conventional fixtures, extensive cabling and considerable power can now be achieved with intelligent, programmable lighting systems capable of changing colour, position, intensity and effect throughout a live show.
For Comtec, however, the important development isn’t simply that the technology has become more sophisticated.
It’s what that technology allows us to do for an audience.
From Illumination to Show Production
Event lighting was once principally about making sure the stage and presenters could be seen.
Today it can become an integral part of the production.
Lighting can change the character of a room between conference sessions, transform an awards ceremony for a winner’s entrance, reinforce corporate colours, highlight architectural features or create completely different environments within the same venue.
One lighting system can therefore perform several creative jobs during the course of an event.
That flexibility has changed the way live productions can be designed.
Intelligent Lighting
Modern intelligent lighting gives the production team precise control over elements including:
- Colour
- Movement
- Position
- Intensity
- Beam shape
- Patterns and effects
- Transitions between different parts of the show
These elements can be programmed in advance and then operated as part of the live production.
Rather than lighting remaining static throughout an event, it can respond to what is happening on stage.
A speaker presentation can have one look.
A video sequence another.
An awards presentation another.
And entertainment or a product reveal can transform the room again.
Technology Is the Tool, Not the Idea
This is an important distinction for Comtec.
We don’t believe that adding more technology automatically creates a better event.
A room containing dozens of intelligent lighting fixtures can still be badly lit.
The starting point should always be:
What are we trying to achieve?
What does the audience need to see?
Where should their attention be?
What atmosphere are we trying to create?
How should the event feel?
Only then do we decide which technology is appropriate.
More Creative Possibilities, Less Compromise
Developments in LED and intelligent lighting have also changed the practical side of event production.
Modern systems can provide powerful creative options while reducing power consumption and heat compared with many traditional lighting technologies.
Fixtures can perform multiple roles within the same production, allowing the lighting design to change throughout an event without physically rebuilding the system.
That flexibility is particularly useful for events combining several different elements — such as conferences followed by awards, presentations followed by entertainment, or product launches requiring a dramatic reveal.
Lighting as Part of the Complete Production
Lighting rarely works in isolation.
The strongest results happen when it is considered alongside:
- Stage and set design
- Video and LED screens
- Presentation content
- Graphics and animation
- Professional audio
- Music and sound effects
- Special effects where appropriate
- The physical architecture of the venue
That’s why Comtec approaches lighting as part of the overall event production rather than simply another equipment category.
The audience doesn’t experience the lighting desk, the video system and the sound system separately.
They experience one show.
Four Decades of Change
Having worked in live events for more than 40 years, Comtec has seen enormous changes in production technology.
Lighting equipment has become smaller, more powerful, more efficient and infinitely more controllable.
Video walls have become enormous.
Graphics and animation have become more sophisticated.
Digital audio has transformed sound systems.
Interactive technology can allow an audience to become part of the presentation.
But one thing hasn’t changed.
Technology doesn’t create memorable events. Ideas do.
Technology simply gives us more ways to bring those ideas to life.
And today’s event producer has a bigger creative toolbox than ever before.
Event Lighting & Technical Production
Comtec provides lighting as part of complete technical production for:
- Corporate conferences
- Awards ceremonies
- Product launches
- Exhibitions and live shows
- Brand events
- Special events
- Hybrid and streamed productions
From initial concept and lighting design through to programming, installation, engineering and live show operation, our team can integrate lighting with the rest of your event production.
Want to Transform a Venue?
Sometimes the venue is a blank canvas.
Sometimes it’s an impressive building that needs to be enhanced rather than hidden.
And sometimes the challenge is simply making the same room feel completely different at different moments during an event.
That’s where thoughtful lighting design can make an enormous difference.
Talk to Comtec about lighting and technical production for your next event