Strictly Air Ambulance – Corporate Event Lighting, Sound and Stage

Corporate Event Lighting Case Study

• Client: Essex & Herts Air AmbulanceTrust
• Event: Strictly Air Ambulance
• Venue: Brentwood Centre, Essex
• Date: 7 March 2014
• Event Partners:
  • Medical Aviation Services, Chelmsford Dance Centre
    Western Dance Centre, The Brentwood Centre, SJK Photography
    Moss Bros, Southend, GBL Associates, Hairclubin’ of Westcliff
    South Essex College, Blatella Productions
• Website Link: http://www.essexairambulance.uk.com/events/strictly-air-ambulance-2014

Summary

The Strictly Air Ambulance dance competition is a major fundraising event for the emergency helicopter charity the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust and for the 5^th year running DPL Production Lighting were asked to provide corporate event lighting and staging to ensure the dancers were always in the limelight.

The Brief

• Held each year for the past four years the Strictly Air Ambulance event draws audiences of 500+ and features dance sets from both professional dancers and amateur competitors throughout the evening.
• DPL were contracted to supply the drapes, star cloth, projector, screen, lighting with custom gobo and sound . Kim Parker acted as stage manager throughout the event.
• With 10 individual dance couples and each couple dancing at least twice Totally Sound had to ensure the lighting design was tailored to the music of each dance and that each dancer was followed by spotlight at all times.
• once a year event at the Brentwood Leisure Centre in Essex
• Budgets are strict so DPL were briefed to provide a professional but cost effective service.

The Results:

The Strictly Air Ambulance Dance Show, now in its fifth year is a spectacular night of first class entertainment, starring TV celebrity pro-dancers Kevin Clifton and his dance partner Karen Hauer. Kevin was a TV finalist with Breakfast Presenter Susanna Reid and Karen reached week 7 with Hairy Biker Dave Myers. This fantastic evening of world class dancing sponsored by Medical Aviation Services (MAS) was a huge success, raising substantial funds for Essex Air Ambulanc

This year was the best one yet, with the floor to ceiling drape and star cloth with uplighters, the custom gobo on the dance floor.  The dance floor was made bigger by flying the projector and screen so we were able to move the judges table back even further.

Lighting: 2 x follow spots, Mirror Ball, 8 x MAC 301 LED wash, Source 4 750w profiles, 2 x Robe 700AT spot for the custom gobos and 6 x Robe Pointes.

DPL Comment

Kim Parker: “We all love working on this event as not only is it raising funds for a fantastic cause but the commitment the dancers put into their routines is incredible. The variety of music chosen by the dancers means we have to create some really complex lighting effects but that is what we love to do!”

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Comment

Wendy Marcon, Sponsorship and Events Manager: “The sound and lighting for this event are what makes it so incredibly memorable for all who attend. Totally Sound Events work with us right from the planning stages each year and are an integral part of our event team. They do what they do so well and seemingly effortlessly – always a pleasure to work with.”