Stage Electrics has recently supplied and installed all lighting for ITV1's hi-tech Saturday night game show, The Cube. Presented by Phillip Schofield, The Cube is a new game show which tests each contestant's skill, nerve and determination to win as they attempt seemingly simple tasks in a large 4-metre squared Perspex cube, whilst state-of-the-art filming techniques illustrate the intense pressure they feel as each test unfolds. The show was recorded at The Fountain Studios, the UK's largest studio, currently home to ITV1's X-Factor live finals.
To create the spectacular lighting effects required to match the competitive pace of the show, esteemed lighting director Nick Collier requested a variety of fixtures from Stage Electrics. Nick explains: "The brief was to make the Cube look like it was "floating" on the studio floor. This meant that the light hitting the Cube would need to be very accurate and precise. I chose VL1000 Arcs to light the Cube frame, which allowed for a fine setting of shutters, to avoid any spill on the floor and ruin the effect. The Arcs have fantastic optics at short range. To help the floating effect, I gave the Cube platform a lit bottom edge, to help the separation from the jet black floor. This was done with the use of 600mm Chromastrips, which were built into the set by designer Julian Healey's set crew."
To allow for the show's generic graphic element to be seen throughout, Stage Electrics supplied a double resolution ColourWeb 125 to wrap around the front of the audience seating block. ColourWeb was pre-prepared by Stage Electrics in their Bristol hire warehouse before travelling to the studios. The use of ColourWeb looked effective during wide shots of the Cube, and was sent graphics via a Catalyst media server, to extend the range of the movement and tension in the show. Moving light operator, Sam Maclaren controlled both catalyst and moving light systems from his Whole Hog 3.
Slow motion and "time slice" cameras were used for the show, but also made the lighting a further challenge for the lighting director. Whilst, during game play, Nick could use conventional studio lights, he needed to add some 1200w Martin Mac 2000 washes to provide high light levels for the coloured effects inside the Cube. These were an absolutely essential element to the lighting rig, to provide the dramatic effects that Objective Productions (the show's producers) wanted for the identity of the show. The final element for the non-standard lighting, was a ring of audience backlight beams, used to give the show some drama when the Cube itself was not in use, this was achieved with a ring of Martin Mac 700 profiles. Nick comments: "When I started the initial lighting plans for The Cube, I knew I would need a lighting company that was capable of supplying rigging, a good range of moving heads, and LED fixtures. I chose Stage Electrics because of a good working relationship I have with them from previous jobs."