Lightwave Wins Eight 2012 ILDA Awards

The International Laser Display Association (ILDA) Awards, bestowed each year to honor companies and individuals around the world for achievements in laser light, are the Oscars of the laser industry. The artistic category covers all areas of laser display, including huge shows and laser graphics. In 2012, ILDA received 146 entries from 22 companies for consideration.

Lightwave is honored to have received eight artistic awards this year, the most of any company in the world.

The 2011 “Watch the Throne” tour is a unique partnership of Jay-Z and Kanye West that toured to sold-out crowds. “Turn up the lights in here, baby. Extra bright, I want y’all to see this” proclaims Rihanna during the show. All of the lasers indeed: The Throne toured with over 200 watts of lasers that filled the volume of every arena. No easy laser placements, the fixtures project from above in the rig, offstage from spot positions, and from seemingly every level of the stage deck. Each laser was controlled live via DMX from the grandMA2 lighting desk under the control of the lighting designer.

Lighting Designer: Nick Whitehouse
Touring Laser Technicians: David Fonner, Jesse Parker
Programming: George Dodworth, Mike Dunn, Steven Douglas, John McGuire

Jane’s Addiction kicked off the “Great Escape Artist” tour with the release of their new album and single “Irresistible Force” at Terminal 5 in New York City. The concentric circle set design features careful integration of lasers directly into set pieces. The song called for strong blue and white looks, which were intended to complement and extend the impact of the fabric radiating from the central spoke of the concentric truss. Each laser makes use of multiple termination points throughout the performance, greatly increasing the coverage of the lasers. This also allowed for complete immersion of the audience in the effects without the use of audience scanning. The backdrop lasers are similarly re-directed from cue to cue, often seamlessly overlapping. Thirty custom programming zones were required to achieve this level of precision from multiple projectors. The concert was captured in 3D by audience members.

Lighting Designer: Jason Bullock
Set Design: Jim Lenehan
Programming: Mike Dunn
Live Performance: George Dodworth
Technicians: George Dodworth, Graham Small, Evan Dodworth

The energy of Swizz Beatz “International Party” is brought to life through the use of lasers to create a visually captivating commercial for Reebok’s “Reethym of Lite” campaign. Swizz collaborates with choreographer Hi-Hat to create an epic party, where all cultures converge on a world stage, pulsing to the rhythm of laser light.

Director: Chris Robinson
Programming: Eliav Kadosh, George Dodworth
Digitizing: Mike Dunn

In the video shot by director Colin Tilley, Keri plays the role of an Amazonian seductress on the prowl for Nelly. Vibrant beams of laser light play off the unique outdoor sets as she achieves her goal. The lasers were performed live to the music as the cameras rolled. Creative projector mounting from cranes allowed laser angles not often seen in music videos, showering effects downward on the performers.

Director: Colin Tilley
Programming/Laser Operator: Eliav Kadosh

For a key sequence in the film “Cowboys and Aliens”, cinematographer Matthew Libatique, ASC, needed to create interactive lighting and effects live, on-camera for an alien spaceship attack on a Western town. DMX-controlled laser projectors were positioned on Spydercam rigs and were flown above the town set as needed. In another scene, lasers simulate alien technology disintegrating a human captive.

Director: Jon Favreau
Programming: Eliav Kadosh, George Dodworth

Global Rainbow is a large-scale, outdoor laser projection designed by the visual artist, Yvette Mattern. It consists of seven parallel beams created with hundreds of watts of laser light, representing the spectrum of the traditional seven colors of the rainbow. It is designed to be projected across large open sites, particularly in densely populated areas. The rainbow was seen over 55 miles away (a photo from 59 miles away is at 35 seconds into the video). The artist intends to encompass geographical and social diversity in its reach and symbolize hope. The UK Global Rainbow opened the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, a series of arts events happening throughout the UK in the run-up to the Olympic Games.

Concept: Yvette Mattern
Producer: George Dodworth
Laser Technicians: George Dodworth, Jesse Parker, David Fonner

This beam picture is different. All of Madison Square Garden is soaked in OPS Gold with beautiful white tips. The artist called this effect his “Stained Glass” and here is his sanctuary. The exposure is fast; the pumping fists of the audience are captured, not blurred. There is a beautiful symmetry, and the wonderful glow of hundreds of laser watts soaking the arena.

Programming: John McGuire, Steven Douglas, George Dodworth, Mike Dunn
Laser Technicians: David Fonner, Jesse Parker
Photographer: George Dodworth

Lightwave International’s Eliav Kadosh took first place at the first International Laser Display Association (ILDA) live Laser Jockey competition. Each Laser Jockey entrant performed twice for a maximum of two minutes each. The first piece of music was selected by the entrant The second two minutes were performed to music provided by ILDA selected from more obscure or lesser-known songs. Attendees at the event voted on the best performance.