For this project, I coordinated the lighting and scenic elements with the creative director to plan guest seating, press positions, AV control, model hair and makeup, dressing rooms, and back-of-house spaces. I created a ground plan and lighting plot with sections to clearly communicate the design and map out the lighting angles. Additionally, I managed the details and staffing for the setup, rehearsal process, show, and strike to help create a unified design that was both unique and cost-effective.

Over the course of a few years, I developed and perfected an LED runway lighting design that can be implemented across multiple locations with numerous added benefits; this show represents one application of that system with minor alterations. The design consisted of daylight LED Fresnel fixtures positioned high on the sides for a far shot of the models, along with a cluster in the front for media fill. These fixtures could be adjusted from spot to flood to feather and blend the light depending on the desired end look. Conveniently, the light spill also provided excellent illumination for the A-list guests captured in social media and press shots.

The design also utilized a system of LED panel lights to wash the near side of the models—providing a full wrap of light—and soffit lighting to eliminate imperfections on the scenic back wall. All four lighting systems could be dimmed electronically, a feature otherwise cleanly unattainable with traditional HMI daylight units. Dimming the systems allowed us to precisely dial in shadowing on the models and even out any minor output variations between different rental units. Furthermore, this setup requires only one-quarter of the power of similar designs, significantly reducing labor-intensive and unsightly cable runs, dangerous tie-ins, and costly generator rentals.