I filmed this on the last night of the 2019 show. It's a Saturday, so we have two shows and that means the first one was bright enough to film what goes on behind the scenes.
We start by powering up the lighting desks and testing all the lights, do maintenance if needed and then at 6pm when the castle closes to the public we install the smoke machines and lighting that are in the public areas and do a final pre-show walk round of all the lighting.
Then we have tea/coffee and maintain any faulty lights we swapped out.
When the show is due to begin the 12 followspot operators man their spots and we head down to hand out the radio controlled rechargeable light batons that are used in this show.
That's where this video starts:- We used to get the dancers to shout out their number to get their LED baton, but in this instance Steve is trying to remember their numbers.
Sorry for the extreme audio. It's a VERY loud show and I had my normal microphone in at the beginning. In the later sections I was using the phones own microphone.
The sword I'm holding in the thumbnail was won by Gerry our lighting designer for the spectacular programming he does on this show. It's a Knights of Illumination sword. Basically the Oscars of the British lighting industry.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
We start by powering up the lighting desks and testing all the lights, do maintenance if needed and then at 6pm when the castle closes to the public we install the smoke machines and lighting that are in the public areas and do a final pre-show walk round of all the lighting.
Then we have tea/coffee and maintain any faulty lights we swapped out.
When the show is due to begin the 12 followspot operators man their spots and we head down to hand out the radio controlled rechargeable light batons that are used in this show.
That's where this video starts:- We used to get the dancers to shout out their number to get their LED baton, but in this instance Steve is trying to remember their numbers.
Sorry for the extreme audio. It's a VERY loud show and I had my normal microphone in at the beginning. In the later sections I was using the phones own microphone.
The sword I'm holding in the thumbnail was won by Gerry our lighting designer for the spectacular programming he does on this show. It's a Knights of Illumination sword. Basically the Oscars of the British lighting industry.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
I attended the tattoo in 2002. I was pipe major of a highschool pipe band here in California. One of the best experiences in my life. Also marched the Rose parade.
I used to control the audio at the old Colchester tattoo when it was in the lower castle park.
The power supply came via an old long disused tramway cable.
Two phases, the return via a large earth stake and the steel wir armour!
It was a case of dividing the load for best effect. This was done dy the electric supply company.
The BBC were there with an OB truck one of the cameras went zooming over the top of us with the cue lamp being modulated by our commentators speech. The pictures in the ob must have been bouncing all over.
Next evening the sparky came along, before he. Could say anything I said " Guess what, were on the other phase tonight!"
He just grinned turned around and walked away.
As with you there were many hairy incidents, cause by either bad weather, or people just not listening , to others with far more experience of putting show on.
Happy days!
Tuna pasta, a very Scottish dish 😅
Hey Clive, did you not fancy joining in with the dancers as they went out.
Just gotta say I love the bagpipes, awesome video Clive, keep up the awesomeness mate.. 🤙🏼🇦🇺
So, if one were going to schedule a bit of vacation to see or help with such a production, when would that be?
And you didn't pass out cards with your cell # with the light sticks because?
That's an aspect of the Tattoo I've not seen before. We didn't have they new-fangled light stick thingies when I worked there as a steward in the early seventies!
You seem so happy here like in your element
What a cool operation, for me there is something about fast paced working environments I get a weird enjoyment out off. Looks like backstage at the tattoo runs like a well oiled machine. Big thumbs up for this video Clive, id use an emoji thumbs up but im not sure how to on this relic computer.
wow your Busy Guy} Cheers!
Very Cool Clive!
So interesting to see behind the scenes from a technical aspect ,it's a shame covid has hit this part of your work like it has ,as I would have liked to see more
Thanks Clive, keep having fun 😀
AX1 Tubes are RGBW at least according to the manufacturer