BlackTrax Used in Regent and Oceania Cruises

	The designers were impressed by BlackTrax's ability to add automated tracking for projections and audio.

As entertainment on cruise ships becomes ever more sophisticated, lighting designers Alex Taylor and Travis McHale, from Q-L Lighting, have increasingly turned to BlackTrax, the advanced tracking software solution, from CAST Group of Companies to create immersive, dynamic experiences.

The designers' partnership started in 2019 when McHale led the design of a new show for Regent Seven Seas Cruises with Taylor working as his associate. Aware that more work needed to be done to push the boundaries of cruise productions to get the feeling of a Broadway performance, their search for new technologies led them to BlackTrax.

The designers were impressed by BlackTrax's ability to add automated tracking for projections and audio. This feature enabled them to introduce a new level of lighting, media, and audio automation to their cruise productions.

"Our partnership stands out because of our shared vision to push production boundaries and explore new technologies that make this possible," Taylor says. "Having now implemented BlackTrax on three different cruise liners, we've seen firsthand how it provides the precision and capability needed to tell compelling stories in innovative ways. This technology allows us to approach theatrical lighting on a grand scale with the same accuracy and flexibility as a traditional Broadway show."

Historically, cruise ship productions relied on manual followspots, which limited flexibility and required significant manpower. With BlackTrax, any light in the theatre can be transformed into a followspot, allowing for unique angles and effects that enhance storytelling. The product allows the designers to ensure performers are perfectly lit and followed, with lighting accurately synchronized to their movements. This reliability is crucial for both production designers and audiences, delivering the emotive and visual experience guests expect from luxury cruises.

"When BlackTrax was first introduced to cruise liners, we were energized by the possibility of bringing a Broadway experience onboard," says Dekkar Denhsam, sales manager at CAST. "Thanks to creatives like Alex and Travis, who discovered BlackTrax and used it in such unique ways, we have seen how BlackTrax is an ideal solution that not only pushes the boundaries of what's creatively possible in cruise productions but also enhances storytelling for audiences. This is a key goal for lighting designers and producers alike."