Robe Lights Miss Universe Slovakia 2011

Lighting designer Martin Kubanka specified Robe moving lights for the 2011 Miss Universe Slovak Republic beauty pageant, which was staged at the Sibamac Arena at the National Tennis Centre in Bratislava, and broadcast live on the main national TV channel, RTVS.

Slovakia's leading rental company Q-99 supplied lighting, sound and AV production for the event, and with Kubanka clocking up an impressive 13 years of lighting the show, the use of over 100 Robe fixtures ensured that he had all the creative tools he needed to keep reinventing and refreshing the show year on year.

The set was designed by Michael Klang and featured 75sq.m of high resolution LED surface, over 70sq.m of medium resolution LED surface and 60sq.m of LED floor as well as the extensive lighting rig. The set was 'stepped' on five different levels and the far wings were shaped to resemble speaker horns.

The Robes were a mix of 46 ColorSpot 1200E ATs, 18 ColorWash 1200E ATs, 18 ColorSpot 575E ATs and 16 ColorMixes, most of which were dotted all across a large overhead trussing grid -- comprising over 240m in total -- which was installed above the stage and the audience. The balance of the fixtures was positioned on the stage floor.

Says Kubanka, "There are certain basic lighting rules when it comes to beauty shows, obviously it has to look glamorous and gorgeous - and it has to be lit so the contestant's flesh tones are perfect for the camera."

In addition to the moving lights, the rig included a large selection of generics, LED fixtures and a white light package. Lighting was operated by Michael Schmidt using a grandMA full size console, with another one run by Thomas Lecky dealing with sending video content to all the onstage video surfaces and set video elements.

Dagmar Kolesarova was crowned Miss Universe Slovakia 2011, and will represent Slovakia in September at the Miss Universe 2011 final in Sao Paulo, Brazil.