Clay Paky Lights Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Concerts Clay Paky gear appeared at the recent Ferrari World F1 Grand Prix concert series in Abu Dhabi. The 2010 city-wide events, known as "Yasalam", concluded with three nights of after-race concerts at Ferrari World on Yas Island with headliners Kanye West, Linkin Park, and Prince. Flash Entertainment was responsible for realizing the set design by Lee Charteris. Steve Shipman, of Clean Edge MFZ - LLC, designed the lighting for the stage and set, incorporating Charteris' concept for an industrial looking cityscape. The result was a stage 285' wide and 55' at its highest point. The wings were made of scaff towers at various random heights and widths. The individual lighting designers for the headlining acts would then work with the main layout and design for their specific shows. Luke Bonner, of Production Technology LLC (Protec), delivered the majority of the lighting, rigging and staging. The towers featured different architectural, textural and lighting treatments, which included 10 Clay Paky Alpha Beam 1500s. The front lighting fixtures consisted of 35 Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 1200s, 36 Alpha Wash 1200s, and 24 Alpha Beam 300s. Bonner (who handled the job in 2009 as well) used WYSIWYG to model the Clay Paky fixtures; control was supplied by two grandMA Series 1 full size consoles at the front of house, plus four grandMA NSP. Bonner explains, "For years now we have been happy and satisfied with the quality and reliability of our expanding Clay Paky range. As in 2009, the Clay Paky luminaires were chosen because of these qualities. The F1 concerts demand large quantities of reliable luminaires -- and, as we believe and trust in the brand, yet again we were able to meet the demand required for an event of this caliber. Furthermore, we have also appreciated the fact that they are more than capable of working outdoors, in mostly any type of weather found in this region - heat, humidity, dust and sand. All good, all Clay Paky." Shipman added, "In the wings, Lee was keen to see 'flower' type effects. I looked at various searchlight options but ended up using 10 Clay Paky Alpha Beam 1500s. They worked very well, I got the 'flower' look we wanted using gobos and the prism wheel. And they were great for searchlight effects too. The main overhead stage fixtures were Alpha 1200 spots and washes. And also 24 Alpha Beam 300's which I keep coming back to - they're so punchy for their size." Cory FitzGerald, Kanye West's lighting designer, said, "I had a great experience with the Clay Paky Alphas. They were fast, punchy and I was able to quickly build the looks I needed to make the show look great." 
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