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Blinding Light Shines a Spotlight in Support of Help for Heroes

On 6th March 2010 Bracknell Leisure Centre played host to The Tattoo in support of Help for Heroes. With a variety of performances from the Band and Bugles of The Rifles, HMS Heron Volunteer Band, Reading Scottish Pipe Band and the Army Physical Training Corps High Horse Display Team, the event promised to be something to remember. Creative lighting specialist, Blinding Light was asked to provide lighting for two performances which would take place on the day.

The tattoo was conceived and organised by Events Foundation with the objective of raising valuable funding for the crucial work that is done by Help for Heroes to support injured service men and women and their families. "The event in Bracknell was the first of its kind," commented Roger Sheppard, founder of Events Foundation. "We wanted to use a local supplier that would really get behind our cause and help us to put on a memorable show."

The brief given to Blinding Light was to create a dramatic atmosphere for the tattoo that would not only complement the range of ten acts but also differentiate each one. Traditionally military tattoos are performed under white light, however it was made clear that the event in Bracknell needed to stand out from the crowd and engage the audience and therefore the usual rules did not apply.

There were a few challenges that had to be overcome in order to create a solution that would meet the brief. The main challenge was the budget available to light the show. "We really wanted to get behind this pilot project in support of Help for Heroes and felt that the most appropriate action was to donate the company's time and expertise," explained Patrick Stacey, MD of Blinding Light. In addition to the initial budget restrictions the venue also imposed some limitations. "We weren't able to access any of the flying points in the leisure centre which meant that the design could only include lighting fixtures that were on stands or floor mounted."

Blinding Light chose to use par cans and Source Four Profiles to provide white light across the performance area. In addition, a combination of MAC 301 and MAC 700 moving lights and Studio Due Archiled LED fixtures were used to generate a strong wash of colour and beam effects that created a rock and roll atmosphere around the stage. All lighting fixtures and Jem 24/7 hazers were controlled with an Avolites Pearl Tiger console operated by Lighting Designer Nick Holloway.

"With the help of Blinding Light we were able to put on a fantastic show. The dramatic effect created by the diverse lighting was so much better than we could have imagined, we received so many positive comments from our patrons and guests and raised an admirable amount of money in aid of Help for Heroes," concluded Sheppard.