Son et' Lumiere Sunday - "a small but important part of a special event"

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - "a small but important part of a special event", originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Yes, indeed it is Sunday again, and for this blog.......you guessed it.....Son et' Lumaire Sunday. That one day a week that I have reserved for a peek into the unique industry I have been a part of.

I am quite proud of the fact that in addition to flawlessly serving the social, corporate, and event markets (which is quite rare for a small company to accomplish), we have always been a full technical production house with a design driven focus. While, it is quite common to find equipment rental companies, labor organizations, and design organizations, having all of that under one roof can sometimes be a bit of a juggling act. I can proudly admit that we are but one in a few that has successfully accomplished this....design driven production with a passion for excellence.

Ok, enough of the pat on the back for now......

What I really want to focus on goes a little deeper.....

In the events world, it takes quite a bit of focus from a lot of vendors. Meeting planners, designers, production coordinators, caterers, florists, etc., all working in complete synergy for the same goal.....a flawless event. I love that! Sure we all have other events we are working on with a million things that need to be done, but when it comes down to it, nothing matters before the event except for THAT event.......nothing! Doors happen on schedule and there is NO excuse. When I start to loose that focus, I remind myself of one thing. Be it a wedding, corporate meeting, concert, party, or theatrical performance, there are a few key individuals that have lived this event in their minds for a long time. The bride who has dreamed of her special night, the meeting planner that had the vision for that special launch promotion, the artist that has practiced for months for their performance, the fundraising committee that has worked tirelessly planning for weeks.......it all boils down to that special time, show time. As an event professional, you have to realize that, tune into it, and become a part of it. To give it anything less that 100% is really letting down those who have entrusted you to help carry out their celebration and vision. I sincerely look forward to once again, harmoniously being a part of this magic over the next few months as our season kicks in.

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - The Season in Palm Beach

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - The Season in Palm Beach, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

"In the beginning there was nothing. God said, "Let there be light!" And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better." ~Ellen DeGeneres

On Sunday evenings, I like to take a little moment to recognize, look back at, and kind of give a bit of thanks to the industry I have been a part of for the better part of my life. Some posts are eu' currant, while others are a bit of a trip back in time. Why I do it in this tricky little French title kinda way, I have no idea.....but that's another story altogether......anyway.....

The Season.....yes the Season....

That period in South Florida and specifically here in Palm Beach in which the real party begins. Historically, the island swells up from its slow paced population of the summer from around Thanksgiving weekend up until Easter weekend, give or take a couple of weeks. Vendors such as hotels, restaurants, rental company's, event companies, florists, ......well, they all depend on this. It's always been a predictable cycle. A few of us have branched out and catered to the corporate market as well, but this seasonal social market continues to be a rather large share of the pie around here.

As I took a quick glance of the up and coming event calender for this season, I must say that this year seems to be predicting a kind of bleak outlook. Should be no surprise with the economy and the whole Madoff fiasco, but its still kinda tough to except.

For most of us in the game, I guess its a safe bet to except the fact that this is just a bump in the road. Sure, at times it seems like a huge bump, but I feel good times around the corner.

I've approached this challenge as a unique one. An opportunity to slow down a bit, focus on new strategies, realign myself with some new goals, travel, take some much needed personal time with my daughter, and appreciate (really appreciate) the fact that I have had a great 25 years so far. Although, it's not going to be business as usual for quite some time, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that my bright future is bound to provide me with!

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Devils Night and a view over Ghost pond

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Devils Night and a view over Ghost pond, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Wow, it seems like it was just last week about this time when I had my weekly post about the magic of special event lighting! (ahhhh, sorry, that was kinda lame....)

So anyway, these few images sat dormant for a bit until today. Kevin, a good friend of mine, is putting his creative magic wand to the event again this year. In hopes of helping out the website and the Facebook PR for the event, I passed these on to him today. Halloween is one of those holidays that allow us to have fun and be creative, and this year will be no exception. If last year is any indication, this is going to be THE party to be at on Halloween here in South Florida.

Check out the following video from last years event!

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Market America - 2009 Convention (and a reflection on industry relationships)

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Market America - 2009 Convention (and a reflection on industry relationships), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Wow, these Sundays seem to come at me at lightning speed!

For tonight's weekly reflection on the industry I have enjoyed being a part of, its more than the image above...it's about relationships. This image was from a recent project we were a part of in North Carolina...but more on that in a later post....

I must say that it is nice to know that over the last 25 years or so, there is group of folks that have tirelessly continued to promote and sell the service's of my company. Its a comforting feeling knowing that there is always a team of loyal producers, creative designers, coordinators, technical directors, and planners that see the value in our services and continue to bat for us. That being said, when there is an opportunity to return the favor and pull a few of these folks into a project that I am a part of.....well, it just feels good. Thanks for being there!

Here's to a great kickoff to the season this November!

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Market America - 2008 Convention

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Market America - 2008 Convention, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - a day I have set aside as a weekly opportunity to post a bit about the industry I find myself in. This Sunday, I find myself up in Greensboro for our annual Market America convention. The image above was actually from last year as the load in for this year will commence in about, oh, seven hours or so. Sometimes, its still hard to imagine that in one day, we get this rig virtually in and focussed! Of course, if not for the hard work of the Hylite crew for the last week working tirelessly in the hot South Florida shop prepping this show like a concert tour would load in, tomorrow would probably be a total disaster.....no, it WOULD be a disaster (and thats putting it nicely!)

As I seem to totally immerse myself in this project, I anticipate most of my posts this week to be about this project.....onsite and behind the scenes.

One more before I turn in, here is a video I posted this evening from a previous show of the producer doing his best to announce some of the names in the recognition portion of the program....most of them in Mandarin! Enjoy!



More on all of this later :)

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - An event from the past, but memories for a lifetime

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - An event from the past, but memories for a lifetime, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Welcome once again to Son et' Lumiere Sunday - My weekly visit to the industry I have been proud to be part of for the last 25 years or so. This week has me in kind of a thoughtful moment. While up here in Boston on a show, I had quite a realization while chatting with one of the team from our show. I say team, because, thats exactly what it is. A TEAM that, for this particular project, is just here for the week, but working for a client on an annual show for the last 20 years! Indeed, an accomplishment in and of itself.

My image here is from an event from a few years ago, and actually, not from Boston. HDR, photoshop, tricks of the digital age,....all of that takes a back seat to the meaning this image has to me. Aside of the fact that this was a pretty freakin cool event to work on....... a week to load in, a 32' ceiling in a black box sound stage, close to home, my stellar crew, ......it was just another day that I was able to walk away from my job and be quite proud of what I was a part of. But there is something that takes a front seat to all of that, and that is a recognition from a client for my passion for a flawless event, design, and attention to detail. That understanding of my "Passion" and opportunity to allow me to express it is what has given me the feeling of never having to feel like I am going to work. Indeed, when you can create an environment in your life that allows you to feel like you are never working, its a great feeling.

So, as I mentioned, I was discussing this with a long time colleague on this show in Boston, and I realized something once again. As you continue to propel yourself to be the best you can be, the company you keep is such an important part of that. When working around industry pros, the synergy created pulls the best out of you. Its a great energy to tap into! I can only say, quite humbly I might add, that I am quite fortunate to have been able to tap into the creative minds over the past few years that I have. This is what I feel has been one of the key reasons I strive to be the best that I can be, and I thank you all for that! (and you all know who you are!!!)

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - General Session Lighting Looks

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - General Session Lighting Looks, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

This weeks Son et' Lumiere or Sound and light Sunday actually finds me on location. The summer season is usually the quiet one here in South Florida, but as luck would have it, I have three weeks of up and coming work. This week finds us on an event providing lighting for a corporate meeting and evening events for a company in the beauty industry. Our load-in today was quite smooth. Upon my initial walk into the ballroom here at Turnberry in Aventura, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my crew had already dumped the truck and were well on their way to organizing the sea of cases into organized areas. Ah yes, off to a great start!. Soon after the 8AM call for lighting and rigging, the audio and video trucks showed up. As this well oiled machine progressed thru the next 4 hours, the ballroom floor was cleared for the scenic and decor crew. An afternoon of touch up, cleanup, and patching took us to an on time dinner break. After dinner, a quiet lighting focus in a calm room void of all other departments. Just the way I like it! We even got a jump start on the install for tomorrow nights party lighting in another ballroom as well.

All in all, a great start to a great week. It was good fun working with my crew again. I am fortunate to have them join me on this one!

The shot above, or collage of images, is actually from the same clients meeting at this venue from 5 years ago. Wow, how time flys!

I am quite passionate about these events for the beauty industry as the producers create a very synergetic and creative environment to design in. As a creative eye in the look of the event, I am once again looking forward to the process over the next couple of days.
Events like these remind me of why I have been doing it for so long! More to come :)

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Details from a wedding - part deux

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - Details from a wedding - part deux, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

This Sunday for Son et' Lumiere Sunday (a weekly peek into the inner workings of the unique business of special event lighting), I would like to pick up where we left off last week. Although I appreciate all the intricate details that make up the bigger picture, it is in fact this bigger picture that requires the large brush strokes of our lighting design. As mentioned before, this particular event had a common theme......color, and that color was lavender.

This color, in addition to being utilized within the floral, tablecloths, and decor, was the driving force in the lighting that we painted the room and details with. LED uplighting around the room was dialed into the precise color to complement the decor.

Each table had elaborate floral details that were individually pin-spotted. This contrast made each center piece appear to pop with brilliance while providing a nice reflected ambiance and warmth.

At this point, the cool daylight color temperature of the Florida sun was still sneaking itself into the room through the custom lavender drapes.

The wedding cake, at an event of this level, is always a spectacular piece of art. It is our job to make sure that it is lit as to be seen by all the guests. (and of course, to fight of the urge to attack it with a fork!)

An elaborate canopy of cherry blossom branches were suspended from a custom truss grid that we rigged to the ceiling. With the use of electrical chain motors, the decorator was able to wire all of the branches to the grid that we intern were able to raise with the push of a button. After this beautiful ceiling of texture was raised, the custom hand painted canvas was then stretched over the dance floor. An incredible effect indeed!

As a finishing touch and a unique remembrance for the bride and groom, an artist was commissioned to create a painting of the finished room. The finished piece of art actually had quests included that were wearing the exact attire they were wearing that evening!

Hope you enjoyed this little look into the window of one of our events. More next week!

Son et’ Lumiere Sunday - Details from a wedding

Son et’ Lumiere Sunday - Details from a wedding, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

So, Ive decided to add a weee bit more structure to my blog posts starting this week. Last Tuesday I started what I hope to be a weekly post of time-lapse projects I have recently been playing around with. Time-lapse Tuesdays shall serve up a weekly sampling of these experimental pieces. Tonights little launch is intented to be a weekly serving of images from events that I am either currently working on or have never had a chance to display. These Sunday evening posts will from here on out be refered to "Son et’ Lumiere Sundays." This phrase is one that I have always liked as it means sound and light show in French. Although, the majority of the events I work on are more of a synergy of various artisans and designers in other areas as well, lighting, sound, and electronic scenery is our specialty.

For this event, a wedding, the beauty is always in the details. Before expanding out to the larger view of the room and its treatment (for some other week), I would like to zoom in a bit close and enjoy the details that the designer created.

I used a new template idea for the top 3 images as I like these types of layouts. I like how the groups of pictures seem to create more of a complete picture and story to the scene. Although I am far from proficient in this look, I have always liked it, as seen in many travel and bridal magazines (aahhh, not that I look at a lot of Bridal Magazines, but you get the picture.)

If you have ever visited this blog before, you know that I create a lot of saturated and slightly over the edge processed HDR looks. These types of events, especially this last season, have given me a lot of opportunities to explore a more soft side in my search for images and subjects. That time before the doors open for the guest is the time I kinda feel like a kid in a candy store bouncing about the room with tripod (my gosh, that sounded stupid, didn't it?)

The first layout above is a sampling of some of the beautiful table details. Nothing is overlooked here in this cohesive design. The bride had a love for lavender and was the driving force in the color and feel of the flowers, linen, and lighting. The cake, as detailed in the second image, is one of those things that I often wonder if most of the guests get to appreciate. The intricate pieces of icing and texture were fun to explore with the camera. I guess that took my mind off of wanting to grab a fork and dig in (my gosh, could you imagine the horror upon finding a gouged chunk of cake removed from the back side by a hungry lighting designer? I often have....hehehe). While walking thru the cocktail area on my way out to the car before the guests arrived, I couldn't help but grab a couple of details shots of the sushi. Once again, I had to fight the urge!

The pastel lavender color the bride loved so much was a predominate player in the lighting design scheme we created. Look for some more images from the event soon (perhaps next week) on another Son et' Lumiere Sunday!