Lighting designer Hugh Taranto lit a vibrant array of artists performing on the Sydney Stage for the 2020-21 Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s New Year’s Eve broadcast. The high-profile event named “We Are One” culminated in a jaw-dropping pyro spectacular fired off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, stretching right across Sydney Harbour, watched in awe by millions across Australia and worldwide.
To fill the gap immediately in front of the stage with some sort of atmospheric element that would look good on camera Hugh and the team from lighting vendor Chameleon Touring Systems proposed 56 x vertical Astera Titan Tubes to create an interesting and dynamic “immersive light display” later dubbed ‘The Field of Dreams’ by the producers.
With the poetic name and a massive task ahead, the Astera Titan Tubes had plenty to live up to! This inventive visual solution had to compliment and work harmoniously with both the stage lighting rig designed by Hugh and the Sydney Harbour Bridge illuminations designed by Ziggy Ziegler.
Underlining the symbolic importance of this year’s rollover, for the first time, the broadcast was split between ‘live’ stages in Sydney and Melbourne, both with a stellar line-up including Paul Kelly, Amy Shark, DMA’s, Vera Blue, The Teskey Brothers, Casey Donovan, Odette, and Ben Lee.
The Sydney Stage site was harbourside on the Opera House’s northern forecourt complete with a stunning view of the Bridge behind. “The idea was to support the various performances visually with chases, pulses, and effects running through the Titan Tubes,” explained Hugh.
Hugh concluded: “The Asteras’ battery power and wireless control greatly assisted in creating the clean, streamlined aesthetic we wanted, and saved considerable time due to needing no cable management. Being waterproof was a great asset as it rained for periods in the night! While the lighting wasn’t a replacement for the energy and passion of a live audience, the Titan Tubes were a fantastic addition and help deliver a memorable NYE event full of the spirit of optimism and looking forward to a better year ahead.”
