The Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC), the youth version of the international
televised music competition, took place at the end of 2016, with lighting designer
Anton Borg Olivier designing a fully networked Avolites control and dimming system
to power broadcast-ready stage and green room lighting.
Hosted by Malta in the capital city of Valetta, JESC ’16 reported a total live average
audience of 3.9 million viewers across 14 markets; the biggest audience for four
years. With viewing figures this size, Olivier relied on Avolites’ advanced Timecode
functionality to ensure creative director Ismael Portelli’s multi-layered show went
off without a hitch.
“Avolites Titan version 10 software makes running a timecoded show very easy,” he
explains. “Since all songs are given a different start time, all I had to do was
choose the page of required playback faders and the desk did the rest. I could also
turn Timecode off when necessary by simply hitting a button. The software is highly
intuitive for ease of programming and offers a wealth of powerful features, which I
have quickly become familiar with. I particularly like Pixel Mapper and Key Frame
Shapes to create complex and effective looks.”
Olivier ‘s impressive networked Avolites system for the main stage included 2 x
Sapphire Touch consoles (one as backup), 2 x Sapphire Touch Wing, 2 x Titan
Network Processors and 2 x Titan Network Switches supplied by Nexos Lighting and
Vision of Malta (through UK-based HSL Group).
“We were able to effectively network the Avolites equipment for an integrated
control set up,” continues Olivier. “This gave us the redundancy we needed and the
ability to run the desks in multiuser modes, which allowed both myself and Ismael
to operate. The Sapphire Touch was chosen as the main control surface as it offers
motorized faders and a large workspace area meaning we could lay everything out
for easy access.”
Also in the mix were 5 x ART2000 T4 48 dimmer packs and Avolites Rack Mounted
DMX splitters, supplied by Italy-based AGORA as part of the main stage lighting
package.
“Avolites dimmer packs are my preferred dimming system – they set the industry
standard and are robust yet versatile,” Olivier explains.
To power the lighting in the glamorous ‘green room’ area, which featured a main
catwalk with islands for each artist and their delegations, Olivier selected an
Avolites Arena console plus backup Tiger Touch II, Titan Network Processor, an
ART2000 T4 48 dimmer pack and DMX Splitters.
The 14th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest took place in November
2016. Seventeen countries took part, with Mariam Mamadashvili of Georgia coming
out on top with her song Mzeo. The victory set a record, with Georgia having now
won Junior Eurovision more times than any other country.
