Lighting Co
PRG
Venue
Various (Tour)
Crew
Creative Director/LD/Lighting Director: Guy Pavelo
Lighting Crew Chief: Clifford “The Big Red Dog” Sharpling
Lighting Techs: Christopher “Chrisjen” Shaffer, Simon Garwood, Alex “Peaches” Peters, Timothy Probert, Stuart “I Am Hard” Lee, Matthew “Skinny” Leroux
Video Content: 13th Witness, Brown Studios, Willo Perron & Assoc., GP-Design
Video/LED Director: Josh Adams
Pyro Designer & Operator: Reid Nofsinger
Cyro Tech: Jon Taylor
Cyro & Laser Tech: Matt Luciano
Laser Operator: Nick Curry
Head Rigger: Bob Powers
Advance Riggers: Pete Rayel, Gianluca “Gana” Ganapinni, Willo Perron & Assoc., John “JP” Perciful (Head Rigger), Martin Capiraso
Production Manager: Chris Reynolds
Tour Manager: Steve Kidd
Stage Manager: Richard Barr
Lighting/Rigging: PRG
Video: Upstream Multimedia w/ V.E.R.
Staging: Tait Towers
Lasers, Pyro, Cyro, Smoke: Strictly FX
Trucking: Ozark Mountain (U.S.), Transam Trucking (U.K.)
Gear
2 grandMA 2 Full consoles
52 Clay Paky Sharpys
57 GLP impression X4 fixtures
40 Martin Atomic 3000 strobes
72 1×4 MoleFays (2013 Tour)
72 SGM P-5 LED Blinders (2014 Tour)
72 Martin Stagebar 54s
36 PRG Best Boy 4000 Spots
44 PRG Bad Boy Spots
10 Vari*Lite VL3500 Wash fixtures
8 Vari*Lite VL5 Tungsten fixtures
3 Syncrolite SXLs
14 Cryo CO2 jets
7 30W Kvant lasers
2 1.5W audience scanning lasers
2 3W audience scanning lasers
6 DF-50 hazers
For more Drake tour photos by Steve Jennings, go to www.plsn.me/Drake2014Extras.
Designer Insights
Guy Pavelo has been in the lighting industry for around 15 years, having worked through most positions including moving light tech, crew chief, programmer, director and designer. Having held all those positions, Pavelo feels it’s helped him bring a good aspect to his design work, always keeping the crew in mind… how to build a show, tear it down, and avoiding the mindset that “someone else will figure it out”… Clients he’s been a part of have included Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, The XX, Rihanna and Beck… to name a few. We spoke with him about designing and directing Drake’s current tour.
Guy Pavelo
Creative Director, LD and Lighting Director
“I was first involved with Drake via Upstream multimedia. Just about three and a half years ago, they were building the video system for one of his first big tours, and was asked upon for a video programmer. I was happy to oblige, programming a bank of Catalysts for them and the tour. My “no problem” attitude turned a few key heads and, upon wrapping of that particular run, I was told I would now be the show programmer and operator, lighting and video, for the next run. After that, I have just been slowly progressing to now assisting with the creative direction, being the lighting designer, and such.
“The great big ring concept was brought initially to fruition via Willo Perron, from Willo Perron & Associates. I have been working with Willo for a few years, and on a few projects, and was happy when they left the rest of the process in my hands. I took the rings, and tried to complement them via truss work, to surround them. As the video wall in the back grew and grew, it became apparent that a truss hanging in the middle of it would look ridiculous, so I also did my best to re-use as many hanging elements as possible. The truss that supports the rear video wall, for example is my master Best Boy truss; [that way I avoided having to hang] another independent rack.
“From the U.S. to Europe, there have been a few changes. We added in 20 Sharpy units, two Syncrolite 7K units, a dozen 1×4 Molefays, 16 Atomics… and changed all master moles to SGM P-5 LED wash units. The P-5s are fantastic by the way, a real head turner, an unexpected win! We have under-floor lighting and a few bigger looks. After that, a few simple changes, like the trim and rake of a few trusses, dramatically changed the look of the system. By the time we were complete, when you created the shape of all the trusses, rings, and catwalk, you basically would come up with the shape of a woman. Head, waist, hips, and then down and out… It was interesting when complete.
“Strictly FX is the company [we] used for all the lasers, pyrotechnics, cryo and smoke for the show. Ted Maccabee is my guy over at Strictly [FX], and he took very good care of us. Handled all needs, and as new needs came to fruition, Strictly was always there without issue. Their team is the best in the industry and continue to prove that fact. Reliability goes a long way in my book.
“When it comes to fixtures, the Sharpys are great for their punch and impact… I do have a few on the show, and they do have their time to shine. My master fixture on the show, though, is definitely the PRG Bad Boy. They are used consistently and in multiple ways. They [have a] wide flood, but also have the potential to create a beam just about as small as a Sharpy… Those are the winners. High output, heavy punch, even in full saturated color… True, they are not as speedy as a Sharpy, but they weigh substantially more. Syncrolite brought an almost forgotten beam element to the show as well. The big fat hot beam goes a long long way, and makes substantial impact. My rep at PRG is Curry Grant, another guy that has been there for us without fail every step of the way.
“Working with my crew from PRG, both in the States and U.K., was a fantastic experience. Being able to rely on the guys to, day in and day out, build and provide the kind of service that I thought had been lost in the industry. Can do attitude, coupled with fast, consistent and safe work ethics were the theme of my guys. I am looking forward to the next adventure this summer!”
