Richard Martin Lighting and Stagetec Distribution supplied equipment for the BBC Studios’ Music Craft Day 2006 held at the BBC Television Center in White City on 12th January.

BBC Studios holds the annual event to allow their junior staff the opportunity to extend their skills on a real show. Four stages were set up in the studio, each with its own lighting and sound rig, three of the stages had live bands performing in six 15-minute shows, the work was then judged by three judges on the fourth stage. The four live bands (Red Eye Banquet, Kaz Simmons Jazz Band, Geniac, and Barney) provided a wide range of material to enable the camera, sound, and lighting operators to experience working on a live music show. The first day was for the rig and fine light, the second to rehearse and record the shows.

Stage 1 featured 12 Martin MAC 500, four JTE Pixeline 1044, four 6-lamp PAR bars and four 8-lights all controlled from a Compulite Vector Blue console. Stage 2 featured 12 VARI*LITE VL2402s™, 12 Pulsar Chroma strips, and four 8-lights controlled from a Compulite Vector Green. Stage 3 had four VARI*LITE VL3000™, two Martin MAC 600 and six Pulsar Chromabanks controlled from a Compulite SparkTOP. Stage 4 had four Martin MAC 250, two Novalight High Ground, one Martin MAC 500 and four JTE Pixelpars controlled from a Compulite SparkTOP.

The Craft Day provided an excellent opportunity for the junior operators to stretch their wings and further develop their skills, and they were assisted by experienced BBC Studios craft supervisors. BBC Studios has recently purchased a Compulite Vector Lite console for their in-house training room.