3/13/09UVLD Helps Forest Labs Shine a Light on Savella, A New Treatment Option For Fibromyalgia
Unlimited
Visibility Lighting Design (UVLD) was chosen by longtime client altered image to provide the lighting
design for a high-profile event they produced for Forest Laboratories,
Inc. Held in San Diego and
attended by some of the pharmaceutical company’s national sales team, the
gathering unveiled Savella, a new treatment option for the estimated six
million Americans living with the pain of fibromyalgia. Forest Laboratories and Cypress
Bioscience, Inc. received FDA approval for Savella in January.
“On this
project we were tasked with synthesizing
the overall background of the show – the close ups as well as the wide shots
and the textures on the sides of the set,” says lighting designer Greg
Cohen. Set Designer Patrick Fahey,
of Eight Hands High, devised a full stage backdrop that took video projection
throughout the show; the content for these screens, as well as outboard LED
panels, were provided by UVLD. LMG
provided the complete HD video package, with the low-res elements provided by
XL Video.
Although
there was no lack of technology on the show, the real impact was in the
creative elements authored by altered
image. The show began with the
reveal of a 45-piece orchestra, comprised of local symphony musicians, to play
moving ballads with a singer and chorus that narrated the story of living with
fibromyalgia.
The
orchestra brought lighting challenges of its own. Steep front and side light was used to emulate what is often
found in concert halls. It was
important to provide illumination for the cameras, but it was also critical
that the musicals could see the conductor. “Although artists will put up with a lot in a corporate
event,” notes Cohen, “it’s hard to imagine musicians not complaining about a
massive lighting rig in their eyes.”
The team
was brought together by Gregory Hermanson of ShowTx, whose firm provided
technical direction. The altered image team was lead onsite by
senior producer, Josh Ward and creative director, Paul Duffy. The UVLD team consisted of Paul
Sharwell as lead programmer with Matt Webb programming the MBOXes. Cameron Yeary assisted in
pre-production as the Visual Media Developer, handing integration with the LMG
and XL Teams. Tom Blancato was the
production electrician with Johnny Washam as his assistant. The lighting gear was provided by 4
Wall Entertainment.
“It was a
great team of people,” concludes Cohen.
“We had some of the best in the industry on this show, which made the
show an absolute pleasure. We were
thrilled to be working with altered
image again. It’s a stressful
time for everyone, to be sure, but when we can come together and do something
unique, I think it’s more memorable for us all.”
“To
collaborate with the open-minded team of Greg Cohen and UVLD makes our creative
vision have even more impact," states Paul Duffy. "They are able to see and hear
where things need to go and offer us an unlimited resource of creativity and
sheer brilliance.”
About
UVLD
Unlimited
Visibility Lighting Design (UVLD) creates lighting designs for corporate theater,
live entertainment, themed environments, trade shows and special events.
UVLD is a partnership of 10 designers working in all aspects of lighting
design; their work has been seen on stages and screens nationwide and around
the world. Clients include IBM, Mitsubishi, Honda, Kia, Mercedes, Volvo,
Volkswagen, John Deere, Microsoft, Cartier, Victoria’s Secret, FedEx, Avon
and Audi.