Lincoln University’s Media Broadcast Production Centre

Jands Vista consoles, running the new Vista v2 software, have been installed in the two TV studios at Lincoln University’s Media Broadcast Production Centre, a purpose built production environment which includes radio studios, video editing, audio editing, digital imaging, and multimedia suites as well as a brand new sound theatre.

The studios have been newly upgraded to include some of the latest lighting and camera technologies, bringing the facilities up to full multi-camera and HD spec.

The University offers qualifications with some of the UK’s leading media orientated courses, and the studios are used for full programme making and a variety of other associated functions. They are run by the University’s Media,
Humanities & Technology Faculty, and overseen day-to-day by studio engineer and technical specialist, Steve Judge. Steve also teaches the practical and technical elements of courses to students using the facilities.

The Jands Vista consoles, a T2 and an I3, were supplied to the University by Jands exclusive UK dealer A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd (AC-ET).

The T2 console is located in the larger of the studios with the I3 in the smaller, both controlling a mix of generics, and the new LED fixtures.

Steve had not used Jands before, and was glad he listened to the recommendation to take a look at it for himself before choosing to buy anything else. He says that AC-ET were very helpful and informative in providing information and responding to his queries.

He downloaded the Vista software and gave it a thorough test himself, commenting, “I found that, particularly with Vista v2, people were really embracing Vista and enthusing about how much it moved it into a different league. I was confident we were investing in the right technology.”

Programming the console via its logical and intuitive interface is ideal for his students, he explains, as they are already familiar with technology and communications devices working in the same style.

He believes that having their new LED fixtures, and the freedom to get the most out of them with the Vista control system both quickly and simply will energise students and stimulate their interest in lighting generally. The studios are regularly used for the production of current affairs style programmes, and one of the briefs is that student teams should come up with fresh and innovative ways of lighting and presenting these.

US Lighting designer Tony Fransen continued his long association with the Jands Vista lighting and media control system by recently going on the road with a Vista T2 console to run lighting for the Sara Bareilles US Tour.

On the road since May, the tour is a mix of her own headline performances as well as some opening shows for country duo Sugarland.

Tony’s neatly designed touring package gives Bareilles her own individual stage aesthetics utilising his distinctive “boutique” style. Taking advantage of whatever extra lighting is available in each venue to supplement his design, Tony uses the Vista’s powerful Fixture Swap and Cloning to swiftly integrate units into his show.

This ability to further enhance his standard programmed show, ensures that it will always look great, and Tony has the time to tweak and fine-tune as he goes. “It’s extremely powerful, the software is rock solid and it is definitely the best control platform on the market” he enthuses.

Bareilles’ floor package consists of VARI*LITE VL2500s, about 40 Martin Professional MAC 101 LED washes and a selection of other products including JTE PixelLine 1044 battens, Micro W LED ‘bricks’, plus a smattering of generics. The slick, moody low level set contains a further 320 x MR16 ‘birdies’.

The Vista T2 and touring packages are being supplied by rental company TLS Inc. in conjunction with Deluxe Productions. Huntsville, Alabama headquartered TLS has several Jands Vista consoles in its hire inventory, and being based nearby, Tony works closely with their Nashville, Tennessee office.

Tony uses his iPad as a complete remote for the console, making focussing simple and allowing him to run cues to check his show from anywhere in the venue. “It allows me to be really efficient with my time”, he explains.

“I love the way the timeline shows me information”, he declares “I can literally just stretch the times out and line them up, all while seeing what I am doing, rather than looking at a bunch of numbers” he explains, adding that you “simply can not beat” that way of working.

Tony is full of praise for Jands’ North American distributors, A.C. Lighting Inc, “A.C Lighting Inc offer incredible support, they are on hand to help at any time, and are always a good springboard for bouncing new ideas as well as a brilliant team of people” he states.

This leg of the Sara Bareilles tour ran until the end of October, and continued with a series of Festival shows in December, where Tony once again took a Vista T2. Tony’s individual design style keeps him constantly in demand, and he currently has four other designs on the road, all of which have been programmed on and are using Jands Vista consoles – including Stephen Curtis Chapman and two “Women of Faith” tours.

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