Toys For Ambient FX BACK

Technology is continually advancing an event’s capability to transform ho hum environments into stunning wonderlands. Deliver the elements of surprise and excitement, and showcase messaging, with computerized systems, lasers, projection and other effects that imprint guests’ memories with a “What will they think of next?!”

Here’s a close-up of a few whiz-bang ambience-generating tools:

Light It Up

Scrolling images, logos, messaging, colourful psychedelic patterns and starry effects move across LED floors and curtain panels from Visual FX. Updating “disco fever” to a millennium-savvy standard, these Pixel Panels have thousands of programmable LED nodes spaced 4-inches apart. Configure the 4 x 4 frosted floor panels together to create a 20 ft. x 28 ft. maximum dance area, runway or stage. Add in the 16 ft. x 32 ft. LED curtain for a motion wall of interactive twinkling, swirling lights.

The company also just added LED bars that run off very little power. Position the 3-ft. long x 6–in. high tubular light columns for intense colour splashes around a room or to showcase products and décor within their own glowing pool of colour.

Virtual Scenery

Westbury National Show Systems is taking projection into a whole new realm with two cutting-edge innovations. Unique is the Laser Graffiti system that produces interactive, fun décor simply by putting a presentation laser pointer in the hands of a graffiti artist or guest and encouraging their inner Picasso to take over. A laser sensitive camera instantly processes the “live art” through a computer and projects it onto a wall or building. Leave the visuals up or erase as a blank canvas for the next artist. System refinements will soon introduce multi-colour and logo integrations.

Another design approach is to envelope a room with a video treatment. Unlike its single-wall projection predecessor, the company’s new 360° Projection system wraps an interior with full-motion scenes cast upon white or sheer-covered walls. The bigger the wall expanse the better for the full-surround visuals of falling leaves, floating clouds, burning flames, even, the Swiss Alps. A loaded library of textures, images and scenes lets you literally customize a different look for every minute of an event!

Water Graphics

New in Pyrotek Special Effects & Laser Design Productions’ stable of wow! event artillery is Aqua Visual FX, a water screen that begins at a six-foot minimum and can be interconnected to a 48-ft. length and dropped from up to a 40-ft. trim height. Acting like a “waterfall billboard,” water is circulated through the system by a series of intelligent droplet controllers that, in tandem with computer software programming, pixilate the flowing liquid stream into customized graphics, shapes and text animation.

A catch basin recalculates the water for continual motion. Additional variations of lighting technologies can layer the water screen with even more action including Laser Designs' new full-colour state-of-the art Diode lasers, Brash 3-D projections software, LEDs and more.

Watchout Synchronicity

Whether it is for event presentations with impact or a décor presence to fill a room, Watchout technology and creative from SlingShot deliver on a panoramic scale. The Watchout system delivers infinite possibilities by seamlessly integrating graphics, video, PowerPoint and other media on multiple screens or through several overlapping projections. Size is where the technology is at its best with synchronized showings on full wall screens (think a 100-ft. long by 20-ft. high single image or video!) and stacks of flat panel plasma screens and monitors. With its interconnectivity, multiple rooms can share the same imaging or enjoy their own visual delights.

Flames & Scents

Warm up holiday event settings with real-flame fireplaces. The new clean burning EcoSmart ethanol fire units, available from Airmagic, are non-toxic, smokeless and safe for indoor use in enclosed venues without chimneys. Designed for high-rise condominiums, they can be used in ballrooms, lobbies, even small meeting rooms. The units can also be used for other indoor flame effects and paired with ice décor.

When every detail counts, add another layer to event reality with the company’s “Air Ambiance.” On cue, or all night long, fill the air with custom or stock scents such as cinnamon, pina colda, vanilla and toasted coconut.

With input from and special thanks to Bart Vickers, Visual FX, www.visualfx-inc.com
Rob Sandolowich, Westbury National Show Systems, www.westbury.com
Jim Schorer, Pyrotek Special Effects & Laser Design Productions, www.laserdesignproductions.com
Chris MacKechnie, Slingshot Inc. www.slingshot.ca
and Mark Fine, Air Magic, www.airmagicfx.com