For the first annual Sassy Jones fashion show at Main Street Station. In the welcome area, the client provided a 30-ft long step & repeat backdrop which we lit with pink uplighting (the client’s preferred color) to provide a branded backdrop for a selfie station
We also supplied four tv screens with custom-created digital signage that advertised the client’s merchandise before the show and changed to let VIP customers know when it was time for them to go shopping after the event
Runway
We installed a huge fashion show runway in Main Street Station: 100 ft long and 12 ft wide so that all attendees could see the clothing being modeled.
Professional lighting was required to illuminate the runway from all angles, which we supplied via Chauvet R2 Wash fixtures for the side and Martin Mac Viper fixtures for powerful front light. The framing shutters of the Mac Vipers were particularly helpful in lighting only the runway and not blinding audience sitting behind the edge of the runway
Effect lighting for texture pattern projection on the runway was supplied by Robe Pointe fixtures. Blasts of pink light overhead were handled by Chauvet Nexus 4×4 panels.
Backdrop with client logo supplied by Atomic Design
VIP Press Conference Area
We provided an 12×16 stage for press conference with supplementary sound, stage lighting, and drape for the perimeter of the room
Pop Up Shop
60 4×4 platforms elevated models who were showing the latest fashions for sale
The lush 100 acres of gardens at the Maymont Estate are gorgeous throughout the year. However, at Maymont Garden Glow, you can see the gardens in an entirely different light. There is no place like the Maymont Japanese Garden or Italian Garden anywhere else in the mid-Atlantic region. The Italian Garden has specially distinct patterned flower beds, while the Japanese Garden has many Eastern-style plants. In fact, the Maymont Japanese Garden is the oldest public garden on the East Coast.
During the annual Maymont Garden Glow event, you can see the marvelous gardens majestically lit up. An extensive lighting installation is setup by our professional technicians to make this event happen. We use hundreds of outdoor light fixtures to illuminate the landscape and provide beautiful evening looks. Guests can walk the path and see all the trees, structures, and water features washed in amazing colors.
Our clients often request assistance with outdoor lighting projects, so we are familiar with the challenges posed by long-term outdoor lighting displays. Indeed, we have an enormous inventory of weatherproof light fixtures plus many miles of power cable to enable lighting installations in remote locations.
Maymont Garden Glow Areas
As an attendee of the 2020 event, you could observe many distinct areas with unique lighting elements at each location.
The walk began with numerous patterns of natural textures projected on the stone barn. Afterwards, you could see the large fountain illuminated for a colorful moving water look. Finally, you were led down a stone path into the wooded walk, illuminated with multicolored kaleidoscope pattern projection.
Wooded Walk
As you arrived at the wooded walk, a spectacular view of the Italian Gardens bathed in bright colors appeared. While walking through this area, you could see the surrounding nature lit in corresponding colors that changed in sync with the Italian music played in this area.
Moving towards the Maymont Mansion, guests first looked out over the pond towards the statue of Three Graces. A low lying fog slowly billowed out over the pond while lights shined below creating an eerie look. Furthermore, around the mansion, you could see patterns projected on the exterior walls showcasing the magnificent building. Additionally, you could see the mausoleum silhouetted against the backdrop of the James River.
Mansion Area and Interactive Effect
Coming around the front of the Maymont Mansion was one of the event’s centerpieces. A large lighting display controlled by guests walking through it changed depending where you stand. Accompanying this were sound effects to remind the user of playing a piano. Around Halloween we changed these to spooky themed sound effects. Following this scene, guests were treated to spectacular views of the large illuminated trees north of the Mansion. Wherever you looked, the nature was bathed in majestic colors.
Looking towards the exit pathway were two more major installations. A triangular sculpture made of chinese parasols was set in the middle of the path. You could take fantastic selfies in front of this structure as each parasol was lit from behind with different colors. Then, as you walked down Magnolia Row, over your head were over 2500 bistro light bulbs strung between the trees. Multiple colored paper lanterns hung over some of the bulbs adding color to this area which was already aglow. More than half a mile of bistro string lighting was hanging in the trees over this area.
Maymont Garden Glow By The Numbers:
116 Chauvet Professonal ColorDASH Par H12IP weatherproof LED wash fixtures illuminated gardens, trees, and buildings
32 Astera AX5 LED fixtures with 360-degree diffusion domes used in the peninsula
10 Chauvet Ovation E-260WW IP fixtures that projected colored texture gobos and the event logo
3000 linear ft of bistro string lighting between the west mansion turn and magnolia row, totaling 1500 bulbs
500 linear ft of Chauvet Festoon color changing bistro string lighting on the ramp, light tunnel, and parasols
250 paper lanterns on the magnolia row string lights adding color
Two Interactive Technologies CueServer units for show playback
Two Mega-Silent 30 KVa Diesel Generators for reliable event power supplied by Temp-Power
~6250 linear ft of electric power cable
~3000 linear ft of DMX control data cable
24 cable ramps to protect cables run over walking paths
Once you’ve inked a contract to rent a venue for your event, your next thought is probably choosing the vendors that will provide services at your event. Sometimes the venue has requirements, such as, they must handle the catering.
Many times, the venue will also offer to provide your audio-visual and lighting services. Unlike the catering staff, who are likely employees of the venue, the AV provider is most commonly a contractor of the venue who they recommend to their clients. (Sometimes this is not the case, and the venue does have employees who handle AV needs)
Pros and Cons of using in-house AV
Is it a problem that your venue provides AV services for your event? Not necessarily, but consider all the aspects. Here are the details:
Hotels and even some wedding venues say that it is more convenient for you to use their in-house AV team. After all, they work at the venue regularly and they (might) keep their equipment there. In case of last-minute changes to your event, the house can just grab more gear from their closet. You have one contract for the space, food/beverage, and audio-visual. Maybe there is a required penalty you have to pay if you don’t use their AV provider.
Many times, the in-house AV provider has a commission agreement with the venue. This means they pay a percentage of your AV contract total back to the venue. If you don’t mind spending extra money then this is not a concern. But if you want to reduce your AV budget, a local lighting company can usually provide better service at a better price.
These venues might neglect to tell you that the in-house AV vendor is almost certainly paying a large commission back to the venue, charged directly to you. The venue will likely forget to mention that the “on-site equipment” has indeed been onsite for 25 years and is outdated and unreliable. And there will be no mention that the “dedicated technician” for support during your event will have to service all of the rooms at the venue. Just when you need help connecting your laptop at the start of your presentation, the technician might be fixing the sound in another room, and will come over to you when available.
Quality AV Services are Key
The lighting and AV play a key role in having a perfect event or wedding. If nobody can hear the bridal party speeches because the sound was bad, all your guests will remember. Imagine if the projector breaks and nobody can see the presentation. Your audience’s key takeaway will be that your event was poorly planned. You can see that the selection of an AV company dedicated to ensuring your event runs smoothly is critical.
At The Lighting & Sound Co, we believe that service before and during your event is the most important aspect of our relationship with you. We work with you to determine a lighting and AV scope that fits your specific needs. We don’t provide cookie-cutter equipment that is barely related to your event vision. Our skilled technicians are dedicated only to your event when onsite. If you call your account manager for help, the response will be “someone is coming to fix that issue.”
If you are holding anything more than the smallest gathering, you probably have a few vendors providing event services. As your event increases in scale, you may suddenly be coordinating with tens (or hundreds) of suppliers. If your event has multiple dates or locations, your vendors multiply!
This is where it becomes helpful to get as many services as possible from your suppliers. A single company that provides many related services will be of great help. A company that has contacts with every local event-related business can additionally coordinate other tangentially-related services for you.
Large events require careful planning and expert execution.
Event Coordination is a full-time job!
Imagine an outdoor wedding. You’ve decided who will attend, where to have it and, who will provide catering. But now you have to sort through tent rentals, DJ services, tables and chairs, decor, and lighting. Suppose you handle all of that only to get to your special day and be told that the caterer tripped the only circuit. Now your DJ can’t play and your guest’s can’t see in your tent.
Consider a large concert event. Your band demands a huge stage with a bunch of instruments (backline) and you have 8000 people coming who need to hear the band. The show goes into the evening so the stage needs to be lit up, and the venue has no electrical power. You need fencing to channel the attendees where they need to go, and security staff to make sure there is no trouble. Portable restrooms and parking lot lighting are of course required, as well as illumination for vendor tents…
LSC Production Manager Jonathan Coordinates Generators with Temp-Power
Associated Event Services
Enter The Lighting & Sound Co. After being onsite for thousands of events, we know everyone in town who provides top-quality event services. We also have partners nationwide to assist with rare requests or distance events. It helps that we are often one of the first to arrive and last to leave. We can either provide what you need or know the best providers in the area. Make one call and let us handle your event technology needs, so you can focus on other aspects.
We will be glad to provide lighting, sound, AV, drape, and coordinate the best mobile stages, generators, band backline, tents, security fencing, multi-site logistics, and anything else you would rather not have on your plate. Rest assured that we vet all of our event partners and only work with vendors who offer the same top quality standards and reliability we are known for.
The best event partners make for smooth events
If you need assistance with event technology or other event services, get in touch and we’ll be glad to assist. (804) 893-5066 or events@lightingandsoundco.com
Want to learn more about event technology? Check out one the articles below!
If you’re planning a gala-style event, with seated dining or low-light ambiance, you’re probably considering using pin spots. Pin spotting (pins, table spotting) is the use of a narrow-beamed light to illuminate centerpieces, tables, and other important decor elements. Many people incorrectly refer to pin spotting as “spotlighting,” which is a different lighting service.
Illuminating Flower Arrangements & Floral Decor with Pin Spotting
Pin spots are most florist’s favorite light. That’s because when florists and lighting companies work together, pin spots are often what comes up. Along with a host of other uses, pins are one of the best ways to illuminate your floral centerpieces.
There is no such thing as the best angle for a pin spot. Technicians place lights at various angles to create dramatic shadows, great for a moody feel and less detailed centerpieces. They can also be placed so that the centerpiece is completely and evenly lit. This is great for detailed florals and topiaries. Unfortunately, often venue, budget or both prevent optimal placement of pin spots. A lighting company with any kind of skill will work around this by using ground-support options and a diverse range of pin spotting options.
As with any lighting or decor item, the sky is the limit. Keep it simple with a warm-white 2-angle wash, or get creative with some of the customization options below.
Pin Spots Customization
Color – Pins are typically white or warm white, but a well-equipped event lighting company will have LED lights that can change to your specified color.
Angle – Different types of supports can be brought in to place your lights at the angle of your choosing
Diffusion – While they typically have a 1 degree angle, pins can diffuse anywhere from 1(narrow) to 40(wide) degrees.
Intensity – The intensity of your lights can be controlled so that they don’t overpower other natural lighting or design effects.
2 angles vs 1 angle Some florists, such as The Flow Guy Bron (pictured on top), need 2 angle pin spotting more than others!
Getting the most out of your pin spots
When you talk to your lighting company, make sure you come well-informed. Most companies will charge per table for pins. In most situations, two spots are required per centerpiece, to get total coverage so ensure that’s what you’re getting.
Why use pins? Click the pin spot function on our color picker app, and you can see the difference that they make!
A guide for event planners, coordinators, and brides.
1. Where
It almost goes without saying, but you’d be surprised how many folks don’t lead with the location of their event. Production companies need to know the location of the venue for multiple reasons. The primary reason is knowing the layout of the venue. This helps with costing services and knowing what will work in the space. Any kind of custom design needs exact dimensions, so being able to get a look at the venue is often crucial to the success of the design team.
2. When
Why your lighting company knowing the exact date is important
Lighting companies also need to know when your event is. It isn’t unusual for a lighting company to book events several months, or even a year in advance. While most lighting companies can service multiple events in a day, every company has its capacity. An exact date is the only way to determine for sure that equipment and labor resources will be available for your event. Try to make sure that this information is included in your initial request for services.
Why you need to get your lighting company an up-to-date schedule.
Lighting equipment can sometimes take longer than anything else to set up. Lighting companies have a pretty good idea of how long a service will take based on past experience. They use this information to get the most out of their equipment and crew during a somewhat lopsided work week. Corporate events and meetings often happen during the week. However, a large majority of events take place on the weekends. Lighting companies service all types of events year-round, but most event companies see a huge boost in activity during the fall season. This leaves them with a large amount of events, all happening at once. Because of this, event companies keep schedules that can be very tight. It is important to update all of your vendors with any schedule changes, to prevent any issues.
3. Event Type/Theme
After providing lighting services for thousands of events, we’ve learned a couple things. We like to handle different types of events differently, and with the care they deserve. Because of this, we’ve developed several departments that specialize in different event areas. It’s useful to know early on what type of event we’re dealing with so that we can get it in the hands of the right event expert. Chances are, we’ve dealt with a very similar event, and can call upon that knowledge when designing your event.
4. Total Attendance
Knowing total attendance is important for a few reasons. For a simple wedding in a hotel ballroom, your production company probably doesn’t need to know this information. But for larger events, especially where there’s sound involved, be sure to mention this number. More people not only create more background noise that the system needs to project over, they also obstruct the sound by physically being there. Knowing how many people will be there helps audio technicians bring the correct equipment. This ensures that your event audio will be heard loud and clear.
6. Power Requirements/Availability
Your lighting company needs to know more than just the power available at the venue; they also need to know what other vendors expect to use it. Caterers often require a large amount of power for heaters, and appliances such as coffee makers or food warmers. Many large-scale coffee makers require an entire circuit to themselves. In fact, everyone from the DJ to the photo booth could require power. Insufficient electrical availability could mean an important aspect of your event might go dark or without power.
7. Onsite AV or Lighting Technician
For some events, lighting is basically just a decor item. The lighting team will unload, set up the lighting, and take off. For events with simple uplighting, drape, or string lighting, this is the way to go. Although a technician is not always needed, some event coordinators prefer to have one standing by for the very rare chance that something goes wrong. However, if anything has to change during the event, you will need onsite staff. This includes everything from tying up drape pieces into gathers, to changing the color of the uplighting. The cost of this will depend on the length of time that the tech is needed, but work calls usually have four-hour minimums.
8. Service Needs
The more you can let your lighting company know about your needs, the better. You can save a lot of time by preparing a list of the exact services you need, and the details of each service. Ultimately, many people don’t have this information in the early stages of even planning. If this is the case, save time by making this clear to all of your vendors, so you can avoid them fishing for the information.
9 . Load In Procedure
More often than not, your lighting company will already be familiar with the venue. But for unusual event spaces or private residences, it’s important that an information sheet with any relevant rules and procedures is generated not only for your lighting company, but for all of your other vendors as well. Ideally, your lighting company won’t be loading in at the same time as other vendors.
10. Parking
Parking is something that many people take for granted. Venues in urban areas can often have parking that is quite limited. Some event setups can take anywhere from four to eight hours, so it’s important to think about where your vendors are going to park during this time. Most lighting companies drive extended vans or box trucks, so keep in mind that there may need to be more room than usual for them to park.
11. Venue Rules
As an event planner, you are often the center of communication between other vendors. The venue is no exception. While many venues are proactive and reach out to all vendors to provide information, every experience varies. It’s important to pass any essential information down the line to your vendors. Often, the venues expect this, and rely on planners and coordinators to pass information along to vendors.
If you want to learn more about lighting, The Lighting & Sound Co. offers tons of resources for people of all knowledge levels. Reach out by phone or email to speak to a pro.
Looking for an AV Company? We are The Lighting & Sound Company, a national design, production, and AV company based in Richmond, Virginia. We provide lighting, AV, logistical support, and design concepts for upscale events and serve a broad range of industries. Our experienced crew helps major brands and groups of all sizes conceptualize, design, and execute unique visions and successful events.
An LSC AV Tech prepares a truss to fly over a fundraiser gala in the Siegel Center at VCU.
AV Services in Richmond
Like any AV company, we offer more than just lighting, video, and audio services. Our services also include a large range of decor lighting, fabrication and soft goods options. Because of this, we’re able to provide a “one-stop-shop” for most events.
Live Event Audio with your AV Company
Our modern audio inventory has all the elements needed for large-scale events. Most importantly, our live event audio crew has experience working in corporate events and meetings, concerts, broadcast, large-scale sporting & worship events and more.
Full-sized PA systems from multiple high-end brands, such as DB and JBL. Our crew of professional audio engineers will ensure that not a single word or note is missed.
Our audio techs have experience mixing for national and international acts from a wide range of genres. Consequently, they have the skills they need to operate in high-pressure event situations
We can field audio consoles to fit any rider, including favorites like the Venue, and standbys such as the Behringer X32.
An LSC lighting designer operates lighting for a turn-key lighting system at Fort Lee in Virginia.
Stage Lighting with an AV Company
Our lighting team consists of classically trained designers and experienced lighting technicians.
Turn-Key stage lighting systems including conventional and LED stage lighting, available to fit events of any scope.
Indoor and outdoor stage lighting available, we like to think of ourselves as “weather-friendly”
Conventional and LED TV Lighting available for broadcast and live streaming events. This includes Kino Flo LED lighting with adjustable color temperature for TV Stages.
Range of moving lights to fit most riders and needs. This includes both arc source and LED beam, profile, wash, and hybrid fixtures.
Effect lights for stage decor and effects also available. Strips, bricks, cycs, blinders, whatever you need to make your event outshine the rest.
Event Video and Image Magnification
Our AV team comes full equipped with any video equipment you might need.
Projectors and fast fold projection screens in all standard sizes for corporate events and meetings.
LED Video walls for concerts, corporate events, and high-visibility outdoor image magnification.
High-lumen projectors available for projection mapping and large-format projections. Perfect for corporate parties, meetings, and displays.
TVs up to 70″ for digital signage displays and AV for small breakout rooms.
Live streaming and recording options available, including live image magnification and onsite camera teams. High quality cameras will help to ensure that not even the smallest detail is missed.
We can do a lot more than just stage lighting for your event. For instance, our decor lighting is unrivaled. Along with design services, we offer a huge number of decor lighting options that will blow your event attendees away. Work with our experienced designers to craft a design. Or, come to us design-in-hand and we’ll make your vision a reality. In other words, it’s completely up to you how involved you are in the process.
Powerful wired and wireless uplighting to change the look and feel of your event space.
Bistro lighting for tent and outdoor events. String lighting overhead is the perfect way to light large areas with a warm and intimate charm.
Pin-spots to light centerpieces, or tables in low-light scenarios such as galas or holiday parties.
Custom and Texture Gobo projections are great for making your event look unique. Moreover, we have an enormous inventory of patterns that can completely change the look of the event space, or just accent it a little. For example, if you have a winter theme, you can choose from a long list of frost, snow, and other winter-themed patterns.
Soft Goods and Design Elements
In addition to being an AV Company and decor lighting wizards, we have one of the largest collections of drape in Richmond. As a result, we do a lot of custom event designs. Our creative fabrications team can help design and build a set to support events of all types.
Velour, poly premiere, banjo, and sheer draping in many sizes and colors.
Custom drape backdrops both simple and elaborate.
Custom set pieces.
Textured vacu-form plastic pieces.
Texture tiles, illuminated blocks, and other common elements available.
For party rentals & linens, check out our friends at Party Perfect
If you’re interested in working with an AV company for your event, there are a couple things you should know before you start the hiring process.
What is the goal of your event?
Before you contact your the company you want to do your event AV, make sure you know what you want your event to be. Will it be a educational presentation? Will it be an engaging activity? Different equipment can drastically change how the event feels.
What are your needs vs. wants for the event?
Your basic needs may be a screen, projector, a few speakers, and a microphone, but adding small details will go a long way to help your audience stay engaged. Lighting, drape, projection mapping, and much more can all help make your event unique and fun. It’s up to you to decide how important everything on your list is, especially when budget is on the line.
How big is your event?
The size of the venue and the amount of people in the room can call for a wide range of equipment needed for the event. The dimensions of the room and the head-count should be enough for a technician to know what is required.
2 screens, face-light, and a PA flying from truss at Main St. Station in Richmond, VA
Choosing an Event AV company
After you know your plan, the next step is to choose an event AV company. The most important job of an audio visual company is to provide solutions, not products. Instead of trying to sell you equipment, they should look at your goals and needs and provide the answers that will result in a successful event. Many companies will use the same equipment, so you should make your choice based on how knowledgeable they are and how their solution fits into your budget.
Event AV can help to make your presentations unique, lighting backdrops are very versatile
The Lighting & Sound Company is a full event production company, not just an Event AV company. Maybe you need just a TV for a presentation, or maybe you need a full stage with a velour backdrop, projectors and screens, key lighting for a speaker, and a PA system. Allow us to make sure your event is perfect.
Originally opened more than a century ago in 1901, Main Street Station remains an iconic and historic landmark in Richmond. The train shed has recently been renovated, and is now one of Richmond’s largest and most popular event venues. Main Street Station is a fantastic venue for large corporate events and meetings. Our crew loves working in this beautiful space. MSS is located right down the street from our Richmond Office!
Richmond Magazine held the 2018 Elbys in the renovated train shed.
The new event space is pretty large, seating nearly 2,000. The old shed roof is easy to rig from, and most types of shows can fit between the glass-encased walls. Since it’s re-opening in 2017, the popular venue hosts political events, weddings, awards shows, charity auctions, corporate meetings & parties and more. Many annual and biannual events, such as the Richmond Wedding Expo, are moving from smaller venues to the new space.
The Lighting & Sound Co. provides production for the Richmond Weddings Fashion show and has since 2015.
Because of it’s convenient location down town, MSS is the perfect venue for corporate events. Main street station is walking distance from many hotels, restaurants, and bars. It’s also a train station, which originally worried us because of the noise. Thankfully, the trains aren’t loud enough to be distracting from any event we’d done so far. For a production company like us, ease of load in is very important. The train shed doesn’t have loading docks, but it does have multiple loading entrances that are easy to access, making it easy to load in alongside other vendors.
Rigging in Main Street Station is made easy by the multiple on-site lifts.
