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München, May 2017
Scenius Unico – the backbone of ESC- Lightning design 2017
This year’s lightning designer of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), Jerry Appelt,
terms Claypaky’s Scenius Unico his “backbone” onstage. He is using over 150 of
Claypaky’s spotlights in Kyiv. Davide Barbetta, Marketing Production Manager at
Claypaky, tells us more about the multifunctional light projector.
OSRAM: The ESC will take place this week. What part will the Scenius Unico play in
the ESC show?
Barbetta: We still do not know how the lighting designer will prefer to use the Scenius
Unico at the ESC. But we are sure Scenius Unico will play a major role at the event. It is a
versatile, multifunctional light projector featuring all the main functions required within a big
show.
OSRAM: Since when is the Scenius Unico available?
Barbetta: Scenius Unico was first launched in November 2016, and introduced on the
market in February 2017.
OSRAM: What is so special about the Scenius Unico? (compared to other moving
heads)
Barbetta: In today’s professional show lighting, the need to optimize the number of lights
installed on rigs is becoming ever greater. The goal is not just to reduce energy
consumption but, more generally, to reduce the costs that stem from the enormous number
of lights. One solution is to use versatile fixtures, which are able to perform multiple
functions. This is why the “hybrid light” category came about: these lights combine the
ability to project visual effects with wash or beam light functions. However, building a “light
that can do anything” is a big technical challenge, and was considered impossible for many
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years. This can be seen from the hybrid lights that became available on the market:
compromises had to be made in one or more of their functions, which lighting designers
are not always willing to accept.
The masterly skills in the fields of optics and micro-mechanics has allowed Claypaky to
take on the challenge without compromising. By introducing the Scenius Unico, a really
special multifunctional light projector: It is a magnificent spotlight for projecting effects, with
six rotating gobos, a rotating prism, a beautiful animation wheel, and it is equipped with the
most sophisticated and most precise framing system on the market today. It is also an
excellent wash light, since it features a system with different diffusion filters, which may be
inserted gradually. Lastly, the Scenius Unico can also generate a powerful narrow beam of
super concentrated light, with a minimum beam angle of only five degrees.
Compared to other moving heads, the Scenius Unico combines extraordinary light quality
with unequalled versatility, without compromise. Claypaky’s powerful top-of-the-range
fixture is the ideal tool for every application from big live events to fixed installations, where
versatility means huge savings.
OSRAM: Is there any OSRAM technology inside?
Barbetta: Scenius Unico is the latest addition to the Scenius family, whose one of its
highly appealing feature is the high quality of light. Scenius Unico features an OSRAM Lokit! HTI 1400/PS Lamp (Color Temperature: 6,000 K; Life: 750 hrs; Luminoux flux: 120,000
lm; Base PGJ28 Lok-it!). This lamp, in combination with the Claypaky optics, specially
developed for this fixture, produces a white and colored light of the highest quality (high
Color Rendering Index - CRI).
OSRAM: Has it been already used at other shows?
Barbetta: Scenius Unico is having a great success and many world-wide rental companies
have chosen to purchase this product and offer it to their customer. Moreover, lighting
designers are specifying Scenius Unico for their shows.
Ed Sheeran is already on tour with the Claypaky Scenius Unico. However, given the recent
introduction to the market, some major projects like events or tours have yet to start:
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Scenius Unico units have been specified for the next Robbie William tour, for the Take
That tour and for the Expo 2017 Opening Ceremony in Astana, Kazakhstan.
OSRAM: How many Scenius Unico will be used at the ESC final show?
Barbetta: 156 Scenius Unico units will be present at the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv.
OSRAM: Illuminating an event like the ESC: What are the special
requirements/challenges for spotlights? And why is CP in general / Scenius Unico
the right partner /product here?
Barbetta: ESC is at the same time a TV event and a live event. It is therefore very
important to choose a lighting plot and lighting design that take into consideration the
lighting needs of both sectors. It is important to provide a full coverage of light, enabling
you to illuminate the live show, but thinking about how it will be perceived at home through
the TV. By the way, at the ESC the director usually uses mobile cameras with a 360°
recording from the roof, so everything within the arena must be perfect and perfectly
covered by the lights. The lighting designer have also to choose effects, colors, light
intensity, strobe sequences, direction of the light beams which are suitable for television
use. Last but not least, the ESC is an event that presents the best of technology at any
level, and normally the number of lights used is huge, so you have to think how to better
place all them into the arena.
From this point of view Scenius Unico is a first choice: with its versatility, the lighting
designers can use a single product in many different ways and create different lighting
situations occupying less space on the truss. Also, its high quality of light is the best
guarantee for an optimal result.
OSRAM: As a TV spectator: How will I recognize the Scenius Unico?
Barbetta: You can recognize the Scenius Unico because you will see different effects –
spot-beam-spot – coming from the same light sources.
OSRAM: Taking a look ahead: What are the next trends in event lighting? What are
you working on?
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Barbetta: There are two main directions: multifunctional projectors and projectors that use
a LED source. We can safely say that Claypaky's Scenius Unico represents the ultimate
expression of multifunctional light projectors on the market. It is also one of the most
advanced fixtures using a discharge lamp. Also, the high quality of light is another factor
which became increasingly important within the lighting projectors. Until a few years ago
there was no talk of CRI, especially in the world of the tour. The parameters most taken
into consideration were the power/wattage of the light and the variety/quantity of the
effects.
Now the „light quality”, the color rendering index and the purity of colors have become key
parameters for choosing a projector, especially in theatrical, television and corporate
environments. The Scenius range is based on these assumptions, and is chosen by
lighting designers also and above all for them.