Stage Set Up

These are my initial plans developing towards the set up I will have on stage for the event.

Initially I came up with the Idea that I want the character Fixer to be represented onstage, so I created a basic vector Image of a proportion of his face. I then played about with shapes around it. I came up with the Idea that I want the shapes to be lights and the lights would change with music tempo throughout the event. I thought the vector image of Fixer was quite eerie, which I liked, it looks almost demoniac.

I then added silhouette screens for dancers to be behind, they would also change colour with light, in sequence with the rest of the lights. 

I decided to go with simple square silhouette screens instead of the other two shapes I first opted for. I also added light behind the DJ, which would change in sequence and colour with the other lighhts on stage. I wanted the light to come from behind the DJ so only the  silhouette again can be seen. Here are a few light colour variations that could be used.

I am quite happy with the initial stage set design, more will be added and subtracted but I like my initial direction with it all.

More Inspiration

Some Ideas in terms of visual representation onstage.

This is an image from the Plastikman show, another dance act. Richie Hawtin (Plastikamn) preforms from inside the cylinder. You cannot see from this image, but the cylinder from which he preforms within are LED screens that project images and lights, I will try to draw inspiration from this for my stage.

Just an idea how shapes and objects can appear and be lit onstage.

 A really cool image showing how basic lights are used in abundance within performance, showing how cool an effect they can have.

This is a really cool idea, it would be cool if we could compile various lights within the club to make a focal point. Or have variations or multiples of one light. It goes to show how lights can be used as art.

I really like how dancers in this image make silhouettes, the dancer isn't actually seen just the silhouette. I have an idea of using this onstage and the screen constantly changing colour in tempo with the music and in sequence with other lights.

Stage Shpaes

I was out taking photo's of certain buildings for a different project. Whilst doing so I noticed some really cool shapes in the other architecture around me. This sparked some inspiration to the shapes I would like to be involved in the stage I will design....

LOGO

For me its this logo that is the strongest. Its simple, but eye catching and memorable. The red is quite vivid set against the black. The fact that the red 'X' is in the middle it reaches out and grabs the viewers attention. I think it is quite a strong logo and I have developed a brand...

MY LOGO

When starting my logo I looked for a nice font, a font that was very strong. I wanted something that was bold and thick and stood alone well. I explored a few like, Helvetica Neue Extended, Trade Gothic and Univers. I played about with all of them but when I started to use Gotham font, it caught my attention the most. After tedious hours of playing about with it I came up with a few alternatives. Sometimes I feel the most simple actions make the most affective logo's....

Brand Development

When trying to come up with a name I didn't want to come up with some generic name with no meaning behind it. Something that so many clubs and nights do. I wanted something that a theme could develop from. I started brain storming and wasn't really coming up with anything that out of the ordinary or different. 


I then looked at what I wanted this Club/Night to represent, what music it would pioneer and play. TECHNO. I looked into the origins of the word techno and found that techno was a character/villain from the Marvel Comic universe. There were two initial fictional characters that went by the name Fixer, the second character was a super-villain who adopted the alias of  Techno after many trials and tribulations, battling; the Fantastic Four, Micronauts, Spider Man, Captain America, Iron Man and Ka-Zar. 


The more I thought of the name Fixer, the more it grew on me. It had depth and meaning behind it. It had scope to draw a theme from. I had ideas of how I could use marvel comics as inspiration to create art and props around the club. I thought of cheesy catchphrases and tag lines (none of which I will use "get your fix" etc.) Something which I can look into and develop.

The original Fixer

The second super-villain Fixer

Techno

Illustrations/Artwork by Declan Shalvey, the creator of the Character Fixer giving us an Idea of how the Character developed into its final state.

Brand Research

After doing my Inspirational board, two images that inspire me are related to dance music. Therefore I want to take the project in the direction of designing a Club Night/Brand. It will involve developing a logo for my brand. I will develop a Stage, Decorations, Art, Sculptures, Lighting and Performers to be present throughout the club. I want to make this an experience for people. I want them to come away from the night not just having enjoyed the music that was present but the other things on show, like optical illusional art/sculptures, lighting displays, and art work throughout the club.

I want the brand I develop to be iconic, like so many others that are at the minute. I have taken a look at some club logos/brands out there at the minute and analyzed what I think...

This is this Pacha logo which is brilliant. Pacha started as a club in Ibiza but has now branched out to several clubs throughout the world, it has a clothing label, hotels and restaurants. This iconic logo has lead the brand throughout.

I appreciate this logo, but for me it does not stand out to be as memorable as the others. Yes it has a nice font but this isn't enough to jump out and grab my attention or stand the test of time.

This is the logo for the night Chibuku shake shake, in Liverpool. The name is quite different, it comes from the name of a drink the owners came across whilst in thailand. I would like to come up with quite an original brand. Its quite an iconic logo for me, when I look at it I think of many ways it could be used as a prop in a club.

I like how the two C's of carl Cox's initials have been used to create wings and how this shape flows into the font that is used. Another memorable logo.

One of my favorite logo's of all time. Not for what it represents but how it looks. Its so simple! I look at it and hope that maybe someday I can create such an epic logo through such simplicity.

An example to what type of performers exist in club events today.

This is Kryoman, a human Robot performer who shoots lasers and pyrotechnics mid event.

Inspirational Stages

I began by looking at stages that are phenomenal and that I can really draw inspiration from. Whether it may be from their obscure shape, the way they are lit, the visuals that are projected or from their sheer size. Amongst them are the Rolling Stones, U2, Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers and Justice.

 The sheer size of the Rolling Stones stage makes it so epic

With the U2 stage there are a lot of things that  stand out. They broke boundaries with the stage being 360 degrees, having to be lit and projected form all directions. The shape of the stage, with 4 legs and 360 degree screen had never been seen before.

With the Chemical brothers their performance consists of massive LED screens with Characters and visuals constantly changing with the music tempo. No massive obscure looking stages needed. Its the audio visuals that make the show.

 Having seen Daft Punk, it is the most memorable event to date. The pyramid stage with visuals constantly changing with the tempo of the music coupled with the LED lights to the side and back. Made an amazing show.

 I really like the Justice set. They have chosen a sound wall of Marshall speakers, classically used for rock music, not electronica. This, with stagnant array of wires and the glowing cross make a cool set from which to preform from.

Again this is Chemical Brothers. The way the stage is lit, makes it look like a piece of art.