With the multiple-award-winning “Northwest Now” (a weekly public affairs program) and fundraising events shot in their Tacoma studio, KBTC-TV needed an update to its on-set incandescent and fluorescent lighting. KBTC has a main and a secondary set plus two areas for stand-up coverage. Noted Lighting Director Bruce Aleksander was called in to develop an improved lighting design for the facility that efficiently used the existing electrical distribution system while replacing its 1970’s era dimming system.
Aleksander’s lighting design made the most of KBTC’s current assets with only cost-effective upgrades. “Every dollar that was spent on this project can be seen on the set and guests,” he explains. “By making the most of the existing electrical infrastructure we saved a lot of time and money. Once I examined the existing distribution, I picked the easiest path to achieve the station’s goals.
“The goal is to provide beautiful lighting that will present the station’s hosts and guests in the best lighting possible. Once I understand what the client needs, then I can envision the look that will best suit those needs. After that, I can work out what equipment will be needed to create the look I envisioned.”
A Kliegl lighting/dimming system was repurposed, adding the ability to route non-dimming power to new solid-state soft lights from Brightline Lighting. The station replaced existing fixtures with two dozen Brightline L1.2 and L1.4 studio soft lights and one dozen Lupo DayLED 1000 and 2000 Fresnels. The legacy dimmers and control system were replaced with an ETC lighting console and DMX-512 lighting control protocol. Plug adapters were easily added to utilize the existing electrical distribution system.
