Light a Fundraiser with no lights, no money

[kerriann85]

Here's a challenge I'll throw out there. Got a call from an aquaintance who knows I help load in concerts that come to the hockey arena. She wants help with decorating for a huge fundraiser dinner next June that will be on the floor of the arena. "You know about lights" she says "Can you come up with some way to create ambiance for the dinner and not spend much money?"
When I think lighting the arena I think rented motors, truss, parcans, ACL's, dimmer racks, ........ and that translates to much money. So I have no idea. All I can think of is thousands of christmas lights strung along the dashers.

Anyone have any thoughts? Or even pictures of these kinds of events?

 

[Edrick]

i'm in much the same situation as you I have to do a yearbook ceremony that's amazing and i was told they'd know i'd do a great job, how ever they wont give any money nor do any fundraising for this event. now when i think amazing i think a laser show all sorts of fancy lighting, big event ect.. so i printed out a 3 page list of all local lighting companies and guess what i have to do soon? sit there and call all of them to see who will volunteer equiptment or time.

 

[astrotechie]

i'm in much the same situation as you I have to do a yearbook ceremony that's amazing and i was told they'd know i'd do a great job, how ever they wont give any money nor do any fundraising for this event. now when i think amazing i think a laser show all sorts of fancy lighting, big event ect.

Well the only reason you dont have money is because the yearbook directors are people that want everything but dont have the money to put towards it.

 

[gafftaper]

Doing theater type stuff for no money is a good trick. I suggest you hit the hardware store and try to figure out ambience with christmas lights or some other non-theatrical approach. If you can find a local business to help sponsor you that's really your best bet at getting some financial backing.

As far as trying to get a deal from a theater company I'm a fairly good acquaintance with the owner of the largest operation in this part of the country. Look at it from his point of view. Every theater in the country has non-profit status. They get 30 or 40 high schools needing gear that call them for a deal. They get requests from every church Christmas program and AIDS research benefit dance in town for a deal on renting gear. Unfortunately they are in the business of renting gear to non-profits, poor high school programs, and worthy fund raising groups. What makes your project any more worthy of a deal than any of the thousand other projects that come through to rent gear.

About the only way you are going to get a really good deal is if the theater supply/rental place has a long standing relationship with you and a lot of your money in the bank already or you have a big project coming up.

DJ's are sometimes suggested around here as the route to go for a cheap show. A small private DJ with a little of his own gear does have something to gain by giving you a deal. The DJ get's exposure and free advertising of his skills.

 

[chrizEHS]

Totally true. Its funny that more people don't realize that. and when you come back and tell them, I paid in full for the_____ rental. they are like in shock. I have had to explain that concept to so many people.

 

[SHARYNF]

Using theatrical lighting is probably not going to be financially feasible

I would suggest you use table lamps (probably candles or the floating type, the arena probably has some basic partial lighting that is part of the system and then you use the tables for most of the ambiance.

If there is any money I would suggest buying some led pars like Wiedemark etc and using these to up light some decorations etc. Christmas lights is an additional option

Sharyn

 

[drawstuf99]

I'm not so sure I understand what sort of arena is being discussed here exactly; however, I'd imagine in such a sports arena there is SOME sort of built in dimmer system as well? Maybe not the best, but to get by with? Is this the case?

Anyway, why not call up a community theatre. Depending on ceiling height, mounting positions...etc. you may be able to get by grabbing some scoops and gelling them in some nice "ambient" color.

Depending on the dinner and what the fundraiser is actually fundraising FOR, you can kindof build a concept. Just be sure you light the "talent," too, and be sure people can see their meal. Candles are nice combined with some lower overhead light. Just be sure when they sit down, their heads won't cause a shadow right over their food...I can imagine the sorts of complaints you'd get for not being able to see the dinner they've prob bought for tons of money.

 

[gafftaper]

I'm not so sure I understand what sort of arena is being discussed here exactly; however, I'd imagine in such a sports arena there is SOME sort of built in dimmer system as well? Maybe not the best, but to get by with? Is this the case?
Anyway, why not call up a community theatre. Depending on ceiling height, mounting positions...etc. you may be able to get by grabbing some scoops and gelling them in some nice "ambient" color.
Depending on the dinner and what the fundraiser is actually fundraising FOR, you can kindof build a concept. Just be sure you light the "talent," too, and be sure people can see their meal. Candles are nice combined with some lower overhead light. Just be sure when they sit down, their heads won't cause a shadow right over their food...I can imagine the sorts of complaints you'd get for not being able to see the dinner they've prob bought for tons of money.

Great idea... community theater, college theater, even a high school might be willing to loan some gear they aren't currently using for a worthy cause.

 

[avkid]

I'm not so sure I understand what sort of arena is being discussed here exactly; however, I'd imagine in such a sports arena there is SOME sort of built in dimmer system as well? Maybe not the best, but to get by with? Is this the case?

I really doubt it, you will probably find a large number of Sodium or Mercury Vapor floods.

 

[kerriann85]

Yep, Avkid. Mercury (maybe sodium) vapor lights is it.

I'm not really too hip on borrowing fixtures. Of course we have a whole house full of brand new parnels and source 4's at the PAC, but I'm not really interested in hauling them to the Hockey Arena. Plus finding mobile dimmer capablities, etc.

No, I wasn't really thinking about asking for a handout from a "theatre supply company". Gafftaper, I totally know what you mean. For one thing, there isn't one close by. About as close as I can get is a relatively small company 45 minutes away that does concert lighting who works on some smaller shows at the same arena. I emailed him, just to see what he says, but mainly to see what he'd suggest and get a quote. (I did mentioned I wanted to spend very little money. He may just laugh at me.)

So, thanks for everyone's comments. It sounds like it could be as impossible as I thought. Candles at the tables and Christmas lights might be what I end up with......
But I'm certainly open to more ideas!