Russell Brand as Aldous Snow performs at the Greek Theatre in Universal Pictures Get Him to the Greek. Lighting and Video Designer Bryan Faris worked with DP Robert Yeoman and Gaffer John Vecchio on creating a full blown concert for the finale of the film. © Universal Pictures
In Universal Pictures’ Get Him to The Greek, Director of Photography Robert Yeoman, ASC and Gaffer John Vecchio knew that the concert finale, the payoff of the comic road trip adventure, had to deliver visually. They turned to Production Resource Group (PRG) and Lighting/Video Designer Bryan Faris to create the iconic rock performance. “Bob and I spoke about the concert sequence the very first day of production,” explained Vecchio. “Director Nicholas Stoller expressed to us that he wanted it to look as big and contemporary as any concert out on tour. I knew we needed to call on the services of PRG. They do this day in and day out.”
Faris previsualized the concert at PRG’s Los Angeles depot so that Yeoman, Vecchio, the producers, director and other designers could see the possibilities before they staged the concert at the Greek Theatre. “We brought in Bryan to design the actual concert and he did a masterful job,” noted Vecchio. “It became obvious what PRG’s strength and specialty was; it was the complete integration of the video, the visuals, the effects and the lighting. Rather than using multiple subcontractors, we realized that PRG could do it all. That was really the magic that PRG brought to it and made it so successful.”
Vecchio particularly liked the PRG Bad Boy® spot luminaires. In fact, beyond its versatility as a light, it also worked as a scenic element. “The Bad Boy was amazing because we were able to incorporate it into our stage look,” said Vecchio. “It is incredible what we could do with the Bad Boys; they are a powerful tool.”
Another key element in the concert sequence was the use of video. PRG provided a Barco NX-6 LED video wall as well as VersaTUBEs. Faris chose the PRG Mbox Extreme® v3 media server to manipulate images and create a complete show. “Bryan was really able to react to any suggestions that came from the director or the DP. He could immediately program new looks on the fly,” said Vecchio.
“PRG’s knowledge and suggestions really helped add layers to the whole concert. Simple ideas like truss lighting, things that just added a beautiful textural look to it all. Just things that they do in concerts all the time but wouldn’t necessarily occur to us lighting the stage for the film,” pointed out Vecchio. “PRG was incredibly professional from the planning stages all the way through to the completion. We never had any kind of hiccup.”
For more information on PRG, please visit www.prg.com.
About Production Resource Group—Production Resource Group, L.L.C., (PRG) is the world’s leading supplier of entertainment and event technology to a wide range of markets, including corporate and automotive events, concerts, special events, theatre, television and film, trade shows, and installations, such as theme parks, museums, retail stores and performing arts centers. PRG provides integrated services and equipment, including audio, video, lighting, rigging, staging, and scenery and automation systems, for these markets from more than 31 offices in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
