NANTES, FRANCE – A table soccer playing field measures only about 120 centimeters long by 61 centimeters wide, but that doesn’t mean that a championship event in this sport can’t get the bold, broadcast-friendly looks of a “real” football tournament. Ecom-Events demonstrated that in brilliant fashion recently at the Coupe du Monde De Baby-Foot (Table Soccer World Cup), with help from a collection of 74 projectors anchored by CHAUVET Professional fixtures.

Positioned at strategic points throughout Nantes’ Palais des Sports de Beaulieu, the lively and colorful lighting accentuated all of the drama, excitement, and intense emotions that characterized the ITSF (International Table Soccer Federation) tournament, which ran from June 28th through July 3rd and drew over 1,000 competitors from 45 different nations.

Enlivening the center court playing area with vivid colors and dynamic special effects prior to the competitive events, were eight Maverick MK2 Wash fixtures arranged in equal intervals across the top of the bleachers at the 5,500-seat capacity venue. The ballyhoo looks the high output fixtures created, filled with the promise of excitement, contributed to the upbeat mood of the event and made all competitors feel special.

Spectators were invited onto the floor of the sports complex during the pre-final matchups to get close-up views of the games, which was understandable given the actual playing area is so compact. Many more fans watched live on Twitch, as the event garnered 15,000 unique views from across the world for each of its six days. Additionally, the finals were shown on nine giant screens every evening during the tournament. Filming was done using 10 4K cameras.

Providing added color for the competition’s finals were 12 COLORado Q40 rectangular wash units. The design team, relied on these RGBW fixtures to create deep and even color washes through the designated area, to create a consistent visual image for the camera.

Given the large number of fans viewing the event and its various ceremonies on a screen of one kind or another, maintaining consistent flicker-free lighting for broadcast was essential to the Ecom-Events design team. The 12 onAir Panel 1 IP units and 12 Ovation F-415FC Fresnel fixtures delivered this level of performance at the all-important podium during the competitive finals section of the tournament.

Speaking of the onAir units specifically, Mathieu Simon of Ecom-Events noted, “their wide angle is perfect. They also cast light without shadows, which is very helpful when you have many little characters on the table soccer that will be on camera.”

As all who watched the finals will attest, those “little characters” generated a profound level of excitement on their compact playing field. Thanks to an artfully executed lighting design, they were supported by the “big time looks” they so richly deserved.

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