The cruise ship industry has changed dramatically throughout its history, from being simple ocean liners to all-in-one floating resorts with fine dining, shopping malls and vast entertainment options. In the early days of cruise ships, entertainment was often quite limited and usually consisted of basic activities and evening shows. As passenger expectations and technological advancements have grown over recent decades so has the sophistication of the entertainment offered. In this article we will explore how both Alex and Travis from Q-L Lighting used the power of BlackTrax from CAST Group of Companies to elevate the theatrical productions on Regent and Oceania ships. This innovative technology has transformed the way lighting design is used on these ships, creating immersive and dynamic experiences.
Today, cruise ships often feature attractions such as exclusive Broadway style productions, live music and even immersive experiences like escape rooms or go kart tracks. This transformation has meant that cruise lines have become regarded as a once in a lifetime adventure for holiday makers across the globe, largely due to the exclusive and memorable experiences provided to their guests.
As the desire and expectation to witness these unique entertainment experiences increases from guests, cruise lines have begun to partner with specialists who can help bring the high-end productions to life within their fleet. Allow us to introduce you to Alex Taylor and Travis McHale. Both highly skilled lighting designers, Alex and Travis are renowned for their ability to harness innovative technologies, to transform even the most intricate and intimate spaces into magical performances that enable performers to tell immerse audiences and tell creative stories.
The partnership started in 2019, when Travis led the design of a new show for Regent Seven Seas Cruises with Alex working alongside him as his associate. Both aware that more work needed to be done to push the boundaries of cruise productions so that the same feeling of a broadway performance was brought onto a ship, they both began exploring new and innovative technologies. This led them to discover BlackTrax, the vision-based tracking system from the CAST Group of Companies, poised to revolutionise their approach to show design on ships.
Upon discovering BlackTrax, Alex and Travis discovered its impressive array of features, designed to deliver impressive effects, tracking and automation capabilities, similar to large-scale productions, but also tailored to fit smaller intimate spaces. From witnessing it on productions first hand, it was clear that its tracking and automation capabilities would ensure performers on stage were tracked with extreme accuracy, down to the millimetre, facilitating a dynamic and responsive lighting process that ensures guests never miss a key moment or expression during the performance.
What particularly impressed Alex and Travis about BlackTrax was its ability to add automated tracking for projections and audio. This feature enabled them to introduce a whole new level of lighting, media, and audio automation to cruise productions for the first time. Through implementing the technology of BlackTrax, the team were now able to harness new possibilities allowing them to achieve their mission in bringing the same production from a Broadway-style performance onto the ships.
“Our partnership stands out because of our shared vision to push production boundaries and explore new technologies that make this possible. Having now implemented BlackTrax on three different cruise liners, we’ve seen firsthand how it provides the precision and capability needed to tell compelling stories in innovative ways. This technology allows us to approach theatrical lighting on a grand scale with the same accuracy and flexibility as a traditional Broadway show.”
– Alex
Historically, cruise ship productions relied on manual follow spots, which limited flexibility and required significant manpower. However, with the introduction of BlackTrax, any light within the theatre can now be transformed into a follow spot, allowing for unique angles and effects that enhance storytelling.
Creating a production at sea presents its own set of challenges, from the ship’s movement to limited space and resources. BlackTrax has been instrumental for Travis and Alex in overcoming these obstacles, thanks to its IR cameras and continuous calibration capabilities, which maintain accuracy and consistency even in constantly changing conditions. Through BlackTrax, Alex and Travis are able to ensure performers are perfectly lit and followed, with lighting accurately synchronised to their movements. This reliability is crucial for both production designers and audiences, delivering the emotive and visual experience guests expect from luxury cruises.
When BlackTrax was first introduced to cruise liners, we were energised by the possibility of bringing a Broadway experience onboard. Thanks to creatives like Alex and Travis, who discovered BlackTrax and used it in such unique ways, we have seen how BlackTrax is an ideal solution that not only pushes the boundaries of what’s creatively possible in cruise productions but also enhances storytelling for audiences. This is a key goal for lighting designers and producers alike.”
– Dekkar Densham, Global Sales Director, CAST Group of Companies
As creatives, Alex and Travis prioritise storytelling in their design process, making finding the right technology to facilitate these bold and unique stories crucial. The integration of BlackTrax on Regent and Oceania ships has markedly enhanced the guest experience of the entertainment options onboard. BlackTrax empowers designers to be more creative, daring, and experimental with the productions offered on cruises. Consequently, guests enjoy a seamless and immersive experience, akin to the finest Broadway performances.
The impact of BlackTrax on the entertainment packages of Regent and Oceania serves as a testament to the hard work and innovative thinking of Alex and Travis. They continually push the boundaries of entertainment on cruise ships and, with BlackTrax’s assistance, have established a new standard for performances at sea. Looking ahead, they eagerly anticipate the possibilities that BlackTrax will bring to future productions and how it will further enhance the visual experiences of guests onboard Regent and Oceania ships.
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About CAST Group of Companies Inc.
CAST Group, based in Toronto and with a legacy of 30 years in business, is a trailblazer in the lighting design and events & entertainment production sectors. Our groundbreaking tools, from the revered Wysiwyg 3D lighting previsualization software and Vivien Event Designer suite to the innovative BlackTrax real-time 6D tracking system, have shaped iconic global events’ design and technical efficiency. Our impact is evident in mega-events like the Olympics, Super Bowl, Eurovision, and concerts of renowned artists like Drake, Carrie Underwood and Muse, just to name but a few. With a dedicated global network and a commitment to quality, CAST continues to revolutionise the entertainment technical production landscape.