Describe who you are as a company and why you love doing what you do?

Established in 2011, box has grown and grown and grown some more. Our core team combines years of industry knowledge and experience. We consider ourselves to be a perfect mix of all disciplines to assemble the ultimate solution-based production team. We approach every project with a made to measure solution to translate our clients’ ideas into stunning tailored design and build solutions. Focusing on building long standing relationships with our clients means that our in-house production team listens carefully to establish the needs of their project, styling each to meet with our clients’ requirements and budget. We understand that every project is different and strive to reflect any theme, turning your event into a flawless experience. Our goal is to go above and beyond for every event, no matter the size.

To put it simply we love what we do and the people around us. Our work takes us from some of the most elegant and beautiful venues in London to the thatched cottage and honey-coloured dry stone walled landscape of the Cotswolds, to the winding canals, striking architecture, and beautiful bridges of Venice.

What sets you apart from other production companies?

Our repeat clients tell us it’s a combination of our creativity, approachable professionalism, and the ability to integrate lighting, sound and AV design into our bespoke set build pieces whilst delivering everything to an honest spend-related finish. We like to think we’re completely transparent with matching our output to clients’ expectations by communicating everything before arriving on site so that installs and projects can be as stressless and enjoyable as possible, always leaving our team proud of what we’ve delivered.

What are your top tips for choosing the right lighting?

When planning lighting for a live event, several key considerations help us create an effective and visually appealing lighting design. Here are Box’s top tips!

Understand the Purpose and Mood: Before designing the lighting setup, understand the purpose of the event and the mood you want to create. Whether it's a concert, a theatrical performance, a conference, or a wedding, the lighting should complement the atmosphere and enhance the audience's experience.

Know Your Venue: Familiarise yourself with the venue's layout, architectural features, and any limitations or restrictions regarding lighting equipment and power supply. Understanding the venue will help you optimise your lighting design for the space.

Create a Lighting Plot: Develop a lighting plot or diagram that outlines the placement of fixtures, their types, colours, and intensity levels. This plan will serve as a roadmap during the setup and programming phases, ensuring consistency and efficiency. The tech team loves a plot!

Layer Your Lighting: Utilise multiple layers of lighting to add depth and dimension to the stage or event space. This may include key, fill, and ambient lighting, as well as effects lighting to highlight specific elements or create visual interest.

Consider Colour Temperature: Pay attention to the colour temperature of your lighting fixtures, as it can greatly influence the mood and aesthetics of the event. Warm temperatures (e.g., 2700K-3500K) create a cosy atmosphere, while cooler temperatures (e.g., 5000K- 6500K) evoke a more energetic feel.

Use Lighting Effects Sparingly: While lighting effects can be captivating, avoid overusing them, as they may distract from the main focus of the event. Integrate effects such as gobos, strobes, and moving lights strategically to enhance specific moments or transitions.

Ensure Smooth Transitions: Plan smooth transitions between different lighting cues to maintain continuity and avoid abrupt changes that could disrupt the flow of the event. Use fade times and crossfades to transition between scenes or lighting states seamlessly.

Test and Rehearse: Prior to the event, conduct thorough testing and rehearsals to fine-tune your lighting design and address any technical issues. This will help ensure that the lighting cues sync perfectly with the performance or program.

Collaborate with Others: Work closely with other members of the production team, including the stage manager, sound engineer, and event organisers, to coordinate lighting cues with other aspects of the production. Effective communication and collaboration are key to a successful live event.

Be Flexible and Adapt: Be prepared to adapt your lighting design on the fly based on feedback from rehearsals or changes in the event program. Flexibility and quick problem-solving skills are essential for handling unexpected challenges during live events.

What’s been your most memorable event working with us to date?

The natural beauty, postcard-perfect town and vibrant city in Italy. Largo di Como of course! The Wedding of Celine & Jonah. 

We loved working with the Lucy Vail floristry team. Your ethos and approach to work is second to none and the final finished product reflects that.

Share one design/project that you’re working on at the moment that makes you really excited for 2024.

We’re lucky to be working on a number of jumbo projects this year, one of which is a very logistically complicated and high-end wedding across a number of islands in the beautiful city of Venice!