Highlite International, a leading supplier of show, audio and light equipment, has supplied the lighting for Now You’re Mine, a haunted experience at Toverland in the Netherlands.
The collaboration has drawn on the firm’s lighting and special effects expertise to develop an eerie ambience in a range of environments, and “demonstrates how state-of-the-art entertainment lighting solutions can enhance storytelling and create unforgettable experiences that leave visitors spellbound,” says Highlite.
Creating a sinister atmosphere
The Now You’re Mine experience is exclusive to Toverland’s Halloween Nights and transports visitors into the gloom of the mines as it follows the story of Mijndert Müller, a fictional character who discovered a splinter of the Magnum Opus stone, the mythical Stone of Life.
This discovery inspires Müller to embark on a quest for eternal life, and visitors join him on an intriguing, relentless, and increasingly frantic journey into the shadows, and encounter the demonic ‘Knockers’ who are charged with protecting the mine’s precious stones.
Highlite’s lighting products play a key part in developing the sinister atmosphere that enhances the experience. The interplay of light and shadow, thunderous effects and creepy ambience provided by these products add depth and realism to the characters.
Underground adventure
The experience begins with a visit to a mock mining museum, which is showing a special exhibition about Mijndert Müller. Real museum lighting was used in this space to create an authentic atmosphere, with a 1-phase track lighting system with high CRI (Colour Rendering Index) provided by Artecta products.
From here, visitors go behind the scenes and enter the haunted experience. This attraction utilises a wide range of technologies to add realism and ambience.
Adaptable lighting fixtures are positioned to accentuate important features and create a spooky atmosphere, giving the set and performers more authenticity. IP65-rated luminaires were necessary due to humidity levels throughout a significant portion of the Now You’re Mine experience.
Showtec’s Cameleon series was selected for its IP65 compliance across the range, for example, with the deployment of the Cameleon Bar 16 which can be used in compact spaces. Ambient lighting and background colours were provided throughout the experience by such products as the Flood 6 Q4, Flood 6 WW, and Flood 7/3 RGB with less bright LEDs for places where lower light levels are needed but IP65 is still necessary.
Accent lights in specific colours were also utilised to guide visitors through the attraction. This was achieved with IP65 by using the Cameleon Spot Q4 and the more powerful Showtec Luna Par 120 Q4. Toverland’s designers found these models to be ideal for enhancing the experience and shining an ethereal light on the Magnum Opus, enticing guests further into the story.
Integrated lighting system
Toverland’s design team selected the Showtec Titan Strobe BLAZE and Spectral Revo Daylight, supported by the Spectral PC 1200Z, to create realistic lightning effects and add depth. An Infinity TF-260C7 Fresnel was deployed to create a powerful special effect in the experience, after which visitors will question if they have really seen a Knocker or if it was just an illusion.
The Spectral PC 1200Z was used for its versatility, with impressive RGBW LEDs that can offer both ambient light and a powerful lightning effect, together with a zoom range which can be used to illuminate a precise area. In addition, its IP65 rating offers protection against humid conditions.
In addition, LED strip lights were used to create the sensation of movement in the experience’s lift sequence. The LED strips, Artecta Havana Neon – 2811 – 60 – RGB Pixel LED strips with individual pixel control, can be controlled using the Artecta LED Pixel 1 DMX to SPI converter.
For the fog effects, the Showtec QubiQ S1000 Smoke Machine and the Antari DNG-200 – Low Fog Generator were selected. Together, these technologies add an unearthly quality to the experience, further enhancing the overall atmosphere.
A Showtec TED Pack is used to make multiple standard lights dimmable via DMX, effortlessly integrating them into the overall lighting scheme and ensuring smooth control and integration of the lighting system.
Highlite International recently shared that its showroom is exhibiting a show called Entropy – A Journey from Chaos into Equilibrium. This is a testament to the storytelling power of sound, light and audiovisuals.
