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Atomic Design, Inc. Sets A Circus Themed Stage For Platinum Selling Panic! At the DiscoNews Release Atomic Design Inc. November 10, 2006
Jibson brought the concept to Atomic Design, Inc. where it was put in the hands of Scenic Designer, Mike Rhoads. Jibson and Rhoads fine-tuned the design and brought in long-time friends and associates, Tait Towers to handle staging and custom risers. Central to the theme is a large circus big top and tenting, a lion cage keyboard riser and a merry-go-round drum riser that opens to reveal an entrance for dancers. The band also wanted a sense that they are playing in the round - the contemporary audience on one side and a Victorian one on the other. Working from a concept that Jibson and the band put forward, Rhoads created the Victorian era audience digitally. This image was then hand colored by Joanna Davis, a fellow Atomic designer and finally printed in large format to create the look the band desired. "This was a perfect project for Robb to bring to us," said Mike Rhoads of Atomic. "My background is rooted in theatre and this is a very theatrical set. We also thrive on intense collaboration so Robb's willingness to let us run with the concept while bouncing things back to him worked beautifully." With the set complete and Jibson's lighting applied, the final effect proved stunning and exceeded the band's expectations. "Working with Atomic and delegating some of the design was as seamless as if I were involved with the day to day scenic process, instead of only general scenic concept direction. This, in turn, allowed me to focus more time on the lighting but still get an end result that often only occurs when the scenic and lighting designer are the same person. This tight integration made the impossible schedule, with the band actively touring in the UK, Europe and Australia, possible." Jibson continues, "In the world of flashy LEDs and constant changing scenic elements having a tangible set, with real, physical set pieces gives this show a Broadway musical look instead of an awards show. It has been an amazing process and the friendship between Atomic and Tait Towers means that you have the best of both worlds: amazing soft goods and innovative manufacturing. But it still feels like working with a single company." The tour kicked off in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Tuesday, November 7th and has stops throughout the US and Canada until mid-December including Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov 13th and 14th, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Vancouver, Las Vegas and San Diego. Robb Jibson is a Chicago based lighting/video (and sometimes scenic too!) designer. His current roster of design clients includes Panic! At the Disco, My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, and a host of other industrials and one-off events in between touring schedules. Atomic Design is a full-service production and design company that provides design, production management, scenic fabrication, custom permanent installations and scenic rental for all size events. Atomic's clients include Martina McBride, Destiny's Child, MTV, Turner Broadcasting, The Robin Hood Foundation, Joyce Meyer Ministries, James River Assembly and many other corporate, worship, and special events. Atomic Design is led by Tom McPhillips - who has created a company known in the industry for providing highly innovative designs - most notably the design and fabrication of dimensional soft goods. VENDOR LIST To view this article, please visit Live Design at http://livedesignonline.com/concerts/topstory/atomic_design_sets_the_stage_for_panic_at_the_disco/index.html |