Lites cinema studios in Belgium offer five sets from 250 m2 to 1700 m2, one of which is underwater (water stage), unique of its type in the world for high quality underwater and surface camera shots. For their lifting equipment they called upon Belgium’s leader in this entertainment field, Verlinde and its Stagemaker range.
The Lites studios required lifting equipment for their 5 cinema sets including the water stage set, the only one in the world. The 24m x 21m set with a 9m deep tank, can be entirely submerged to simulate underwater environments. It contains a maximum quantity of 5 million litres in the tank and an additional 1 million litres when the floor is flooded. Indeed, the floor of the set is mobile, bears loads of up to 20 tonnes and can be submerged to different depths. The maximum water surface when the set is flooded is 1250 m². A unique and outsized water filtering and treatment system provides different aspects and effects (crystal-clear, sea, mists, rain, etc.). Waves of up to 1m high in the tank or on the flooded floor can be generated.
This facility required special equipment for lifting decor items, e.g. boats and for the lighting, sound system, cameras and screens (blue depths and black backdrop).
Bespoke lifting solutions appropriate for an original environment
Verlinde first of all achieved a technical study for the underwater set. Equipment had to be reliable and practical for users, able to resist high temperatures (the water is heated to 30°C) and humidity. Joris Van de Wiele, Verlinde’s project manager in Belgium, with the close support of a manufacturer member of the Europont network proposed two overhead cranes, each weighing 3 tonnes with a special black coating enabling integration in the decor, 4 ceiling suspension points for the mobile floor, 4 EUROBLOC VT3 wire rope hoists with a total lifting capacity of 25 T and a bearing surface of 25m2 complete the system. They are fitted with VVF drive for travel and cross-travel lifting. Speed is variable, from slow to very fast, in order to be in phase with the camera. These items have been conceived for their integration in dynamic decors.
80 x Stagemaker SR5 and S R10 hoists have been put in place in the whole studio set complex. These industrial electric winches are especially suitable for their application in the show. They bear loads of from 250 kg to 1,000 kg. Boasting an entirely ergonomic design, Stagemaker SR is the only model available on the market fitted as standard with double brakes, retractable handgrips and protective rubber pads. These hoists blend harmoniously with all technical installations and offer the highest levels of safety and productivity.
Verlinde supplied all the lifting equipment. The supervision, routine maintenance and fault clearance is assured by the Europont network manufacturer. The order was placed in 2018, delivery achieved in the same year and the studio was operational early in 2019.
Since its installation there have been no operational hitches and Verlinde is again working on submersible floor lifting times.
