Miki Molina is in charge of reinforcing the excitement of "La Casa de los Famosos" Mexico with lighting technology from Elation.
Elation
In the design of the reality show "La Casa de los Famosos," the Mexican version of "Celebrity Big Brother," lighting designer Miki Molina uses Elation's innovative lighting technology to transform the stage into a stunning visual spectacle that combines aesthetics with emotion.
For Molina, whose distinguished career in film, theater and television extends to collaborating with giants such as Amazon, Disney, HBO, Netflix, Sony, Telemundo and more, lighting design is not only technical but more akin to "painting with light." His work on "La Casa de los Famosos," which airs on TelevisaUnivision, has elevated the reality show to remarkable visual levels while tapping into the show's emotional facets.
Psychology of color
Since beginning his collaboration with Endemol Shine Boomdog, the largest entertainment production company in Mexico and the U.S. Hispanic market, Molina has worked to capture the key moments of "La Casa de los Famosos" through a design that uses the psychology of color.
"With color theory it is not about reinventing the wheel, as they say," explains Molina. "It's about playing with the psychology of colors to create emotions in the audience and in the participants. For example, it is about having colors that create tension and on that bed of color, creating a harmonious and powerful composition that coordinates with the scenic parameters of video and camera."
Molina's design is a clear example of how lighting can accentuate moments of tension, joy or surprise. To achieve this, he relies on the composition of chiaroscuro (contrasts between light and dark) and shades of gray on the main stage. Use rich tones and subtle lights in more intimate spaces in the home to naturally enrich scenes.
Optimized for broadcasts
As it is a television program, the technical requirements of the luminaires are quite demanding. During the three to four months of production, Molina used several broadcast-optimized Elation luminaires, including the PROTEUS MAXIMUS profile moving head, the KL PANEL soft light and the SIXBAR bar. According to him, these luminaires guarantee the necessary sharpness and colorimetry while maintaining an unrivalled consistency. Other essential qualities that Molina says helped him make his design a reality include compatibility with high-speed television cameras, frequency synchronization and color temperature regulation.
The designer used around 600 luminaires for the main show, hall, zoom, garden and other sets, including pre-galas, galas, sales and other activities.
Creative Process
The creative process of lighting design for a reality show like "La Casa de los Famosos" involves carefully considering the key elements to distinguish each environment. The lighting designer admits that "I had to make the show as spectacular as possible and the design impactful. I had to exceed the highest standards and be part of the great success that this format has been on television."
The designer looked for various ways to make the stage look as large as possible based on the camera shots, including leaks and depth strokes. "In that respect, the choice of Elation was simple. They were the only tools needed for this design." According to Molina, another outstanding feature of Elation equipment is its low power consumption without sacrificing performance. "I've come to expect greater versatility and lower power consumption from Elation's technology," he said.
Real-time adjustments
Working on a live reality show presents multiple challenges and, in Molina's words, requires "emotional intelligence" to react to unforeseen events. Given the spontaneous nature of the show, the lighting team is often faced with last-minute changes and must adapt their design in seconds.
Elation lighting allows the LD and his team to adjust light levels and color in real time, without compromising image quality or altering the visual balance of the show. "If the set changes from one moment to the next, it is vital that the luminaires respond quickly and efficiently so as not to lose synchronization on camera," says Molina.
Molina has been a loyal user of the Elation brand since 2017, stating that he turns to Elation for "innovation, technology and trust". This commitment to quality is also reflected in its collaboration with lighting supplier AVIT Services Integrales, who maintains constant communication with Elation's support team to ensure optimal operation of the equipment.
Emotional impact
Ultimately, the success of "La Casa de los Famosos" is not limited to the technical quality, but extends to the emotional and environmental aspects of the show, with each light being an essential component of the story told on screen. Molina concludes: "The stability of Elation luminaires gives me the peace of mind of being able to achieve the parameters I require with the assurance that the equipment will not fail. That is essential to maintain the excitement of each broadcast."
