Celesta, a sound and light show
The sound and light show directed by Celesta.
It is discipline that gives the production its continuity. Whilst a shot captures a single moment, sound and light weave a narrative that the audience listens to whilst seated. Celesta brings these three disciplines together under a single direction, without the need for a studio or an intermediary service provider.
- Chantilly Music Nights
- Light, sound and fire, all under one roof
- A detailed quote within 48 hours
Discipline
The sound and light show, it is the duration that makes the story
A sound and light show is an evening performance in which lighting, a soundtrack and, often, pyrotechnics work together to tell the story of a place. What sets it apart is its length: the audience settles in, so it needs a narrative structure, moments of respite and a conclusion. A fireworks display does not need any of that, but a sound and light show cannot do without it.
Three professions, one approach
What each person brings to the table, and what they cannot do on their own
The three disciplines are not interchangeable. Each covers an area that the other two do not, and it is their interplay that produces the effect, not their mere sum.
- Light embodies duration. It sculpts forms, shifts in character without ever repeating itself, and stands up to prolonged scrutiny.
- Sound conveys meaning. A voice, a score and a moment of silence convey what no lighting effect ever could, and allow the audience to set the pace of their own attention.
- Fire sets the tone. It signals a turning point, a revelation or an ending. Used constantly, it becomes tiresome; used at just the right moment, it turns the evening on its head.
A common misunderstanding
It isn’t inevitably a show with costumes
The term now refers to two very different things. On the one hand, there are historical re-enactments performed by groups of volunteers, complete with cavalry and period costumes. On the other, there is a purely technical form of storytelling, in which the venue itself takes centre stage. Celesta specialises in the latter, and it is best to be aware of this before comparing two quotes.
What this changes
Without a troupe, the focus shifts
A show without performers requires no casting, no group rehearsals and no dressing rooms. It does, however, demand a level of technical precision that is otherwise offset by the presence of human performers.
- The schedule is getting tighter. There’s no rehearsal season to organise: the show is put together over just a few days of rehearsals.
- The result is exactly the same. From one evening to the next, the score written by Celesta is identical, down to the second.
- Nothing can make up for a mistake in the set-up. Without an actor to fill in, an unexpected black screen becomes obvious. That is why Celesta’s teams are permanent staff rather than project-based recruits.
The timetable
Writing a full-length play takes more than one shot
The soundtrack is composed and recorded, the lighting effects are tested on location, and the performance must be rehearsed in its entirety before being performed in front of an audience. On top of that, as soon as a shot is fired, there is an administrative timetable that is beyond our control.
3 to 6 months
to compile the soundtrack and stop driving
1 month
minimum administrative processing time if the report involves a shot being fired
A rehearsal
performed in full on the site before opening night
48 hours
between your call and an initial quote
Without an intermediary
Light and fire do not come from two companies
It’s the usual set-up: a lighting technician, a sound engineer, a pyrotechnician, and a coordinator who tries to make sure everything runs smoothly. At Celesta, all three are based at the same company, in Aigremont in the Yvelines and in Normandy. So there’s no one to persuade when a plan changes along the way.
Our written commitments
What you can raise as an objection to the quote
A public procurer compares documents before comparing performances. It is therefore important that our documents are clear on the points that usually give rise to disputes.
- No additional charges for convenience. The figure quoted at the start of the project is the amount invoiced, including travel and installation.
- The insurance certificate is included automatically. The certificate is enclosed with the application; you do not need to request it.
- No outsourcing. Lighting, sound and stage operations remain in the hands of our staff, including on the night of the performance.
- Dates open to the public. Celesta tells you where to see one of its shows before you sign anything.
The budget
How much it costs a sound and light show
Celesta publishes its order-of-magnitude figures rather than referring everyone to a quote. A local authority finalises its budget well before choosing a service provider, and a missing figure is quickly replaced by an inaccurate estimate.
Our price ranges by local authority
From 2,500 to 5,000 euros for a municipality with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. From 5,000 to 20,000 euros for a medium-sized town or an inter-municipal authority. From 20,000 to 50,000 euros for a large city. A drone light show starts at 10,000 euros.
The items that drive up the bill
The size of the area to be lit and the number of sound points; the proportion of original music compared with an existing repertoire; the number of performances; and whether or not there is a fireworks display as part of the performance.
What’s included in the price
The preliminary technical inspection, the delivery and set-up of the equipment, the dress rehearsal, the evening’s running of the show by the Celesta teams, and the dismantling. Putting on the show for an extra night involves additional costs, but it’s never a case of starting from scratch.
Other languages
What the story calls for when he stretches
An hour-long show cannot be put together using just one technique. Depending on the venue and the subject matter, the direction draws on the four other disciplines that Celesta practises in-house, incorporating them wherever they serve the narrative.
Pyrotechnic show
For the finishing touches and the finale, when the evening calls for a shift in atmosphere that lighting alone cannot provide.
Video mapping
When a building needs to tell its own story, illustrated with images, rather than simply being lit up.
Special effects
On the ground and as close as possible to the audience: cold sparks, thick mist and flames kept within sight.
Multimedia production
Overall direction, when several languages are used to convey a single message.
Light drones
To create a legible pattern in the sky. The flight authorisation must be submitted 45 days before the show.
Let’s talk about your website
Just let us know the venue and the date, Celesta writes the rest
All you need to get started is the name of the venue, the proposed dates and your budget. We’ll send you a proposed production plan and a quote within 48 hours, with no obligation.
- Aigremont and Normandy
- Fifteen countries visited
- We’ll get back to you within 48 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Six questions that the organisers ask us
Brief answers, with figures where available.
What is a sound and light show?
An evening show, such as those produced by Celesta, staged at a venue – usually a heritage site – where lighting, a soundtrack and, at times, pyrotechnics all come together to tell a story. The venue is not merely a backdrop: it is the subject of the narrative. Celesta devises the show’s structure, composes it and brings it to life come evening.
How much does a sound and light show cost?
Between 2,500 and 5,000 euros for a municipality with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, between 5,000 and 20,000 euros for a medium-sized town or an inter-municipal authority, between 20,000 and 50,000 euros for a large city. The size of the venue, the number of sound points and the proportion of original music account for most of the variations. Celesta’s quote includes a site visit, set-up and rehearsals.
Do we need extras or actors?
No. There are two types of performance that share the same name: historical dramas performed by theatre companies, and purely technical productions in which the venue itself is the sole performer. Celesta produces the latter. You therefore do not need to organise any recruitment or a period of group rehearsals.
How long does the performance last?
This is the longest of the five formats that Celesta offers: whilst a performance is usually measured in minutes, a sound and light show draws the audience in for a period of time that the light and sound can sustain without becoming tiresome. The exact duration is up to you, depending on the venue, the time of nightfall and the rest of your programme.
How long should I allow for this?
Three to six months before the event allow time to compose the soundtrack, test the lighting effects on site and rehearse the entire performance. If the narrative involves a fireworks display, a minimum of one month must be allowed for administrative procedures; a drone light flight, on the other hand, must be declared forty-five days in advance.
Is it allowed to play on a listed monument or in a closed venue?
Yes, with the site manager’s consent and subject to the restrictions they impose to protect the building. In enclosed or covered spaces, special effects are governed by the Order of 25 June 1980 on fire safety in premises open to the public, and outdoor fireworks displays remain subject to Decree No. 2010-455 of 4 May 2010 from category F4 or 35 kilograms of active ingredient onwards. Celesta processes these applications.