SPEAKER'S PROFILES
Charlie Paton
Charlie Paton studied first at the Guildford School of Art and then at Central School of Art and Design in London. Working his way through College as a lighting electrician - starting his career with ITN as a studio assistant on the Apollo 11 launch (1969) - he went on to become a lighting designer and inventor / maker of special effects, and has designed the lighting for over two hundred productions, primarily in Europe and N America. In 1976 he developed a concept for moving lights by remote control. A patent was granted and Light Works Limited was established in 1979 to manufacture and market the system.
The ‘Lightscan’ was lanched on the final World tour of the WHO and was subsequently refined to create an entire rig of robotic luminaires and cameras for the musical 'Starlight Express' in 1984. Charlie then licenced the manufacturing and marketing rights to Strand Lighting.
He has since developed a highly regarded track record in innovation, research and development. New product developments representing World firsts in their particular markets include:
High Intensity, Daylight Projectors, for Hasselblad, Kodak and Teatro projectors.
Integrated touch free water heating and sterilising Washstand (Wellcome Trust)
Lighting and Exhibit design for 'Science for Life' A permanent exhibition at the Wellcome Trust headquarters in London.
James Turrell, projector and light installations in some 30 galleries and museums worldwide.
The Seawater Greenhouse.
Charlie's broad understanding of a range of technologies and the intricate mechanism of photosynthesis lead to the concept for the Seawater Greenhouse. He initiated the project and has been actively engaged in it's development. He gained European Commission support for the first R&D and demonstration pilot in Tenerife.
He has designed and supervised the construction of two further Seawater Greenhouses in Abu Dhabi and Oman which are currently undergoing crop trials.
Outside interests include; music, travel, and forestry. He owns and manages a 12 hectare ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ forest of ancient woodland in Sussex.
