Wanting to upgrade their lighting system to better encompass all the aspects of both services, Walnut Ridge turned to Gemini Light Sound and Video to oversee a full lighting renovation. Fully understanding what the church wanted to accomplish, Gemini installed 74 Showline SL PAR 150 ZOOM luminaires from Philips Entertainment.
"Gemini previously worked with Walnut Ridge Baptist Church on another lighting application and for this lighting renovation they were looking to mainly do two things," began Todd Graham, project lead installer. "First, they were looking for something more efficient than their current system which consisted of high-wattage traditional theatrical fixtures. Second, they wanted the ability to better use color in their contemporary services. With their fixtures being 30-feet in the air it was becoming time-consuming and costly to routinely change gels so we suggested going with an LED-based lighting plot and we decided on using 74 Showline SL PAR 150 ZOOM luminaires."
Graham continued, "We first saw the Showline SL PAR 150 ZOOM through our regional sales manager Jeff O'Brien who does a great job of keeping us up-to-date with all the latest product offerings from Philips Entertainment. We really liked the price point plus the controllable beam angle that alleviates hot spots. It allows us to do a nice, even wash whether it be for house or theatrical lighting. The SL PAR 150 ZOOM is a very desirable fixture."
With the lighting renovation moving forward, Graham and the Gemini team got to work upgrading the theatrical lighting instruments inside the Walnut Ridge sanctuary. But as the project continued, Graham made a suggestion that took the system to a whole new level of creativity.
"As we got further into the renovation, we began to speaking with them about not only upgrading their theatrical lighting, but also upgrading the house lighting system to really immerse the congregation into the experience and completely capture the long-term savings that is involved with LED fixtures," explained Graham. "Initially there was bit of scepticism but once we were able to show them the technology innovations that have occurred in the theatrical LED market, they fell in love with the idea. The SL PAR 150 ZOOM now gives them the house white they desire, plus whenever they want to wash the congregation in color they have almost unlimited options."
Now that the full scope of the project had been realized it was time for the installation of the new fixtures which could not be easier. Simple daisy-chaining of power and data, along with a split yoke bracket, allow for quick setup in any orientation, and convenient configuration is also made possible through the use of the standard Showline LCD menu system.
(Jim Evans)
