After in depth research and comparisons between all available intelligent fixtures, Smart Light & Sound’s Bill Parker decided to go with the High End fixtures and Lightfactor. The deciding issues for fixture choice included the benefit of the different lens options on the Spot 250 - ideal for dealing with the short throw distances of many school halls and theatres. Fixture weight was also crucial, together with reliability.
Lightfactor also supplied eight LightProcessor Paradim 6-channel, 12 x 15 amp digital dimmers to Smart Light & Sound. These popular dimmers are compact in size, very cost-effective and ideal for this type of use. Recently, both the moving heads and the Paradims were used with great effect and panache in a production of Into Space at St Mary’s C.E. Primary School in Welwyn. Into Space was written by the teaching staff and performed by Keystage Two pupils.
The lighting rig also contained a mix of conventionals - Strand Quartet, Prelude, Coda and SL range lanterns, some fitted with colour scrollers, and was controlled via a Strand 520 desk. The team from Smart Light and Sound undertook lighting design, rigging and programming with help of pupils and staff. Head teacher Alison Witchell enthused about how the imaginative use of lighting greatly enhanced the production.
Smart Light and Sound is supported by local industries interested in promoting the arts. Bill Parker comments, "Lighting and sound suppliers in the industry - like Lightfactor - have been generous in supplying equipment specifically to help schools".
Lightfactor’s managing director Paul de Ville comments, "It’s important to support young people involved in all areas of the arts - they are the future talent of a highly creative and successful industry."
(Lee Baldock)
