South Africa - Tiaan Giliomee, freelance lighting designer with PRDGY Group, has taken delivery of his first lighting console – a grandMA3 onPC command wing from DWR Distribution.
Tiaan’s journey in lighting began over a decade ago at The Ridge School, using a simple Titan One system and parcans. Through high school, his passion grew, evolving through dot2 systems and Robe fixtures, and earning recognition with a few wins at Battle of the Bands and FEDA competitions.
While he pursued studies in Electronic Engineering, theatre and lighting always remained his true passion. “It’s what challenges me creatively every day,” says Tiaan, who’s known for bringing technical innovation to the stage, such as DMX-controlled windmills for Afrikaans productions.
After years of working with various consoles, including Avolites and grandMA2, Tiaan began transitioning to the grandMA3 platform in 2023. “At first, it was challenging, but with help from DWR’s Jaques Pretorius and the MA support community, I’ve found my stride,” he says. “The MA3's advanced features like Recipes and powerful Timecode capabilities have massively improved my workflow.”
The sale was facilitated by Callan van Zyl of DWR. “Tiaan is a fantastic individual, and it’s inspiring to see him grow and take the next step by investing in his own console,” said Callan. “It’s the perfect choice for a young, up-and-coming lighting designer who’s constantly on the move.”
Now, 90% of Tiaan’s work – from theatre and corporate gigs to high-end concerts and festivals – is programmed on the grandMA3. “It’s the most versatile console for my diverse work. I can go from a conference setup to a full rock show in the same day, and the MA3 handles it all.”