Vari-Lite Profile at World Economic Forum
- Details
The fixtures helped lighting designer and operator Gary Sam create a bright, balanced and consistent look for the live broadcast of the international panel in the Convention Centre’s Plenary Room.
With the theme Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Futures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the WEF saw leaders from across the globe gather to discuss the future of Africa. Hirezone was appointed by an international team to supply all technical for the entire event.
This was the first time for Hirezone using their new VL2600 Profiles, which they had purchased from South African Vari-Lite distributor DWR Distribution. Initially, when returning from Prolight+Sound in Germany earlier this year, Hirezone owner Richard Gild had five manufacturer’s options to choose from. Not being a dedicated lighting company, Hirezone needed a fixture that would offer both high quality performance and a good return on investment. “Three factors that my business partner, Garth Lawler, and I had to take into consideration were support, functionality and price,” says Gild.
Deciding on the support offered under DWR banner, he was left with three brand choices. “Vari-Lite has an excellent reputation as a brand, especially focusing on their quality optics. Eventually, once I’d seen the light, it became a no-brainer,” he said. “It delivered everything and more, and this was before seeing it in the field. Once we used it at the World Economic Forum, we were very happy to have made this choice. The VL2600s exceeded our expectation and made our jobs a lot easier. We had a stress-free show as a result.”
With serious topics under discussions at the World Economic Forum, the international technical team wanted a crisp, white look. Twelve VL2600 Profiles were positioned on a rectangular box truss hung over the stage area and on three house trusses, for front light and to get lower and higher angles as needed.
Two VL2600 Profiles were also used to light a side banner. “I loved the fact that every morning when I went to the cue, the lights remembered exactly where the shutters were meant to be,” said Sam. “And I would not have to make any adjustments to square them off on the banner. It was one less thing to fix every day before the various sessions took place.”
(Jim Evans)
