South Africa - Cape Town-based Flicker-Free Lighting Rentals is a new lighting rental and dry hire company headed by Jason Watts, geared towards offering the region’s buoyant film, TV, commercial and event industry premium lighting solutions.
Their seed investments included several Astera products – Titan Tubes, AX5 and AX9 LED PARS, LunaBulbs and HydraPanels – flexible, fully wireless, innovative fixtures that have been constantly busy and have helped contribute to the company’s immediate success since launching in 2024.
Watts explained that they are dedicated to supplying film productions, gaffers, DOPs and event lighting designers with quality kit – quickly and seamlessly. Their carefully selected inventory caters to multiple sectors and hybrid applications, with a strong focus on both direct rentals and dry hire to other rental companies.
“Everything from here is LED technology-driven,” stated Watts. “Sustainable, eco-friendly, IP rated, and wirelessly controlled fixtures is where we are at.”
The Astera products were acquired in October 2024 and have worked hard throughout the summer season, which is just starting to settle into a more relaxed rhythm for the winter period, with several longer-term rentals.
Titan Tubes were purchased for their ‘industry-standard’ status among the film community and because they are “completely versatile”. Watts notes that while almost every gaffer in town will already have a set of their own Titans, there is a constant demand for more.
HydraPanels were also chosen for their expedient size, light weight and ultimate usability. They are hugely handy light sources and have been used for anything from car brake lights and headlights to key lighting and effects.
Astera’s AX5 TriplePAR and AX9 PowerPAR are also never in the warehouse. “Fantastic investments – out all the time,” enthused Watts, mentioning that these are ideal for pop-up uplighters anytime, anyplace with no cables needed, making them a go-to choice for extended feature shoots.
Looking ahead, Watts is open to expanding the Astera range further. “If my clients start asking for the new QuikSpot luminaire, I’ll seriously consider adding it to our inventory.” When he set up Flicker-Free, a base goal was to offer high-quality products across a whole spectrum of the professional lighting ecosystem.
All Flicker-Free’s Astera products have been delivered via Southern Africa distributor DWR Distribution, which has a base in Cape Town. A distributor with a good reputation and great service and support is also imperative for busy rental companies like Flicker-Free.
