Attended by none other than the country's president Jacob Zuma, the awards, organized by Outlaw Events, is a lively celebration of outstanding achievement in the world of South African business and enterprise. Production director Chris Bolton of Johannesburg-based production specialists Keystone Productions designed and directed the project's impressive set, AV and lighting elements.
"I knew straight away that I wanted to make the B-EYE the crowning jewel of my design," says Bolton. "I saw the fixtures in Italy last year and instantly wanted them. All I can say for these awards is - wow they did not let me down, what an event."
Bolton rigged 12 x Clay Paky A.leda B-EYE K20s provided by Keystone's long-term preferred technical suppliers MGG in a large crest above the center of the stage where entertainment was provided by Lloyd Cele (Idols Winner) and The Soweto Gospel choir.
"I used three layers of truss arrayed and rigged the fixtures centre off point from one another allowing for some awesome position combinations. The B Eye's unbelievable ability to act as a wash light, serious beam light and never before seen FX Light earned it the key lighting position in the rig."
Bolton found he could flood the stage with colour using B-EYE's powerful wash mode, which currently stands 20% brighter than any LED wash with the same rated power (15W). He also made good use of the fixtures 60º maximum zoom and, to create zingy aerial effects, Bolton employed the fixture's beam mode, which operates in a minimum zoom of 4º, to create spears of light.
Finally the fixture's renowned 'graphics' mode captivated the awards audience as they witnessed kaleidoscopic chases of colour and vortex lighting effects, attainable only through the B-EYE's innovative rotating front lens.
Duncan Riley, managing director of DWR, Clay Paky distributor for South Africa adds, "We are delighted to see the B-EYE get such a good workout with Chris and his team. Since their launch last year at PLASA 2013 the B-EYE fixtures have proved to be hugely popular with our market. Users get so many lighting effects and styles rolled into one. This is particularly good for touring shows and events where less fixtures offering more effects make it more economical both in number of fixtures required and in the power consumed."
The 2nd South African Premier business awards took place on 19 March at the The Pavilion room in Johannesburg's Sandton Convention Centre. President Zuma commented, "These awards recognise and honor South African enterprises and entrepreneurs who promote the spirit of success, innovation and good business ethics in our economy. Today, we can confidently say, we have not only a good, but a great story to tell."
(Jim Evans)
