This process was underway last year when they were approached by their biggest production client, Nike, to design and produce realistic (but necessarily theatrical) lighting for a retail space mock up at their Asia-Pacific Spring Sales Meeting in June 2004 at the Oregon Convention Center. "The Nike job was what pushed our Acclaim Fresnel purchase initiative over the top, but at that time we had already purchased a couple dozen Acclaims anyway, so we didn't need much persuading to fill out our inventory. Incidentally, we will continue to buy more - our customers love them!"
Thomas adds: "This initial job was a huge success, and these hardworking fixtures have not had a day's rest since last June! HLS have had equal interest in them from both their over-the-counter customers as well as their production clients, a few of whom insist on these units, most often replacing 575W Pars and 6" 500W fresnels."
Thomas commented on the features: "The zoom range on them is astounding, and while we certainly recommend staying with the 650W globe for optimum output, the 575W globes we keep in our 100-or-so units have actually proven to be very effective for most uses. These fixtures also barndoor like a dream, are very controllable and have a 'just soft enough' edge for such a small fixture. The microswitch on the lamp access door has been a very popular feature for less-experienced end users such as schools and churches as well. The gel slot and catch is a bonus over what our customers have been accustomed to from our now mostly-retired older fresnels - a real bonus!"
In terms of continuing their stock upgrade Hollywood Lighting Service's next inventory purchase in early May will include Selecon 7" High Performance 1kW Fresnels, along with Pacific 90° and Pacific zoom ellipoidals, all of which are already in demand by their clientele, the company reports.
(Lee Baldock)
