The Hong Kong Academy School, which teaches age groups ranging from kindergarten to high school, opened a new site in Sai Kung in August 2013. The new site incorporates a 350-seat, multi-configurable auditorium with professional grade lighting and sound equipment, a 600-seat gymnasium with retractable seating capable of housing the entire school and an 80-seat studio theatre.
Hugh Chinnick, director of Pacific Lighting (HK), proposed the RJ Topaze 1200W MSD followspots within the drama department's lighting inventory based on the skeleton specifications supplied by consultant, Michael Smyth.
"I knew the project was very budget conscious so, drawing on my experience as a lecturer at the Academy of Performing Arts, I suggested Topaze as the best use of budget in terms of performance, reliability and suitability." says Chinnick. "Topaze's 7° - 14.5° zoom range gives it the flexibility to suit all of the performance venues. It is compact and uncomplicated enough for students to handle yet punchy enough for the performances which will be expected of it. Students can quickly get to grasps with the logical layout of its operation and, with all parts within easy reach, there is a very strong safety element which is so important in the teaching environment. With Robert Juliat spots, the students will be given the opportunity to learn the best of what is available right from the start of their experience with entertainment technology."
The Ko Shan Theatre Annex, which is due to open in 2014, is a new wing to Hong Kong's prestigious Ko Shan Theatre. At the specification of consultants, Pictures Planes Limited, Pacific Lighting supplied the venue with a number of RJ 700SX2 series 2.5kW zoom profiles for the front of house rig and a pair of RJ Victor 1800W followspots, two of which are already in use in Ko Shan's main Theatre.
"We are encouraged by the increase in sales of RJ's higher powered profile fixtures in the last 12 months which is a sure indication that tungsten remains a valid light source despite the increased development of long-throw LED profiles," says Chinnick. "LED may provide an alternative within the lighting designers' palette but, with ever increasing amounts of light in their designs, LD's need a profile that is able to punch its weight with the power and quality of a Juliat.
"We are extremely happy with the way Robert Juliat's popularity has spread across the region in the years we have been part of the family. Hong Kong and Macau is a relatively small distribution region - probably one of RJ's smallest - yet the number of followspots in use across the area, well in excess of 80 to date, is impressive for such a small region," continues Chinnick. "And demand is increasing! Just when you think you have Robert Juliat spots in every venue, the phone rings with customers asking for more."
(Jim Evans)
