Prolight + Sound is the largest international trade fair in its sector, bringing together event and communications technology, AV production and entertainment, systems integration and media technology in Frankfurt. It is a unique opportunity for dealers, distributors and manufacturers to get up to date on developments in the field. Bruce Schwartz, Lighting Division Manager at Electrosonic SA, attended Prolight + Sound 2013 from 10 to 13 April and came away with these observations
April is that time of year again when many people in the entertainment industry make their annual pilgrimage to Germany to attend the Frankfurt Prolight + Sound Expo. This year I made the trip with Bruce Genricks, Managing Member of Electrosonic SA. Although the Expo lasts only three days we were determined to make the most of our time.
We arrived in Frankfurt early on Tuesday morning, the 9th of April to a cold and wet Germany. After checking in, we spent the day walking the old town and seeing some sights. It was off to bed early as a very busy schedule was planned.
The next morning we were up early and ready for the show! Bruce and I visited the impressive Martin Professional stand. Martin recently became part of the Harman Group, and it was by far the busiest I have ever seen their stand. We also took a quick walk around the show to see our friends and say hello to our suppliers namely Litec, Robert Juliat, ADB and CM Lodestar.
The Martin Distributor Function was hosted that evening at a very nice restaurant called the Gerbermühle Betriebs, where we got to know Villads Thomsen better. He is the newly appointed Martin Vice President, Global Sales. This well-spoken Dane is truly dynamic and a great representative for Martin Professional. During the function we were told about Martin launching the new RUSH™ line of affordable effect lights. With the slogan – Light in the fast lane! – the new line is destined to cause excitement among lighting designers. We also met some of the Harman people whose task it is to manage the acquisition of Martin into the Harman stable. A great dinner was had by all and we made use of the opportunity to connect with some of our global friends.
On Thursday we had a couple of meetings with our suppliers and clients, and attended a function organised by Martin at a Club called the "Gibson". A real industrial underground venue equipped by Martin where we could see the new RUSH™ range in action! Martin did a light show every hour which was very impressive. We invited a few clients and it was nice to see Kevin Glover from Sound Stylists and his crew, and Christopher Bolton from Keystone Productions. Brendon Bunyan from Black Coffee Productions in Durban popped in later. After much talking in the noise and almost losing my voice it was time to go back to the hotel.
To say that the Martin Professional exhibition stand at the Prolight + Sound trade show was busy would be a gross understatement. Apart from launching the new RUSH™ line of affordable effect lights, Martin celebrated the world premiere of no fewer than six new MAC Viper Family moving heads. The response at the fair was nothing short of fantastic. Visitors packed the RUSH™ area of the booth and Martin's daily RUSH™ competition saw a few happy visitors walking off with RUSH™ product prizes every day.
One lucky stand visitor, Casper Panduro of Aarhus, Denmark, won a Martin M2GO lighting console in a special prize draw at the Martin stand.
Although the new MAC Viper Family luminaires and new RUSH™ range of effect lights continued to draw large crowds to Martin's stand, other important product launches shared the spotlight.
Keen interest was shown in Martin's new flagship M6 lighting console, with demos being held from the starting gun until the closing bell. We arranged a meeting with Kurt Du Preez from Pan Tilt, and Paul Pelletier of Martin Professional for a demo on the new M6 console as Kurt is an old MAXXYZ user. Kurt was blown away and I'm sure this will soon be a very well-received product for our South African clients.
Many thanks to Bruce Genricks for traveling with me, it was uplifting to share this year's experiences at the Prolight and Sound show with him. I believe that Electrosonic SA is in a strong position and have some fantastic products in the pipeline to offer our clients.
Child prodigies have two attributes in common: they show abilities and maturity comparable to those of highly skilled adults in a specific field; and, they have a consuming passion to doggedly pursue that interest.
Garry Kasparov ranked in the top 15 chess players in the world at age 16. André-Marie Ampère wrote a thesis on conic sections at the age of 13. Karl Benz, at the age of 15, passed the entrance exam for mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe. Stevie Wonder, a skilled multi-instrumentalist had his first U.S. number-one hit at age thirteen. Steve Jobs got a summer job at Hewlett-Packard, all because at the age of 13 he had the conviction to make a phone call to founder member Bill Hewlett. Twelve year old Matthew Mitchell of Bryanston, Johannesburg is no different, but what makes him so exceptional is that his amazing Entertainment Lighting skills are entirely self-obtained.
Matthew – accompanied by Dad Robin – was slightly nervous when he entered Electrosonic SA's boardroom to be interviewed about his passion for Entertainment Lighting.
According to Dad Robin, Matthew was "switched on" since he was a baby and took torches apart to see how they worked. At 3 years of age he was already highly fascinated with musical fountain pumps and the switching of lights. Matthew's interest in lighting was all-consuming and at the age of 6 years old he was researching everything about lights on the Internet and discussing lighting catalogues with suppliers.
When he was 7 Matthew got his first DMX console; and in no time had figured out its full operation all by himself. Dad Robin laughs "I tried to figure it out, but to no avail". Matthew installed flood lights in the garden and entertained relatives with his Lighting Synchronised to Audio shows using the lights and equipment which he had accumulated over the years.
It is mind-boggling that Matthew figured out everything all by himself, even with the help of the Internet. One explanation is that Matthew has an exceptional innate talent which is driven by a burning passion. Dad Robin explains exactly how passionate Matthew is: "Our family attended Phantom of the Opera at Montecasino Theatre, when Matthew left us for a short while. We eventually found him backstage where he had already set up an appointment with the Lighting Manager for the following day to be shown the full lighting operation of the Theatre." When visiting the Sydney Opera House as a family, Matthew's initiative paid off again, whenhe requested (and was granted) a tour of the Opera House backstage. Matthew outgrew his lighting kit, but not his hunger for using more professional instruments. Quite the opposite, his appetite was whetted by the Martin Professional range of fixtures supplied by rental companies at his school's annual plays.
When an Internet search showed Matthew that Martin was indeed a world-class producer of lighting products he knew he wanted to be part of the Martin Family. Matt found Electrosonic SA on the web, called and announced he wanted to own Martin products. During a not-so-brief visit after school one afternoon (while Dad Robin and Mom Corrie went for coffee), Matthew decided then and there to upgrade his tired Q-Spots. His first purchase was a Martin Lightjockey and two Martin MAC 101's. The same evening those lights were thoroughly put through their paces in his lighting studio – much to his parents' amusement. Not long after and with a great school report card just received, Matthew and Dad Robin again rocked up at Electrosonic SA. This time, in order to provide more flexibility to his rig, he ended up with two Martin MAC Aura washes. These were the perfect complement to his 101's. Matt's inventory was growing rapidly.
Matthew is a pupil at Crawford Preparatory Lonehill School, a private school in Sandton, Johannesburg. In 2012 he was involved with the lighting for the school's production of Master Musical. Teacher Neil Smith, who is also involved in the Audio side of things at Rivonia BarnyardTheatre, noticed Matthew's talents and invitedhim to assist him with lighting projects at the Barnyard later this year.
Specialist Teacher Mr Derrick Anderson (IP Drama) also noticed Matthew's skills, and he has appointed Matthew as the Stage Manager for the 2013 school play, ABBACK to the 70's (A tribute to Abba), and he will also be the lighting engineer for the production. Electrosonic SA has offered Matthew all the support he needs. Bruce Schwartz, Entertainment Lighting Manager of Electrosonic SA who has dealt with Matthew from Day One said "It is very rare that a young man shows so much initiative and passion about this industry. We often lose the excitement we all had when we first got into this industry. Seeing that again and being part of making his dreams come true is what makes me love my job".
What's next for Matthew? He just became the proud owner of a M2PC console and it's a fair bet it won't be long until he joins the M-Family too.
Although Matthew received full colours for Technical Drama in 2012, and a Silver Medal for Drama, he is adamant that his main passion remains the controlling of Theatre Lighting sets. "I prefer this as I enjoy playing around until I find what works best. My dream is a career in Theatre Lighting, as I find this industry more advanced" says Matthew.
In the future, should your path cross with a Theatre Lighting genius called Matthew Mitchell, you might remember that you first read about this young Lighting prodigy in PROMAG... way back in 2013.
Milos Structural Systems has appointed Electrosonic SA its new distributor in South Africa. Since 1994 Milos Structural Systems has specialized in aluminum structural systems. Milos offers a wide range of applications: from small truss display booths, to giant outdoor stages involving lighting and PA trusses for large events. Milos's production facilities span over 90,000 square feet and manufacturing processes include the latest semi-automated welding processes and CNC technology. With distribution networks in over 30 countries Milos is well placed to deliver solutions where you need them and when you need them.
Electrosonic SA has been a leading supplier of stage, theatre and entertainment lighting for over 21 years. When Milos Structural Systems took Litec into its stable, Electrosonic saw the opportunity to offer the entire Milos range as a perfect complement to its existing product range of world class brands such as Martin Professional, CM Loadstar, ADB, and Compulite.
Bruce Schwartz, Electrosonic SA's Entertainment Lighting Manager, said "Our customers rely on us to provide them with top class solutions, but at competitive pricing. With Milos in our stable we are able to deliver on this mandate. We are honoured to represent Milos Structural Systems, and see their large range of products as a natural extension of our business. We look forward to growing the Milos brand in South Africa."
Valdimir Hasman from Milos will visit South Africa during the European autumn to provide training and meet existing and future customers.
UK Pioneers in real-time video manipulation Green Hippo are pleased to announce Electrosonic SA cc as their new distributor in South Africa.
Events worldwide rely daily on Hippotizer's power, flexibility and ease of integration. With over 12 years of experience in developing software and hardware platforms, Green Hippo has developed class-leading solutions to pixelmapping and videomapping, and the integration of such into entertainment shows and installations. Green Hippo are focused on ensuring these shows run day in and day out, on tour, on Broadway or Television.
Electrosonic SA cc, a leading supplier of stage, theatre and entertainment lighting for over 21 years, has similar ideals and the same passion as Green Hippo. It sees this partnership as an exciting extension to the range of world class brands that it represents, such as Martin Professional, CM Loadstar, ADB, Compulite, Litec and Milos Structural Systems.
Entertainment Lighting Manager Bruce Schwartz says "We are really honored to represent Green Hippo, and see the tighter integration between video and lighting growing even further with this partnership. We look forward to offering the backup, service and knowledge that Electrosonic is renowned for, on the entire range of Green Hippo products and growing the world-wide rental network."
Green Hippo's Tom Etra and Electrosonic's Renier Smit showcased Green Hippo's amazing products at Mediatech Africa with great interest.
