18 June 2012
Sometimes a “tweak’” is all that is needed, as was the case for the Newday church based in Edenvale, Johannesburg. By shuffling around their trussing and lighting a significant improvement, particularly in regards to video recordings, was made. DWR Distribution were called in to redesign the church’s system and add a few LED parcans.
Newday, previously known as EastsideLIFE, was established in May 1995. It’s a church who reaches out to the community whether it’s visiting the elderly, supporting orphans or encouraging people to be the best they can be.
Their lighting rig is mostly utilized for three Sunday meetings, an annual production, guest speakers, performing bands and the likes.
Roald Gerber from Newday explains that flare on the screen, a battle to get definition on the preacher’s / speakers’ faces, shadows and very little back light only enabled the team to create an average looking video recording. “Our stage was just badly lit,” said Roald, “And most of our lighting focused onto one point and had no spread across the stage.”
Roald has known Robert Izzett from DWR Distribution for the past 16 years. “Hence I will always refer to him on the subject of lighting,” said Roald. After a site visit, Robert recommended a couple of changes.
The change was not simple and required three days to move and reposition three trusses, the cabling and data.
“The new setup has a made a big difference,” said Roald. “We now have more control over what part of the stage gets lit and when. The flare on the screen has also been minimized. Overall we have a far more effective lighting setup and our recordings are looking so much better than they did before.”
“I did not personally meet the team that came and did the work. All I can say is that the job was done when it was agreed to be done and that we had no issues after that. Although we have not got a super involved lighting rig with fancy fixtures it helps to know that correct placing and usage of our current system can make a massive difference,” said Roald. The exercise has also helped him to see where potential improvements can be made in the future.
