Late last year, IJS Productions in Queensland identified a need in their inventory for a compact, high-output beam fixture capable of creating sharp, well-defined beams for dynamic aerial effects. They began searching for such a fixture that was also IP-rated and tested several options from different manufacturers, including laser beam lights.
However, there was no beating the new Claypaky Ultimo Sharpy, the next-gen beam moving head that packs serious power into a sleek, lightweight design. As the original Claypaky Sharpy became a legendary industry standard, the groundwork was already laid for its worthy successor.
In fact, upon seeing the Ultimo Sharpy in action, IJS Productions’ General Manager, Jay van Lieshout, and Sol Presnel, Senior Lighting Tech, knew immediately it was the fixture for them.
“Straightaway, we decided to buy 50 as they make an incredible impact in numbers, much more than other fixtures,” remarked Jay. “Plus, we’ll be able to sub-hire them to other lighting companies. It was a strategic purchase to consistently deliver rider-friendly, tour-specific lighting packages.”
Ultimo Sharpy is built for the rig: compact yet powerful, rugged yet precise. Its specs are tailored for professionals who need maximum performance, minimal downtime, and total confidence.
“It seems that Claypaky has maintained the recognisable form factor while significantly enhancing nearly every feature,” commented Sol. “It’s more than 60% brighter, is IP66-rated, and operates with increased speed and precision.”
The original Sharpy had limitations with its colour wheel, which frustrated some users. The Ultimo fixes that with full CMY colour mixing.
“The colour mixing is extremely quick, providing instant effects,” Sol added. “The pan and tilt movements are also notably faster, with continuous pan rotation.”
The first Sharpy wasn’t built for today’s festival conditions. As productions increasingly shift between indoor and outdoor settings, IP-rated fixtures are now crucial. IJS is confident that their new Ultimo Sharpy will handle any harsh weather Queensland can throw at them, giving them incredible peace of mind!
