Federation University Australia (FedUni) is a modern, progressive university providing high-quality vocational and higher education across a national and international network of campuses. The university has a distinguished history as the University of Ballarat, one of Australia’s oldest higher education institutions. It became Federation University Australia in January 2014 upon amalgamation with Monash University’s Gippsland Campus.
The University recently came to Showtools International looking to upgrade their lighting rig in one of their performing art theatres and came across the CHAUVET Professional range of fixtures and was very impressed. After receiving a demo of selected fixtures, the University decided to acquire Maverick MK2 Profiles and Spots as well as Ovation E-910FC ellipsoidals.
Maverick MK2 Profile delivers ultimate artistic precision via its advanced 4-blade dual-position rotating framing system, a stunningly bright 440 W LED engine, two 6-position rotating slot and lock gobo wheels, CMY + CTO color mixing, a 7-position + white color wheel, variable frost, 3-facet prism, and a 13° to 37° zoom range.
“What really caught our eye on the MK2 Profile is Its versatility with its dizzying array of gobo patterns, colours, and beam effects.,” stated Shan McPhee Technical Officer – Performing Arts at FedUni. “Versatility was especially important in our case with different events, which is one reason why the Maverick was such a logical choice. We can get a lot of different looks, along with an immense level of brightness.”
“The powerful fixture enables complete coverage of the stage, allowing us to cover it with colour and gobo patterns,” Shan continued. “The Mavericks are definitely multi-purpose fixtures, which is important since we had such a range of acts on stage. At times, we can use them for aerial effects but we can also rely on them as beams and audience light.”
Also coming in for praise from was the Maverick MK2 Profile’s CMY +CTO colour mixing capabilities. “I am a huge fan of the reds and blues that these fixtures output,” Shan said. “The colours are very realistic and rich, which makes them work better on an outdoor stage. The framing system and wide 13° to 37° zoom range of the Maverick MK2 Profile also works to make our lighting rig more flexible by providing us with easy options for changing coverage areas.”
The other Maverick fixtures purchased by FedUni included the Maverick MK2 Spot. The MK2 spot is a stunningly bright moving yoke spot featuring a 440 W LED engine. “The Mavericks pack a punch, and their colours are extremely intense, so they give us the boldness we need,” said Shan. “We will use their gobos to create a variety looks, and their wide zoom let us change coverage areas. Throughout the shows, they will complement the MK2 profiles and use them for aerial effects, audience lighting, cross lighting, and backlighting.”
To go with the moving heads, FedUni also acquired the Ovation E-910FC profile. “To round off our lighting rig we went with the Ovation E-910FC,” Shan explained. “The is a high-performance ERS-style fixture with full RGBA-Lime colour mixing, with color temperature presets of 2800 to 6500 K that match the output of a tungsten source to perfection.” Shan described the benefit of the E-910FC, “Aside from creating a flat and even field of light, the Ovation fixtures add an important element of colour. The advantages of an LED source are well-known – power consumption and longevity, but the 910 also uses an RGBA-lime colour mixing system for great colour mixing.”
With the new additions of CHAUVET Professional fixtures to the lighting rig at FedUni, The University now has the tools to create amazing looks and feels for whatever event is on in their theatre.
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