Craig Boyes’ bdesign is a creative event agency and consultancy providing services across multiple disciplines, including event management, lighting design, entertainment, staging design, AV, logistics and technology consultancy. Based out of Melbourne, bdesign recently invested in a powerful, flexible package from High End Systems, including eight Shapeshifter C2 LED fixtures and a Road Hog 4 console to control them.
“I’ve been a Hog user for years!” reported Craig “The Road Hog 4 ticks all the boxes in terms of what I want out of a desk. I like the layout and the large screen real estate. I prefer everything to be on the one screen, as opposed to a larger desk that’d have screens and controls spread out laterally.” Since its purchase, Craig has already had it out on gigs as diverse as contemporary dance shows and the launch of the film ‘Magic Mike XXL’.
The portability and power of the Road Hog 4 make it perfect for a working life spent rapidly changing styles. “It does straight-line cue lists really well, as well as being able to busk,” said Craig “It’s all in the way you set it up for different shows. It’s versatile.”
Going out on the same mix of corporate, theatre and events as the Road Hog 4 is Craig’s fleet of eight Shapeshifter C2s. “I wanted an LED wash unit that could also give me beam effects,” continued Craig. “I fell in love with the Shapeshifter C2s when I saw them demonstrated in Austin, Texas, last year. The Shapeshifter allows you to fundamentally change the paradigm, and move from just having a beam of light, to a beam that can do lots of different things and is interesting to look at.”
With its 63 CREE XP2 RGB LEDS mounted across seven individually moveable facets, the Shapeshifter C2 is a unique fixture. “We’re able to take on a contemporary dance show and use it as a theatrical-style light, using the individual facets to light different pieces of the stage,” illustrated Craig. “Then we can go to a break-up wash over the whole stage that isn’t just a flood of light, but broken-up beams of light. Then we can turn around and use it on an event like on ‘Magic Mike XXL” as a disco effect, which it does very, very well.”
Despite its enormous control possibilities, Craig points out that the Shapeshifter is still very easy to use. “Once you’ve got it setup in full mode, it’s actually really easy to create interesting effects,” he confirmed, “especially when paired with the Road Hog 4. I’ve been using the Road Hog 4 effects engine and creating custom effects, with the seven beams controlled independently with an effects parameter. For example, I’ve set a sine wave to control the movement while using an intensity effect across the individual panels. It creates dynamic and interesting effects without even resorting to the macros.”
All High End Systems products are ably distributed and supported in Australia by Lexair Entertainment. “Lexair has been a pleasure to deal with,” Craig beamed. “They’re really responsive, and always there if I have a question or need anything. They’ll always go the extra yard to make something work for me. I don’t feel like I’m just buying a light; it’s a relationship rather than a purchase.”
www.lexair.com.au
