International Customer Support at Robe, Steve Eastham, recently enjoyed his first official visit to South Africa to present 3-day Robe Fixture Workshops, in conjunction with native distributor DWR Distribution, at its offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban during February 2018. Eastham instructed technicians in the industry on fixture calibration and software updating, and hands-on training on the range of LED and discharge fixtures for maintenance and servicing purposes. Putting things together and apart is second nature to Eastham. As a 9-year-old, he remembers taking a clock apart. “I had the bare clock mechanism in front of me and I was taking…
Author: Jacob Waite
Panasonic’s ‘showstopper’ has become a must see at Integrated Systems Europe during recent years; from live fashion catwalks to projection mapped sports cars, 4K robotic screens, and magic shows featuring moving projection. ISE 2018 proved to be no different. Panasonic combined visual art performers, laser projection technology, 3D mapping and tracking at ISE 2018. “There is a magic surrounding projection mapping, which is hard to achieve with other visual techniques,” said Thomas Vertommen, Panasonic European Product Marketing Manager. “Laser projection technology has the ability to engage people and bring objects to life with compelling, storytelling experiences.” Presenting a show design…
Gearhouse Group South Africa has announced the 10th anniversary of its Johannesburg-based Sets Drapes Screens (SDS) contingent. Sets Drapes Screens offers a works from manufacturing facilities in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, manufacturing and installing standard and custom made sets, it stocks a wide variety of screens and imported drapes for use at expo’s, live events and corporate functions. www.gearhouse.co.za / www.setsds.com
South Africa is now able to give international audio engineers what they desire, thanks to a landmark investment, which resulted in the region’s very first very first DiGiCo SD7 console, supplied by DWR Distribution. The investment, made by Kevin Glover, owner of Sound Stylists, will compliment Sound Stylists existing DiGiCo inventory, which remains the largest back catalouge in Africa. Glover also explained his plans to train fellow console users on his latest toy. In 2006, Sound Stylists became the first company in South Africa to use DiGiCo consoles, with the purchase of a DiGiCo D5, subsequently adding the latest SD7 console to…
Kilowatt AV’s Chief Operations Officer, Neil Zaayman planted his seed in the scene via his passion for audio, with the company’s latest Absen LED panels purchase; supplied by DWR Distribution. In 2012, Zayyman joined Kilowatt AV as the Sales Manager and before coming a partner in the business, owned by Dillon Jearey. Currently the COO of the company, Zayyman’s latest role is focused on keeping his 50 staff clients content. “Luckily we have a fantastic family here at Kilowatt AV which makes my job very easy,” Zayyman explained. Zayyman had been “toying with the idea of investing into LED” for a…
The AFROPUNK Festival, a global festival associated with alternative punk music and ‘African-born’ styling and eye-catching fashion statements in Atlanta, Paris and London; recently debuted at Johannesburg’s Constitution Hill on 30-31 December 2017, where attendees were welcomed by many as a ‘homecoming’ to the continent. Technical solutions provider, Gearhouse provided the staging, lighting, audio visual, LED screens, power and rigging to the festival; while Show Sync’s Clinton Seery took on Production Direction for the South African iteration. The event featured South African musicians, including local poets, artists and activists performing alongside international stars such as British artist Laura Mvula and the American singer…
Alfacam SA, industry supplier and operator for events and shows in South Africa’s outside broadcasting market, has announced its investment in a DiGiCo console, supplied by DWR Distribution. In 2013, Greg Nefdt purchased OB16, now fondly known as OB1, with all associated equipment from Euro Media Group and founded Alfacam S.A., which operates out of Bush Hill Estate AH in Randburg, South Africa. Upon OB1 arrival was kitted out with a Soundtracs DPC-II and a DiGiCo D1 console. DWR Distribution has been dealing with Alfacam for over a year now, assisting with potential DiGiCo solutions. Quentin Davis, said: “Having a good sounding…
Philips Lighting has announced the new National Army Conference Center in Cairo, Egypt has utilised a state-of-the-art lighting system, and data infrastructure from Philips Entertainment Lighting to illuminate its 1,700-capacity main auditorium. Working closely with local specialist installer Egyptian Engineering Projects (Quality Egypt), Philips Lighting’s sales and technical teams from both EMEA and USA provided comprehensive on-site support throughout the project, helping to ensure the efficient completion of the installation. Chosen by the venue owner, the Engineering Authority – Armed Forces, in close collaboration with Quality Egypt and consultant DMG Technologies, the stage lighting system includes more than 240 Philips…
South African staging and set company, Dream Sets, invest in Vectorworks 2018 Design Software, purchased from DWR Distribution. Vectorworks 2018 delivers a wide range of industry specific tools to help save time and deliver exceptional results. Mauritz Jacobs, Lighting Designer at Dream Sets, gives feedback on the software. Why did you choose Vectorworks? “As a lighting designer, I have been using Vectorworks since 2014. Vectorworks has all the needed built-in features that I need to create and manipulate plans from start to finish (set and technical wise). Vectorworks, in my opinion, should be owned by every lighting designer to create…
DWR Distribution has announced the appointment of Shannon Fagan as the new Accounts Manager. Born in Zimbabwe, Fagan studied accounting after moving to South Africa, where she gained 4 years’ accounting experience in the workplace, despite being new to the entertainment industry. “I am very excited to be here,” said Fagan. “It’s definitely an opportunity to grow.” DWR Distribution, which has expanded over the past 11 years, sought Fagan as a necessary addition to the family, and her addition will ease the load of the accounts department. “We are delighted to welcome Shannon to the team and know she will fit perfectly…
The Vodacom CEO Awards, held at Vodaworld in Midrand, South Africa, appointed MGG Productions to supply complete technical requirements for the event, which incorporated a modern vintage theme. MGG Productions Audio Engineer, Fanie Pieterse, was on-hand to ensure the theatrical performance was complimented with exceptional sound, deploying a DiGiCo SD10 console and a DiGiCo 32-bit ‘Stadius’ Mic Pre-Amp for the live sound aspects. “I used to be in the sound team at school,” Pieterse recalled. “It’s quite funny, because I would wake up early on a Saturday morning to set up the sound on the sports grounds. I would then…
