White Light's Investment in New Equipment Proving a Success

	Kevin Spacey at the Olivier Awards. Photo: Alastair Muir

Since its formation in 1971, UK-based White Light has established itself as a complete production solution specialist in the entertainment industry. The company says its reputation has been forged from providing the best possible service to clients along with its extensive range of state-of-the-art technology. During its 44 years, White Light has rapidly expanded its services, with this year alone seeing the launch of a dedicated audio department and the acquisition of Shock Solutions, an AV company whose clients include Sky Sports and ITV Studios. White Light has also recently invested in two new pieces of equipment that reflect the company's recent expansion as well as further cement its reputation as a leading production supplier: the Martin Professional MAC Aura XB and the Prolyte S36PRA truss.

This recent investment enhances White Light's lighting and rigging services. The Martin MAC Aura XB takes an award-winning, innovative, compact LED wash light to the next level by incorporating several new features first introduced with the MAC Quantum Wash. Not only does it offer additional brightness but also features a new superior color-mixing system and an optimized lens design for tighter beams and more even washes.

The Prolyte S36PRA truss is equipped with a pivoting pin-fork connection system, making it fast and easy to assemble. Designed as a pre-rig truss for moving heads, the truss has a flexible cross and linear braces on the topside to accommodate any type of luminaire. Another advantage is that the trusses and dollies can be easily stacked for storage or transport. Dave Isherwood, White Light's hire and technical director, comments: "It's fantastic that we are able to invest in such ground-breaking equipment. As we continue to work on highly technical and innovative projects, we need the resources which can help make these a reality. Both the Martin MAC Aura XB and Prolyte S36PRA truss reflect the high standards which the company implements and we can now use them on various projects to ensure that each one achieves its maximum potential."

The Martin MAC Aura XB has already been used on several events in which White Light has provided the lighting support. Whether this was the recent Glamour Awards at Berkeley Square Gardens or the Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House, the MAC Aura XB provides several lighting options across a whole range of entertainment fields. It has also played a large role in UK touring theatre productions, such as Jesus Christ Superstar and The Sound of Music. Sam Wright, production electrician on The Sound of Music, states: "The Aura XB is a really reliable unit and we are currently using 14 on tour. Not only is it unbelievably powerful but it is also extremely light -- a necessity with a touring show such as this." Attempting to create the lighting design by Nick Riching, Wright used the MAC Aura XB as a pipe end wash, realizing it was as bright as a 1,000W Par yet also had all the advantages of an LED moving head. While the quality of the kit is important to Wright, so is the service he receives from the supplier. He adds: "The technical support from White Light has been unbeatable as they are a great team that pulls out all the stops. Having an account handler ensures that we receive whatever help we require and also shows an interest in the show itself which adds a great personal touch to a very professional company."

Whereas the Martin MAC Aura XB is making a huge impact in the world of entertainment lighting, the Prolyte S36PRA truss is making similar repercussions in the field of rigging. Isherwood comments: "We have used Prolyte trusses for several years now. Our existing stock of H30V and X30D (30cm box and triangular truss) has been used on literally hundreds of projects, including fashion shows, touring concerts, corporate events, theatre shows, exhibitions, and broadcast work. This latest investment will allow us to use the very latest that Prolyte has to offer." The truss was first used by White Light on the recent UK Tour of the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, produced by BBC Worldwide and Vision Nine. It was also used on the recent one-off 50 Cent and G-Unit concert held at London's O2 arena. Ben Tucker, event technician on the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, comments: "For the tour, we had an unbelievably tight schedule, having only seven hours from arriving at a new arena to commencing the sound check. Using the new truss, this meant that everything could be easily pre-rigged hence we could literally wheel this into each new arena, with the confidence that we could quickly set everything up and remain on schedule."

The company says White Light's recent investment in both the Martin MAC Aura XB and Prolyte S36PRA truss not only increases the company's large stock range but also reiterates its desire to provide its clients with the best technology available. Isherwood comments: "The main thing for us is fulfilling our client's needs. Whenever we invest in stock like this, we are doing so ultimately thinking about how it can benefit our extensive and varied client list. We want to be able to provide them with the best production solutions possible. In order to do this, you need the very latest in technology; something which we have with the Martin MAC Aura XB and Prolyte S36PRA truss."