South Africa - Southern Lighting, a film lighting rental company in Johannesburg, has added MA Lighting’s grandMA3 and compact XT consoles to its inventory, supplied by DWR Distribution.
Southern Lighting has been in business for more than 55 years, providing specialised lighting equipment for TV, film, and events of any size. Their recent upgrade to the grandMA3 compact and compact XT supports both their staff and freelance users.
“When it was time to upgrade our existing consoles, we reached a point where it wasn’t just about control,” say Sean Boyce and Vincent van Niekerk from Southern Lighting. “Freelancers are now being trained on MA3, and with so few experienced LDs left in the country, we have to accommodate everyone’s needs. It just made sense.”
Duncan Riley of DWR Distribution adds: “That’s why we offer ongoing MA training. If you walk into one of our sessions, you’ll always find freelancers there, eager to learn. We’re focused on supporting the industry and helping people grow their skills.”
Before purchasing, Southern Lighting rented a grandMA3 for the T20 Auction. “It was Lardo Botha’s first time using it,” said Vincent. “Within an hour, he found it simple and intuitive compared to other consoles.”
Four years ago, Lardo Botha joined Southern Lighting. “I came from live events into the film and broadcast world just after COVID-19 - two completely different industries, and I love it,” he shares. “I did the MA training, and moving to the hardware was simple and straightforward. The T20 Auction was my first show, but even before that, I’d worked with MA3 consoles brought in by overseas clients. Patching and grouping lights is super easy. The capabilities of the MA3 are incredible - it’s not a console that will sit on a shelf.”
Duncan Riley says the jump from other consoles to MA2 was quite a big one, but moving from other consoles to MA3 is much easier. “Interestingly, the jump from MA2 to MA3 is the biggest leap, and that’s what makes it so powerful.”
“Let’s be honest, all consoles have the same buttons - they’re just in different places,” says Vincent. “If you have general knowledge, moving to MA3 isn’t rocket science. The phases take a bit of getting your head around, but once you do, and once you understand recipes, that’s where the power lies.”
Southern Lighting’s next major project is The Bachelor, a popular reality television show filming later this year. “Their prerequisite was two MA consoles,” said Vincent. “So we’re thinking ahead. We’re not just catering for one show - we’re preparing for the future.”