Philips Strand Lighting 250ML 'super efficient' Control Console saves the day for Stark Films

Stark Films is home to several popular long-running South African drama series such as 'Generations' and 'Binneland'. Highly experienced LD Chris Gardner has worked on Binneland for nine years, alongside numerous other high-profile Stark Films productions. When the time came to upgrade the studio's lighting control system to match its state-of-the-art complex, Gardner turned to the Philips Strand Lighting 250ML Control Console after receiving rave reviews about the desk from Travis Yeatman, LD for Ultra Music Festival.

"The time came when we desperately needed to upgrade our system," explains Gardner. "DWR Distribution came to the rescue, with Dave Whitehouse delivering the Strand Lighting 250ML console and installing it before a show started the following morning. It was immediately apparent how super efficient and easy-to-use the Strand Lighting 250ML console is and how simple it would be to create and store Submasters, which was such a relief."

The incredibly intuitive and easy-to-use Strand Lighting 250ML console provides designers with intelligent fixture control and can control 250 channels for dimmers and 30 automated luminaires for moving lights and LEDs. Looks can be stored as either Submasters for easy access or cues for traditional theatre playback.

"After only five to ten minutes of training we went from full system failure to a full 12 hour uninterrupted day in a busy soap opera studio, thanks to the Strand Lighting 250ML console," continues Gardner. "We programmed 49 key sets into the system, each with two or three lighting states, with minimal effort or reading. This efficiency was amazing as we had no time for complications or trouble!"

The Philips Strand Lighting 250ML Control Console merges the world of conventional dimmer/channel control using traditional Command Line operation with an easy-to-use interface for attributed fixtures, using a colour LCD screen that has ten soft keys and four attribute encoders. In addition, the console has an intuitive effects engine, 2 DMX ports with 1,024 outputs and Cue Playback with A/B Faders and Load/Go buttons, making it a highly useful and productive tool.

"Our lighting system is pretty straightforward and designed to run efficiently with minimal room for error," concludes Gardner. "The Strand Lighting 250ML Control Console therefore fits straight in as it's an extremely reliable and professional desk. Coupled with DWR's excellent after-sales service we are confident in our purchase decision."