At the start of the year AFDA, one of the leading film, television and performance schools in Africa, opened a campus in Durban. DWR Distribution’s Nick Barnes was pleased to recently provide a lighting installation, using Philips Strand technology, for their small television studio at the institution.

The Philips Strand LED Studio Panels are a sensible choice for students who can use the units both inside the studio and on location and for control a Philips Strand 200 Plus Series console has been supplied.

AFDA- the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance, was established in Johannesburg in 1994 and offers internationally recognized degree programmes.

With a Cape Town campus in operation since 2003, it was with great excitement that AFDA finally open her doors in Durban on 4th February 2013. AFDA’s new home is a former municipal building in Glen Anil, Durban North. Over the next four years, on-going renovations will cater for 350 students studying film, TV, music and acting. The campus includes studios, lecture rooms, rehearsal rooms, recreational area, staff and administration area, storage and parking facilities and have all the necessary stage, film, TV and music equipment required for each year of study.

Franco Human, the Campus Dean of AFDA Durban, required a flexible lighting rig for a small film studio.

Human states, “At AFDA we pride ourselves in keeping up to date in the latest technology, Durban was the 1st to purchase LEC lighting. DWR brought in and installed the equipment in their promised timeframe and I am pleased with the quality of work.’

DWR supplied two lighting bars on four circuits as well as 6 Philips Strand LED Studio Panels (with barn doors) that run off a Philips Strand 200 Plus console.
“The Studio Panels are lightweight and compact’, said Barnes. “They can be de-rigged by students and then set up outside, on location, when required.’

With tuneable white colour temperature control from 3000K to 6000K, the units are ideal for a wide range of lighting applications. Only requiring 50 watts, they operate on AC or DC voltage, and the battery power input is designed to operate, when needed, using industry standard batteries. An available range of holographic diffusers provide beam angle control with minimal light loss.

Little introduction is needed for the Philips Strand 200 Plus Series console, the manual lighting desk used by students in the studio. It features Ethernet and DMX ports as well as a video display port for users needing more information than is provided by the on panel LCD display. Easy to set up and use, the 200 Plus Series console is great for any application that needs manual and memory control.

DWR Distribution would like to take this opportunity to thank AFDA for their support. We look forward to seeing the talent and positive impact these young entrepreneurs in entertainment will bring to South Africa and the globe. May the world sit up and notice!