Astera AX9 PowerPARs were used in the BBC’s special edition of The One Show in Glasgow for the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference. This event was broadcast live from the lobby of the BBC building in Scotland on the banks of the River Clyde, with a striking ensemble designed by Ali Mills and built from recycled materials.
Lighting designer and director Richard Jarrett chose the fixtures. The first time he had used the AX9 product, supplied by Quay Light. This enterprise has a based in Glasgow, which has the largest stock of Astera luminaires in Scotland, all supplied via UK distributor Ambersphere Solutions.
The set comprised three circular discs which need front lighting and three metal structures making up the show’s logo letters, which are filled with plastic bottles, computer bits, shoes, and other recyclable elements.
“The beauty of all the Astera ranges is their flexibility,” states Richard, who has used most of the other Astera products. And he adds, “You can put them anywhere, including places that are difficult to light, and the battery operation and battery life is perfect for us.”
He likes the vivid colour reproduction across all the Astera ranges, and the intensity of the AX9s in particular for this application. He also notes that the excellent CT whites mean the same fixtures can be used for lighting faces and people as well as sets and other objects.
He adds that the AX9s have all the power of the AX10 “in a very compact and beautifully designed housing – the amount for the small size of the fixture is impressive.”
AX9 Astera
This product was released earlier this year as a high intensity LED lighting fixture. It included battery operation, wireless control and quality engineering.
Richard first saw Astera luminaries in action in early 2020 on the set of the acclaimed crime drama series Vigil. It also recalls a recent issue of News Climate Special that was illuminated using Astera AX5s and AX10s. With these accessories, the lighting system is much faster and takes only 20 minutes.
Having lighting fixtures like this is a huge time saver for a busy broadcast operation like the BBC. Having a supplier like Quay Light is another great asset.
