Lincoln Community School in the Ghanaian capital of Accra is extremely
pleased to have taken delivery of a new dot2 core console, which will be
used to control LED lighting in their multi-purpose hall, which is
utilised for various sporting activities as well as to stage productions
and general events.
Lincoln’s high school drama and film studies
teacher Iain Cowieson was searching for a company to deliver and
install a new lighting system for the hall, and discovered DWR
Distribution, MA Lighting’s South African distributor, based in
Johannesburg, on the internet. By an incredible stroke of luck, DWR
technical African sales representative Johnny Scholtz just happened to
be in Accra working on another project when the office received the
call, so was able to visit immediately and access the situation.
He
met Iain and the school’s chief procurement officer Anthony Quainoo,
who discussed their needs and invited him to propose a specification for
some new LED lighting and control. “We were impressed by his
professionalism and understanding of our situation and the clarity and
flexibility of his recommendations,” commented Iain, adding that it was
definitely a case of “right-place-right-time”.
Johnny takes up
the story, “They needed a cost-effective, easy to maintain and use
system, so I proposed LED PARs and a dot2 core for control to start off
with”. This proved a perfect solution on several counts!
Having
never had a console before – previously the old lights were switched on
and off manually - they needed something that was first-and-foremost
logical and easy to use, explains Johnny, adding that the “rock solid”
dot2 software was the perfect answer.
They also wanted a product they
could grow into, learn and expand their knowledge of lighting control,
as the plan is to add more stage and house lighting fixtures into the
system as capex becomes available. “dot2 ticked all the boxes and also
fitted nicely into their budget,” says Johnny. DWR also supplied a
selection of LED PAR lights chosen for their power saving capabilities
and general adaptability.
Training was integral to the package,
and Iain and other staff received basic instruction from Johnny on the
dot2 which they could then share with students using the lighting.
“The
dot2 is absolutely brilliant,” declares Iain who, along with other
staff, has found it very simple to pick up and be able to programme and
execute cues, choose and change colours etc. He also intends to explore
the more complex operations of the dot2 as he gets used to the console.
While
they may not yet need to plumb the deeper technical depths of the dot2,
the important thing is that there is plenty of headroom. “Having only
worked with traditional lighting systems before I am flabbergasted at
the power, possibilities of DMX and of the desk itself,” he stated,
adding that their technology coach Ryan Harwood who also attended the
technical training became very excited about having kit with such great
potential available!
“Introducing the dot2 at this stage also
ensures there is a degree of future proofing for the school,” adds
Johnny, emphasising that the reliability factor was again crucial in the
console spec as a supplier – with a minimum six hour flight to reach
Accra, minimizing technical call-outs was essential!
Lincoln
Community School was founded in 1968 and is a private non-profit,
college-preparatory international school with around 750 scholars from
85 different nationalities. The curriculum is based on the international
Baccalaureate (IB) system, and the numerous high end facilities include
the multi-purpose hall which is used as a gym and basketball and
volleyball court, with the stage for entertainment performances and
presentations on the one end.
Photo: © Louise Stickland
Here you can find more information about the
dot2 core