AUSTIN, TX — A rock ’n’ roll institution for more than 50 years, the Isley Brothers embody high energy live performance, and still make audiences want to kick their heels up and ‘shout.’ For a recent radio station one-off, the group’s LD, Edward Brantley of Storyteller Lighting Design, got to put High End Systems’ Shapeshifter C1 fixtures through their paces. Brantley said he’s glad to have the C1s in his designer arsenal.
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Brantley, who has worked with The Isleys on and off for more than 20 years, says it’s been a remarkably sweet gig. “Their style has changed over the years,” says Edward, “but they still remain icons, and they just keep on going. As their performances have developed over the years, I’ve refined my approach to the work. It used to be the old ‘razzle dazzle’ back in the day, but it’s become much more theatrical, and I really embrace the flavor the production has taken on in recent years.”
Edward’s first point of contact was crew chief Justin Litterio of Windy City. “Justin was just superlative,” says Brantley. “He really stepped up and helped get me acquainted with the fixture. When I saw the shopping list to the vendor provided by the promoter on this gig, I had never heard of the SHAPESHIFTER before, so I immediately went online, and the video just totally blew me away. I knew I had to get my hands on it as quickly as possible, so I called Justin. He told me there is a bit of a learning curve, but he soothed my initial nervousness. He told me about the macros inherent in the fixture, which would be necessary to use on this one off – but that wasn’t enough for me, so I called Adam Camp who put me in touch with my local vendor, John Lee at DPS. I went in for a demo and got my feet wet, and I’ve been in love with the fixture ever since.”
“Once I witnessed the fixture in action I was totally blown away,” Edward enthuses. “It is truly unbelievable, and is going to make a real difference in how designers approach LED lights all together; it’s one light that can look like nine, which is just incredible. This was a very sparse rig, only because it was a budget conscious one-off for the promoter and there were five acts on the bill – so time was an issue, as were real estate and budget, as always. I used four of the SHAPESHIFTER C1s along with six SolaSpots and a smattering of other LEDs, lekos and ACLS. We determined that the SHAPESHIFTERs should go on the upstage truss. I was hoping to get a few more on the floor but they just couldn’t afford it. However, the C1’s made a very sparse rig look really fat – and be very versatile.”
The C1’s macros were used extensively during the event, as the learning curve in the full mode would have proven too steep for a one-off. “The demo day at DPS only afforded me so much time,” Edward explains, “but once again Justin came to the rescue. The only way to learn what the macro library has to offer is to play with it – like any new toy – so we took the full mode off the table for the day. But once I have some time, I am going to make it dance! I look forward to using the SHAPESHIFTER on tour with The Isleys and with my other clientele. It is now a very important part of my tool bag.”
In closing, Edward says SHAPESHIFTER embodies High End Systems’ continuing ability to develop innovative products. “I think SHAPESHIFTER is totally cutting edge. It’s going to change the way that designers approach any LED application. It provides designers with more options and versatility, especially on the budget conscious productions. The other manufacturers are going to have to step up their game, because there’s nothing like the C1 – it’s just that phenomenal. I was a little spooked going in, as I had never seen anything like it, but once I got a little tutelage and got to put my hands on it – I saw exactly where the industry is really headed in terms of moveable head LED fixtures. I also saw myself having to step up my game, and not become complacent with the work at hand, but to find a new tool that compels me to work harder and to be a better artist – and I think that’s what this fixture does. Every LD that touches it – it’ll change their life – the way they work and the way they approach the work. That’s what it did for me.”
