Cape Town-based Flicker-Free Lighting Rentals is an energetic new lighting rental and dry hire company headed by Jason Watts which is geared towards offering the region’s buoyant film, TV, commercial and event industry premium lighting solutions. Their seed investments included several Astera products – Titan Tubes, AX5 and AX9 LED PARS, LunaBulbs and HydraPanels – flexible, fully wireless, innovative fixtures that have been constantly busy and have helped contribute to the company’s immediate success since launching in 2024.
Jason explained that they are dedicated to supplying film productions, gaffers, DOPs and event lighting designers with quality kit – quickly and seamlessly. Their carefully selected inventory caters to multiple sectors and hybrid applications, with a strong focus on both direct rentals and dry hire to other rental companies.
“Everything from here is LED technology-driven,” stated Jason. “Sustainable, eco-friendly, IP rated, and wirelessly controlled fixtures is where we are at,” he elucidated, adding that their initial purchases were all based on what’s ‘hot’ on the market, what people were asking for and what is appearing on riders and tech specs.
The Astera products were acquired in October 2024 and have worked hard throughout the summer season which is just starting to settle into a more relaxed rhythm for the winter period, with several longer-term rentals.
Why Astera?
Titan Tubes were purchased for their now legendary ‘industry-standard’ status among the Film community and because they are “completely versatile”. He notes that while almost every gaffer in town will already have a set of their own Titans, there is a constant demand for more.
HydraPanels were also chosen for their expedient size, light weight and ultimate usability. They are hugely handy light sources and have been used for anything from car brake lights and headlights to key lighting and effects.
Astera’s AX5 TriplePAR and AX9 PowerPAR are also never in the warehouse! “Fantastic investments – out all the time,” enthused Jason, mentioning that these are ideal for pop-up uplighters anytime, anyplace with no cables needed, making them a go-to choice for extended feature shoots.
Talking about the Astera brand generally, Jason reckons the products tick three essential boxes: “convenience, color and control”. He loves the outstanding color mixing, excellent whites and the fact that they can be App-controlled from your phone or a tablet and set up in minutes for those key moments when an extra touch of illumination is needed quickly on set, on location or in the field. “Often, it’s a case of being able to react very quickly when a shot is being set up, and these are all brilliant tools to have to hand. I really can’t say enough good things!”
Looking ahead, Jason is open to expanding the Astera range further. “If my clients start asking for the new QuikSpot luminaire, I’ll seriously consider adding it to our inventory.” When he set up Flicker-Free, a base goal was to offer high-quality products across a whole spectrum of the professional lighting ecosystem.
Industry Experience & Partnerships
All Flicker-Free’s Astera products have been delivered via Southern Africa distributor DWR Distribution which has a base in Cape Town. A distributor with a good reputation and great service and support is also imperative for busy rental companies like Flicker-Free.
Jason has been in the lighting and production industry all his life, starting at the AFDA Film School in Cape Town where he graduated with a BA in Cinematography, after which he honed his lighting skills as a freelancer working on set, before taking up a client liaison position in a busy rental company for 8 years, dealing with national and international projects and clients. This experience has been invaluable in staying ahead of emerging technologies, industry trends, and building strong relationships – many of which now translate into business for Flicker-Free.
If you’re shooting in Cape Town or anywhere in South Africa, get in touch with Flicker-Free Lighting Rentals for the best flicker-free, high-quality LED lighting solutions. Whether it’s a feature film, commercial, music video or event, they’re here to help bring your vision to life.
Photos courtesy Flicker Free
People photo by Louise Stickland
Further information about Astera LED: https://astera-led.com/
