SERIATE, Italy – A group of 20 technicians from U.K. stage and rental companies took part in a three-day training event held by Clay Paky at their headquarters here. The training event, held Nov. 9-11, focused on the Alpha 700 range of fixtures. Clay Paky UK sales manager Ashley Lewis led the event. "We had no problem filling places on the course, and I am sure this was partly because we chose to focus on the Alpha 700 range. Most courses try to cover too much, skating over the detail. Here our aim was to provide our customers with really useful, detailed information – with help from the guys that developed the Alpha range in Italy."
Clay Paky sales support engineer Marco Zucchinali, who supported the event, called the feedback from attendees "fantastic. Everyone who participated seemed to agree it was an intense but worthwhile investment of their time."
"Everyone at Clay Paky was approachable and willing to help out," said
Matthew Irving of NEG Earth. "They should be very proud of themselves. I strongly recommend this course for everyone, and I'm looking forward to attending any they might run in future."
Alex Strachan of AS Event Lighting agreed: "It was fantastic. Very informative and taught in a relaxed but professional environment – a great benefit for everyone who attended."
The Alpha Series from Clay Paky is often used for U.K. events, currently appearing in almost all TV entertainment shows, and becoming more common on concerts and tours.
"I've always said that the technician is as much a specifier as the designer," noted Ashley Lewis, adding that the event helped strengthen the link between the brand and U.K. technical departments. "It's essential that technicians feel comfortable with the equipment and enjoy using it."
But the scope of the training went beyond brand-specific topics as well, according to Gavin Kuzniar of Hawthorn Theatrical. "We learned fundamental tips that we could relate to any moving light."
The trip also gave attendees the chance to socialize. "The Clay Paky crew are clearly clued up and passionate about what they do," said Michael Shaw of Stage Electrics. "They couldn't have done more to welcome us."
In attendance were:
Alexander Strachan, A.S. Event Lighting
Andrew Russell, ELP
Ryan Brown, Entec
Gavin John Kuzniar, Hawthorn
Matthew James Edgington , Hawthorn
Matthew John Irving, Neg Earth
Stephen Wells, Richard Martin Lighting
Robert Neil Mander, RM lighting
Michael Shaw, Stage Electrics
David John Collins, Stage Electrics
Andrew Graeme Sewell, Vortex Lighting
Kevin James Thwaites, Vortex Lighting
Nicholas Joel Sheridan, Siyan Ltd
John Clements, DBN
James Mather, DBN
Daniel Adderley, EQ lighting
Stuart Iain Bruce, Northern Light
For more information, please visit www.claypaky.it.
