<strong>PLSN</strong> Readers Select the Best Regional Lighting Companies By KevinM.Mitchell They do the staples of live event industry: fairs, festivals, street parties and sometimes even weddings. They put as much heart, sweat and creative energy into the local event held on the high school playground as that one-off Dave Matthews show or that kinetic jawdropping corporate launch. They are the local heroes who, day-in and day-out, do what needs to be done, with little recognition. But the Parnelli Board of Directors and those at <strong>PLSN</strong> are honored to recognize the achievements of these six diverse <strong>com</strong>panies. You, the readers, have nominated and voted for the best regional lighting <strong>com</strong>panies in North America. Each regional winner is automatically a finalist for the national Hometown Hero title — you can still vote at www.parnelliawards.<strong>com</strong>. While only one of the regional winners will receive the Parnelli Hometown Hero award Nov. 20 in Orlando, Fla., all are worthy of special recognition. CANADA Marty Anderson, president, Midnite Hour. Midnite Hour Productions Toronto, Ontario We’re aspiring to work with new technology and create our own market “ that takes new products and uses them in new ways, beyond the festival/ corporate meeting business that other <strong>com</strong>panies are better at,” says Marty Anderson, president, Midnite Hour. “Frankly there are some good <strong>com</strong>panies up here that do great at those things.” Anderson grew up on a farm near Brantford, Ontario and became a working class musician. “I was always renting gear, so I bought my own P.A. and that’s when this rollercoaster started!” The <strong>com</strong>pany, which started out as a sound <strong>com</strong>pany, borrowed its name from his 10-piece R&B band, Midnite Hour. Chasing festivals across the country, organizers noticed how good his system was and started hiring him to run sound for other acts. He quickly added lights, and in 1994, he opened his first warehouse. He saw the move to intelligent lighting and acquired some early on. When LEDs came around, he embraced that technology as well. Today his warehouse is 25,000 square feet and bulging at the seams. Midnite employs 35 people and a lot of their business today is video work. They offer rigging services and products and soft goods. “At the beginning, being a one-stop shop was very important,” he says. “But honestly, we do less of that now because you can’t be great at everything to everybody. So the focus today is on lighting and video.” The <strong>com</strong>pany evolved gradually. They endeared themselves to corporations for their work in making those events really sparkle. “We work to be different and offer new ideas that fuel the fire of event planners.” For the last two years, they’ve handled the MuchMusic Video Awards (Canada’s answer to MTV). “This year we’ve used tons of LED and worked with major acts like the Jonas Brothers. We put the artist on a giant Plexiglas stage with all LED video panels underneath.” Other recent highlights include supplying some of the lighting/video equipment on various tours, including the Billy Joel/Elton John tour, the Black Eyed Peas and Nickelback. The biggest recent highlight is internal: Louis Racine, formerly of Christie Lites, has be<strong>com</strong>e a partner and head of operations, bringing valuable insights and skills. “I want to thank our local friends here for this honor,” he says. “It’s very exciting.” NORTHEAST REGION Starlite lit this Frito Lay corporate event featuring Sinbad. Starlite Productions Cherry Hill, N.J. Starlite Productions is a full-service provider of audio, video, lighting, staging, special effects and control systems, working out of a 25,000 square foot warehouse. In 1983, Dean Danowitz, president, started out of a two-car garage, always re-investing in not only equipment but also people. He cites that as a major reason that Starlite has survived and thrived. “We’ve built a team of professionals who are enthusiastic and dedicated to the pursuit of customer satisfaction and the advancement of our art,” says Danowitz. He adds that in addition to being home to a team of creative designers, technicians and specialists, they have one of the largest inventories on the East Coast — in fact, they just purchased a new 53,000 square foot facility that he and his 50 co-workers will be moving into soon. In the 1980s, Starlite focused on building high-end nightclubs and then penetrated the burgeoning casino market in the region. From there, they expanded to professional theatre, corporate events and themed events. Recent highlights include providing video for Marc Anthony, a Frito Lay National Awards Ceremony and Eat Bulaga!, which is the longest-running variety show on Philippine television. Danowitz adds they’ve worked with David Cook of American Idol fame, VH1 and the Franklin Institute Awards, “which are among the oldest and most prestigious <strong>com</strong>prehensive science awards in the world.” On the installation side, Princeton University, Tobyhanna Army Depot and the 118-year-old Baptist Temple have been among their recent installs. Danowitz adds they keep busy servicing many universities, casinos, house of worship, performing art centers, museums, retail and themed environments. “Having a true vision and passion for what we do is a reason for our success,” he says, adding that hiring talented people and creating lasting partnerships with employees, vendors and customers is another key. “We lead with quality, not price, and our drive is to constantly exceed our client’s expectations.” As far as receiving the honor, he states: “This award reaffirms that our efforts and drive to treat people squarely have resulted in Starlite being well-respected and esteemed by our customers and peers and the industry at large.” SOUTHEAST REGION Front, L-R: Cathy Karmakar, Brandon Ferebee, Tom Smith and son Tristan (photo), Brian Hatten and Scott Waterbury. Back Row: Steve May, Jon Waterbury, Big Bill Abner, Roby Dail and Scott Southern. Atlanta Sound & Lighting Atlanta, Ga. Scott Waterbury returns to winner circle having won a Parnelli for Best Sound Company in 2008. “I started Atlantic as a sound <strong>com</strong>pany in 1980 and became a lighting <strong>com</strong>pany when a lighting <strong>com</strong>pany that owed me money went out of business,” confesses Waterbury, owner/president. “But the passion for lighting quickly came out.” He credits Don Tyra for being his lighting guru and inspiring his love of lights. Tyra took him to his first LDI and pointed out the Clay Paky Golden Scans. They bought the only 12 available and for two years they had the only moving lights in Atlanta that weren’t Vari*Lites. “Don taught me lighting was an art form and not an equipment trend.” One of their first big breaks came when they were awarded the 1988 Democratic Convention in Atlanta. “We talked them into being the first convention to use moving lights,” he says. Today the <strong>com</strong>pany has 12 full-time employees and 44 part-timers. And while Tyra has moved on, “Brian Hatten is the brains behind the lighting department now.” Recent highlights include Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers. “We specialize in one-off stuff — that way you can wash the glory off at the end of the day,” he laughs. They’ve also been involved with cruise line musical events. A recent “Rock Boat” floating event featured Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Mayer and .38 Special. They also do the big Fourth of July celebration in Atlanta’s Centennial Park. Asked the reason for their success, the self-deprecating Waterbury laughs and says, “I wish I knew! Then I’d do more of it! We just try and do our best. We’re careful who we hire and make sure the people we have fit with the clients. We’ve said no to jobs when we don’t think it’s a good fit. Sometimes a client is better off with someone else. “We don’t charge for the lights; we charge for the service we provide. The lights are just tools in a box.” On receiving this honor: “We feel awesome, especially Brian and [lighting department’s] Brandon Ferebeer. They took ownership of the lighting department and their name is on everything that leaves the shop.” 24 <strong>PLSN</strong> OCTOBER 2009
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