Upstaging, Inc. has purchased six Robert Juliat Victor followspots for its rental equipment inventory, which supplies some of the biggest names in entertainment coast to coast. The Sycamore, Illinois-based company has been known for theatrical lighting and equipment trucking since 1972; its additional capabilities include production services, mobile marketing and event coordination. Five Lakes Marketing, which represents architectural and theatrical lighting manufacturers from its base in White Lake, Michigan, closed the deal with Upstaging.
"We've been looking for an excuse to buy Victors for a couple of years," admits Chuck Spector, Upstaging's purchasing and rentals manager. "We had some experience with them on 'Batman Live' in Europe, and our crew chiefs have had positive experiences. Victors were specified for Reba McEntire's tour, and that gave us the push we needed to purchase the lights. We bought them, sent them out on the tour and found them to be extremely reliable: The feedback was that they are rock solid."
Robert Juliat's Victor followspots feature high-performance double condenser optical systems, flicker-free electronic ballasts, 100 percent closing iris with backplate follower in a removable cassette, 100 percent closing mechanical dimmer and 'A' size gobo holder. It also boasts a boomerang six-way color changer system with removable filter frames as standard plus frost and IR filter frames on the flip lever.
According to Spector, Victors' optics make the fixtures shine. "We did a shootout with them and other spotlights, and we were very impressed. That's the hallmark that sets Robert Juliat products apart from the other guys."
Spector also compliments Robert Juliat's extensive customer service. "It's been great - they've done everything in their power to work with us on any issues. Robert Juliat USA Fred Lindauer and Five Lakes principal Rob Ludwig make a winning team: They are really committed, helpful and great to work with."
About Robert Juliat
Robert Juliat is a three-generation, independent family-run company dedicated to the manufacturing of professional stage lighting products. Robert Juliat lights are used by customers who include Cirque du Soleil, Celine Dion, New York's Lincoln Center, LA's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Bruce Springsteen, Disney Theme Parks, Carnegie Hall, The San Francisco Opera and Ballet, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Comedie Francaise, The Sydney Opera House, plus theatres, schools and public venues around the world.
R&D, production and the company headquarters are based in the village of Fresnoy-en-Thelle, 50 km north of Paris. Robert Juliat USA is located in Wallingford, Connecticut. For more information visit www.robertjuliatamerica.com.