Blackburn UK based lighting and visuals rental company HSL underlines its commitment to providing full video production and touring packages to its clients by announcing a strategic working partnership with live event video designers and specialists, Video Illusions.
Based in Canterbury, Kent, Video Illusions was formed in 2006 by brothers Dave and Nick Whiteoak and has rapidly built a reputation for imaginative and innovative video solutions – from hardware to content creation – for all sectors of the entertainment industry encompassing live music, touring, theatre productions, special events, corporates, sports competitions, etc.
Prior to this, Dave and Nick started their industry careers as freelancers working in the world of corporate AV on high profile events … which constantly opened doors to new and interesting projects. Simultaneously, they were honing their live video and VJ’ing skills which were unleashed on the underground club scene, working with a series of cool collaborators including a collective called ‘Inside Us All’. This is when they also started purchasing kit … and offering bespoke show designs.
Recent clients have included the Arcadia Spectacular, Nitro Circus, Gravity Thailand, Knife Party and many others including a project involving Chase & Status, David Rodigan and Shy FX which won last year’s Red Bull Sound Clash.
On the equipment front, this special collaboration gives HSL access to a full range of HD camera and projector packages, PPUs, switching and processing and an additional 400 square metres of LED screens as well as production facilities. On top of that, there’s the vast fund of experience brought to the party by Dave and Nick as well as the effervescent creativity, infectious enthusiasm and zeal for their work.
In turn, Video Illusions can use over 500 square meters of HSL’s LED video screen which has been purchased in the last 2 years, plus a massive amount of softLED products, and an enormous Rigging department.
Between the two companies all the popular tour and event media server platforms – including AI, Catalyst and Green Hippo – are supported.
HSL’s Simon Stuart comments, “This is extremely exciting! We can offer cost-effective integrated lighting and video packages to all clients, and moving forward, HSL and Video Illusions can share substantial resources, infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, fertile knowledge and great ideas all adding to the general dynamics of both companies’”
Simon specifically chose to work with Video Illusions “because they have the right attitude and dedication to pushing the envelope, whilst sharing the same attention to detail and high quality standards as HSL. It’s all about forming partnerships and Dave and Nick are the right people and personalities to fit and work with the HSL family” he concluded, adding that, going forward, he relished a very positive and successful relationship.
Dave Whiteoak added, “We have a great working relationship with HSL via Andy Hurst who introduced Video illusions to Simon Stuart, and this opportunity means we can move forward as a team offering clients a ‘next level’ on show designs combining lighting and video”.
The alliance with Video Illusions encompasses all elements of the HSL Group, including PSI in Ireland and GLS in Southampton, which will also have access to the additional resources.
L-R – Nick Whiteoak, Andy Hurst, Sunon Stuart and Dave Whiteoak
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