The annual Loeries Awards are an exceptional display of the best of African creative talent, which includes not only those being awarded but also those who labour behind the scenes to ensure the event is of the highest standards. Creative Feel spoke to one of the Loeries’ sponsors, Gearhouse, which looks after all technical and production aspects of the event.
Creative Feel: Gearhouse has been involved in varying degrees with the Loeries as a sponsor since 2005. Please tell us a bit more about the partnership? How has it changed over the years? Why have you chosen the Loerie Awards in particular?
Gearhouse: It gives us the opportunity to showcase how technology can be used to reinforce the brand message and we have the presence of the creative community as a whole. Obviously, as creatives and innovators ourselves, being part of an event that celebrates and recognises the vast creative talent we have on the continent and locally is close to our hearts.
It is always a buzz for us to see great creative work integrated with the latest technology. It’s what inspires us and the Loeries gives us that year after year.
CF: What does Gearhouse’s involvement usually entail? With regards to planning and logistics, what does an event like this take to pull off from a production perspective?
GH: We provide lighting, audio, AV, rigging, power, trussing, LED screens, staging, some set elements and cameras to the main awards, the judging, the red-carpet area, registration area and seminar as well as smaller associated events around Durban.
The event draws on the combined resources of a couple of companies within the Gearhouse Group, namely Gearhouse SA (Johannesburg and Durban branches), LEDVision and Sets Drapes Screens, pulling top crew members from each region to do what they do best.
It involves a lot of logistical planning as each area is setting up or running at different times and not only is equipment moving from one region to another but it is also sometimes moving from one event space to another on site. Planning for the next year begins around six months ahead of the date.
To read more about both the Loeries and Gearhouse as well as new technologies and innovations that Gearhouse will showcase at the Loeries this year, purchase our August 2018 issue, or continue supporting the arts and culture sector by subscribing to our monthly magazine in print or digital copies.
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