How Astera lights have helped Robert DeChellis to become master of the rig
Astera: “A Titan in the LED and Film world”
article covered by PLSN magazine
With his remarkable technological expertise and affable, personable manner, it’s no wonder that Robert DeChellis has swiftly progressed through the ranks to become the go-to lighting engineer for some of the biggest productions of the last decade, including Spiderman: A Long Way Home, all three of the most recent Disney Star Wars franchise series, and The Fast and the Furious 8, to name but a few. But more than this, it is his understanding of the creative dimension of lighting and its potential to alter not just the look, but the feel of a production that have set him apart in the industry. In a recent interview, DeChellis outlined the important relationship that exists between technology and creativity, and the role that Astera products have to play in strengthening this connection.
Ecosystems of innovation
Speaking of his recent experiences and the central role that Astera products play in delivering his vision on set, DeChellis stated that delivering real creativity requires adapting one’s mindset to accommodate technological innovation:
“Astera have accomplished something most companies can only attempt: They’ve built an entire ecosystem for rigging, teching, and using their lights in a manner completely different from the old ways – but much more efficient. Astera’s system lets the end user solve problems and accomplish things using newer, quicker methods. Just like in the 18th century when the world swapped over to polar coordinates and a whole new world was opened up to us, it’s now the same in lighting: we’re able to achieve more than we ever dreamt of on-set and on scene, but it just requires a slightly different way of looking at it. Astera is a disruption from the linear progression we’ve seen it allows us to do things we simply could not do before”.
Creativity first
According to DeChellis, what makes Astera products so effective is the fact that they start their development process with a focus on creative intent, and then work to maximise the practical, logistical efficiency used to deliver it. Take for instance the newly developed PlutoFresnel and LeoFresnel. These started their life with the recognition that there is a unique creative application for Fresnel lights, ideal as they are for portrait work and the replication of daylight settings. Using this as the starting point, Astera then worked to replicate these precise aesthetic elements using LED technology, resulting in all of the visual impact of a traditional Fresnel, but with lower power draw, higher output strength, precise colour control, lightweight profile and full installation/application flexibility.
Astera: “A Titan in the LED and Film world”
DeChellis acknowledges that at the heart of this ability lies in the Titan LED engine, which underpins the full Astera range, including the HydraPanel and Titan, Hyperion and Helios Tubes. “The real star is their Titan LED engine, which ensures no flicker and consistent colour throughout the entire rig”, he said. Quick and easy control – ensuring perfect matching and quick changes across every light on the system – is achieved through an easy-to-use app with Bluetooth Bridge, or through CRMX, Wireless DMX, or wired DMX controls. For DeChellis, it is this reliable, consistent nature of the colour output that has meant that “Astera has truly become a ‘Titan’ in the LED and film world.”
But DeChellis says that ‘the icing on the cake’ is the auxiliary equipment that Astera has developed to support its core range and create a fully functioning lighting ecosystem. These added extras make the difference between a laborious and time-consuming job, and something quick, seamless and elegant. He says: “Between their integrated battery system and RDM-style app I can address and tech hundreds of lights in ten minutes instead of half a day. I can make changes on the fly and in a pinch, I can even utilize the lamps completely wirelessly”.
Astera remains proud to work with some of the most progressive gaffers and DoPs in the industry, and looks forward to seeing the new and innovative work that Robert will be deploying Astera products in his future projects.