Martin Lighting adds Firepower to Norwood Productions' expanding Rig
By Terry Bourquin
Norwood Productions has strengthened their lighting inventory with the addition of Martin Professional ERA Performance 400 CLD Profiles and MAC Aura XIPs, a move that reinforces their commitment to growth, creative excellence, and future-ready production services. The fixtures were selected not only for their performance, but also to enhance both internal capabilities and rental opportunities. It’s a decision that supports Norwood’s multi-purpose business model while keeping their live event and corporate clients ahead of the curve.
A Legacy of Excellence in Event Production
With a strong reputation for high-quality production services, Norwood Productions delivers fully integrated solutions across live events, corporate functions, and theatre. Founded by Chris Norwood and backed by a skilled technical team including Head of Technical Operations Kyle Thomson, the company offers a full turnkey service — from audio, lighting, and staging to backline, power distribution, camera gear, and content creation.
The latest additions to their inventory, the Martin Professional ERA 400 CLD Profiles and MAC Aura XIPs, bring cutting-edge lighting capabilities that allow for enhanced visual impact, dynamic effects, and consistent performance across diverse applications.
Kyle highlighted the Martin ERA 400 Performance CLD’s strengths for corporate environments, especially when precise lighting is needed. "The ERA 400s are really great for corporate work. The framing shutters let us get precise with lighting areas, which is especially useful when you’re dealing with branded content or screen-heavy setups," he said. Built for crisp gobo projection and striking mid-air effects, this 300W Cold LED-based Profile fixture delivers 10,000 lumens of output. It features CMY colour mixing, full framing capabilities, a wide zoom range, and precision optics, making it ideal for the kind of precise, high-quality lighting Kyle mentioned.The MAC Aura XIP wash light is already earning trust within Norwood Productions, particularly during outdoor activations where reliability is non-negotiable. Built with Martin’s XIP (Extra Ingress Protection) technology, it offers robust protection against dust and moisture while maintaining quiet, high-performance operation. Its IP54-rated design means it can remain in place overnight without concern for rain or dust, a major stress relief for the team. Chris summed it up simply: "There's enough stress in live events already, now we don't have to worry about the gear. It does what it's meant to do, and that's what we need. It's reliable, it's consistent. And Electrosonic really made the process easy, they were helpful and very accommodating."
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The MAC Aura XIP wash light is already earning trust within Norwood Productions, particularly during outdoor activations where reliability is non-negotiable. Built with Martin’s XIP (Extra Ingress Protection) technology, it offers robust protection against dust and moisture while maintaining quiet, high-performance operation. Its IP54-rated design means it can remain in place overnight without concern for rain or dust, a major stress relief for the team. Chris summed it up simply: "There's enough stress in live events already, now we don't have to worry about the gear. It does what it's meant to do, and that's what we need. It's reliable, it's consistent. And Electrosonic really made the process easy, they were helpful and very accommodating." |
The ERA 400 Profiles and MAC Aura XIPs are expected to play a key role in Norwood Productions' upcoming projects and dry hire applications and will be applied across both corporate and entertainment environments.
Norwood Productions' decision to invest in Martin fixtures was influenced by long-standing industry relationships and a focus on future-proofing their lighting strategy and scalable event demands. To ensure maximum compatibility and scalability, they work closely with Stage Effects, a trusted industry partner who also stocks Martin Professional lighting fixtures (such as MAC Ultra Fixtures, MAC One, Atomic Bold and MAC Aura XIP, Sceptrons, etc.), enabling both companies to cross-rent when scaling up. Electrosonic SA provided tailored advice, flexible financing, and full-service support, making the purchase a seamless process.
Electrosonic SA’s Entertainment Technology Team - led by Bruce Schwartz, Renier Smit, and Bertus Roux - is proud to support Norwood Productions in this strategic upgrade, continuing to champion innovation in South Africa’s entertainment technology sector.
From major festivals and live music events to high-end corporate shows, Norwood Productions delivers consistently high production value. Their investment in top-tier lighting gear, paired with a flexible and passionate team, reflects a commitment to both creative and operational excellence. With a shared value system built on mutual respect, problem-solving, and adaptability, the company continues to set benchmarks for client-focused service in both Pro AV and live event production.
Driven by Vision
For Chris Norwood, adaptability isn’t just a business strategy — it’s the foundation of Norwood Productions. His approach centres on building a company that can pivot, scale, and serve a broad spectrum of South Africa’s live event and corporate industries without compromising on quality. With a crew that thrives on flexibility and values strong client relationships, Norwood Productions has become known for its ability to seamlessly switch gears — whether handling a high-profile live music production, a slick corporate event, or a technical broadcast brief.
Creative Studio & Rehearsal Space
Chris Norwood also highlighted the importance of their in-house rehearsal space: “It’s a space where we get to know the artist, and the artist gets to know the team and the gear. It’s not just a rehearsal, it’s a hangout. It’s a vibe. It’s a connection.”
The studio is acoustically treated and equipped with a full drum kit, professional stage monitors, a work desk with nearfield studio monitors, ambient lighting, and relaxed seating, making it ideal for everything from full band rehearsals to pre-production meetings.
In addition to internal prep, the space is also available for rent to artists looking for a professional environment to rehearse, jam, or capture rough recordings. This setup supports live band rehearsals, pre-production, and potential recording or live-streaming prep. It offers a welcoming space where creativity and collaboration meet, aligning with Norwood’s expanding technical services introduced during the pandemic.
To connect with this dynamic team for your next project, or to book their creative studio, visit their digital channels:
Website: Norwood Productions
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norwoodoroductionsza/
Instagram: @norwoodproductions_za
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/norwoodproductions/
Contact Norwood Productions on Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Phone: +27(0) 83 338 3200