The Springbok farewell breakfast, presented by FNB, took place at the Sandton Convention Centre right before the commencement of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. This occasion served as a perfect platform for EPH Group, a leading South African technical supply company, to exhibit their newly procured Absen NT 2.9 series. By integrating these cutting-edge LED panels, the worlds of technology and sports harmonize seamlessly! Since that juncture, EPH has been bustling with activity, while the relentless performance of the Absen panels has kept pace without pause.
Leon Pheiffer has fond memories of starting in this industry in 1998. Back then technology was a whole different story, and he smiles as he remembers the trusty old parcans and the occasional hiccups of a slide projector. He has grown substantially since then and seeing the benefits of LED screens, it was time to upgrade his existing stock of 12mm, 7mm 5.9mm, and 3.9mm LED to the incredible 2.9mm Absen Panel. The support from Absen distributor, DWR Distribution, played a significant role in his decision to purchase the units. “Having a backup system is crucial,” says Leon Pheiffer. “The units look fantastic, and I’m extremely pleased with my choice.”
As a dedicated ‘Bok’ supporter, Leon was overjoyed to have been chosen as the technical supplier for the Springbok breakfast event. His Absen panels had barely landed in the country before being swiftly employed as a stage backdrop for the occasion, which included a panel discussion.
Following that, the panels featured on stage at the open-air FNB Pop Opera Concert. This vibrant musical spectacle took place at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on August 20th and featured artists such as Zakes Bantwini, DJ Tira, Shekhinah, GoodLuck, DJ LeSoul, and Nomcebo Zikode.
From there the panels went straight into a PWC conference in Century City conference centre. Back to Johannesburg into a Nedbank conference and 2 days later into a Sasol event. In the coming months, EPH’s Absen units will be actively used for a range of corporate events. “Business has been incredibly busy and we are very grateful and blessed,” says Leon.
Dylan Jones of DWR expresses gratitude for Absen’s increasing presence in the country, bolstered by support from both the live events industry and professional AV markets, and he extends his appreciation to Leon for the valuable opportunity. “We’re honored to contribute to EPH Gear’s big stage moments and look forward to supporting your future endeavors,” Dylan shares.
Leon now also can support his son Cameron Pheiffer’s multi-media business “Blue Crane Media” where they are pushing the boundaries in film, animation, business, and marketing. By using the LED screens as the backdrop in place of a greenscreen the imaging and result are much clearer, brighter, and more realistic than ever before. Through the use of visual effects and virtual production technology, which has been used recently with great success in movies like The Mandalorian, Avengers, and now recently House of the Dragon. Together the EPH Group and Blue Crane Media can now take the filming industry to new technological heights in South Africa.
In the film and business space, animation and virtual production can provide film and ad shoots with real-time backgrounds, custom lighting, and enhanced realism, and highly reduce the cost of location rentals as only by changing the background graphic you are changing the location of the shoot.
Additionally Leon’s son. Cameron is working on growing the South African Gaming and Film industry by developing video games and animations that tell South African stories. By using industry-standard technology like Motion Capture suits and Facial capture technology Cameron’s goal is to show the world what great South African stories combined with cutting-edge technology can produce on an international stage.
The Creativity of using LED Screens in the events and film industry is endless. For more information please contact Leon Pheiffer at leon@ephevents.co.za or 0726165390
