City Theatrical's Multiverse Wireless DMX/RDM and QolorFLEX Wireless Dimming Control for Season 4 of Television Series Stranger Things on Netflix

Fixtures Technician Anna McKindley and the team for Netflix's Stranger Things were looking for a robust and reliable wireless DMX solution for shooting Season 4 . The wireless dimmers had to perform while being enclosed in an aluminum flashlight body. The dimmers also had to perform in a relatively hot environment being in a flashlight, especially when they were used to drive 30W LEDs, which put out enough heat to melt plastic. 

Discover more about their experience with the Multiverse Transmitter, Node and other wireless DMX/RDM products by City Theatrical in this wireless DMX case study.

CASE STUDY: 

Multiverse® Wireless DMX/RDM for Season 4 of the Netflix series Stranger Things

Q&A WITH STRANGER THINGS SEASON 4's FIXTURES TECHNICIAN, ANNA McKINDLEY:

City Theatrical (CTI): What were some of the unique challenges for the project?

Anna McKindley (AM): The wireless dimmers had to perform while being enclosed in an aluminum flashlight body. On a stage full of signal challenges. Structural ones, inter-departmental frequency clashes. The dimmers also had to perform in a relatively hot environment being in a flashlight. Especially when they were used to drive 30W LEDs, which put out enough heat to melt plastic. We also hid the dimmers on bicycles. That was fun.

CTI: Were there any issues with existing Wi-Fi on set while broadcasting Multiverse?

AM: We used QolorFLEX 2x2.5A Multiverse Dimmers on the 900MHz* band and a dual band 900MHz/2.4.GHz Multiverse Transmitter and Node, and there were no issues with the 900MHz band.

CTI: Why was Multiverse the right solution for this project?

AM: More often than not, other departments were on the 2.4GHz and it was good to be able to switch to the 900MHz band. The price of the QolorFLEX Dimmers was absolutely right since we needed so many of them. Accounting was not going to let us buy or rent that many of a competing more expensive brand.

CTI: What was it like to work with Multiverse wireless DMX?

AM: I enjoyed it. I like how easy it is to start using it and I always remember how to use it every time I work with Joy. It’s definitely a trusted system. It doesn’t have the same link/unlink issues that I’ve seen competing products have. SHoW ID and SHoW Key are the best things since sliced bread.

CTI: Did any unique testing go into choosing or installing Multiverse?

AM: We did have to get creative with power. They made it through several iterations of current/voltage testing to have the least amount of battery but the longest running time. 

CTI: What was it like to work with QolorFLEX 2x2.5A Multiverse wireless DMX dimmers? Do you have any memorable “dimming moments” from using them during any of this season’s episodes?

AM: I loved [QolorFLEX 2x2.5A Multiverse Dimmers]! They’re easy to set up, we didn’t need to use external antennas, and they connect to the Multiverse Transmitter every time. Yes, we used the miniature dimmers in Episode 5, The Nina Project, with the kids in the attic with flashlights. Any time any main cast flashlights were used or they were on their bikes, the dimming control was provided by QolorFLEX 2x2.5A Multiverse Dimmers.

CTI: Are there any specific people you would like to credit for having worked with or around Multiverse wireless DMX on set or on location?

AM: My fixtures foreman Joy Britt. She has used the Multiverse equipment on every show since this one. Nate Selee, our programmer, said he was impressed by Multiverse. It was easy to set up and start controlling devices immediately. I think he was shocked it was very “plug and play” to his Grand MA console. Our Chief Lighting Technician Bob Bates was very happy with the results every time we used our Multiverse system. 

Learn more about Netflix's Stranger Things series at: https://www.netflix.com/title/80057281

Learn more about City Theatrical's products for Film and Video.

CITY THEATRICAL PRODUCTS USED