The story of Velocity Lighting is a true testament to effort, hard work, and dedication in the lighting industry in Chile.
Founded in 2012 by Brian Barra, who arrived from Los Angeles with a clear vision, the company started in a modest space. “We started as a sales company, but also doing rentals,” he recalls, highlighting the multifaceted approach he pursued from the start.
Isaac Sepúlveda, Velocity Lighting’s first employee, joined this venture at a crucial moment.
With limited stock and a small office, he dedicated himself to importing essential products like speakers, spare parts, and lamps. However, Brian and his team’s determination was the driving force behind their growth. “Since 2012, the business has been growing. We have been expanding, we bought our warehouse and offices, and we incorporated more product lines,” he proudly shares.
Today, Velocity Lighting has become a reference in the sector, offering a portfolio that covers stage platforms, structures, lighting, consoles, and connectivity with distributors throughout Chile, from Arica to Punta Arenas, diversifying its customer base, serving theaters and nightclubs to industrial sectors.
“We have evolved into a ‘100% sales’ structure with a strong focus on after-sales service. We aim to have long-term relationships,” explains Isaac, highlighting the company’s commitment to long-term customer satisfaction and ongoing support.
The partnership between Velocity Lighting and ChamSys is relatively recent but already bearing fruit. “We signed the contract with ChamSys in April,” Isaac says, adding with a smile, “And that day coincided with Brian’s birthday, who was busy signing documents on his celebration day, so it was a special moment for us. The first consoles arrived in Chile in May.”
Since then, Velocity Lighting has worked hard to promote the brand. Isaac mentions the importance of the visit from ChamSys representatives, including Alberto García, ChamSys Support and Training for Latin America: “We received his visit, which is essential.”
In addition, he highlights the close relationship he has forged with Sales Director Tony Cameron: “He is another key piece in this puzzle. His support has been fundamental since the consoles arrived in Chile, allowing us to strengthen our business relationship and offer quality service to our customers.”
The choice of ChamSys was no accident. “We wanted to sell and support the brand because it is well-known, with powerful software at a good price. I have many friends who work at Chauvet, others who bought ChamSys, and that made the decision much easier,” Brian expresses.
Isaac emphasizes that Velocity Lighting brings a different perspective to the sector. “ChamSys has gone through several distributors in Chile in recent years, and many of these companies haven’t done training or client visits.
We are dedicated to lighting and understand the console industry very well,” he says with determination. This focus on specialization and training is key for Velocity Lighting to differentiate itself from other distributors.
Currently, if someone is interested in purchasing a ChamSys console, Velocity Lighting has the entire line available in stock.
Isaac mentions: “From the Full interface to the MQ500 to the Stadium model. In fact, we have two Stadiums here. So the entire line is available. You can come to our showroom, where we have computers and screens for you to program.”
ChamSys has captured the attention of lighting professionals in Chile for its innovation and quality. Isaac highlights: “There are several aspects of ChamSys that are very attractive compared to the competition. There is no imitation or copy; the consoles are very well developed, with robust hardware that prevents imitations from entering the country, something that happens with other brands.”
Portability and functionality are key in models like the MQ70, MQ50, and the WING, which, according to Isaac, “are compact enough to carry in a backpack, allowing lighting designers to program wherever they go.” Additionally, these devices stand out for their power, offering up to 64 universes, making them a versatile and practical option for large-scale events.
Another advantage is the design and customization, especially in the Stadium WING. “It’s powerful, accessible, and aesthetically appealing, with the option to customize the colors of the faders,” Isaac says, emphasizing how the combination of quality and style has generated interest in the Chilean market.
In addition, he highlights ChamSys’s competitive pricing: “We found a very competitive market price, which is a key tool for sales and positioning the brand here,” he concludes.
Velocity Lighting has found great support in ChamSys’s after-sales service since their consoles arrived in the Chilean market. “The relationship has been very close. If we need spare parts, they send them quickly. And if we need answers, they are also there to support us,” Brian admits.
Demand for these consoles continues to rise, with a strong presence in local television. “There are channels that already use Stadium line consoles, and all their studios are equipped with ChamSys. In addition, the consistency of the MagicQ software, which is the same across all products, makes adoption easier,” Isaac points out.
In addition to its varied product offerings, Velocity Lighting has implemented an interesting free training program for all levels, aimed at both ChamSys users and non-users. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to learn and learn more about our technology,” Isaac acknowledges, emphasizing the importance of training in their mission.
The first training sessions held in July by Velocity Lighting were a resounding success, with nearly 25 participants from the sector. “We are talking about band lighting designers, theater lighting designers, and other professionals who work with various console brands in the market,” Isaac declares.
“The reception was exceptional, and the feedback and comments were extremely positive. After those training sessions, we received many inquiries and quotes. Sales started to pick up this month, especially since September marks the beginning of the event season,” adds Brian.
“It’s curious because even though people sign up separately, when they arrive at the courses, everyone knows each other and greets one another. It’s a true community gathering,” he says with a smile. This small world of the industry becomes even more evident at the end.
“Everyone finishes the courses and takes photos with their certificates next to the consoles. People who work and are known for other brands but feel motivated by what they have learned,” Isaac confesses.
They have also discovered that there are many ChamSys users in Chile, spread across the country. “We found that some were not making the most of the software. That’s why they’re sending their technicians, lighting designers, and programmers to our courses so they can take that leap and make the most of the console,” Brian states, smiling: “We have all the conditions for any lighting designer, technician, or programmer to come, try the consoles, and play with them. As we say here, it’s like dipping your hand in the console and crossing over to the blue side of the force.”
Isaac shares the importance of the training sessions organized to expand the use of the MagicQ console in Chile. “The idea came up because, over time, none of the previous distributors had been dedicated to offering formal training. The competition does provide training, but usually at a high cost, limiting access for many programmers and lighting designers. We want to make a difference by focusing on high-level lighting designers, programmers, and technicians. Our goal is for them to know the versatility and power of the console so that they themselves will request it, trusting in its capabilities. With Beto’s constant support, we have developed a solid curriculum that has been adapted to the participants’ needs, resulting in excellent reception and satisfaction from attendees.”
Additionally, Isaac emphasizes the importance of collaborative work in creating the curriculum, highlighting how it has been adapted to meet the specific needs of the Chilean market. “Although Alberto didn’t directly create the curriculum, his experience was crucial in helping us tailor it to the reality of our customers in Chile. Through this process, with the help of Ariel, a Chilean lighting designer who teaches the courses, we have been able to adjust the content to resonate with local lighting designers, who are often familiar with certain brands or consoles. This means that we not only teach the use of the console, but we also incorporate practical examples and terminology they understand. Our goal is to create an accessible and motivating learning environment where every lighting designer feels empowered to get the most out of the MagicQ console. At the end of each course, participants leave not only with new knowledge but also with the confidence to apply what they’ve learned in their projects, which is essential for their professional development.”
Sepúlveda mentions that Ariel, who is responsible for teaching ChamSys courses, was formally trained by Beto and holds basic and intermediate-level certificates. “Beto was the one who recommended Ariel as the ideal trainer. His commitment to the brand is evident; he arrived at our office within minutes after I contacted him, bringing his own console. Ariel is an experienced lighting designer who works in theater and with bands throughout the year. His passion for the brand and his extensive network of contacts have been crucial to the success of our training sessions. In the first course, he not only handled the technical part but also invited a wide range of lighting designers, helping to create a collaborative environment. Even though the industry can sometimes be complicated due to egos and difficult dynamics, Ariel has been open to sharing his knowledge, which is essential in an industry where experience is key.”
Furthermore, the leaders of Velocity emphasize the importance of promoting the inclusion of women in lighting design and technology.
“From the beginning, we realized that one of our goals should be to increase female participation in these training sessions. When we learned that ChamSys had a strong focus on gender diversity, we reached out to a leader of a women’s technical association in Chile. Thanks to this initiative, the second day of the first course was remarkably successful, with the attendance of ten women. This is an important step toward inclusion in a historically male-dominated sector,” Isaac enthusiastically shares.
The second day of the first training they conducted, focusing on gender diversity, allowed them to establish an important link between ChamSys and an international women’s network. “We were really excited to see so many women show up for the training, and this experience showed us that there’s still much more we can do in terms of female participation in lighting technology and design,” Brian proudly states.
The future looks bright for Velocity Lighting and its partnership with ChamSys in Chile. Isaac mentions that the company plans to continue with this training series, emphasizing that it will be a key part of their strategy for 2024. “Our goal is to continue empowering professionals and technicians to know, understand, and use the consoles to their fullest potential,” he says enthusiastically.
In conclusion, the partnership between Velocity Lighting and ChamSys is already a success story in Chile.
