Cockatoo Island in Sydney was transformed by renowned global experience agency Rizer into a gothic playground for the Season Two launch of Netflix's Wednesday, where eerie installations and atmospheric lighting brought the show's world to life against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour. 

Chameleon Touring Systems supplied the lighting, and Joey Sadler of Light + Dark delivered an immersive site-wide design that encompassed the largest room, Turbine Hall, as well as the Dorm Room, the Alchemy Lab, the Cemetery, the alleyway into the industrial precinct, and more. “The entire site was within my scope as far as lighting goes,” Joey said. “It turned out to be a lot bigger than I was anticipating when we first started talking about it with the Rizer Creative Director and team.” Managing the many distinct spaces was the main challenge: without always knowing which extraordinary props and set pieces would arrive, Joey had to anticipate them from the earliest design stages.

PROLIGHTS solutions, supplied by Show Technology, played a central role in the look and pace of the build. EclPanel TWC soft lights delivered camera-ready illumination on the arrivals area, reimagined as a purple carpet, appreciated for precise colour control and dependable output. “They metered really well and got us exactly where we needed,” remarked Joey. 

Smart BatWash units became the go-to for rapid, cable-free deployment across the site. “They were so small and so punchy, I couldn't believe the beam from a battery light like that,” he added. “We kept a bunch ready for last-minute needs. For the influencer night on Thursday, we threw out Smart BatWashes to finish lighting the Cemetery. Then on event day, we wanted to light the Cockatoo Island escarpment purple and worried we didn't have enough fixtures. Anthony Carlon from Chameleon said, ‘Let's put the Smart BatWashes out, you'll be surprised!' We used 19 to cover the entire escarpment, and I couldn't believe the coverage from those tiny lights.”

On the main stage in Turbine Hall, EclCyclorama 100 were embedded as discreet footlights to add an unsettling, upward glow for the dancers, “an amazing key light, perfect for the Wednesday application,” said Joey.

Once again, PROLIGHTS fixtures proved their versatility and reliability, combining refined colour control, fast deployment and compact footprints to deliver a cohesive, cinematic atmosphere on a large-scale, high-profile launch, qualities that ultimately led to their selection for a flagship Netflix event.

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