Six questions with Matias Cardillo, lighting designer of Panama who created the design for the Special Olympics in Panama, Daddy Yankee concert in Panama City, “Dancing with the Stars” show and more. 

1. How did you get into this field?
I started in Argentina 21 years ago, while I was working as a courier for a lighting company. I liked the industry so much, after one year I moved in the technical department. In Panama I have been practicing for about 10 years, working on concerts, festivals, corporate events and more.

2. What do you think is the next big thing in the lighting industry?
I would like to see more LED fixtures that consume less electricity and require fewer cables to mount. Also I am interested in seeing more products that mix lighting with video.

3. Do you have a favorite fixture (and why)?
I love the COLORado line from CHAUVET Professional, especially the COLORado 2 Zoom IP and COLORado 2 Tour. These lights are very resistant, sturdy and reliable.

4. What has been your favorite design/project?
One of my favorite projects has been the Special Olympics at the Rommel Fernández Stadium in Panama City. I did the design and programming, and used 60 COLORado 3p IP fixtures. I enjoyed working on this big project because the client was very cooperative and provided me with the tools I needed to use my imagination and bring to life my vision for this show. Another project I am fond of is a Daddy Yankee concert in Panama City where I specified CHAUVET Professional COLORado 3p IP and CHAUVET DJ LEDrain 64C fixtures. For the popular show “Mi Papa Es Mejor Que Tu Papa” that ran on TVN Panamá I used again COLORado 3p IP and LEDrain 64C fixtures, and CHAUVET DJ COLORstrip battens.

5. What has been the biggest unforeseen obstacle that you’ve faced in one of your designs, and how did you overcome it?
Panama is a small country with fewer resources than a bigger country, like the U.S. This translates into smaller shows and not enough funds for a more elaborate show. The most difficult throughout the years has been delivering great designs with the existing resources.

6. Complete this thought: A show without light is like … a day without the sun.