AUSTRALIA: Samsung Electronics Australia staged a striking aerial spectacle over Sydney Harbour to premiere its Sky Portal film, with Claypaky Ultimo Sharpy luminaires, playing a central role in the event’s lighting production.

Produced in partnership with global marketing and brand storytelling agency INVNT, the launch centred around the Sky Portal – an 8m x 2.5m LED screen weighing more than one tonne – which was lifted from a barge at Farm Cove and flown 150m above Sydney Harbour by a Huey helicopter. The five-minute film, shot entirely using Galaxy S26 devices, culminated in a synchronised display of pyrotechnics, lighting and sound that transformed the harbour skyline.

Lighting designer Mark Hammer of Silver Bullet Projects was tasked with creating a visual experience to complement the ambitious production. Following a recommendation from Chameleon Touring Systems, Hammer selected Claypaky Ultimo Sharpy fixtures for the project.

“The Ultimo Sharpy is similar in size to a standard Sharpy, but its IP66 rating was crucial because the fixtures were positioned on a barge in Farm Cove,” said Mark Hammer. “They’re also compact and lightweight, which mattered because I needed enough units on the barge to create a powerful look. Comparable fixtures are much heavier, and with that many in one place, I was concerned the barge could become unbalanced if they were tilted too far in one direction!”

To fulfil the design requirement, Chameleon Touring Systems specified a total of 48 Claypaky Ultimo Sharpys, which the company had acquired through Show Technology Australia & New Zealand during an earlier phase of inventory update. The fixtures were deployed in three circular arrays of 16 luminaires each, with every array comprising 12 fixtures around its perimeter and four positioned within the circle. The configuration was designed to maximise beam impact while accommodating the operational constraints of the floating platform.

“The Ultimo Sharpy was incredibly punchy — around 60% brighter than the original Sharpy—and we used it mainly for aerial effects,” Hammer added. “The high-speed tilt and infinite pan rotation added something fresh. Rather than moving through a wide range of colours, we focused on beam effects, switching between gobos and prisms. On the barge, the result was awesome; it looked almost like a video effect.”

Despite favourable weather conditions on the night, the IP66-rated Claypaky Ultimo Sharpy was selected to withstand the demands of an outdoor waterfront environment. Its lightweight construction and ergonomic side handles also simplified transportation, rigging and maintenance for the production crew, helping ensure efficient deployment throughout the high-profile Sydney Harbour event.