Mad About Video is a leading specialist in video for live events and installations throughout Malta. In operation since 2011, it has evolved from a company focused on show-day execution to one that now delivers full creative and technical solutions for theatres, museums and large-scale public productions both locally and abroad.
The company’s long-running partnership with Lightware began in 2014 when Mad About Video co-founders, Gerald Agius Ordway and Alex Magri, first encountered Lightware’s equipment through Italian rental partners.
The annual opera at Teatru Astra on the island of Gozo has become one of Mad About Video’s regular projects, with the company supporting the production for more than a decade now. Each October, the theatre hosts an opera known for its ambitious staging and large-format video integration. This year it was the turn of Puccini’s Tosca to grace the stage with a tale of passion, betrayal and the relentless quest for freedom.
For this project, Mad About Video supplied four Epson projectors, two Disguise media servers, one operating as the main playback system and the other running as a backup, and Lightware’s MX2 system for the handling of all signal management, along with OPTJ extenders for long-distance transmission.
The creative brief for the opera called for a complete background projection covering the full upstage wall, complemented by an additional front projector used to layer textures, materials and create dazzling artistic effects. The goal was to create moods through visual effects, in turn helping to craft an emotional atmosphere for the performance. Mad About Video developed all video content and the team arrived on site a week before rehearsals to create and assemble the technical environment directly in the theatre.
The system design relied on a Lightware MX2-8x8-HDMI20-L matrix switcher, a compact yet high-performance 4K60 4:4:4 switcher that supports routing between media servers and projectors, all whilst maintaining impeccable image quality. Its HDMI 2.0 support, fast switching and advanced signal diagnostics grant Mad About Video the precise control required for a live production environment where visual cues must be triggered without delay and with ultra-low latency.
For long-distance transmission, the Mad About Video team utilise Lightware’s HDMI20-OPTJ-TX90 and RX90 optical transmitter and receiver extenders. These extenders are Lightware’s ultra-stable fibre-optic solution, capable of carrying uncompressed 4K60 4:4:4 signals over distances up to 1200 metres. This ability for robust, long-distance transmission was crucial because the front-of-house control position sits around 35 metres from the stage, and the actual cable path extends far beyond that.
The same reliable backbone was also used to feed an additional projector dedicated to powering the opera’s subtitles.
Mad About Video cites Lightware’s continuous product evolution as another reason for their continued loyalty to the brand, such as the recent updated support for 5K resolutions.
For Teatru Astra’s annual opera event, the combination of robust signal routing, long-distance fibre transmission and rock-solid reliability made Lightware the smart choice. The long-standing partnership between Mad About Video and Lightware is one that is built on trust and continues to evolve with the creative ambitions of Malta’s live performance and installation sectors. Furthermore, Lightware’s clear troubleshooting processes, after-sales support and warranty have given Mad About Video the peace of mind they need when supporting a wide variety of video environments.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
