RFV Big Interview: Octica Professional Embrace Distribution Innovation

Spencer Doran, Managing Director of broadcast, film and professional video equipment distributor Octica Professional Ltd, offers an insight into emerging industry trends.

RFV: How did Octica Professional begin and what have been the major milestones along the way?

SD: Octica Professional was established in 2008 with the purpose of being a distribution company to represent overseas manufacturers in the UK and Europe and to support dealers and retail outlets. Prior to establishing Octica I was in the broadcast industry for over 15 years working directly for a major manufacturer and I understood exactly the needs of having a good responsive distributor who would know the product inside out and feedback needs to the manufacture and also help the dealer network with both stock and technical back up. From small beginnings we have grown every year, moving into new premises in Staines, near Heathrow, and are proud to represent some of the most well-known and leading brands in our industry. Our particular line of expertise is in camera support accessories.

RFV: What makes the company stand out from the crowd?

SD: Octica is a dedicated distributor and our job is not to just promote brands but also to carry sufficient stock for quick supply and to support the dealers and end users with the correct technical back-up. With the proliferation of single sensor cameras in particular in recent years and the resultant surge in lens options having the right technical know-how has never been more essential. Quick accessible support is the key to our success.

RFV: What are the emerging trends, which are defining the future of broadcast, professional video and film equipment distribution?

SD: It could be argued that we have never had it so good with the number and variety of camera models to choose from. However this proliferation has meant that the varieties and expectations of all accessories from matteboxes, EVF’s and shoulder rigs to fibre optic systems has expanded significantly. By working with manufacturers who understand this we can supply equipment which covers as wide a range as possible and so can be used for a longer life which is very important for good ROI in this era of very fast camera development.

RFV: Describe the new products on the marketplace which have caught your attention?

SD: We see that the gradual trend to LED lighting has now finally arrived with the current levels of brightness and colour quality finally matching the needs of the production and studio environments. Brands we support such as THELIGHT and AURORA will lead the way in this area.

RFV: Tell me about your exclusive partnerships for the UK and Ireland?

SD: Octica are the exclusive distributors in UK and Ireland for CHROSZIEL, THELIGHT and PROTECH. Chrosziel are a highly regarded manufacturer of Matteboxes, wireless lens control and lens test equipment based in Munch. Thelight are a relatively new manufacturer of high powered compact location and Studio LED lights based in Barcelona but with a range of patents and innovations they are fast becoming an established name. Protech out of Japan have unique shoulder mounts and fibre optic transmission systems for using camcorders into studio and OB systems.

RFV: What do the next 12 months hold for Octica Professional? Are there any exciting developments on the horizon?

SD: We are in discussion to bring some new products from the USA where we see a lot of interesting in camera technology emanating from in the next 12 months.
We also see a lot of need for proper testing and calibration of lens and camera equipment. Many rental houses have thoroughly embraced PL mounts and lenses but this has in turn led to the need for tighter control of tolerances and proper calibration. The interest in the CHROSZIEL renowned series of test projectors and bench mount collimators has never been higher.

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