General

Charcoalblue: A new Theatre Consultancy . . .

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Charcoalblue, the UK's newest theatre consultancy, was formed in February of this year by three theatre professionals who had previously worked together at Theatre Projects Consultants - namely Andy Hayles, Jon Stevens and Jack Tilbury. Hayles explains: "We decided that the time was right to branch out on our own. It wasn't an easy decision, but we had a clear vision of what we wanted to achieve."

Each member of the team has a strong background in the theatre. Hayles was previously chief electrician at Richmond Theatre Royal. Stevens has worked at the RSC in Stratford, toured with Opera North and was head of sound at Glyndebourne Opera. He still does lighting design when he gets a chance - most recently The Makropulos Case at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin. Tilbury began his career as a theatre production manager, and went on to project manage for Imagination at the Millenn

Clarion regains Industry Cricket Cup

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Captained by Dan Heasman, Clarion Events took a day off from the organization of the PLASA Show to take on a Pro Sound & Light Invitation XI - led by Lightfactor Sales' Paul DeVille - in the annual D&M Professional (previously Hayden Labs) Cricket Challenge.

DeVille's motley crew included three members of the press corps - Charles Ward (DJ Magazine), Lee Baldock (Lighting & Sound International) and Gez Kahan (MI Pro) - all of whom acquitted themselves with distinction. Also present were PLASA's Matthew Griffiths and Shane McGreevy. However, the man of the match award was won by D&M's Miles Brooke who, batting late in the innings, brought the Industry XI's sorry-looking tally up to a respectable score.

This is the sixth time the two sides have met in the picturesque Berkshire village of Littlewick Green, the home club of D&M Pro's Simon Curtis, who organizes the fixture. Clarion

Total announces its new Solution

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Chris Cronin of Total Fabrications Ltd has announced the formation of Total Solutions Group, established to manage a suite of well-known brands associated with trussing in the entertainment industry.

Sitting under the umbrella of the Group will be the brands Total Fabrications, Slick (one of the oldest truss manufacturers in the industry, purchased by Total Fabrications in 2003), T2 (the Award-winning, high-specification safety truss), Total Training (the new rigging training initiative set up by the company) and New Wave (the decorative trussing brand which has won numerous awards). New Wave is marketed by TSG for its US-based sister company Total Structures, which remains separate from the new TSG structure.

Some of the Group's brand names - Total Fabrications, T2 and Slick - are available for manufacture under license in other countries around the world, through technology tr

Sound Division . . . Four years of successful growth

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Established in 1990, Sound Division has come a long way since its roots as a sales and service provider in the DJ technology field. Since the restructuring of the company in 2000, managing director David Graham has worked hard to develop other areas of the business with the result that now, some four years on, Sound Division is a much broader-based concern. Today, the company encompasses contracts and installations as a key area of its market, and a thriving entertainments and corporate events division run by Chris Baxter, which trades under the name of 'Sounds Good To Me' - as well as its traditional hire and sales operations.

While Sounds Good To Me is a side of the business that has always done well under Baxter's direction, and continues to do so, Graham is particularly pleased at the way in which business has taken off for the contracts division. Over the last two to three ye

GDS: Controlling the way forward

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The entrepreneurial aspirations of two well-known entertainment industry figures are being unveiled this month, with the launch of a new company, Global Design Solutions (GDS).

GDS is the creation of Matt Lloyd and Richard Cuthbert (both previously of Stage Electrics). The company boasts many strings to its bow, in both technical and commercial arenas, not least of which is the development of new global products specifically related to the technical entertainment presentation industries - R&D for two of which is already well underway.

"We're bringing new, innovative ideas to the marketplace and creating solutions," says Lloyd. "We've identified gaps in the market and are using our expertise and imagination to create forward-thinking design ideas which we'll license to manufacturers and end-users."

Alongside product development, the main direction of GDS wi

NEET Preserves Industry Heritage

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The entertainment technology industry seems to have reached an age where the time is right to take stock of its roots. Initiatives include the sociological - recall our report on Paul Dexter's RoadCases project (L&SI May 2004) which aims to record the experiences of rock and roll roadies for posterity - and the technological, with the NEET project . . .

NEET - the National Exhibition of Entertainment Technology - first materialized in 1999, founded by Jason Williams. After serving as the secretary for the Projected Picture Trust, which deals with protecting the heritage of the cinema industry, Williams realized that there was very little effort being made to protect the heritage of other entertainment technologies. Hence NEET, created with a simple set of objectives: to locate, preserve, and exhibit early examples of entertainment technology, providing a valuable educational and h

Charity Presentations

Details: 14 March 2016

Money raised by the PLASA Awards for Innovation was presented to the following good causes in order to help with the purchase of new equipment and facilities. Each organization received a cheque for £3,500 during the Awards ceremony.

Livewire Youth Project: A youth centre in Cornwall providing facilities for young people in music and performing arts.

Rehearsal Room Pilot Scheme: Supported by the Live Music Forum. Aims to provide rehearsal facilities and equipment in three UK urban areas.

Camberwell Music Project: Aims to enhance the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) aspect of music teaching, and provide facilities for the local community.

PLASA Awards for Innovation - Winners for 2004

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - PLASA 2004 opened its doors on Sunday 12th September to enthusiastic crowds, with a full show, hundreds of exciting products and a real buzz across the show floor. Both visitors and exhibitors are commenting that the excitement is back and the industry future looks bright.

The Product Excellence Awards at the PLASA show have been a popular feature of the event for many years, highlighting the significance of the show as a focus for new developments for the industry. To reinforce this role, the awards have undergone an important change for 2004 with the focus being much more on genuine innovation and have been relaunched as the PLASA Awards for Innovation. The previous assessment criteria, which segmented the nominations into sectors, has been removed so that products were not judged within category lines, but on the grounds of their innovation alone. The judges looked for

Confidence returns at PLASA Show

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - At the close of the 2004 PLASA Show in London this week, it was clear that a new level of confidence has returned to the industry, with buyers making substantial orders of new equipment and a high level of visitor quality being reported by exhibitors across the show floor.

James Thomas Engineering, Cadac Electronics, A.C. Lighting, Artistic Licence, D&M Professional, Vidicom, LSC Lighting, Le Mark, LDR, Strand Lighting, Robe Show Lighting, Fuzion and Rackz were among the many companies who expressed their satisfaction at the level of business conducted and the quality of the trade visitors to the exhibition.

Glyn O'Donoghue, product development director at A.C. Lighting, told PLASA Media that the response to the Jands Vista console had far exceeded expectations, with no less than 12 consoles sold at the show - as well as hundreds of the new Chroma-Q Color Block LED modul

Road Cases to film TV Pilot

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Road Cases, the organization established to chronicle on-the-road exploits through the eyes of backstage and sometimes onstage touring personnel, has joined with TV documentary experts, Incue Productions to shoot their first film in Las Vegas at the Entertainment Technology Show (ETS) on 24 October, 2004. Incue, a Los Angeles-based production company specializing in HBO First Looks, behind the scenes 'making of' specials, promos and documentaries, will be taking HD cameras into the seminar rooms at the Sands Convention Center.

"Filming guest panelists in a 'talk show' setting is just one segment of the concept," says Paul Dexter, who founded Road Cases along with partner Larry McNeny. "We have invited a diverse group of road guys with a tremendous amount of experience and personality that range from serious and sophisticated to cynical and witty."

NSDF appoint new technical director

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Anthony Newton has succeeded Katharine Williams as technical director of NSDF; The National Student Drama Festival. The Festival, held over the Easter period each year, will be celebrating its fiftieth birthday this March and Anthony welcomes the challenge this unique event will bring.

Anthony, now an Edinburgh based lighting designer, has attended the festival as a member of the technical crew since 1999. He was then at school in Scarborough; his home town and home of the Festival for 16 years now. Aged 21 Anthony is one of the youngest technical directors to date and comes to the position fresh from graduating from Queen Margaret's University College, Edinburgh.

Katharine has stepped down from the role she has held for over three years in order to further develop her career as a freelance lighting designer. From her base in London, Katharine has worked throughout the UK

SES provides Gaffergear

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - SES Film and Television, the well-known manufacturers of power and distribution products, is branching out by stocking Gaffergear - providing technicians and riggers with hard-wearing work clothing. Mark Cooper, director of SES says: "After looking around the industry and speaking to those 'in the know' at PLASA, we discovered that most riggers and stage hands source their kit from a multitude of suppliers and that there was no-one dedicated to supplying them with hard-wearing kit. A company supplying construction workers with the safety boots and outer garments had approached us, but most of the products were beige and brown - so we have taken the tried and tested products and sourced them in black. We'll carry stock of the products shown in our brochure and will be introducing further products in the near future. We will also be offering a customising service for peop

BGV-C1 standard available in English

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - PLASA's Technical Office has announced that the long-awaited German safety standard, BGV-C1 Staging and Production facilities for the entertainment industries, is now available in an official English version. This standard was first introduced in 1998 and its English translation has been eagerly anticipated for many years.

PLASA, working with its German counterpart, the VPLT, is now offering a downloadable PDF version of the translation, absolutely free, from the web address below.

(Lee Baldock)

Power Logistics: no Virgins to Festivals

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Ensuring uninterrupted, safe and reliable power to the stages and numerous hospitality areas of a festival the size of V is no mean feat. Power is essential to everything that happens on a festival site from stage lighting, sound and AV to the toilets flushing, showers running and car parks and campsites lighting up at night. From the first day of the fit up to the last hour of the out and of course throughout the event itself, the one thing that cannot go off is the power.

The responsibility for site power for V at the Chelmsford site this year fell to Power Logistics. And with 65,000 people coming to see over 50 acts playing on four stages in Hylands Park - plus the DJ and sponsored dance tents, catering vans and stalls, backstage hospitality areas, campsites and car parks, toilets and showers - power distribution can be a logistical nightmare.

The production team found itself

The new command wall control room facility monitors risk areas in Warrington Borough Council

JVC command wall installed at Warrington Council

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Warrington Borough Council has built a new 24-hour security monitoring control room facility to improve its continued commitment to combat crime. A command wall system incorporating JVC's high resolution D-ILA DLA-SX21 projector and rear projection CinePro screens was specified by Industry Consultant Faber Maunsell.

Jason Todhunter, associate director at Faber Maunsell designed and planned the new facility, and has undertaken all technical project supervision. "Warrington Borough Council required a cutting edge control room facility. Previously CCTV monitoring was undertaken from an outdated control room within Warrington's police headquarters. The new development incorporates Warrington Borough Council's security monitoring as well as care call and emergency planning services," commented Todhunter.

Images displayed on the JVC command wall system are fed from ex

John Henry's acquires Sensible Music Rental

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - London-based rental company John Henry's Ltd has acquired the rental division of Sensible Music Ltd. The deal, struck between John Henry and Sensible Music owner Jeff Allen, will see the expansion of John Henry's backline and audio rental fleet, consolidating its position, says the company's statement, as the UK's largest multi-disciplinary rental organisation.

The two companies have been 'friendly rivals' for many years and John Henry commented: "Jeff was looking to concentrate on his growing studio and events operations and we were best placed to incorporate the rental business into our portfolio." Jeff Allen described the outcome as "a logical progression for us both". Sensible Music's studio and events divisions are unaffected by the takeover.

(Mike Lethby)

Sarah Cox for Live Business International

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - London-based entertainment venue A/V installation specialists Live Business International has appointed Sarah Cox to the post of Technical Administrator.

Cox has joined LBI having worked for a rental company as a lighting technician, specialising in automated lights. Before that she worked as the stage manager for the Comedy Store in London. She has a wide range of experience from running - and even performing in - cabaret shows to editing videos.

She now works for LBI as the Technical Administrator, administrating and co-ordinating installations, and various other projects, from conception to completion. LBI founder and director Roland Hemming says: "Sarah's wide ranging experience of both the creative and technical sides of the entertainment business make her ideally suited to this busy role and it's great to have her on board."

(Mike Lethby)

Allen & Heath appoints three new distributors

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Allen & Heath has recently appointed three new distributors to its worldwide network of resellers. In Romania, Senia Company 999 Ltd. will now exclusively manage sales of the manufacturer's portfolio of professional audio mixers, while Lexon S.A. and Tech Top Ltd. have taken over responsibility for the brand in Spain and Israel, respectively.

Allen & Heath's sales director, Bob Goleniowski, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome these new distributors to the Allen & Heath network and feel that their in-depth knowledge of the pro audio market, as well as the installers, rental companies, contractors and consultants in their territories, can only strengthen the position of the Allen & Heath brand now and through our continuing expansion."

(Mike Lethby)

ARX adds Iso De Balancer to AudiBox Range

Details: 14 March 2016

Australia - ARX Systems has announced its new ISO De Balancer Dual Channel balanced-to-unbalanced transformer-isolated signal converter, an addition to its AudiBox range, designed to perform essential professional audio functions in a compact, flexible package.

The ISO De Balancer will convert two balanced low impedance signals to unbalanced low impedance signals, suitable for use with professional equipment and long cable runs. Transformer ground isolation provides low-noise operation and ARX says ideal source units are the ARX Level 8 Audio Balancer and Level Optimizer and the AudiBox Iso Balancer.

Typical applications include interfacing professional standard systems to consumer level product, such as sending audio-for-video around venues for AV displays, plasma screens and the like in sports centres, museums and corporate applications.

The ISO De Balancer is housed in

Kramer puts conversion in the palm of your hand

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Kramer has introduced the 7508, a high quality analogue to digital converter for composite and s-video. This multi-standard unit converts analogue video to SMPTE-259M serial digital video (SDI). Many professional video units, including Betacam decks and DVD players, have high quality analogue outputs, and Kramer says the 7508 is ideal for preserving the quality, and minimizing the artefacts, when converting to digital. It features 10-bit digitizing and a 12V power supply is included.

(Mike Lethby)

JVC's HD2K projector hits Soho

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - VMI High Definition and Broadcast Facility is celebrating the launch of its new Soho based HD facility on November 15. Making headlines at IBC, the company recently invested in JVC Professional Europe's HD2K for clients wishing to view rushes and final edits of footage shot in HD. Featuring three of JVC's high definition (HD) Direct Drive Image Light Amplifier (D-ILA) devices and an advanced digital video processor, guests at the official launch will be able to see the DLA-HD2K first hand.

A 2000:1 contrast ratio allows for deep rich cinema-quality blacks with smooth gradations and low noise. Colour temperature is factory-set to D65 assuring accurate colour reproduction and natural colours.

Also featured at the VMI launch event will be JVC's 42" and 50" HD colour plasma monitors, the GM-V422PCE and the GM-X50E. Both plasmas plasma supports a wide range of cinem

ISCE AFIL lecture highlights Institute Day

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The Institute of Sound and Communication Engineers (ISCE)'s Institute Day on October 22 in Watford had as its centrepiece the 2004 Warren-Barnett Memorial Lecture by immediate past president Doug Edworthy.

The lecture gave an attentive audience an insight into the unique Audio Frequency Induction Loop (AFIL) survey conducted by his company, D G Edworthy (www.dgea.co.uk), for London Underground. The survey, based on research carried out at a number of London Underground stations, was designed to assess the practical implications and costs of full compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act by providing induction loops throughout the underground network.

This year's ISCE AGM was treated to the sight of the recently discovered chain of office now proudly worn by President Michael Leaver. Ray Gatehouse joined the Institute's Council; Romers Electronics of Blackburn beca

Sennheiser G2 wins MIA live microphone award

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Sennheiser UK picked up the Live Microphone Award in the MIA's contemporary awards section for its evolution ew100 G2 Series wireless microphones, in a ceremony on October 6 at Sound in Leicester Square, London.

Sennheiser UK's Director of Marketing, John Steven, commented: "evolution G2 was a major step forward for Sennheiser and the products have received critical acclaim from the many musicians and engineers already using the product. This prestigious industry award is gratefully accepted as it further confirms the product's status as a market leader".

(Mike Lethby)

Clarion Events completes MBO

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The management team of PLASA Show organizer Clarion Events, led by managing director Simon Kimble, has announced the completion of a £45m management buy out from parent company Earls Court & Olympia Group, backed by HG Capital. The deal marks the culmination of a five-year turnaround of the former P&O Events by Earls Court & Olympia Group, which has seen the events company evolve into one of the UK's top three exhibition organizing companies, with a portfolio that has grown from 18 to 33 events.

Managing director Simon Kimble set out a four-stage strategy for Clarion's development in the years ahead. The aims are to "continue to invest in and grow the current show portfolio; consider potential strategic acquisitions in the UK; actively seek venue partners in Europe with associated acquisitions of organizing companies, and extend involvement in the field of 'eventerta

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