General

PLASA Elections

Details: 14 March 2016

The results of this year's elections for places on the PLASA executive committee came through just as L&SI was going to press.

Seven candidates put their names forward to contest the four available seats which had arisen from the natural rotation of committee members and the resignation of John Jones (PCM) earlier in the year. The 2004 Treasurer David Hopkins OBE (Audio Design Services) and Chairman Diane Grant (DHA Lighting) were joined on the list of candidates by Stuart Gibbons (Le Mark), Iain Price-Smith (Light Engineering - Multiform), Siobhan Hitchen (Rope Assemblies), Linda Moore (Stage Electrics) and Duncan Smith (Roscolab).

Voting closed at 5pm on Monday 6 December with Diane Grant securing the most votes, followed by David Hopkins, Linda Moore and Siobhan Hitchen. Those four will now serve on PLASA's executive body - the first three serving three-year terms, whilst Siobhan

Grants to help Exhibitors in 2005

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA has negotiated funding for five key trade shows taking place in 2005. If you are considering exhibiting at any of the five events listed below, your first move should be to call PLASA.

Companies can receive up to 50% of their net expenses up to a maximum of £2,500. Stand space, construction, freight costs and literature can all be claimed for, although the grants do not extend to travel and accommodation.Because the funding is sourced from the UK government, it only applies to UK organizations. Eligible companies must be registered in the UK, fit the European Union definition of an SME and export from the UK.

An information pack with further details on how to apply for funding, travel and hotel packages, together with background information on the show and country, is available for each funded event.

ISE in Amsterdam (26-28 January)

PALME in Dubai (24-26 April)

CALM in

PLASA Membership Passes 500 Mark

Details: 14 March 2016

For the first time in the Association's history, the number of members has shot past the 500 mark. If you're interested in joining PLASA and taking advantage of a range of benefits and services tailored to your needs, call us on +44 (0)1323 410335. For 2005, Full and EU member fees will be £470 per year; corporate fees will be £160 per year; Associate fees will range from £80-£470 and Student fees remain fixed at £30.

New wiring colour identification labels

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Le Mark announced the launch of a new product to assist all areas of the entertainment industry effected by the changes to existing electrical wiring core colours. Please see Amendment No 2 to BS 7671 : 2001 or follow the iee website link below.

These colours are a sometimes referred to as "harmonised" colours and will bring the UK closely in line with practice in mainland Europe. Following visitor request received during the 2004 PLASA show and since. The need to produce a simple to use and visually effective method of marking both electrical cable 'tails' and when required Cam-Lok/Power Lock type connectors was requested. With three-phase, a caution notice is also required at the distribution board.

To assist with this,Le Mark has developed a version of its established Identi-Tak cable length marking system.The new version Identi-Tail, combines the existing vi

VectorWorks puts lighting design in the Spotlight

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Computers Unlimited has teamed up with the Central School of Speech & Drama in London to stage the first ever UK VectorWorks Spotlight event.

VectorWorks Spotlight is an entertainment and lighting design software, which merges sophisticated 2D drafting and powerful 3D modelling with advanced lighting design and production tools. The organizer says the event will provide an opportunity to see some outstanding projects created using VectorWorks Spotlight.

Mark Stephens, director of The Design Division (a specialist VectorWorks reseller and producer of the new VectorWorks Spotlight Training CD), will start the event with an overview of VectorWorks. He will then demonstrate the specific Spotlight features, and will also show the new VectorWorks training CD which now includes specific movies on Spotlight. Alex Wardle, a lighting designer and technical manager, will cover setting up

Wembley Arena - Pavilion

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Wembley London Ltd and Quintain Estates & Development Plc have announced that work on the new Wembley Arena Pavilion has begun. The state-of-the-art temporary structure is being built to host all shows while the £29m refurbishment programme on Wembley Arena begins in early 2005. John Probyn - Clear Channel Entertainment's head of production - has been contracted by Wembley as project manager for the site.Probyn, who has built a successful reputation as one of the UK live music industry's leading production and site managers has been responsible for events such as Clear Channel shows in Hyde Park (see L&SI August 2004) and Donnington.

The Pavilion will take two months to build, with a team of 80 staff on site to oversee construction. The fully insulated and sound-proofed structure will be built with over 45,000m of scaffolding and will weigh over 250 tons. A special secondary mem

L&SI reports from the Entertainent Technology Show

Details: 14 March 2016

LDI is now prefaced with 'ETS' for the 'Entertainment Technology Show' in a conscious move away from the show's established 'lighting' focus. This year's show was a good, positive exhibition with satisfied exhibitors seeing a good level of business, albeit with a bad level of catering. But let's get on to the business in hand . . .

Cirque Du Soleil

Details: 14 March 2016

Cirque Du Soleil now has six touring shows worldwide and five resident productions in the US - three of which are in Las Vegas, with a fourth, 'Ka', due to open this month at the MGM Grand. So this was a home-from-home for the company's technical and human resources representatives who were exhibiting at LDI to raise the profile of its technical recruitment program. This is an increasingly vital requirement of this huge entertainment concern, which now employs around 2,700 people worldwide. Among those which Cirque is particularly keen to reach are experienced automation technicians - essential to so much of their performances.

Lamina Ceramics

Details: 14 March 2016

Making its LDI debut was Lamina Ceramics, maker of LED sources of unusually high brightness. The company has earned a lot of media attention, including a story in The New York Times, and a very favorable quote from lighting designer Jules Fisher. The company's ultra-high lumen RGB light engine is, they say, 10 times brighter than any previously demonstrated and generates light in any of more than 16,000,000 colours, including white.

PLASA Election results

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The results of this year's elections for places on the PLASA executive committee have been announced. Seven candidates put their names forward to contest the four available seats which had arisen from the natural rotation of committee members and the resignation of John Jones (then of PCM) earlier in the year.

The 2004 Treasurer David Hopkins OBE (Audio Design Services) and Chairman Diane Grant (DHA Lighting) were joined on the list of candidates by Stuart Gibbons (Le Mark), Iain Price-Smith (Light Engineering - Multiform), Siobhan Hitchen (Rope Assemblies), Linda Moore (Stage Electrics) and Duncan Smith (Roscolab).

Consultation for new PEL fees

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a consultation document in order to elicit views about the fee levels to be established under the Licensing Act 2003. The consultation period ends this Thursday, 23 December. The fees relate in part to applications for authorisations to provide regulated entertainment, and also include fees for notices for temporary events. Before finalizing the fee levels, the DCMS aims to consult as widely as possible on the appropriate level for these fees. The consultation document can be viewed here.

Local Authorities are lobbying the secretary of state claiming that the proposed fees s

Charities want your old phones for Christmas

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - If Santa brings you a new mobile phone for Christmas, don't forget you can put your old one to good use - you can recycle it for charity.

Some of the UK's leading charities have teamed up with specialist recycling company The Recycling Appeal to run eco-friendly fundraising appeals, meaning every mobile you donate can generate vital funds for your chosen cause. The phones are refurbished and resold, with a substantial portion of the proceeds going to charitable organizations. All you have to do is choose which charity you want to donate to - Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the Royal National Institute of the Blind, the Children's Hospice Association Scotland or Northern Ireland Hospice Care.

Jamie Rae, chief executive of Eurosource, said: "When people receive fancy new mobiles for Christmas, their old phones are often forgotten about.

Merry Christmas to all our Readers

Details: 14 March 2016

Our daily news service is taking a short break over the Christmas period and will resume on 4 January 2005.

We would like to wish all our readers a very happy Christmas holiday and a successful 2005. Thanks to all of you for your continued support for L&SI Online and Lighting&Sound International magazine.

Best regards,

The PLASA Media Team.

ESTA launches new website

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - The Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) announces the launch of its new and improved website. The ESTA website has been completely redesigned providing easier navigation, faster access to important information, and search functions throughout. The Member Directory, one of the most used references in the industry, is now searchable on a variety of fields allowing you instant access to contact information. The site contains detailed information on the Technical Standards Program, including published documents, standards in public review, working group information, and meeting schedules. Information about ETCP, the Entertainment Technician Certification Program, is available at www.etcp.esta.org or by linking from the main site.

The website also includes the popular Job Board and information on ESTA's indu

Fully funded scholarship available

Details: 14 March 2016

Australia - Juliusmedia college is offering one full time fully funded scholarship and two part funded scholarships available for the Advanced Diploma of Technical Production, a one year course starting 21 February in Sydney.

This is a new qualification which is nationally endorsed. It comprises entertainment technology management units including advanced OH&S and team leadership, along with electives in audio, lighting, vision and staging. It is conducted at Rydalmere college, with practicals at various venues across Sydney. The course includes internships and work placements during 2005.

The Advanced Diploma is a full time course, with an accelerated program delivery. The pre-requisite is normally completion of the leaving exam in Year 12, however there are entry exemptions for exceptionally motivated students.

The fully funded scholarship pays course fees and any college

Supporting Role on the move

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Supporting Role Ltd, a specialist provider of support services to smaller companies within the entertainment technology industry, has moved to new offices In Chiswick, west London. The move. It says, will provide extra space for the expanding variety of projects currently under way or in the pipeline. The company also reports it is currently recruiting IT staff with production industry experience for its team.

Supporting Role, headed by Marco Van Beek, provides a range of specialist consultancy services to businesses operating in the entertainment industry, including project management, IT consultancy, technical and business consultancy, health and safety consultancy, PAT testing, CE marking consultancy and more.

The company can now be contacted at Grove Park Studios, 188-192 Sutton Court Rd, London W4 3HR, UK. The new contact numbers are tel: 0870 757 2824, fax: 0870 75

British Harlequin release its house magazine

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The latest issue of British Harlequin house magazine Harlequinade carries stories from around the globe including the magnificent new Copenhagen Opera House, the impressive Centre de la Danse in Paris and the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow.

From America news of Harlequin's largest ever installation of Liberty Sprung floors at Florida State University in Tallahassee, as well as a special installation at the Lincoln Center in New York. Elsewhere in the issue Rachel Rist, president of IADMS writes a timely warning on the risks of dancing on the 'wrong type' of dance floor, a subject also highlighted in a recent House of Commons Report.

Anyone involved in dance who would like to receive a free copy of Harlequinade can sign up via the contact details below.

Nova announces merger

Details: 14 March 2016

Australia - Nova Multimedia, Canberra's oldest and leading independent production house, and Specifics, a relatively young technical management and specialist audio equipment supplier, have merged. The merger, which took effect from Monday 10 January 2004 - sees Specifics cease trading and become part of Nova Multimedia - makes Nova Multimedia the largest supplier of event technical management, production and installation services in Canberra.

"We're thrilled and excited to be joining forces with Specifics," Nova director Nick Nonas says of the merger. "With Specifics joining us, we can offer our clients an even broader range of equipment and expertise."

"With the addition of Specifics' broadcast and boutique studio hire equipment, and our own recent upgrade to our Nexo Geo S and PS15 systems, we now have an inventory to be envied', says Nova directo

ISCEx reports new exhibitors

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (ISCE) has announced continued interest in the forthcoming ISCEx 2005 exhibition and conference, with another four companies - Allen & Heath, PC Werth, Sennheiser and Shure - signing up to the show. This brings to 24 the number of participating companies at the show, which takes place at the Watford Moat House Hotel on Tuesday, 22 February.

The full technical programme promises cutting-edge seminars from leading industry experts. Subjects covered include Audio over TCP/IP, Wireless Microphone RF Pitfalls, Test Instruments for Room Acoustical Analysis, Update on Induction Loop Systems and The Basics of Fibre Optics. Last year there was standing room only at several sessions, say the organizers.

Tickets, including free parking, refreshments and VAT, cost £5 for the exhibition alone and £50 (£60 for non-ISCE members)

The ESTA Foundation

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - The Entertainment Services & Technology Association (ESTA), has announced the creation of the ESTA Foundation, which aims to meet the need to provide entry-level entertainment technicians with the essential skills necessary to practice their craft. To further this purpose, the ESTA Board of Directors created the ESTA Foundation, to be established as a 501(c)3 organization. ESTA's Technical Education Committee and its subcommittees - Essential Skills, Publications and Assessments and Seminars & Training - have been moved under the auspices of the Foundation.

Members of the inaugural Board of Directors are: Chair, Bill Price - director of systems, Barbizon; Vice-Chair, Rick Rudolph - executive vice-president, Stage Equipment & Lighting; Secretary/Treasurer, Mark Heiser - managing director, New York State Theatre at Lincoln Center; and Directors Gavin Berger - director of Con

AVAB CAC and Meyer for Nobel concert

Details: 14 March 2016

Norway - Each December, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Consideration is given to a wide variety of work including 'advocacy of human rights, peace movements, mediation of international conflicts and arms control and disarmament'. This year's recipient is Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai, for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.

Maathai had a busy schedule before her when she arrived in Oslo, including a series of meetings, the formal awards ceremony and a torchlight parade through downtown Oslo. Proceedings culminated in the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. The concert, carried live in more than 100 countries to up to 450 million viewers, was held at Oslo Spektrum, where the 6,500-strong audience heard a stellar cast through a Meyer Sound system provided by Oslo's own AVAB CAC. Maathai was the guest of honour at t

Soundcraft plans Going Live course for March

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Soundcraft has announced the dates for the next in its popular Going Live training course series, held in conjunction with Adlib Audio of Liverpool and some of the UK's top tour sound engineers. Going Live 05 takes place on March 21-23 at the Liverpool Community College. Monday 21st is 'Intro' day, essentially a precursor for the main event held over the 22nd and 23rd. This acts as a basics-of-live-sound refresher, ideal for people relatively new to live sound engineering as a career.

The main course covers all the main subjects of live sound, from microphone and loudspeaker placement to front-of-house and monitor mixing. As well as providing course tutoring, the engineers are on hand to answer questions and provide tips on how they mix live sound in the real world. Engineers planned to be tutoring include 'Big Mick' Hughes, perhaps most famous for his work wi

Shure expands global reach into China

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Shure Incorporated has announced the opening of two new locations in China: a manufacturing facility in Suzhou and a sales and marketing office in Shanghai. In preparation for the grand opening, the state-of-the-art Suzhou manufacturing facility has been conducting production trials. Full production of select product lines is expected in the spring.

"China is a very important market for our strategic growth goals," said Sandy LaMantia, President and CEO of Shure. "This expansion will strengthen our company's position by allowing us to respond to the growing global demand for our products. The transition of these product lines to our China facility will be transparent to our global distribution partners," he added.The Suzhou facility, a wholly-owned enterprise, has been equipped with the same calibre of testing equipment as in other Shure plants, includi

Audient's double success in Seoul

Details: 14 March 2016

Korea - Avix Tech Co Ltd, recently appointed Audient distributor in Korea, has secured two sales of the biggest Aztec desk yet, a 56-channel version of Audient's flagship console.

Audient's biggest Aztec to date is now being used by the EnCompass Corporation, a multi-entertainment company located in the Chung Cheung area. Introduced to Audient by Avix Tech, their managing director, Steve Kim, explained: "A host of cultural events takes place throughout the year in this part of Korea, so EnCompass Corp handles a lot of global events. The 56-channel console from Audient is currently being used for the concert of the Chung-Ju City Orchestra and Choir. They particularly like the fact that the AZTEC live console has such a large number of VCA groups and dedicated recording connectivity, which allows simple set up of recording equipment for both recording and mixdown." Avix

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