General

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14 March 2016

This free exhibition of some of the most up-to-date lighting and sound technology in the world provided an excellent opportunity to explore the knowledge and skills required to make a career in technical theatre and live music. It was attended by students, young people and the generally interested - as well as industry professionals.

Also exhibiting were Skills Academy Industry Members Stage Technologies, White Light, BECTU (the Media & Entertainment Union) and the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT). During the course of the two-day event, the Skills Academy also welcomed two new technical service provider Industry Members: the Production Service

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14 March 2016

Since the 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006, AVtech has been providing all broadcast, AV solutions for sports venues and games. So when it came to the AFC Asian cup, AVtech was the obvious choice.

AVtech is a leading supplier of high-end audio, video, broadcast and lighting equipment from the some of the most reputable manufacturers in the world. The company is well known for designing leading-edge live performance systems and projects with superb performance-ready systems in the field of sound, lighting, video and multimedia applications.

For ACF, AVtech, along w

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14 March 2016

Plugfest began in January 2009 as part of the ESTA (now PLASA) Technical Standards Programme by members of various Control Protocols Task Groups represent a variety of manufacturers. Twice a year, when they are all in the same place at the same time, they bring controllers, lights, analyzers, and various other tools and devices, and connect them all through a network to look for and resolve problems. People attend from all around the world in an effort to improve their products.

Plugfest was originally created to support the Remote Device Management protocol (ANSI E1.2

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14 March 2016

Many organisations find ETCP Recognition and the ETCP logo to be effective marketing tools. ETCP Recognised Contractors may utilise the special ETCP Recognized logo which identifies them as a 'Contractor of ETCP Certified Technicians'. These logos may be used on company letterhead, on a website, and in advertisin

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14 March 2016

The Behringer-related entities currently involved in these suits include Music Group Services LU SARL - a corporation currently located on Mauritius; Music Group Services US, Inc - a Washington state corporation; Behringer International GmbH - a German corporation; Behringer Holdings (PTE) Ltd - a Singapore company; Red Chip Company Ltd - a British Virgin Islands corporation; Behringer USA Inc - a Washington state corporation, and Behringer Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH - a German corporation.

Peavey filed a lawsuit in 2009 against Behringer in US District Court i

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14 March 2016

Genuine ticket sellers claim the delay in sending out tickets is meant to limit the time counterfeiters have to copy the originals. But an unintended consequence of this has allowed tens of thousands of people over the past five years to buy tickets from fraudulent websites, without realising the tickets will not arrive at all until it is too late, according to BBC Radio 4's You and Y

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14 March 2016

It's just a year since members of PLASA voted overwhelmingly to merge with leading North American trade association ESTA, and on the 1 January this year, the two formally came together under the PLASA name, creating one of the largest membership organizations in the industry with over 1100 members worldwide.

Though still in its early stages, the merger has already greatly strengthened PLASA and given it a new profile in the industry, reinforced by a new PLASA logo and brand identity. The first phase of a new PLASA website has gone live and the first meetings of the new Regional Boards and over-arching Governing Body have also taken place. New services and research projects have been introduced, and the teams are currently

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14 March 2016

"Due to increasing demand for high quality entertainment based products and services, Gerriets decided to form Gerriets Stage Equipment (FZE)," says the manufacturer. "With the formation of this company, we will be able to fulfil the regional needs of our clients much more efficiently, directly from our UAE facility.

"We are pleased to announce that Mr. Axel Beisenwenger will be the managing director of Gerriets Stage Equipment (FZE). Mr. Beisenwenger offers years of experience, knowledge and contacts in the theatre and event markets within the UAE."

Gerriets has a number of new products scheduled and has also published

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14 March 2016

Rachel will be co-ordinating all aspects of PR and marketing for the company, based at the South Kirkby headquarters initially and then working remotely from London. She commented: "I'm very sad to leave TPi but equally excited to be taking on a new challenge at LS-Live. It's a new role and there will be lots to get my teeth into considering it has undergone a dramatic transformation with new on-site bedrooms, dressing rooms, studios and green room.

"There's also the new industry-led training facility Backstage Academy and its short courses and foundation degree in Live Events Production to promote, along with the boost to LS-Live's hire stock of a new range of outdoor stag

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14 March 2016

Mark Bracken and Stephanie Dell have over 35 years combined experience in the professional audio and lighting industry and have worked together in various roles over the past two decades. The pair announced the launch of their new partnership at this year's PLASA Focus show, whilst working on their first commercial projects together.

Bracken Media produces professional video content including, training videos, talking heads, digital press releases, corporate and promotional videos for use on YouTube, social networking sites and websites. Sound Marketing specialises in new-media and traditional marketing communications, from PR, copy-writing and media communications to social media servic

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14 March 2016

XL was working for marketing and event producers Jack Morton Worldwide, who co-ordinated four similar format/concept sites across London for the wedding. An estimated 1m people lined the streets to catch some of the action, which was broadcast worldwide to a global audience of approximately 2bn. It was the most important UK Royal event for 30 years.

The screens were both made up from Lighthouse R7 panels and were positioned around Nelson's Column. One measured 80sq.m and faced the National Gallery, and the other was 40sq.m, facing eastward pointing down the Strand. Both were rigged on special screen support 'goal post' structures.

A stage was also built

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14 March 2016

"Shawn is a welcome addition to our team," states Cameron Smith, national sales and marketing director. "His wealth of industry experience and aggressive sales philosophy make him an ideal part of our team."

A long time veteran of the audio-visual industry, McLoughlin most recently served as the sales manager for a major industry distributor. Previous experience includes audio-visual system design and installation.

(Jim Evans)

Csaption: Shawn McLoughlin

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14 March 2016

According to Innovason's international sales director, Marcel Babazadeh, Alex is an ideal fit for Innovason in France. "He is trained as both a salesman and a sound engineer, so in terms of profile, we couldn't ask for much better! Furthermore, he is one of the new generation of sound engineers for whom digital technology is as natural as breathing, and so again, ideally suited to represent Innovason who have always been at the forefront of pioneering digital console technology. I'm lo

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14 March 2016

Contestants for the 2010 awards showcased a wide variety of achievements, from the simplest problem solver to complex uses of technology that extended the boundaries of entertainment technology. Project nominations showcased everything from innovative new products, to unusual applications, to massive events that highlighted the collaborative nature of our industry.

Anyone may nominate a PLASA member for the awards. If you've seen something that's blown your mind in the last year, now is your chance to tell the world. It could be a pi

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14 March 2016

All the seated tickets for Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra sold out within three hours. Verdi's Requiem and Havergal Brian's gargantuan the Gothic Symphony have also all gone. However, up to 1,400 extra tickets are released on the day of each concert. Proms director Roger Wright said, "We're delighted that so many people have been able to get their tickets successfully and look forward to welcoming them to the Proms this summer."

Musical Chairs - Warner Music has been bo

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14 March 2016

The show is now over 85% sold - almost five months ahead of its four-day run at Earls Court from 11-14 September. Confidence that PLASA 2011 will be a busy event is confirmed by the increase in visitor registrations, with 8500 visitors representing a healthy 5% increase on the same period last year. This is matched by a 14% increase in the number of companies confirmed to take part.

PLASA 2011 event manager Sophie Atkinson comments, "The PLASA Show has a unique reputation for launching ground breaking products. The Show embraces everything from theatre, live music, film/TV and special events to night venues, architectural installations and construction projects. It's a true reflection of a highly d

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14 March 2016

In the past seven years, Eakins has worked at both Total Production International magazine and AED Rent. "I am very much looking forward to the future and taking the i-Pix brand strategy forward," she states.

i-Pix founder and director Chris Ewington says, "I'm delighted to welcome Hannah on board. We are continuing to focus on bringing a range of different and unique products to the market and working very closely with lighting designers and specifiers in all disciplines, particularly the entertainment, rental and

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14 March 2016

A team of staff from AC-ET's specialist lighting, audio, rigging and video sales divisions were on hand to discuss the vast, multi-million pound stockholding of over 200 leading brands available from the company's High Wycombe and Leeds offices, and the super-fast round the clock service and support for which the company is renowned.

Jonathan Walters, sales director for A.C. North, comments, "We had a really good show, with the new products on our stand attracting plenty of traffic and interest as it was the first UK appearance for many of them."

The new Jands Vista v2 software - of which this was the UK launch - caused a stir,

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14 March 2016

This is to help service the increasing amount of work PSI is doing in southern Ireland, enabling a true 'all Ireland' operation, which will run in conjunction with the Belfast office and warehouse in Carryduff. The two locations are under two hours apart by road.

This Dublin base is being managed by Ciaran Tallon. He has been in the lighting and production industry for 24 years with active experience as a freelance technician, lighting operator and designer and as project manager working on tours, corporate events and installations, and for the last 12 years as hire manager with his previous company.

PSI's Brian Reilly states, "It's great to have someone of Ciaran's calibre on board. We've been considering this move for some time, and wit

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14 March 2016

On Saturday 18 June riders will depart from The National Theatre London and travel to the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. They will travel to Norwich where they will have a backstage tour of the Theatre Royal. After an overnight stop, riders will journey to Castle Acre where they will have coffee with Jane Slattery. Then it's on to Nottingham for a complimentary lunch and tour courtesy of Eric Oldham of Metool Reels.

If you're not available the first weekend, why not join the ride on Friday 24 June in Cardiff? The riders will cruise to Swindon Mechanics Institute. From there they will travel to Stratford u

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14 March 2016

"I am really looking forward to working at Black Light on a permanent basis," says Calder, who has worked with the company in a freelance capacity in the past. "It's a really friendly and energetic company that is growing strongly and I look forward to boosting the capacity of my department and helping our clients put on really spectacular shows, conferences and other productions."

In the past, Calder has worked as head of lighting at Edinburgh's Gilded Balloon and as Tec

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14 March 2016

Button joins PRG with 18 years experience in lighting and AV production across corporate, exhibition, touring music, television and theatre with clients including O2, Deloitte and General Motors, and tours such as Primal Scream, The Chemical Brothers and Jay-Z.

In addition to design, Button is an experienced and accomplished operator of lighting desks and media servers, as well as having extensive knowledge of video & lasers.

Button joins the team under John McEvoy, head of full service for PRG, alongside Neil Harvey who has been with the group since 2008, working on projects including the BAFTAs, G20 Summit and BAE Systems Exhibitions.

Having worked for PRG since 2007, Chris Scott is also joining the team as a

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14 March 2016

The deal boosts LS-Live's stock of staging and trussing equipment so that it has become one of the largest staging rental companies in the marketplace. The company, which offers complete staging solutions for festivals, concerts, theatre productions and corporate events, now stocks ranges of Space Roof, Dome Roof, Mini and Midi stages, and staging equipment that comprises 17,500sq.m of Layher Event Deck alone.

Andy Nutter joins LS-Live as operations director, having headed up Acorn Event Solutions since 2006, during which time it has provided staging solutions for Swansea's BBC Proms in the Park, Leeds' Opera in the Park, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Frieze Art Fair, the Silverstone Grand Prix, Mini's 50th Birthday at Excel in London a

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14 March 2016

The company now offers a range of 12 competitively priced mobile stages. Sizes now available are from 8m x 6m up to the 15m x 12m SAM stage. Included in the acquisition were cable ramps & front of stage barrier all of which can travel inside the stages along with motors and risers offering a saving in transport costs and 'one stop shop" to event organisers.

(Jim Evans)