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UK - Technical entertainment charity Backup has set up a new fund to help industry workers who have received no or limited government support during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
The Hardship Fund will provide financial assistance to crew/production personnel, and people working in the technical supply chain across the UK entertainment sector, including those from live events, theatre and TV and film.
The fund has been allocated an initial £200,000, with further fundraising in progress. £100,000 was raised by Backup and its supporters, including #WeMakeEvents, whilst charity Light Relief matched this with a further £100,000.
Backup chairman John Simpson comments: “The technicians and their families in our industry, particularly freelancers, are experiencing incredible hardship at the moment and, with the lack of ongoing financial support from the government,

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UK - Stagehand, the PSA live event production industry’s welfare and benevolent fund, has received £100,000 from PPL to boost the charity's new COVID-19 Crew Relief Fund.
Launched by Stagehand trustees in September, the fund was deemed a necessary move by the charity as a means to support crew, technicians and live events industry workers that have fallen through the cracks in state aid. Open from mid-October, the fund will help those struggling to meet the cost of basic living - a roof over their head or food on the table.
Mike Lowe, chair of trustees, comments: “We are extremely thankful to PPL for coming on board so generously at the beginning of our campaign. As a sector-specific charity, we’ve already seen devastating effects suffered by some of our workforce caused by the lack of work and financial support. The relief of having rent paid and mouths fed wi
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Recovery Fund - Theatres expecting to receive news of whether they will receive Culture Recovery Fund grants have been told they must wait a week longer, due to the "volume and complexity of the applications". Arts organisations that have bid for grants of £1m million or less as part of the £500m fund were due to be notified about Arts Council England’s decision no later than 5pm on 5 October. However, 72 hours before the original deadline, organisations were contacted by ACE to say that the announcement would be delayed by a week and decisions would be confirmed on 12 October instead.
ACE is administering the part of the fund for arts organisations, with the British Film Institute and Historic England also responsible for distributing parts of the funding. The body said: "We understand this is an anxious time for many people and many organisations up and down the count

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USA - The BTS Boutique is offering a range of festive decorations. Add some unique holiday decorations to your home this year and support your colleagues who are seriously ill or injured as well as Behind the Scenes’ new Mental Health and Suicide Prevention initiative. These ornaments have been generously made and donated to Behind the Scenes by Mike and Sue Wood, so every penny goes directly to helping your colleagues in need.
Have cut-outs of your favourite tools hanging on your tree this Christmas by choosing from a crescent wrench, shackle, paintbrush or scissors as well as holiday designs. Available in 3” round acrylic disks in red (in keeping with the #WeMakeEvents theme) or clear.
There’s a BTS ghostlight etched on clear acrylic. Ghostlight Tree, a garlanded Christmas tree features a ghostlight star that’s available in three styles: etched on clear acry

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UK - As part of the Let Music Live initiative, 400 freelance professional musicians from all parts of the industry will perform in Parliament Square and Centenary Square, Birmingham today, shining a light on the need for targeted support for freelance musicians and all those who work in the arts and entertainment sector.
They are also joined in solidarity by the Musicians’ Union, The Incorporated Society of Musicians, The Musicians’ Answering Service, Emily Eavis, Jools Holland, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Dan Smith of Bastille and more.
Conducted by renowned director David Hill in Parliament Square, the freelance musicians will perform a short section of Mars from Holst’s The Planets before standing in silence for two minutes. The 20% of the piece that they will perform represents the maximum 20% support that freelancers receive from the government throug

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UK - Prominent live events industry campaigns and trade bodies have formed a taskforce to better communicate the demands of the UK events industry to the government.
Three campaigns have aligned to form the new body: the PLASA-initiated We Make Events along with Let the Music Play and We Create Experiences. They are joined by three trade organisations - the Business Visits and Events Partnerships (BVEP) which represents the conference, exhibition and outdoor events sector and is hoped to liaise directly with government; the UK Live Music Group which represents the UK’s live music industry, and PLASA.
Simon Hughes, chair of the BVEP comments: “Many different industry sectors will be looking to government for additional help and assistance in the next few weeks, alongside the more public/corporate targeting with the narrative of confidence and expertise. So it will be

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World - In a collective show of solidarity, live events professionals from all corners of the world held peaceful demonstrations to once again raise awareness of the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector and its workforce.
The #WeMakeEvents #StandAsOne Global Day of Action held yesterday, 30 September, was the single largest coordinated global event to take place since the campaign launched in the summer.
Just as with the regional events that preceded it, the demo saw thousands of cultural buildings being lit up in red, whilst the #WeMakeEvents and #LightItInRed hashtags trended on social media.
Campaigners have continued to push for state support for an industry that’s been unable to resume sustainably due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. After more than six months of uncertainty, the future of a once-thriving sector and its workforce has

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World - The #WeMakeEvents campaign has been ramping up activity in order to highlight how the global live events industry urgently needs to get back to work. Over 30 million people in 25 countries would usually work in the events industry, but with social distancing measures in place, there is no possibility of a financially viable return for the foreseeable future.
Over the past weeks, events have happened around the world - including in the US, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, Spain and the UK - to raise awareness of those impacted in the event supply chain, from manufacturers, production companies, catering, transport, security and others, to the huge freelance community that works within the industry.
The majority of the industry has had no income since the beginning of the crisis in March, and with a global second wave of COVID-19 imminent, a date to return to w

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Restart Act - Bandit Lites’ Michael T. Strickland has called for action to save the live events industry. Strickland writes: “We are an $877bn industry with over 10m people, and we are 100% shut down. We are not the stars, but we are the 10m people behind the scenes. Many of the companies we worked for are gone. More go under every day. Something must be done now.
“The live event industry has been pushing to pass the Restart Act for months. Most national media have not carried our story and we are unsure why. We pray they carry this story. The Restart Act as part of the next relief bill is the only thing that will save all of the live events industry. No other Act will save us all. If the Restart Act is not passed by 1 October, over 70% of our industry will face extinction. That means when you want a concert, movie, play, trade show, conference, special event, wedding

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South Africa - Known for working together as technical director and supplier on popular art and music festivals across South Africa like Innibos, Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) and Aarkloop, Pieter Jan-Kapp (Kappie) from PJK Management and Christiaan Ballot of technical supplier Blond Productions took the road less travelled over the COVID-19 lockdown and established their own online platform, Platform ZA which went live last Friday.
Platform ZA, a digital pay-per-view channel, has opened doors and created work for over 200 people, ranging from actors, musicians, cameramen and technical crew. Kappie and Christiaan did not only create Platform ZA, but even the content thereof such as Stroom, a music programme featuring some of South Africa’s finest artists, cooking and lifestyle programmes, a fishing show and spectacularly, produced and filmed sitcoms and co

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USA - If you have seen recent Olympics Ceremonies, Super Bowl Half Time shows, The Academy or Brit Awards broadcasts, concerts by artists from Beyonce to the Rolling Stones, or limitless other technically driven live performances and events around the world, you will have witnessed TMB’s ProPlex Ethernet cables in action.
In an industry where stakes are high, failure cannot be tolerated, and technical performance must be flawless, ProPlex is the default standard for portable network cabling. In entertainment staging and live production, where cables are handled every day and are routinely subject to abuses of all kinds, ProPlex Ethernet cables have earned a reputation for durability.
Now, engineers and technicians in a variety of other fields are recognizing the unique capabilities and many benefits of ProPlex Ethernet cables. They provide the assurance of unsurpass

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Ireland - With restaurants, hotels, businesses and public amenities beginning to reopen across the EU, temperature testing has become a mandatory requirement to protect against COVID-19. In an effort to support the protection of our customers and reopen safely, Mountain Productions’ global e-commerce platform MTN Shop EMEA has introduced a new temperature screening technology.
The Xenon Fever Defence is a standalone facial temperature screening solution that can screen users in less than one second, helping to avoid congestion at busy entrances. This system can capture early signs of fever and provides an accurate reading to +/- 0.3°C. Upon reading of the temperature, this stop-go system alerts an individual of their result via a red or green light. Should a user have an elevated temperature, an audible message and warning alarm will sound.
With its sleek and un

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Urgent Call - A third of musicians are thinking about leaving the industry altogether, as the sector’s union makes an urgent call on government to protect its talent. One in three professional musicians are set to quit and find work elsewhere as a result of the pandemic, a newly published survey from the Musicians’ Union has revealed.
With the majority of live venues still closed and both the furlough scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme entering their final months, the MU is warning the pandemic could spell the end for many professional musicians’ careers. Its research found the majority (88%) believe the government has not done enough to support musicians during the COVID-19 crisis.
Of those musicians covered by furlough and SEISS, 87% will face financial hardship when support stops next month. A third did not qualify for government assistance at al

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USA - Take1 Insurance has announced a new strategic underwriting partnership with OneBeacon Entertainment, a member of OneBeacon Insurance Group.
According to Take1 Insurance executive vice president, programme director and lead underwriter Scott Carroll, the new partnership enables Take1 to offer its customers a greater range of rental and staging insurance options for event service firms, event planners, producers, promoters, along with options for film and television production, short term or annual special events, those who tour and even the insurance needs for loan-out corporations.
“Take1 will do everything within our power to make sure that our customers never have to take their chances by offering the very best available coverages and our new partnership with OneBeacon enables us to do that with a specialty solutions carrier focused on entertainment customers

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West End Revival - Six and Everybody's Talking About Jamie will become the first musicals back in the West End in mid-November, eight months after the curtain came down. They will hit the stage three weeks after a string of non-musical shows reopen London's theatre district. The Play That Goes Wrong, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap and Adam Kay's This Is Going To Hurt will all admit socially distant audiences in October.
Venue heads said "robust risk mitigation" would be in place. They include reduced capacities, contactless tickets, temperature tests and deep cleans, as well as hand sanitation, face coverings and track and trace.
The producers of Six, the hit show about Henry VIII's wives, will take a separate cast to The Lowry in Salford from late November. The musical had been due to be staged in the Greater Manchester venue

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Furlough Extension - The chancellor is facing renewed calls to extend the furlough scheme specifically for the arts and leisure sectors, with the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee warning that the entire industry’s future is at risk without it. Julian Knight, chair of the cross-party committee, has written to Rishi Sunak claiming that the government’s current approach - whereby the job retention scheme will be wound down next month - renders its support for culture "highly inflexible".
"Moreover, ending the scheme for all industries alike in October does not reflect the unique situation faced by the arts and leisure sectors. These high-value sectors have become hostages to fortune; they are among the hardest hit by the COVID crisis, with 51% of workers still reliant on furlough, compared with 13% across all industries. However, while restrictions on activity

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USA - As the industry continues to be largely shut down, entertainment industry workers are dealing with increased levels of depression and anxiety and many are struggling to maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing. Joblessness, isolation, and worry about the future are all contributing to the negative impact on mental health. The reality is that many are not coping well and reports of suicide are on the rise.
National Suicide Prevention Week is an opportunity to learn what can you do to help colleagues or family and friends you are concerned about, as well as find resources that may help you today or in the future. Visit btshelp.org/bethe1to see the warning signs of suicide, because the more familiar you are with the signs the more likely you are to recognise them. Then learn about the 5 Steps you can take to help keep

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UK - Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has appointed Courtney Hercules to the UK team, as regional sales manager.
Reporting to TIG's regional director UK & Ireland, Phil Breitschadel, Courtney will focus primarily on the Crestron range of solutions and will support integrators by advising on the most suitable tailored solution for their clients' specific needs - in any commercial, corporate and collaborative setting.
Phil Breitschadel comments, "Courtney clearly understands TIG's vision, which is to provide a fully compatible suite of premium AV, UC and control solutions that integrate harmoniously with Crestron to create superior smart spaces. He is a talented and knowledgable salesman, having developed his technical expertise in the AV and technology industries. We look forward to having him join the team."
Courtney adds: "Working for TIG and representi

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UK - Initially launched by PLASA in response to calls from its membership, the #WeMakeEvents campaign aims to raise awareness around the current plight of the live events sector and how it urgently needs financial support in order to survive the COVID-19 crisis. The initial response resulted in a collective Day of Action on 11 August, with creative expressions across the country, including over 700 buildings lit up in red and other activities that culminated with 4,000 socially distanced event professionals lining bridges and the bankside of the Thames, expressing their need for support with the red alert theme. (Read extensive coverage of the Red Alert day of action in LSi September – out now!)
‎‎In order to r

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UK - On 11 August, as part of the PLASA-initiated UK-wide #WeMakeEvents day of action, the live events and production community in Manchester organised a silent and socially distanced flight case march across the city which culminated in a dramatic red flare exhibit.
Over 1,000 freelancers and supply companies attended the regional protest which collectively asked the Government to extend its furlough scheme and allow access to grants in order to help save an estimated 114,000 jobs.
The protest implemented the Tour Production Group (TPG) COVID-19 Working Guidance.
Acknowledging that tour-specific guidelines will become the norm in order for live production professionals to work and interact safely, the working guidance outlines how crews can better align through consistency and consultation to assist risk management relating to COVID-19 transmission.
Prod

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Island Music - While most music festivals over the bank holiday weekend switched to online streams one had a sell-out crowd. Guernsey has been Covid-19 free since 27 May and ended social distancing in June. It meant the Vale Earth Fair was able to continue to provide 12 hours of live music as it has done for 44 years.
The event proved so popular that some people who hadn't purchased a ticket were turned away later as the site was at capacity. About 3,500 islanders enjoyed bands, choirs, acoustic sets, DJs and spoken word across six stages in the grounds of the 600-year-old Vale Castle. Due to pandemic border restrictions all the performers were from the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Profits from the event will benefit Burma Campaign UK, Free Tibet, and Safer Guernsey.
Recovery Fund - Scottish theatres and comedy venues will be able to access a share of a £15m emergenc

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UK - Resource management software provider Xytech continues to innovate its MediaPulse resource management system, this time with the release of a new, fully featured graphical user interface for the Media Orchestrator.
Seamlessly incorporated to the workflow software, the new graphical UI merges asset management, operations and resource management, allowing game-changing media services companies to monitor the people, facilities or equipment needed to complete a given task.
“All too often, companies are adversely effected by a lack of efficiency in their workflows, and this can have a direct impact on profit margins,” said Greg Dolan, Xytech CCO. “The media software industry demands intelligent solutions with the ability to dynamically adapt to customers’ constantly evolving needs. With offices in Los Angeles, London, France, Germany, Belgium, Canada and China

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Risk Research - Scientists in Germany held three pop concerts in a single day to investigate the risks posed by mass indoor events during the pandemic. About 1,500 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50 - only a third of the expected number - took part. But the head of the study, which was carried out in Leipzig by Halle University, said he was "very satisfied" with how the event unfolded. Singer-songwriter Tim Bendzko agreed to perform at all three successive gigs.
The concert study, called Restart-19, was created "to investigate the conditions under which such events can be carried out despite the pandemic", researchers said. The first of Saturday's three concerts aimed to simulate an event before the pandemic, with no safety measures in place. The second involved greater hygiene and some social distancing, while the third involved half the numbers and each person stand

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USA - PSAV has announced that Ben Erwin has been named chief executive officer, effective immediately, and will maintain his current title as president. In his new role, Erwin will be responsible for driving the strategic direction of the company and overseeing the execution of its business plan.
Says the company, “This leadership transition occurs as PSAV continues to take a leading role in helping its customers adjust to the current environment of the meeting and events industry. Erwin succeeds Mike Mcllwain, who has served as CEO since 2011.”
“I am honoured to assume the role of CEO during this pivotal time,” Erwin said. “We are focused on positioning PSAV for a return to growth and long-term success as we continue to provide creative solutions to our customers and venue partners.”
Erwin continued, “On behalf of the entire team, I want to thank M
  1. Song sale proceeds aid live event charities
  2. US plans #WeMakeEvents day of action for 1 Sept
  3. Branded face coverings geared for live sector
  4. The Week in Light & Sound
  5. In Memoriam: Howell Binkley
  6. Showforce and tess prepare crewing guidelines
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