USA - A.C. Lighting Inc. will be showcasing a range of the latest entertainment technology innovations from a selection of the leading brands which it distributes in North America, including products from Chroma-Q, Jands, ArKaos, LedGo and Prolyte - at the 2013 USITT Stage Expo held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Showing exclusively at A.C. Lighting Inc.'s booth is Chroma-Q's popular Color Force range of RGBA LED fixtures.

Providing power across the spectrum, from deep cold blues to red hot lava looks, the Color Force range utilizes Chroma-Q's advanced ColorSure™ technology to give you a radically increased color palette with enhanced color consistency.

Also on show from Chroma-Q is the brand new, award-winning Inspire LED house light. Fusing entertainment, theatrical and architectural lighting capabilities, the Inspire was designed to seamlessly transform the look and feel o

China - No sooner had the curtain been brought down on China's LED Show than the four-day GET Show 2013 opened for business at Poly World Trade Expo Center, Guangzhou. Most major lighting manufacturers attended, although Prolight+Sound Guangzhou 2013 was also taking place the following week.

Leading Chinese manufacturer, PR Lighting's booth was located in the middle of Hall 3, and due to its elegant and eye-catching display, remained extremely busy throughout the show. The hottest new items included the PR 5000 series, XLED 336, XLED 1037, XR 200/300 Beam, the newest LED Studio series and new LED Lasers. All were greeted enthusiastically by customers at the booth.

PR Lighting then invited both domestic and overseas customers to the company's dinner, for which there was an overwhelming response, with almost 800 guests filling the banqueting hall.

(Jim Evans)

Regional Support Plea - BECTU general secretary Gerry Morrissey has called on the West End to "give more support to regional counterparts", in a bid to prevent theatres closing as a result of cuts. The backstage union's head also called on local council funding for the arts to be a "statutory obligation rather than an optional extra". His plea comes as councils around the UK slash their arts budget, which is resulting in less funding for many regional theatres.

Earlier this month, Sheffield Theatres was hit with a £106,000 cut to its £529,000 grant from Sheffield City Council, while Stoke-on-Trent City Council has said it will reduce its annual grant of £67,500 to Staffordshire's New Vic by £23,000 in the next financial year. Meanwhile, Moray Council in Scotland has announced it is to cut its entire arts budget. Morrissey said, "N

USA - Chauvet Professional kept the crowds energized at the main performance of the College Invasion Tour headlined by Tiësto and featuring Tommy Trash and Alvaro, at the Staples Centre. Los Angeles.

Creative director for Tiësto Koen De Puysseleir specified 26 Nexus 4x4 eye-candy wash lights to build the booth façade. The Nexus 4x4 wall of two fixtures by 13 worked for a powerful visual impact and became the centrepiece of the stage, visible from the back of the venue.

"In my search to a new and unique effect to use as a centerpiece DJ-booth design I stumbled on this product on the ArKaos website," Koen said. "After reviewing the Nexus 4x4 I was very confident this product would give me the high-end look I wanted for the show. Used in the right way this product has infinitive ways to create mesmerizing new effects. To achieve the desired looks I used t

Sweden - Singer songwriter Petra Marklund, who also performs under the name 'September', has been touring the country's concert halls this spring with one of the most dynamic stage sets imaginable - fabricated largely from more than 3,000 SGM LED Balls (LB-100) ingeniously rigged as an overhead, interactive spatial canopy.

The design is the brainchild of top lighting designer Henrik Lundin, of Stockholm-based company Satellite Live.

With a quest to constantly provide different solutions to inspire his creativity, Lundin has bought into SGM's pioneering LED products immediately. Having used the new X-5 LED strobes on tour with Veronica Maggio and Maskinen last year, he has now conceived his most outrageous design yet for the beautiful Ms. Marklund. When the tour opened in Stockholm the impact of the pixel-mapped 3D LED balls, and the way in which the artiste interacted with the

UK - As boy band sensations One Direction (1D) embarked on the much anticipated 117 date Take Me Home world tour, the tried and trusted production team of Production North, Lite Alternative and Wigwam were brought in to turn the cityscape arena concept of creative designer, Elizabeth Honan, into reality.

Lite Alternative's highly creative production designer Paul Normandale used 30 of SGM's new X-5 white LED strobes for the first time, replacing conventional xenon-driven devices. And after evaluating them over the first leg of 34 shows stretching across the UK and Ireland, he vowed that it certainly won't be the last.

Supplied by SGM's UK and Ireland distributor, A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd., the strobes are largely mounted on vertical pipes and bases, positioned under two special ramps, stage left and right, and used mostly for "impact and accent&q

Australia - War Horse, the now legendary World War I drama depicting the devotion of a boy to his horse, has moved stage audiences in the UK and US, winning five 2011 Tony Awards. One of the most striking elements of the show is its highly evocative lighting design by Paule Constable who calls lighting 'the secret language of theatre". Constable won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Design for A Play for her design work on War Horse.

Australia now has the chance to experience this landmark theatre event with audiences packing Melbourne's Arts Centre State Theatre night after night. The show will move to Sydney in March followed by Brisbane in July.

The lighting rig, supplied by Chameleon Touring Systems, has only a small amount of moving lights; a couple of Vari-Lite 3500 Washes, six Vari-Lite 3000Q Washes, three VL500 Arcs and twelve ETC Revolutions.

"The

UK - BBC Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton has done many things to raise money for charity such as trekking the South Pole and this year she is getting the public and viewers involved by helping her complete Helen's Magnificent 7 for Comic Relief.

Over recent weeks Skelton has flown a jet with the Red Arrows, walked a rope bridge and appeared in a West End stage show.

To help celebrate Red Nose Day and the completion of the challenges, there will be a special Blue Peter episode from its old home at the BBC White City, one of the last to be filmed there before it closes for redevelopment at the end of this month. This went out live before the main Comic Relief show is aired later that evening.

The show's LD Lee Allen designed an exciting lighting show which as ever is provided by Richard Martin Lighting (RML). The show was filmed outside and with this in

USA - Philips Entertainment, representing Philips Vari-Lite, Philips Strand Lighting, Philips Selecon, and Showline, has announced the realignment and consolidation of its Americas commercial group to provide better service to their authorized dealers, sales representatives, and all lighting professionals throughout North and South America. The realignment includes changes in the management, sales, and support teams within Philips Entertainment, and will focus on continuing technology innovations while creating a streamlined customer experience.

"The realignment of the Americas commercial group truly represents an exciting time for Philips Entertainment," said Julie Smith, commercial general manager of the Americas. "We have great brands with great histories and this consolidation will better allow us to grow the resources within each brand while refocusing on tec

USA - Video equipment rental company Pete's Big TVs is providing the video equipment, cameras and d3 media servers for the new 2013 production of the Dreamgirls tour which kicked off in late December 2012/early January 2013. It tours North America until early June, followed by Japan, with more dates expected.

Working with MB Productions, Pete's Big TVs is providing the main set of the show, comprised of 400 digiLED MC15 (15 mm) LED video panels in three screens, which all track and fly in different configurations. They are also supplying two d3s from d3 Technologies. More than a media server, the d3s serve as a 3D stage simulator, combining a timeline based sequencer, video playback and video mapper all in one.

Howard Werner of Lightswitch designed the media content and the show system in 2009 when an older production of Dreamgirls began an eight-month run in Seo

UK - For a while now the Mercury Music Awards have been seen as one of the most credible and prestigious awards that a musician or artist can receive. The award is for best album in the UK and Ireland and is chosen by a panel of fellow musicians, executives, journalists and other key Industry figures.

As part of the build-up to this and to keep those who are really into music involved, Barclaycard now sponsors the Mercury Prize Sessions - a celebration of the best live music in the UK now. Acts in include Tom Odell, Suede and Johnny Marr. Each session is filmed at the Hospital Club, Covent Garden.

Richard Martin Lighting (RML) support lighting designer Nigel Catmur for the show. The cool and urban look is achieved simply with Sharpys and smoke. The Sharpys create such a strong and recognisable look, that in some situations, they are all that you need. Various lengths of truss

South Africa - American electronic musician, Skrillex entertained South African fans in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban at the start of March 2013. The main technical supplier in Cape Town was Gearhouse, while in Johannesburg it was supplied by CES and in Durban by Insane Sound.

At the Wavehouse in Durban, lighting and video freelancer Thomas Peters assisted with the lighting.

"Reading through the Skrillex rider and adjusting accordingly for Durban, Vimal Rawjee (Insane Sound) and I came up with what we thought would be a viable rig for the show, which the production's management (Skrillex's Production Manager is Baptiste Chavaillaz) quickly approved," explained Thomas Peters. "While we did not have most of the first-choice fixtures available in the quantities requested, the substitutes we offered were all perfectly acceptable. The MMXs blew the touring LD aw

Sweden - The charismatic Stora Teatern in Göteborg is one of Sweden's second largest city's most active receiving houses, hosting a wide variety of entertainment - bands, theatre and dance shows, comedy..

The theatre has recently taken delivery of its first Robe moving lights - 10 Robin 800 LEDWashes - which were specified by Joel Karlberg, the venue's chief lighting technician. They also happened to be among the first of this new fixture off Robe's production line in the Czech Republic.

The spectacular neo-Renaissance building designed by Carl Malmberg was originally opened in 1859, and from 1920 to 1994 used to stage opera, operetta and musical productions. Stora Teatern is run by the City and stages up to two or three shows per week in a very lively programme as well as accommodating longer running touring productions sometimes lasting several weeks.

The main stage can b

USA - Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 1500s are lighting up The Joint, the concert venue for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas where 16 fixtures were recently acquired and hung above the stage.

The Joint is an intimate 4,000 capacity space known for delivering unforgettable live music experiences. With a commitment to remarkable sound, it has earned a reputation as one of the most authentic venues in Las Vegas.

"We used to rent lights then decided to buy them. When we started looking at fixtures we had three lights in mind, including the HPE 1500," says Christopher Lose, lighting designer for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. "We're a rock 'n roll venue and need all the bells and whistles and versatility we can get. We have 10 lighting designers a month who come in wanting different things. So the more tricks our lights have the better."

Lose reports that th

Australia / UK - Sydney will once again be immersed in light, music and creative ideas as Vivid Sydney returns for a fifth year from 24 May to 10 June. For the first time the programme will be streamed live from the web address below. The live streaming will take place 11pm Wednesday 20 March (GMT) / 10am Thursday 21 March 2013 (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

Vivid Sydney highlights include: the lighting of the iconic Sydney Opera House sails; 3D mapping projections on Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art; interactive light sculptures and installations; public talks, debates and workshops from innovative global creatives and thought leaders in collaboration with Vivid IDEAS; and performances from local and international musicians at Vivid LIVE and Vivid MUSIC.

The 18-day event, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, is a major celebration of the cr

UK - The Phoenix School in Peterborough recently hosted their annual charity ball. The theme this year was Spencer's Red Velvet Ball and the evening was supported by Pearce Hire with a striking production and stage set, designed to create the perfect atmosphere for an evening of entertainment and fundraising for this important special needs school, which is recognised as an outstanding Ofsted school.

The black tie event took place at the Atrium at Peterborough Arena, a venue in the East of England recognised for its excellent access, facilities and flexible approach from its staff. The occasion had a number of different areas including a formal sit down dining and stage area, a casino and dance floor. Pearce Hire produced the event with a complete audio, lighting, draping and effects package for the main room and pre and post dinner reception area.

"We have been a

Brazil - 55 years ago, Scania - the Swedish heavy truck maker - began operations in Brazil. Today, Brazil has more Scania trucks than in any other country in the world, with around 40% of all heavy trucks operating in Brazil known to be by Scania.

The company celebrated its successful 55 years of operations in Brazil, at HSBC Brasil. Located in the south zone of São Paulo, the venue is a renowned music hall featuring a high-quality technical infrastructure. Over the years HSBC Brasil has played host to a number of high-calibre musical and theatrical events, and top international artists.

Several shows took place during the event, including an exclusive concert by famous Brazillian artist Jorge Ben.

The performances were lit with a light rig including XR3000 SPOT CMY moving heads and the new high-power compact LED moving heads NRG 1201 from D.T.S.

(Jim Evans)

Saudi Arabia - A squadron of Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 700s and Clay Paky Sharpys lit up Jeddah's Laylati Hall during a celebration to observe International Civil Aviation Day.

Egyptian lighting designer Mohammed Gafar created a lighting rig that emphasised the aerial agility, precision and speed of aviation today, which comprised fast moving, super-bright Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 700s and pure beam Sharpys.

"I chose to use the Alpha Spot HPE 700s and Sharpys for this particular event because we wanted a discreet light source that would deliver maximum effect when required" explains Gafar. "We were keen for the event, which was a sit down dinner and presentation, to look dramatic and exciting and reflect recent achievements of civil aviation. Lighting was used to set the mood and atmosphere of the room but also to enhance and punctuate the video presentation. In

Belgium - The Killers Battle Born tour, which has so far crossed the US, Australia and Europe to promote the band's fourth album, has taken ArKaos MediaMaster 3 with its new VideoMapper extension along for the ride.

Show designer Steven Douglas has worked with The Killers before and has this time created a spectacular show, making an advanced use of live camera feeds from various sources, mixed with visual content in real time.

Taking advantage of the multi output capabilities of the ArKaos VideoMapper, Douglas has setup an upstage video wall composed of Pixled F-15 NT, which splits into two separate video screens with the top section measuring 4.6m x 14.6m and the lower section 1.8m x 14.6m, revealing a wall of moving lights and lasers behind it.

On stage, Douglas incorporates more video screens into some of the set elements. Three band risers are covered in a total

UK - Richard Martin Lighting (RML) has purchased its first batch of Robe's Robin MMX WashBeam fixtures which have gone into hire stock.

RML is one of the UK's favourite independent hire facilities and a specialist in the worlds of television and live entertainment production.

The company has been renowned for its expertise and authority on moving lights for almost 30 years, and has been right at the forefront of this technology throughout. The purchase of the latest Robe products for its already extensive inventory is no exception.

RML started buying Robe products in 2012 and now already has over 100 fixtures available, including LEDBeam 100s and LEDWash 600s as well as the 24 new MMX WashBeams.

Says RML's marketing coordinator Gemma Jaques, "We feel that Robe has really taken the time to listen to end users and 'got it right' with the current Robin range."

She

Italy - Italy's X Factor 2012 aired from September to December on Sky, with the show broadcast from Teatro della Luna, next to the Forum of Assago in Milan. The winner was declared as Chiara Galiazzo of the Over 25 category, who was awarded a recording contract with Sony Music Italy worth 300,000 Euro.

Italian lighting manufacturer D.T.S. contributed to the success of the show with its new LED moving heads. 82 NICK NRG 1201s, provided by DiBi Technology, were installed in the Teatro della Luna. 36 NRG 1201s were integrated into the setting for a 'particularly incisive visual quality', arranged in six vertical rows in the wide spaces between the LED walls.

Two further parallel rows of NRG 1201s were installed along the sides of the stalls, using all the features of the projectors - colour quality, zoom, strobe - to create a dynamic lighting look.

"The installation of the

UK - Stage Electrics supplied a full Martin Professional lighting solution for The Yonex All England Open Badminton Championship games which took place at the NIA, Birmingham earlier this month.

Recorded and broadcast live on Sky Sports 4 and to over 37 countries around the world, the latest Martin MAC Vipers complemented with over 100 additional Martin MAC 2000 Washes, MAC 700's and MAC Aura's, all controlled from an Avolites Tiger Touch. In addition Stage Electrics' scenic division built scenery elements which included a revolving door complete with sponsors branding used to reveal each star player.

Stage Electrics' live events technical project manager, Mike Jarvis commented, "This is the fourth year we have provided the lighting for the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships. The Martin Professional lighting used worked superbly in achieving what was required

Denmark - Martin Professional has announced the launch of the new VC-Strip family of narrow LED video strips. VC-Strips are suitable for integration into stage and set designs, as well as interiors like bars, ceilings and walls. Fully compatible with Martin's VC-Grid LED video module, they can be used together for more creative LED video designs.

VC-Strips are fully pixel-level calibrated on brightness and colours for optimal uniformity and quality and are driven by Martin's award-winning P3 System Controller family for smooth playback that outperforms any DMX-based system.

These flexible video strips feature a pixel pitch of 25 mm and are available in lengths up to 400 mm. They can even be cut to required length on-site.

VC-Strips are available in RGB, warm white, medium white and cool white variants. The RGB version has a calibrated brightness of 4000 nits while the warm/m

UK - Nick Gray of London, UK-based creative lighting design practice Renegade designed lighting for the main British Fashion Council (BFC) Courtyard Show Space at Somerset House for London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013.

Offsite, he lit a variety of leading shows including Vivien Westwood, L'Wren Scott, Rocksander, Mark Fast, Kinder Aggugini and Pringle.

It's the seventh season that Gray has lit the BFC space, featuring up to five or six shows per day for a plethora of leading designers including Marios Schwab, Issa, Emilio de la Morena, Bora Aksu, Jasper Conran and numerous others.

Working for show producers Bacchus, Gray's lighting design featured a three truss format overhead - centre and two sides - running the full 25m of the catwalk.

The set this year featured a wider entranceway for the models and an elegant chevron-shaped wood / black carpet runway, all of which r

Latest Issue. . .

Save
Cookies user preferences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline
Advertisement
If you accept, the ads on the page will be adapted to your preferences.
Google Ad
Accept
Decline