Opera Awards - Tenor Jonas Kaufmann has won best male singer and the readers' award at the inaugural International Opera awards. Known as the "new king of tenors", Kaufmann debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 2006. The reader's award was voted for by readers of
Samantha has been appointed as Business Coordinator and commented: "I am very excited to join Aurora in their rapidly growing business and happy to be back in the lighting industry. I have had time out getting married and becoming a mum and now my boys are at school, I felt ready to get back into work and was thrilled when this opportunity came up."
She started her career at Brilliant Stages just out of college and then moved onto Vari Lite/VLPS for many years and has nearly 10 years' experience working in the lighting industry.
Nick Edwards, Managing Director added: "I am delighting to welcome Samantha to Aurora. We have known each other for many years working together at VLPS/PRG. Samantha has a lot of kno
The booth was permanently packed with visitors wanting to be among the first to witness the global launch of the new IP65-rated G-Spot, and make sure it lived up to its claim of superior optics and weather-resistant body. A constant stream of water splashing across the chassis left no-one in any doubt.
But equally important, SGM has built up a family of loyal and highly-motivated resellers during the intervening period and the company CEO was able to welcome partners from across the world to a pre-show dinner, awards presentation and distributor conference, so they were primed for action when the curtains were raised on the opening day.
Once again, Peter Johansen, made sure everybody got what they came for - with a bol
Entec's team was production managed by Simon Tutchener and crew chiefed by Pete "Pepper" Schofield. The challenge was getting a substantial one off loaded in and set up and rocking in the same day ... although this is something that Entec has honed to a fine art! Soundcheck/rehearsals were scheduled for 1pm.
The Entec team - project managed by Noreen O'Riordan - worked to a lighting plot submitted by Big Four's lighting designer Lund and his assistant Boris.
The lighting rig comprised three straight trusses and two bespoke trussing constructions which flanked an upstage centre LED video screen that was supplied by XL Video.
Th
Chroma-Q's new award-winning Inspire high output, RGBW colour-changing LED House Light and AutoLED II ultra-bright (16,430 lumens) daylight white LED moving head fixture will share their UK tradeshow debut at PLASA Focus 2013. Also on show from Chroma-Q are a selection of other intelligent LED lighting products including the Studio Force multi-purpose and Studio Force Phosphor broadcast-sector ranges of white LED fixtures available in daylight, tungsten and variable white, the hugely popular Color Force range of RGBA colour fixtur
"We were looking for the best console for everyday rental and found that the M2GO made the most sense," says Christie Lites CEO Huntly Christie. "It was the only console in its category to offer powerful onboard processing with a small footprint."
The M2GO is equipped with a fast, dual-core processor with no external computer required. Having set Martin records earlier in the year for the largest number of pre-sale orders for a lighting controller, it continues to establish itself as the lighting control choice for rental houses.
"We are extremely pleased that Christie has added the M2GO to their inventory," states Martin product manager Paul Pelletier. "It w
tn.jpg "Sunrise Avenue")
The 16 x LEDWash 600s and 10 MMX Spots formed the core of the lighting rig and were used for a variety of tasks and effects including washing the stage with many colours and hues, and for creating complex multi-layered effects with the MMXs.
Timo was hugely impressed with the reliability of the fixtures - which was 100% for the whole tour!
He's looking forward to using more of Robe's latest technology on upcoming festival dates this summer and also for Sunrise Avenue's ongoing touring work which is scheduled to continue into 2014.
The fixtures were supplied to the tour by Finnish rental company RMC Light & Sound based in Vantaa, who bought them from Robe's Finnish distributor, Live Nati
Steve Wells, RML operations manager commented,"Comic Relief is one of those National Treasures that as a company we are always so proud to be involved in and support. For a rental company or manufacturer, high profile show such as this are an ideal opportunity to showcase their most recent products and it goes without saying, that as a company, RML will always help the lighting designer achieve their desired look. With this in mind we provided Chris Kempton with the MilTec MTC-Batten2 LED Batten, the ideal choice to match his chosen specification."
(Jim Evans)
Forty-eight Nexus 4x4 fixtures were placed in vertical columns equidistantly on stage and used for their pixel-mapping capabilities to accompany hip-hop group and headliner Wu-Tang Clan, and performances of Jurassic 5, Beach House band, Puscifer, Pretty Lights and Two Door Cinema Club.
"Nexus 4x4 were stacked into six columns of eight and they were built onto traveller truss so they could be slid on and off the stage," said Todd Roberts, owner of Visions Lighting, a premier lighting, staging, video and production company that provided the fixtures.
Nexus 4x4 has 16 20-watt RGB COB LEDs and is capable of del
"Given my previous experience with the Vipers on the 2012 Grey Cup, I encouraged him to try out the Vipers instead," Robert Sondergaard stated. "I was very impressed with their speed and output and I knew he would be as well."
The Vipers were hung on three set arches as well as the furthest upstage truss where they worked as top color and gobo wash onto the stage.
The MAC Viper Profile is an award-winning fixture whose 26,0000 lumens of power outperforms that of market-leading profiles in the 1200-watt range and is even finding service as an alternative to 1500-watt
The theatre, which is the second largest performing arts complex in Cape Town (after the Artscape Theatre Centre), purchased four Philips Strand Wallrack Dimmer 24 x 2.5kW, two Philips Strand Wallrack Dimmer 6 x 5kW - 25 Amp, and four Philips Strand Wallrack Dimmer 6 x 2.5kW units from Philips Strand Lighting's South African dealer DWR Distribution.
"We chose Strand because it is a trusted name in theatre lighting," commented Patrick Curtis from The Baxter. "The linkage to Philips is a positive development, and added to that with Strand Lighting products we are assured of 100% backup from DWR."
The Philips Strand Lighting Wallrack is designed for small to medium entertainment and a
Sponsoring the event are leading lighting innovators Chauvet Professional, Robe, and one of the UK's largest suppliers of technical production services, Hawthorn. The sold-out exhibition floor features new products from a number of exhibitors including Martin Audio, d&b audiotechnik, Philips Entertainment, Martin Professional, Artistic Licence, Robe, Midas, Ampetronic,
Steve Wells, operations manager at RML said of the new investment, "The Sharpy has been such a successful purchase for RML, when we heard about the Sharpy Wash 330, we had to see it. The unit is extremely diverse and the multi function aspect means that the lighting designer has so many more options when using them. The concept that you could have a whole rig of just one type of fixture, but are able to create a much more varied look, is potentially a very exciting one."
(Jim Evans)
Hobday joined Artistic Licence as a technician in 2000. Over the years, he rose up the ranks, becoming managing director in 2010. Now, with many years of invaluable experience built up at the company, he feels the time is right to seek a different challenge.
"I am grateful for my time at Artistic," comments Hobday. "I have learnt a lot about the lighting industry during my time here. But horizons expand, and I want to move on and face new challenges."
Following an internal company reorganisation, Artistic Licence founder, Wayne Howell, will take over as CEO. Howell comments: "While we are saddened to lose Simon, the recent changes provide exciting opportunities for us all - both at a personal and a
Hoepker joins PLASA from Electronic Theatre Controls after 19 years where she oversaw ETC's trade shows and events.
PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths comments: "Laura is a respected and highly regarded industry peer and we are so pleased to welcome her to help us grow our regional events in North America."
PLASA director of media, sales, and marketing Jackie Tien added: "We look forward to our long-time and respected industry friend joining our PLASA family!"
Hoepker can be reached at laura.hoepker@plasa.org, telephone 212-244-1505, ext. 608, and will be at PLASA Focus: Orlando May 15-16.
PLASA Focus: Orlando will be held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort Hotel May 15-16; Focus: Austin will be held at the
The F-Light 20 is available to hire in the UK from Flare Lighting.
(Claire Beeson)
At this year's Prolight+Sound Laserworld launched the 'big brothers' of both series, which have an extremely high output power. The new devices of the Pure Sapphire Compact Series are the PS-36.000RGB Compact and the PS-70.000RGB Compact with output performances of up to 36 watt and 70 watt respectively. They are ideal especially for huge indoor events, like in large halls or discos and even for outdoor use at arenas, open air events or in stadiums.
The Purelight Series now has four additional new laser systems: The PL-20.000 in the RGB or single green versions with up to 20 watt and the PL-40.000, which is also available as RGB or single green version and an output power of up to 40 watt
Using Pro Clean Supreme on a regular basis reduces clogging, extends the life of haze and smoke machines and keeps atmospheric effects performing at their highest level.
By providing longevity of the heat exchanger, Pro Clean Supreme is both a professional and cost-effective cleaning solution. It is water-based and leaves no residue.
By using the highest grade ingredients available while remaining eco-friendly, Martin fluids are both effective and safe, says the company.
(Jim Evans)
With Austin as home base, High End Systems takes a special approach to the festival, both in support of the visiting lighting designers - many who are embracing the new Hog 4 console, and of the Hype Hotel venue, which featured Passion Pit, Cold War Kids, Ra Ra Riot and 60 other performers at the transformed downtown space.
Sponsored by Taco Bell, Hype Hotel is the brainchild of MP3 blog ag
"The system consists of 42 10" LED S-Strips and 14 5" LED S-Strips, all driven by a Schnick Schnack Systems Long Distance (LD) Controller," states Melanie Lekaj of TMB Sales. "All in all it proved to be a trouble-free installation and was easily integrated into the show's DMX control system. That's the beauty of the Schnick Schnack system; it's specifically designed to be 100% colour consistent and reliable, an
The championships were held in northern Italy's Val di Fiemme, with the audio infrastructure supplied by rental company Jam Session.
"We were considering new digital consoles for our rental stock and particularly for the Nordic World Ski Championships. After looking at both the digital mixers and audio networking currently on the market, we felt that the Yamaha CL series was the best for our needs," says Jam Session's Michele Garbari. "Dante can also manage extremely complex network situations which would require a much bigger investment u
The first leg of the tour featured a custom-made typewriter, an addition that, while elaborate and impressive, could be distracting for audience members. Fortunately, inspiration struck guitarist Bo Rineheart as he looked over at the fly rail system lit by back light.
Jay Waddell, Needtobreathe's lighting designer of the last five years, drew upon that inspiration to create a different but "less flashy" set production: 1800ft of rope hang from a custom-built touring frame with a rope nail attached underneath, creating a look of a fly rail system. VL 2500s and Martin MAC Auras light the set from all angles, a task for which Waddell said the Auras were especially well suite
For several years the lighting has been designed and operated by Rohan Thornton in his role of lighting director at the Nine Network, however he left the network last year to freelance. Fortunately Nine realised they needed his talent and expertise and employed him on a contract basis.
On request from Rohan, Show Technology, Clay Paky's Australian distributor, rushed in the new Clay Paky Sharpy Wash 330 fixtures.
Thornton first saw the Sharpy Wash at the LDI show last October and he rated it the standout product of the show. "I thought they were brilliant," he remarked. "The speed, quality of beam, quality of colour and all the features were amazing. They have great intensity, power eff
Video for X Factor Arabia, recently produced in Beirut, Lebanon, relied on an MA control system consisting of two grandMA2 light and six MA VPU plus (Video Processing Units).
Stephan Flören of LichtUnit GmbH, who worked as video supervisor and specified the MA VPU, the grandMA2 consoles and the video system, explained why he chose MA, and especially the MA VPU: "It was the reliability of the MA VPU and the grandMA2 system as it would have been very difficult to source any spare parts in Beirut.
"Furthermore, the new MA software release 2.8 has some excellent new features like the new 'output mixes' or the 'variable
