Clay Paky's Chief Operational Officer, Pio Nahum, graciously accepted the Gottelier Award on behalf of his friend and colleague. The other nominees - Richard Belliveau, David Cunningham and Dr Christian Heil - withdrew from the running following the sad news. The lighting industry has lost a great character and a true pioneer.
Every year, PLASA recognises products that demonstrate progress, through attributes like a new style of thinking, an improvement in technical practice, new technology, materials or techniques, or an improvement in safety. The entries were considered by an expert judging panel comprising Tim Atkinson, Scott Burges, Jonathan Burton, Richard Cadena, Jenni Harris, Tapio Ilomaki, Steve Moles, Nick Read, Ben Rogers and Ed Manwaring.
The team of judges faced a real challenge in whittling down the contenders, eventually deciding on eight awards for innovation, and one award for sustainability. Due to the extremely competitive nature of the field this year, the judges took the extra step of making two additional commendations. They also awarded the Gold Award, which is an optional award that is reserved for industry-changing product innovation.
This year's winners of the 2014 PLASA Awards for Innovation include . . .
Clay Paky Mythos
The judges said: "The Mythos hybrid automated light works as a hard-edge spot, a beam light, or a wash light with a range of effects. It has excellent colours, incredible brightness, terrific optics, and a small housing. It's also very energy efficient and it has a patented and innovative cooling system. In the Clay Paky tradition, it's a real winner. Paky would be proud."
Elation Sniper
The judges said: "The Sniper beam light, scanner, and laser simulator adds a unique effect to the lighting toolbox. It fills a gap in the market for a huge number of venues that won't spend top dollar, Euro, or Pound but need great effects lighting. It also side steps the issue of laser regulations by simulating laser effects without actually using a laser source. Its small size is an added bonus and its priced affordably."
Philips Vari-Lite VL4000 Spot
The judges said: "The VL4000 Spot is a great one-head solution to the age-old question of "Which automated lights should I keep in inventory?" It solves a lot of problems for hire companies by providing a range of features and functionality. The judges were impressed by its color animation wheel, the 'intuitive timing' feature, the quietness of the studio mode, the multi-point connections that allow it to be hung at various angles to the truss, and its overall performance."
Philips Strand Lighting Emergency DMX Bypass Switch
The judges said: "The judges feel that the Philips Strand Lighting Emergency DMX Bypass Switch addresses an important safety issue that have previously been overlooked. By providing fault-tolerant DMX for emergency lighting situation, it enhances the safety of venues and provides reassurance during emergency situations. It's a well-designed turnkey solution for using DMX in an emergency system."
GDS ArcLamp
The judges said: "In 2011, GDS won a Sustainability Award for their ARCSystem of LED auditorium lighting fixtures. By following it up with the ArcLamp LED candle lamp, the judges feel they deserve another award for innovation in general service lighting. The handsome lamps can be retrofitted into existing fittings, are very reasonable priced, and they have an exceptional dimming curve with nice colour rendering."
RC4 Wireless DMX4dim Series 3
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