PLASA Focus: Leeds 2012 looks forward to welcoming a record number of visitors to the fourth annual PLASA Focus event at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 April - as PLASA Events confirm that visitor registration to date is already up 100% on 2011. Building on the success of the two-day educational programme from previous years, PLASA Events is delighted to announce the launch of the new PLASA Focus Professional Development Programme: a series of free seminars and demonstrations delivered by some of the industry's leading experts.
Events manager Sophie Atkinson confirmed, "As promised, we are bringing a broad choice of sessions to Leeds, including a look at some exciting regional projects and some special sessions presented by some of the industry's most talented people. As always, all sessions are free to attend."
The programme kicks-off in the sumptuous surroundings of the Bury Theatre, where visitors can hear from The Institute of Acoustics as they present When Entertainment Meets Life Safety - an investigation into the integrated relationship between broadcast sound and the life safety audio systems that are a prerequisite in arenas and stadia.
Peter Hall from Sansome Hall Architects, Jon Woodley of Charcoalblue Theatre Consultants, Theatresearch's David Wilmore and Mark Priestley from Unusual Rigging make up the team of experts behind the recent restoration of Newcastle's Theatre Royal. They explain how the astonishing transformation of this 1901 Frank Matcham gem was achieved in time to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the theatre on the site. The session will be an investigation into how historically authentic refurbishment and twenty-first century technologies do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Mapping the Pyramid stage - Glastonbury Festival is presented by David Mulcahy, technical director at XL Events. He looks at the process and techniques involved in the stunning mapping and projection for Coldplay's Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall at Glastonbury Festival. The seminar covers the whole process, from initial concept, through visualisation and planning to the final delivery of the project. Factors such as projector 'brightness', positions, the use of projector warp cards and server texture maps are all included, along with other challenges such as the infamous Glastonbury mud.
Tuesday in the Bury Theatre is rounded off by Chris Higgs and Harry Box from Total Solutions Group who invite you to Secondary School. They ask the question: When Is It Necessary To Use Secondary Suspensions? Challenging the belief that using secondary suspensions is a legal requirement, or that fire regulations require them, or even that the load has to be taken off the hoists, this seminar investigates the reasons why these myths exist - as well as what is actually required and why.
Opening the programme on Wednesday is Lighting Visualisation and Smart Design in 3D Theatre. James Simpson, who runs the visualisation suite at the Royal Opera House, discusses the concept of visualisation and the role it plays in their productions, including the Royal Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet at the O2 Arena. This session is aimed at lighting designers, programmers and anyone interested in the future of visualisation and how it could work for their production or business - whether complete novice or regular user.
Moving from the visual to the audio, Listen Up! Diagnosing Sound System Problems With Our Ears is presented by The Institute of Sound and Communication Engineers (ISCE). If you are interested in knowing how to optimise and efficiently fault-find an audio system - be it in a theatre, church or a railway station - then this seminar is a must see - and hear! Prese
