Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

The varied programme included: film screenings, a comedy night, an evening of dance, and classical music recitals. Hawthorns were commissioned to provide entrance, stage and garden lighting.

"This years event was an interesting project," said Matt Oscroft the Hawthorn project manager, "with it being our second year working for this event, we realised we had to keep our designs and specifications fresh. This was achieved by using new configurations of Prolyte truss, which allowed us to use the maximum height of the Orbit structure. In addition, as the Clay Paky Alpha Spots we

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14 March 2016

J&C Joel's project manager Tony Griffiths co-designed the Unibar with Slingco's Nick Dykins, and Maurice Power Theatre Consultants specified it for the Mill Theatre. J&C Joel worked closely with its premier Irish distributor, Stage Lighting Centre, on the installation and commissioning of the system.

The nine 4-line Unibars - eight over the stage and one advanced bar in the auditorium - are each designed to raise and lower up to 400kg on 10m long suspension bars, The Unibar system allows the quick and easy raising/lowering of suspension or bars for scenery, lighting and AV equipment with a motor-driven unit.

Unibar was seen as the ideal s

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14 March 2016

Common Sense provides a wealth of input and output functions including opto-isolated contacts, keypad readers, analogue sensors, real time clock, DMX512, MIDI, MIDI Timecode, RS232 and RS485. A Windows software package, Sense-Edit, is used to configure the relationship between all of the inputs and outputs. This can include up to 350 discrete events such as 'When DMX channel 3 passes 50% send this serial data string'.

Common-Sense has recently been extended to provide even more functionality. The optical inputs can now be combined using Boolean equations to provide even greater triggerin

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14 March 2016

With the Revolution, the company says, the need to predict future power requirements will no longer be necessary, as the rack-mounted modules are easily interchangeable by simply unplugging the Veam snap-locks (mini power locks). "Basically," says Garry Lodge MD of GSL Power Distribution, "you decide what outputs you require on the 3U module and we translate your ideas into practical reality. Probably the two most important aspects of this new development are that it is truly cost-effective (you only have to inv

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14 March 2016

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

Organisers created a new look exhibition when the UK's most prestigious motor show returned to London for the first time in 30 years. One of the new features of the exhibition was the Motor Theatre, which ran four presentations a day of a modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet throughout the event featuring performers, stunt cars and JCB plant.

In the evenings following the show, Tim Etchells, Rob Mackenzie (for IMIE) and Harvey Goldsmith used the temporary theatre as the venue for a series of nine concerts, Dock Rock, featuring UB40, Brian Ferry, Van Morrison and The SugaBabes.

Robbie Wilson of RnR Logistics was the event manager (responsible for the site, health & safety and production), who brought in Arena Seating to help create the dual-purpose temporary theatre

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14 March 2016

It's been project managed and engineered for Kinesys by Andy Cave who's been working closely with Andy Edwards from Brilliant, designer of the hardware, in conjunction with the show's set designer Mark Fisher.

This also follows on from work Kinesys completed earlier in the tour involving the design and build of a motion control system to move the B Stage into the middle of the auditorium.

The compressed air cannons are rigged to a header truss running the width of the stage, each containing a very long piece of folded silk, which is ejected - parachute style - at the designated moment, forced out by compressed air.

Kinesys was asked to design a syste

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14 March 2016

The annual three night extravaganza organised by Michael Eavis partly as a thank you to the people of Glastonbury for their acceptance of the main festival and also to raise funds for Glastonbury Abbey, this year hosted Jools Holland, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rat Pack, performing to thousands in the beautiful surroundings of the Abbey.

Having been involved with Glastonbury Festival for eight years and Glastonbury Abbey for 11 years, Dick Tee of That's EnTEEtainment was the production manager for the show, overseeing the complete production from build up to break down.

Arriving on site five days prior to the event, Tee and his tea

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14 March 2016

At PLASA 06 Pharos will be introducing additional products to the LPC range, including the Remote Input Output (RIO) Module, and demonstrating the latest designer software, with a host of new features including Mac OS-X support.

Pharos will also preview a brand new controller which will extend the Pharos range in a new direc

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14 March 2016

The system produced quotes may be saved and sent to the Hire team experts at Hawthorn's for confirmation of specification, formalisation of pricing and confirmation of equipment availability. "We are already receiving excellent feedba

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14 March 2016

The SQ-CP1 Mobile Crank-Up System is a cost-saving, all-in-one package that includes two square pieces of truss, the necessary support bars and two crank stands - everything you need to erect a fully loaded, stable rig without having to climb a ladder.

"You can stand there and hang your lights at eye level, then crank 'er up," said Ken Kahn, general manager of Global Truss America. "That's why crank stands make it so much easier to rig your lighting, especially if you're a solo act. Plus, the SQ-CP1 Mobile Crank-Up System's strong lightweight aluminium trussing is simple to assemble - no tools are required, and all the connector pins you n

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14 March 2016

The popular end plate system has a new design, produced from a new aluminium alloy that is heat treated to ensure even greater strength and provide a bright polished appearance. The diagonal chords have been re-configured and their diameter changed to improve the aesthetic appearance and increase the overall strength of the truss. The new S series trusses still employ the same dual connection systems of bolt kits or fast connection kits as the existing range, to ensure full compatibility between the lines.

The new design features will be carried over into the rest of the Standard and

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14 March 2016

"Repeat business is vital in our industry and the fact that we've been working with many of the same clients for a number of years is testament to the quality of our work," said Simon. He added, "Our clients know that we can consistently produce a top quality service on time and on budget."

Stage One's work in the main auditorium included: bui

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14 March 2016

"Having worked for many years in an installation capacity at Blackout, I am delighted to be a part of the project management team working alongside Chris Brain and Kevin Monks," explains Tim Searle.

Steve Tuck, managing director says: "Tim has proved his strong knowledge and experience of the industry and of our core products and services. His excellent technical and people skills ensures that he is well respected by customers and colleagues alike. Tim also

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14 March 2016

One of the most versatile, strong and lightweight stage system on the market today, the IntelliStage consists of modular lightweight platforms and risers that can be combined to create customised stages in various heights( 20cm, 30, cm, 40cm, or 60cm), shapes( Y-shape, rectangle and round ) and configurations.

Road Ready's IntelliStage also features a unique internal locking system that allows for easy set-up and tear-down and ensures that all components are bolted tight and are safe to use. Each IntelliStage platform set can bear up to 900 kg / sqm and comes standard with a rugged carpeted finish. Optional upgrade Duraflex platform finish is available as well with range of accessories such as storage flight cases, riser couplers, steps, riser clamps

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14 March 2016

On show will be products from Vity Technology - a French manufacturer of corporate and home automation products based on LCD 'Media Bus' touch panels and controllers. Announcing the new distribution arrangement, Fuzion sales director Paul Ward described the IP-addressable range, which includes LCD professional panels, matrix switchers and scalers for the corporate boardroom and multimedia market, as a perfect addition to the company's product portfolio.

Fuzion will

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14 March 2016

GDS provides forward-thinking new technical product design and business consultancy services to the entertainment, leisure and associated industries. The company also specialises in bespoke design and installation of high-end integrated control systems, ranging from residential to marine, offering both third party development and working for end clients.

Having impressed the judges and been crowned winners of the competition, GDS were given the opportunity to discuss their business plan over a private lunch to SWAIN dire

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14 March 2016

ANSI E1.20 (RDM) is an extension to DMX512 that allows for bi-directional communication on the primary pair of a DMX512 link. This allows for a controller or piece of test equipment to intelligently discover other RDM-enabled devices on the link such as moving l

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14 March 2016

Slingco's legendary CableNet tension wire grid system continues to be a popular method for creating a safe and flexible environment from which technical staff - including wheelchair users - can work at height in all types of venues or spaces. Slingco was the first British-based company to design, manufacture and install a tensioned wire grid and is the European market leader in this specialist technology.

Recent high profile theatre installations include a completely circular grid in the newly re-opened Roundhouse - which contains a rare circular CableNet, only the third in the UK. The CableNet system i

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14 March 2016

The launch was held simultaneously in eight different cities across France including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Nancy, Nantes, Bordeaux, Avignon and Le Mans.

Working closely with events production company Communication 105, in each of the venues, Blackout created an elliptical box-shaped auditorium that had a sophisticated set-up of Blackout tracking systems.

A total of over 1,400 metres of drape was used across all venues. During each presentation, specific drapes surrounding the auditorium were opened so that guests could walk out into numerous exhibit areas. Here, Blackout's lightweight Easi-Build Pipe and Drape system was provided on 9m x 3.5m backdrops and formed a stylish way to showcase large photographs of the new car and

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14 March 2016

Also new from ChainMaster is a manual controller for up to 48 chain hoists. With the remote control, which is equipped with a 5.7" touch-screen, it is possible to program runs as well as display individual positions and loads. It will also be possible to effect a group shutdown in the event of the synchronicity tolerance being exceeded, the target position being o

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14 March 2016

Litestructures says: "With Digitruss from Lite Structures it is now possible to cost effectively create, seamless, colourful mood paintings or micro climates. You can now stimulate your audience with an endless variety of canvasses in a fraction of the time and with reduced labour costs. Any number of light, sound and visual sources can be incorporated in the one, cable-free, lightweight, low maintenance, environmentally friendly, infinitely flexible trus

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14 March 2016

Protonic Software representatives will conduct live demonstrations of the new Easyjob BIC at the 2006 PLASA Show (10-13 September, Earl's Court, London). Protonic software GmbH/Corporation is the leading manufacturer of software solutions

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14 March 2016

Star Events Group Ltd has recently been appointed as the technical management company for the Stadium. Part of its remit is to enable the production to fully utilise the capacity of the retractable roof. After consultations with the engineering company, the stated capacity of the roof was increased considerably: over 50 tonnes can now be flown above the arena stage positions and, for the first time, shows using the whole stadium can fly delays from the retractable roof as well. This enabled Star Events Group and Madonna's production team to replace the proposed ground support solutions for the delay PA, spotlight platform and mother-grid needed to support the protruding mirror ball truss with