Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

The total production consists of 120 rigging points of which 60 are flown from a main grid.

Confronted with a very tight touring schedule, resulting in short load in and load out times, head rigger Dave Rowe, decided that pre-rigging a part of the total production was the best solution. Together with Fabrice Danvou from Servi Scene, he designed the main grid to facilitate pre-rigging the show.

The main grid, named "the advanced rig", consist entirely of Prolyte S52SV and H30V trussing.Servi Scene has sub hired all the Prolyte materials from AED Belgium.

The production team, a combination of English and Australian technicians, are very impressed with both the easy coupling system and the strength of thes

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14 March 2016

Sourcing creative and innovative solutions for the theatres and production teams, Sunbaba's portfolio of materials are used for drapes, scenery and set designs across professional and amateur dramatics.

The new Block Out material allows its users to create two different images, one a printed image and the other a backlit silhouette. The material is first printed with the images that are to be rear blocked, then tested on a light box to ensure the image backlights perfectly, creating silhouette images when night falls.

Sunbaba's technical director, Trevor booth explains: "Block Out is a revolutionary solution that will be ideal to create theatre backdrops. We can use this technique and material to create 'night and day' effect wi

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14 March 2016

The steel and fabric structures were manufactured and installed by Base Structures with the intention of the three-dimensional wave shapes to link the car park with the original purpose of Cardiff Bay and its connection with the sea. Another visual link with the sea was the requirement for the night time appearance of the wave to be lit using a combination of blue and white lighting.

Particular consideration was taken by Light Bureau in the sp

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14 March 2016

The Forum has was added to AP's ever growing list of venues last September after an emergency call from the club's management, who needed to replace the incumbent security company.

"The Forum has undergone a recent facelift," explains Chris Hollands, one of AP's management team, who oversees a number of venues and events for the company. "We had been awarded the contract and were due to start once the re-fit was completed, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we were asked to step in much earlier than expected and at very short notice."

"In fact, we got a call one Saturday afternoon and we were in by the f

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14 March 2016

The sell out festival, which welcomed 60,000 visitors per day, boasted three stages, 39 bands and a variety of entertainment and refreshment facilities over the extensive site. For the first time this year, the event was not held on Whitsun weekend.

Mojo Barriers supplied 650m of barrier over the three stages, as well as 500m of bar barrier at the refreshment sites. On the main stage, Mojo Barriers deployed its Barrier Load Monitor System (BLMS) which adds extra safety to the system by continually monitoring the pressure which audiences are putting on the barriers, allowing teams to react quickly to crowd surges.

"Pink Pop is very well es

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14 March 2016

It took Stageco's 16-strong team just three days to build the 180 tonne stage, designed by the company's in-house R&D department to deliver an 'up close and personal experience' for every member of the audience.

The distinctive 26m x 26m Stageco 'Super roof' was the main stage, with a B-stage connected by a catwalk, enabling Dave Grohl to run the length of the stadium during the performance.The mixing tower was placed at the end of the catwalk, with a central delay tower, and two further delay / spot lighting towers flanking the B-stage.

Antonio Cruz, technical supervisor for Stageco explained, "The initial

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14 March 2016

Willcox has worked as a user of Stage Technologies' systems for numerous productions over recent years; first as a systems engineer at the Millennium Dome's Central Show in 2000, then as head of automation teams for Miss Saigon, Witches of Eastwick and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He has also worked as an automation operator for a number of Cirque du Soleil's touring shows and as the senior automation technician for the Royal Shakespeare Company's Courtyard Theatre.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Fully portable, when in its circular format, the Dome's aesthetics make the space suitable for numerous uses, including as a nightclub, wedding venue, for conferences, banqueting, product launches and corporate events. It's also suited for use as a roof top structure, says the company.<>P>The structure is supported by trusses anchored directly into the ground and comes with full structural certification in all configurations.

The new wider arch opens the Dome venue's width to 25.7m (allowing for additional banqueting tables when used in that context) and increases the maximum roof height to 12m. A broader curve at the apex of the arch increases the rigging and hanging capacities

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14 March 2016

Maltbury Staging, led by Philip Sparkes and Jason Tucker, won the contract to design, manufacture and install the seating tier structures to both the main house and second space. The contract also included provision of fixed and demountable staging throughout the venue and further areas were added while the crew was on site.

The steep balconies demanded a highly customised structure, whereas the stalls were best served by a deck-based approach. Understanding these varying demands, Maltbury responded with a bespoke framework up top and decking tiers below.

Precision manufacture was combined with a flexible response to changing circumstances: the architects' draw

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14 March 2016

A highly regarded designer and manufacturer of high quality point source speaker systems, with numerous patents to his name, Andrews' landmark developments include the hugely successful Flashlight and Floodlight systems, and more recently the distinctive Funktion One Resolution Series.

Andrews headlines a growing programme of educational presentations at the show, which include a number of exciting new initiatives and partnerships. There will be a strong focus on industry technologies, with several sessions addressing existing and emerging audio, AV and lighting technologies and how to maximise their application in t

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14 March 2016

Covering 10,000sq.m - they were built in a row and all featured 7m cantilevered ends for their entrances. One was used as an exhibition hall (showcasing Saudi Aramco's story in historic images, detailed timelines and displays of the company's key operations), the second as a presentation area and the third was the King's Palace.

Under the patronage of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Saudi Aramco kicked off its 75th Anniversary celebration with government officials, company executives, employees and invited guests gathering

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14 March 2016

Summit was initially contacted by tour co-ordinator Nick Levitt to provide the automation system and associated rigging - trusses and motors - needed to fly video screens and scenic pieces. The automation system and trussing was purchased by show producers 3A Entertainment due to the length of the tour.

Summit also supplied 40 rental motors for the tour - a mix of Lodestars and Prostars - plus all rigging and control. The trussing supplied consisted of 80m of ladder beam, 40m of Total Fabs Tracking Truss and 40m of JTE SuperTruss.

Summit's Chris Walker was project manager and rigging designer for the tour; this entailed fitting a large and complex show, with a flown weight of 16 t

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14 March 2016

Lesley Dempsey is AP's operational manager for the event, in charge of ensuring that both the client and her staff are looked after correctly. "It's the fourth year I've been overseeing things here," says Dembsey. "AP's main function for the evening is to make sure that everyone is safe."

This event sees the college Quad and surrounding buildings turned into the venue for a night of celebration featuring four large music arenas, a fairground with traditional sideshows, casino, chocolate fountains, chill-out zones and a Pimms Tent.

"UCL Summer Ball, in terms of the venue, is not an easy event run," says Mark Williams, UCLU events manager. "We have a very difficult site with plenty of potential hazards to avoid.

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14 March 2016

Innovation: PLASA goes for Gold
During consultation with the PLASA Awards for Innovation Judges after the 2007 PLASA Show, the judges expressed a desire to be able to more accurately reflect the levels of innovation seen in the products nominated for the Awards. Specifically, they were looking for a way to highlight those cases where a product truly delivered something strikingly new and innovative to the industry.

Roland Hemming, a highly-respected audio consultant and a regular on the PLASA Awards for Innovation j

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14 March 2016

Craig Eagleson has been promoted to the position of engineer from his project manager job at Clancy. Eagleson joined the staff a year ago. In his new position, he will work on research and development of new products in all areas of Clancy's expertise, with emphasis on automation and motorized rigging.

Jennifer VanWaldick joins Clancy as the company's accounting manager. Formerly an accountant for Bowers & Company, VanWaldick came to Clancy in December 2007. She now handles accounts payable, accounts receivable and billing for the company.

Bill Jones brings more than 35 years of theatre experience to his new position as estimator for J. R. Clancy. He works closely wit

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14 March 2016

Simon Battersby, Showsec operations director and Download's head of security, says: "We worked closely with the Live Nation production team throughout the planning phase, working to ensure the correct crowd management plans were in place."

One key challenge was the sloping ground towards the main stage: Showsec, Live Nation and barrier suppliers Mojo Barriers worked together to create a barrier configuration which would m

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14 March 2016

Ben has a proven track record within the industry starting his career almost 40 years ago at Jac Van Ham, the Audio & Video equipment specialist in Holland. After spending 10 years in the production then installation departments, Ben moved on to the Sales team to finally become Jac Van Ham's General Manager after 20 years in the company.

Having built a strong and respectful experience, Ben decided in 1996 to buy Jac Van Ham's Audio & Videos department and set up his own company called Wytec which become one of the industry's favourites as a distributor in Europe.

Managing director, Adrian Brooks, commented: "Ben and Litestructures have known each other for many years. He knows our product range, and our way of working, very w

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14 March 2016

The Somerset-based suppliers supplied a full range of their products to the event in an impressive order which totalled three stage roofs, 4 PA/Screen Goalposts, 7 PA Masts, 4 Spot Towers, 5 Front-Of-House complexes, around 4000 square metres of decking and the iconic Ribbon Tower in The Park area.

It was a Glastonbury debut for the 22m Supernova roof structure that was the Other Stage, with its smaller sibling, the 16m Supernova, making its first appearance as main stage in The Park.

An 18m Orbit Roof was supplied for the ever-popular Jazz World, plus all decking, PA/Screen goal posts and Lunar delay towers for the main Pyramid stage helped complete the order.

A progression from the Solar Roo

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14 March 2016

Slingco services a broad range of markets with its wire rope and engineering solutions and a diverse range of companies were represented on the day - from theatre equipment suppliers to garage equipment suppliers, and from lift installers to aerospace designers, to name a few.

The move from the previous home four miles away has given the company a 50% increase in building size and additional land for expansion. With the building needing extensive remedial work prior to moving in, the Slingco team was able to shape the facility just as they wanted it.

On the day, sales director, Matt Dykins, introduced visitors to the full scope of the company's work

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14 March 2016

Chilvers has been a 5 Star case user for 10 years, ever since his early days as an apprentice with lighting rental company, Hawthorn Theatrical. He has also worked as a technical manager at venues, including the Kings Lynn Corn Exchange and Arts Centre and the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Last year's inaugural Award was won by Tony Andrews of Funktion One for his decades of dedication to the advancement of loudspeaker design.

The Nomination phase of the 2008 Gottelier Award is now open, and industry professionals worldwide are being asked to put forward the names of individuals who they believe should be considered for this year's award.

Following the nomination period, a shortlist of the leading nominees will then be ope

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14 March 2016

"In response to modern production specifications, we decided we wanted to bring a new roof to the market," says Hedwig de Meyer, Stageco's president. "Bon Jovi needed three roofs and approached us for a standard roof type. We told them we wanted to invest in a new roof type and offered them the new, original product."

The Bon Jovi team has always used innovative production elements, where possible, to create an exciting live show, and the three new roofs

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14 March 2016

It provides 'up and over' access for the Genie AWP Super Series to be used in spaces that are otherwise inaccessible and hard to reach. Now available in all markets worldwide, the new Genie Super-Straddle was redesigned to meet the latest ANSI A92.3 standards and is CE compliant, the company says.

"The Super-Straddle is a versatile, efficient accessory for facilities such as schools and churches," says Kim Williams, senior market analyst at Genie Industries. "It allows easy overhead access for maintenance like changing light bulbs, replacing ceiling panels and even for touching up paint."

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14 March 2016

J. R. Clancy now offers the PowerLift Variable Speed 0-20 fpm motorised winch with a load capacity of 2,000 pounds. The new winch fills the need expressed by users and consultants for a motorized winch with no "bounce" at the start or end of a move, says the company.

In addition, Clancy has added the PowerLift Fixed Speed, 20 fpm motorized winch with a load capacity of 1,200 pounds.

"Some projects require short battens with only a few lift lines," said Tom Young, J.R. Clancy's vice-president of marketing. "PowerLifts use 3/16-inch lift lines, with a recommended working load of 525 pounds. This new PowerLift solves the potential problems with a three-line hoist using a winch that's rated for