Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

Currently, even the most sophisticated automation systems struggle to match the superior dexterity and subtlety offered by a manual flying system. However, as the use of manual flying systems is not practical, theatrical flying tends to be managed by large arrays of automated systems, costing Producers and Directors dearly in terms not only of programming and rehearsal time, but also in terms of artistry. Qtrack provides the answer, say Stage One.

Providing complete freedom of move

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14 March 2016

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Alan Thomson, a leading figure in the industry and formerly a director of PRG Europe, has joined Unusual to manage this new venture.

Alan brings over 30 years of experience in the provision of technical solutions within the entertainment industry and will be a valuable asset to Unusual.

Alan Jacobi, managing director of Unusual confirmed: "This is a major investment for the company. There is no doubt that the market in the Middle East continues to grow with an increasing demand for proven expertise in temporary and permanent rigging installation projects.

"Unusual Dubai will replicate

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14 March 2016

This year's distributor award was received by Xaxier Drouet of Axente, while the award for special contribution went to Jan Siemons of Relight.

According to Fokko Smeding, Axente won the Award due to "their long-term and non-relenting promotion of the Prolyte products in France". Axente has been Prolyte distributor for almost 15 years and has grown steadily over those years.

Jan Siemons of Relight received the award for special contribution for his dedication to the Prolyft products and critical and in-depth product testing and reviews.

Displaying three new products at the show, the rotating stage, the mammoth truss and the Stage DEX support frame for multi-level stages, Prolyte reports much interest from visitors.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The Serious team of 18 was led by Steve McConnell and it took approximately five days to erect the various structures.

The main Open Air Stage comprised a three-bay version of one of Serious's new Supernova roofs - also featured at Glastonbury, Latitude and other festivals this summer. This version of the Supernova offered 22m x 14.4m of stage space. It was customised with an 18m Orbit D-End built on to the back and utilised as a 9m changeover area.

The back area of the stage was joined to the main roof by an interconnecting sheet, and the entire structure was covered in white skins, matching the vibe

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14 March 2016

A special German version was released in 2007, focusing on the special regulations and rules for the German market. Based on this version, the newly released English translation is again fullyupdated with new developments, such as the European CWA 25 workshop agreement.

"We are aware that numerous technicians carry our brochure around, just to have all the detailed and practical information on truss and rigging topics at hand, which is one of the reasons why we have published the Black Book in a handy A5 format. Developments on international regulations are progressing strongly and Prolyte is always keen to inform its customers of the late

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14 March 2016

Shatzkin brings more than 25 years' experience in marketing, sales and public relations to Clancy, as well as expertise in all facets of technical theatre. A working lighting designer, Shatzkin served as team leader on the renovation of the J.H. Mulroy Civic Center in Syracuse, NY, which involved the total replacement of sound, lighting, stage lift and rigging systems.

"We're very pleased that Charlie is joining us," said Tom Young, vice president of marketing and sales for J. R. Clancy. "With his long experience in theatre and international sales work, he is a perfect fit for us. Charlie will be a terrific asset as we build on our already strong presence outside of the United Sta

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14 March 2016

During the programme, the CWA 25 regulation was presented by one of the workgroup members, Gert Jan Brouwer of Frontline Rigging. For more than two years, an international group of entertainment industry experts have worked on the European code of practice for stage machinery and load bearing structures, which is officially titled Lifting and load-bearing equipment for stages and other production areas within the entertainment industry.

The CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) will be the first stage in the process to build a Europe-wide consensus community. The initial objective of the workshop will be to make an inventory of standards and standard-like documents, as well as l

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14 March 2016

The University of Derby approached A.C. Rigging for a solution to improve students' hands-on experience in this specialised field of entertainment technology.

Specified by A.C. Rigging sales executive, Paul Hadfield, the university opted for a powered rigging system to add to its existing manual version. Hadfield states, "It was felt that the electrical system would better equip students with the experience and knowledge current in today's market, which they would ultimately be entering into. The University of Derby is renowned for providing highly qualified and highly sought after graduates to our industry and A.C. is proud to be associated with a

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14 March 2016

Southern operations manager Chris Hollands says: "AP's remit on this occasion was to look after the public and we had a total of 80 staff on site to do that. We were also working with another company - the stars often bring their own staff with them - so we had to liaise with them. We're happy to work with anyone as long as they'll work with us and these guys were brilliant. They gave us all the information we needed and we passed our info to them, so everything went very smoothly."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Summit's Jay Call has co-ordinated the project from its Kent HQ, liaising closely with the touring crew including head rigger Gabe Wood and production manager Craig Finlay.

The supply includes a 26 way Kinesys variable speed automation system with K2 control and a 10-way Kinesys fixed speed automation system with Vector control; 46 1 tonne CM Lodestar hoists and eight half tonnes for lighting and scenic rigging, along with a further two 2 tonne and twenty 1 tonne hoists for the PA hangs and 76 cm and 52 cm JTE trussing.

Twenty-two of the 26 Kinesys vari-speed motors (being run in conjunction with Kinesys Elevation 1+ control units) are being used to automate a series of 'wave' trusses - four individ

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14 March 2016

Shannon Sullivan joins J. R. Clancy as a technical designer, with responsibility for both manual and motorised rigging projects. Sullivan comes to Clancy from Syracuse Stage, where she served as a scenic carpentry apprentice.

Micah Ascano comes to Clancy as a mechanical designer, working on standard production lines with the goal of making products and parts more efficient and easier to use.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

For the opening night at Cardiff, the company deployed 146 staff to cover the artist's security needs, while a team of 182 was deployed at the New Wembley Stadium.

"Our experience of venues of this size meant that Showsec fulfilled all the criteria required by the Madonna production team," says Mark Logan, Showsec's operations director. "We have extensive understanding of the level of planning and commitment required for tours of this size. Madonna is the biggest grossing artist on tour this year and we were delighted to be chosen as security partner for the UK dates."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

His 22-mile France-to-England journey took 13 minutes, and ended when he opened his parachute system and floated down to a ploughed field not far from the White Cliffs of Dover.

PSL's production team had turned that field, which belongs to the National Trust, into a veritable media village for Rossy's sponsors, the National Geographic Channel. Handling all the site issues, including the management of the landing site, PSL's Neil Smith and Stuart McLaren had to contend with the extremes of British weather - just like the Jetman. "On our first day of build, we got absolutely soaked; later in the week, conditions were still not right and Yves ha

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14 March 2016

Impact's business manager Keith Williams was joined by Lee Brooks, Litestructures' sales director, in presenting the staff with the mechanics of the new deal, which sees Impact distributing Litestructures' product from stock held in its warehouse.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for both parties" commented Brooks. "Impact is a young and energetic company which has already established itself as a leading trade supplier of professional sound and lighting equipment. The addition of our product to its range effectively offe

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14 March 2016

An estimated 50,000 cyclists were given free rein of the city for a day as a central 12km route between the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace was closed to traffic. Some participants donned unusual costumes whilst others rode vintage penny farthing bicycles alongside the many families with children who were enjoying cycling without the pressure of heavy London traffic. Rest stops were placed around London offering refreshments and entertainment including live music, cycling limbo challenges and jugglers.

Sunbaba supplied 4000m of non woven Polyester which lined the main cycle route and 500m full colour Ultramesh covered

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14 March 2016

The new base is in the Chippenham area just minutes from the M4. The move was planned last year, when it became apparent that Power Logistics was rapidly outgrowing its previous operational base, as it experienced growth in the live music, public events and sporting sectors.

The new premises have two warehouses for storage and handling, allowing the company more efficient turnaround of equipment and quicker access to the motorway network.

"The move to new purpose-built offices and storage facilities puts us in an ideal position to offer the best value service to the winter market," says Mike Whitehouse, Power Logistics' business development manager. "The premises give us a numbe

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14 March 2016

Manufactured by Milos Structural Systems, the MR1 and MR2 roofs and a complete xStage S3 platform system will be featured at the event which is hosted by Acuity AV at their facility in Manassas, VA.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The AIR Roof tackles a long-term industry challenge of how to provide an attractive 'sun shade' medium capacity outdoor roof system on a budget. This is achieved through the use of a non-rigid inflatable apex system, which is attached to the truss and provides the roof with the slope necessary to provide adequate rain run-off and protection to the stage below.

The Rock Our World Winners will be announced at the 2008 ESTA Annual Dinner, which will take place at Harrah's in Las Vegas on 23 October 2008.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

"Often our industry is creating "a vacation look" for everyone else, so we are very excited to offer this great opportunity to get away on your own vacation," said Rick Rudolph, chair of the Behind the Scenes committee.

Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100 and will be available throughout the LDI show at the Behind the Scenes booth #2810. A maximum of 2000 tickets will be available. Tickets will also be available at the ESTA Annual Dinner on Thursday evening and the Rose Brand party on Friday evening. LDI 2008 takes place from

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14 March 2016

Mark Harding, managing director of Showsec said: "We are delighted to have won this award which is a true testament to the high quality, professionalism and consistency of our operational performance. Having also been re-accredited with our Investors in People, our clients are assured of the highest standards in all strands of our product."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

"No matter what kind of rigging system a performance space may have - counterweights, automation, a combination of the two or a customized system - we can't emphasize enough that you're hanging heavy set pieces over people's heads," said Tom Young, J. R. Clancy's vice president of marketing. "We're taking a light touch with our safety message, but we're very serious about the need to do annual maintenance, train rigging operators to spot problems, and keep everyone in the theatre safe from rigging accidents."

LDI attendees can see J. R. Clancy's PowerLift Automated Hoist with its outer c

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14 March 2016

The release of the new brochure is linked to the new re-designed Milos website at www.milosgroup.com going live.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The 500kg and 800kg chain hoists are equipped with absolute value encoders and the new ChainMaster load measurement system that has made it possible to reduce the overall height of the chain hoists by around 20 cm. The control and programming of the chain hoists is performed at a mobile computerised controller for installation work.

The recently opened Dubai Mall is part of the 20 billion dollar investment in downtown Burj Dubai that includes the world's highest building, the Burj Dubai. The Mall will accommodate over 1,200 businesses, 160 F&B outlets, attractions such as the Dubai Aquarium and the Discovery Centre, the largest jewellery market in the world, a Fashion Avenue and a 22-screen Cineplex.<