Qatar - Pearce Hire provided all the temporary power to the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, 26 - 30 October 2010.

The Tribeca Film Festival celebrates a year of films, education and community. International film stars including Robert De Niro, Kevin Spacey and Salma Hayek, who all graced the red carpet for the event.

The complex event site was split into several key production areas, each of which needed to be treated as a separate entity with its own needs and considerations. The central point to it all was red carpet area and other areas such as the Festival Esplanade, Family Area, the Lacombe Gallery and a huge outdoor theatre where 2,500 people could be seated in an 82m wide dome, constructed by Al Laith. The buildings and streets of Katara cultural village and amphitheatre were illuminated with architectural lighting designed by Adam Basset and supplied by PRG.

Pearce Hire

USA - Tomcat reports that registration is now open for the 2011 Hoist & Rigging workshops on 16-19 February in Midland, Texas. A team of instructors has been assembled to deliver the Hoist & Truss workshop and the Rigging & Truss workshop. This ETCP recognized training programme will provide a hands-on-learning experience for participants interested in receiving both basic and advanced training in their area of specialisation - hoist or rigging.

"With the Hoist & Rigging workshops, Tomcat has established a reputation as a worldwide leader in safety training. The curriculum is regularly enriched in response to the changing needs of the industry as well as the feedback provided by participants," stated Tomcat's instructor Will Todd.

The hoist segment of the Hoist and Truss workshop features complete teardown and rebuild of a one ton Lodestar and a quarter-ton Prostar.

UK - As part of a scheme to upgrade and expand its existing campus facilities, which began in 2000, the University of York has recently opened the new Theatre, Film & Television Building for students planning to enter the world of modern media.

According to the University's website, the Department of Theatre, Film and Television "offers a unique multi-disciplinary environment in which stage and screen are explored from artistic, scientific, theoretical and historical perspectives".

The Department's new building, which was completed in October 2010, provides electronic, media and performance facilities, including a scenic stage theatre, black box theatre, screening room, research and training areas, TV studios with audio and editing suites and ancillary teaching accommodation.

Bam Construction approached Delstar Engineering to manufacture and install a 10-axis hoist

UK - PASMA and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are warning users of low level access products such as podium steps and folding room scaffolds to make sure that the equipment they have bought, or hired, meets at least the minimum standards of fall protection.

The warning follows increased concern about cheap, inferior products now flooding the UK market, especially in the construction sector, which offer limited protection to users by not having an adequate guardrail system fitted as standard.

Since 2004, industry estimates suggest that some 50,000 of these work at height tools have been sold in the UK and Ireland and are most widely used in the construction industry by a multitude of finishing trades.

Comments PASMA's managing director, Peter Bennett, "In theory, these products provide a compact, lightweight and protected work platform that represents a safe metho

USA - ESTA has started work on a new project to write an American National Standard: BSR E1.42 - 201x, Entertainment Technology - Installed Stage Lift Safety Standard.

Stage lifts, such as orchestra pit or theatre forestage lifts, are not the subject of any current national standard. As a result, safety requirements and inspections of them are inconsistent. This project is to develop a standard for stage lifts that can be referenced by the International Code Council and the National Fire Protection Association.

The scope is limited to safety and to lifts that are installed as a part of the building and that are not for a single theatrical production. Any person involved in the design, manufacture, use, or inspection of stage lifts and who is willing to actively work on the project is invited to join the new working group.

A working group application form is available on the

UK - Showsec's London Office successfully implemented a complex event security operation at Earls Court for the British Military Tournament.

VIP Royal guests and senior military officials were among 56,000 visitors attending the return of Britain's oldest military tattoo, on 4 and 5 December. Over 500 troops and 145 horses appeared in two performances per day, featuring the ever-popular field gun run, massed bands and battle re-enactments.

IMG's operations director Nick Mattingley who managed the event production, states, "Showsec were seamless from beginning to end. Their venue knowledge and experience was second to none, particularly for directing crowds and performers around Earls Court, we were reliant on them to deliver - and they did very well.

"There is a momentum for us to capitalise on this years' success and come back next year, so we will open discussion

Czech Republic - The 12th Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space, the largest scenography / performance design event in the world, held once every four years, returns to Prague, Czech Republic, in June 2011. Coming to Prague will allow visitors to discover a unique outdoor performing exhibition, Intersection: Intimacy & Spectacle, presenting 30 internationally acclaimed artists within an architectural environment/installation specially designed for this occasion.

Additionally, a large number of projects will be on display in outdoor public spaces throughout the city - a unique occasion to discover Prague through the eyes of the world's contemporary artists. Visitors will also be able to explore various disciplines essential to the performing arts thanks to special projects focused on lighting and sound design, architect

Belgium - ShowTex has announced a range of ecological velvet theatre curtains as part of its environmental policy plan.

The Shakespeare and Molière flame retardant cotton velours developed by ShowTex are the first in the industry to be awarded OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification.

For almost 20 years, the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 has been acknowledged as a comprehensive and verifiable method for ensuring that textile products and the supply chains that create them do not use hazardous chemicals such as pesticides, carcinogenic dye stuffs, heavy metals, or other concerning substances that can hurt people and damage the environment.

The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a certification tool for 'greening' the total textile supply chain. The certification can be applied to every phase of production, from fibre to fabric to finished products, confirming that all elements are free from harmf

UK - Merseyside-based lifting, control and rigging sales specialist Lift-Turn-Move (LTM) has supplied 40 x 1 tonne LoadGuard hoists to Over The Top Rigging (OTT).

These were specified by Mark Wade, who is production rigger for the current JLS UK arena tour with his company OTT supplying all the tour's rigging equipment and services to the show's technical producers, Production North.

Thirty-five of the double-braked, motors to BS7906: Part 1- Category A are used to suspend a U shaped catwalk approximately 120 ft long that flies in low above the audience so the UK's favourite boyband can perform a whole section of the show right above the heads of their hugely enthusiastic fans.

Wade uses two IBEX controllers for the up and down movement of the catwalk and the car, he is delighted with the performance of the LoadGuards "They are going to be very busy, and I already have

UK - On Wednesday 8 December, JCB unveiled its London Christmas fundraising campaign in support of Help for Heroes, with a reception in the London Television Studios overlooking the River Thames. The view was important, because the focus of everyone's attention was a barge carrying two 14m Christmas trees, two JCB backhoe loaders and a large banner displaying details of how donations could be made.

All the preparatory work on the barge was carried out down river at Tilbury Docks, and the challenge presented to Unusual Rigging was how to rig the Christmas trees - which weighed 1.5 tons each - so they could be lowered to enable the barge to pass under the five bridges between Tilbury and the South Bank.

Unusual's project manager Jason White, senior project manager Simon Tiernan and managing director Alan Jacobi put their heads together with their design department to develop a c

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) has bestowed its top accolade on Chris Higgs, a PLASA National Rigging Certificate Assessor and manager of the Birmingham NRC assessment centre.

The ABTT Fellowship, given only to individuals who have rendered significant service in the technical aspects of theatre, was announced at the Association's annual Christmas Party, hosted by ETC at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane last Friday.

On behalf of the Association, Thomas Mannings, English National Opera's Head of Technical and an ABTT Council member, commended Higgs, who it was felt particularly warranted the honour this year, due to his masterminding of the PLASA International Rigging Conference (September) - an event which created the first opportunity ever for riggers from throughout the world to gather and discuss c

Qatar - Stageco supplied an impressive temporary building, called The Drum, for the production of one of the largest events in Qatar's Oil and Gas Industry, organised by WRG Qatar LLC in Ras Laffan Industrial City.

Qatar Petroleum, Qatargas and RasGas held this prestigious event on 13 December, in honour of the three companies' achievements, when they joined forces to break Middle East records for producing 77 Million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). To organise this celebration His Excellency Al-Attiyah established a multiple-discipline 77 Mta Task Force, compromising of representatives from Qatar Petroleum, Qatargas, RasGas, Ras Laffan Industrial City and a higher committee that oversaw all event planning.

WRG was appointed by the 77 Mta Task Force to be responsible for the entire event management; from the initial creative concept to production, including branding, ca

Israel - London-based automation specialists Kinesys has sold the first variable speed motion control system into Israel, to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv based Stage Design, one of the country's leading rental and staging companies.

The sale consists of a 24 way Kinesys Elevation 1+ variable speed motor control system, with 16 Liftket 500kg 20m/min hoists and eight 2 tonne Yale motorised Beam Trolleys (plus eight 'slave' beam trolleys) - all converted for use with Kinesys Elevation 1+ variable speed controllers. For control, the Stage Design team chose the latest Kinesys K2 3D graphical automation and motion control software.

Stage Design is part of The Design Group, whose Eyal Lavee comments, "The Israeli market is always keen on new effects".

As soon as it arrived in Israel, the system went straight out on the Festigal 2010 Show, an annual children's extravaganz

USA - As part of an experiment for the Moonrise mission, NASA set out to simulate the moon's landscape. Four decades after the Apollo astronauts first brought samples from the Moon's surface back to Earth for study, NASA has selected Moonrise for a Phase A study under the New Frontiers Programme for solar system exploration.

The Moonrise mission would focus on the giant South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on the far side, which lies between the Moon's South Pole and Aitken Crater, just 16° south of the Moon's equator. The SPA Basin is the oldest, deepest, observable impact basin on the Moon and ranks among the largest recognised impact structures in the solar system at nearly 2500km in diameter and 12km deep.

Since there is no atmosphere on the moon, there is also no light reflection. To create the same conditions indoors, they needed wall coverings that absorbed the maxi

UK - It has been announced that, following a restructuring of the Stage Technologies' group of companies, Mark Ager has been appointed as CEO of the new holding company Stage Technologies Group Ltd. The company's subsidiaries include Stage Technologies Inc. in the USA and Stage Technologies Ltd and Delstar Engineering Ltd in the UK.

As part of this rationalisation Nikki Scott has been appointed managing director of Stage Technologies Ltd.

The Stage Technologies group continues to provide automation and engineering solutions for entertainment venues, live productions, TV and film around the world.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Event LED Signs took their sign system to Earls Court earlier this month to work backstage at the British Military Tournament (formerly known as the Royal Tournament). The networked signs provided a cue light system to marshal the troops backstage and indicate when they should move into the arena.

The LED signs were placed at strategic points backstage, using text and colours to call specific performers to get into formation; to proceed to a waiting position; then to enter the arena. The signs were updated from a single control point under the direction of the deputy stage manager.

Karen Mayne, Event LED Signs director said: "Participating in the Tournament was a fantastic experience, as it such an iconic show. I was providing the cues for the bands and troops to enter the arena. There were two entrances to the arena and with more than 500 people and 150 horses invol

UK - Belfast-based Production Services Ireland (PSI), supplied lighting, video (including screens and media servers), trussing and rigging to BBC Northern Ireland for the 2010 Belfast Children In Need concert staged at the city's Odyssey Arena.

PSI has been involved with this annual fundraising event for at least seven years, but this was the first year that they have supplied such a comprehensive package of technical equipment and crew for the show, which was presented by John Daly and BBC Radio 1's Reggie Yates. The capacity audience enjoyed live performances by Westlife, The Script and Jedward among others, and it was broadcast live across the region, with link ups to the simultaneously running London event at the BBC.

PSI's Brian Reilly project managed, commenting: "We were delighted to be so involved with Children in Need this year as it's a fantastic cause, and it w

UK - Unusual Rigging may be the appointed points rigger for Earls Court - which means they're the only company with the licence to attach things direct to the ceiling - but that doesn't mean they automatically get to rig everything else. But when it came to choosing a supplier for the T4 show Stars of 2010, event producer Done & Dusted didn't need to think twice.

"We've worked with Unusual many times before, and we know they always do a fantastic job," says event director Rachel French. "The show is Channel 4's roundup of the year's highlights in music, TV film, featuring three presenters and 15 live music acts - so it was bound to be big - with stunts and special effects.

"Our designer, lighting designer and CAD artist all work closely with Ruthie Buchanan, Unusual's Earls Court service manager, to make sure everyone knows what's happening and agree

USA - FLI Rigging is a new company formed to service the entertainment lighting, film, AV and installation markets with professional equipment for sale or rent, along with safe, certified services.

Headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, FLI Rigging operations director Kevin Phail says the company was originally borne out of a need for recognised professional rigging services in their own home state, along with the neighboring Ohio and Indiana.

However, since it opened its doors this year, FLI Rigging has expanded its temporary and permanent rigging solutions nationwide. Stage productions, special events, concerts, trade shows, corporate functions, sporting events, film production, architectural installations and other markets have found a need for their services.

This demand led to the creation of two divisions within FLI Rigging. One division handles the sales and rentals o

UK - Lewden Electrical supplied a variety of cable and hose protection systems at the recent Taste of London 2010 event. The four-day festival took place in Regent's Park and included product stands and demonstrations by top chefs and restaurants cooking up a vast array of gastronomic delicacies.

With the event attracting over 50,000 visitors, Taste Festivals have become a global phenomenon and a brand which now holds events in 15 cities around the world. With safety of paramount importance for visitors and exhibitors alike, Lewden's Linebacker and Guard Dog Low Profile of cable protection systems were used throughout the site.

(Jim Evans)

UK / Netherlands - In the wake of the PLASA 2010 announcement of the merger between Dutch trussing and structural specialist Prolyte and UK-based Litestructures, the newly-formed Prolyte Group has announced the first steps towards integration of the two companies - a restructured and revitalised Customer Service department and the implementation of brand management teams.

The move coincides with the launch of a new corporate identity. Designed to reflect the recent changes within the organisation, the new look is a combination of existing brands and logos that have been updated for a fresher, more modern feel.

The Customer Services department is the first area to benefit from the reorganisation. Focusing mainly on quotations and order handling, Customer Services will be the first point of contact for customer enquiries. Supporting the CS department will be the newly-created br

Italy / USA - At NAMM 2011, FaitalPRO will show the latest additions to its FE Series - the 6FE200, 8FE200 and 10FE200 loudspeakers which complete the FE family, which makes use of ferrite magnets and pressed steel baskets.

These are medium-low power loudspeakers "with absolutely respectable performance, but are above all dedicated to a budget conscious market" which demands a slightly "more competitive" price; with nominal power ranging between 130 and 150 W, 37mm (1.45 in.) voice coils and efficiency between 95 and 96 dB.

The new 4FE30 model is developed from the already successful 3FE20, but is larger in size, 100mm (4"), while maintaining the same electromagnetic structure and voice coil diameter, but varying the cone, now in fiberglass, and the basket.

The HF 104 is the new high-frequency driver by FaitalPRO with 37mm voice coil, 1" mouth,

UK - Blackout, the long-established drapes and rigging supplier, was involved in the transformation of London's historic Covent Garden Market for the festive season.

As with so many of the projects it is involved with internationally, Blackout provided a complete production service for the transformation, supplying staff, rigging and access equipment to hang Christmas decorations beneath the glass roofs of the market's two main aisles. The decorations, created by Sculptivate, include 73 giant baubles, the biggest 3m in diameter and weighing 250kg, four Sputniks and 24 enormous candy canes.

The installation took place at night so as not to disturb the market's daytime trade. Blackout's team, led by Tom Lambert and Ian Moody, were on-site for ten "very cold" nights over two weeks.

The installation - due to remain in place until 9 January 2011 - was just one of the ma

USA - J.R. Clancy has been selected to supply the automated rigging for Hempstead Hall, the new auditorium and conference centre at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. The hall is scheduled to open in fall 2011.

J.R. Clancy is the rigging equipment manufacturer for the project. Pook, Diemont & Ohl is managing the project and performing the installation of all of the rigging equipment.

The 50,000sq.ft facility will feature a 1,600-seat auditorium, a convention area and an expandable exterior amphitheatre. Completion of the construction project is scheduled for January 2012.

J. R. Clancy will provide six PowerLift automated hoists, each with a 2000-pound capacity and a fixed speed of 20ft per minute. The PowerLifts will be used for the cyclorama, electrics and utility battens.

Clancy's SureTarget 10 control system will be used to control the PowerLifts' mov

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