Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

Le Mark, the exclusive distributors for the all new Manero modular 'spring floor' system chose the December Dance Show at the NEC Birmingham to launch their new modular portable sub floor.

The entire 10m x 16m central stage area had a Manero subfloor laid, with a Consor vinyl top surface to further improve performance . Le Mark partners ISS installed both the central stage and all the dance studios with Consor performance vinyl dance floor to offer total dance surface continuity.

Stuart Gibbons Le Mark's managing director comments, "Now a portable stage or steel deck can have a better dance floor then a traditional sprung wooden floor. A cross section of performers, from hip hop, ballet through to

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14 March 2016

"Control4 is a leading provider of intelligent operating systems, and we are pleased to be selected as a participant in the Solution Provider Programme," says Adam Stone, president and CEO of D-Tools. "We are like-minded in our goal to provide our customers with a platform to fuel their growth, and we look forward to assisting Control4 dealers in expanding their businesses and maximizing their bottom line."

"We are committed to providing Control4 dealers with the best project solutions in the industry and the D-Tools software package is no exception. Their comprehensive software package is an excellent tool for syste

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14 March 2016

Members of the pages will be the first to find out about industry news, PLASA news and show news and content Plus, PLASA 2011 is offering the first 1000 members the chance to win a pair of Sennheiser HD 380 Pro collapsible high end headphones! To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is "like" the PLASA 2011 page, then a winner will be picked at random.

To view the PLASA Facebook page, click here.

For the PLASA Focus page,

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14 March 2016

"Students usually operate the rigging during performances by the Dance, Theatre, and Music Divisions throughout the private college's academic year," said Richard Parks, senior project manager for the theatrical dealer I. Weiss. "Until the renovation began, the Conservatory's theatre had a counterweight rigging system that required students to have considerable training to use it safely.

"Motorised rigging gives the college the ability to have all the students work on various aspects of the show. Not only can the students be trained quickly on how motorized systems work, but they will be ready for the rigging they will f

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14 March 2016

The approvals follow a period of rigorous updating of the companies administrative processes for both door supervisors and manned guarding, this updating also incorporates AP working towards ISO 9001:2008 and OHSAS 18001 accreditation and a number of other British standards. During this period, roles have been redefined across the company, putting a heavier emphasis on planning and client liaison as well as a comprehensive general management process.

"Our watchword is 'quality'," says Andrew Stevens, AP's general manager, "and that runs through every part of the company, with particular importance placed on staff training, and human resourcing in general."

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14 March 2016

"Excellent service and great products, we used the StudioTak for the show Artistgalla for TV2 in Norway," says NRK's Thomas Nysveen." We have used the product for some years now. Today's HD TV require a perfect finish without visible joints on the floor, and that's why we choose the StudioTak from Le Mark. It's is easy to use, and gives a perfect result as long as you have a clean surface to put it on."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

According to Pollstar's recent listings of the Top 50 worldwide concert tours, the numbers two, three and four slots were occupied by AC~DC, U2 and Lady Gaga respectively, to all of whom Brilliant Stages was a key supplier.

AC~DC's Black Ice tour originally kicked off in 2008 and marked the first appearance of the band for eight years. Brilliant Stages designed and manufactured the infrastructure for the spectacular focal point, the Rock 'n' Roll Train. Conceived by Fisher Studio's Jeremy Lloyd and Mark Fisher, the life-size steam train incorporated lighting, pyrotechnics, smoke, C02, headlights, a brass bell and deployable, light-up devil horns.

Totalling 6000kg, the locomotive could be pushed up

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14 March 2016

X Truss is fully compatible with 52cm SuperTruss and uses the same overall sizes and connection methods of the existing technology. This means all existing 52cm SuperTruss Gates, plates and corners are compatible with X Truss; X Truss can be mixed in the same system as 52cm SuperTruss (excluding within the same span); and X Truss can be used with existing ground support towers and sleeve assemblies.

Paul Young, general manager of James Thomas, states, "We have focussed all our R&D energies into a system worthy of the James Thomas name - and X Truss has surpassed expectations. It's designed with the concerns of our customers in mind and the quality considerations that set all our products apart from the competition.&quo

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14 March 2016

As part of this reorganisation, Arena Structures and Arena Seating will combine resources and will be headed up by Grahame Muir as managing director with Dave Withey the group sales director of this collective unit.

Joe O'Neil takes the role of managing director for the newly formed Arena's International Projects Division. He will be focusing on business growth in the Middle and Far East as well as the expanding the company's portfolio of iconic world events and international sales for the BOX seat.

Arena Seating's Membur

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14 March 2016

Last summer, LOCOG announced the appointment of Danny Boyle as artistic director of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, and a team of executive producers led by Steven Daldry to oversee the Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies in 2012.

Now roles within the London 2012 Ceremonies Team working at Three Mills Studios in East London are being advertised on the London 2012 website.

Creative roles include producer of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, head of audio visual, head of costume, head of casting and design studio manager. Applications must be made by 23 February 2011 for these roles.

Bill Morris, LOCOG directo

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14 March 2016

The event will be held at the AT&T Performing Arts Centre in Dallas, as part of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) annual PAMC conference, which continues through 1 March at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

Rigging manufacturer J. R. Clancy has taken a leading role as a sponsor of this year's boot camp, working closely with Millie Dixon, principal consultant at Theatre Projects Consultants and the boot camp leader, and Alex Hargis, manager of the Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Clancy personnel and partners also will lead the rigging section to ensure that participants learn the correct

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14 March 2016

Eurovision Latest - X Factor twins Jedward have become Ireland's next Eurovision entrants with the song Lipstick. The duo beat four other acts on RTE's Late

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14 March 2016

The 2011 ride will rev up and burn off from the National Theatre on 18 June and the event will climax on 25 June at Alexandra Palace.

Motorbike enthusiasts from the industry are invited to join in, feel the wind in their hair and raise money for TTG, either on a daily basis or for the whole engine-revving week. Information

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14 March 2016

Cartwright returns to the industry after an eight year absence working as head of sales and marketing for an environmental energy company. He had Having previously worked for Stage Electrics and The Lighting Technology Group.

One of his priorities will be to develop new business and spearhead Le Mark's new range of projection screens and scenic floor products complementing the existing range of adhesive tapes and printed equipment supplies.

"It is great to be back working within an industry that I love and renewing contacts and co

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14 March 2016

Richard will take over as Technical Editor of Lighting&Sound International magazine from James Eade, who has helped the PLASA Media team steer the technical content of L&SI for the past nine years. Lee Baldock, editor of L&SI since 2004, said: "James has made a huge contribution to the technical content of L&SI over the years, while still running his own successful business, e-Mech. I personally would like to thank him for all his help and guidance over that

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14 March 2016

Moscow-based contractor ARG was awarded the contract for the Opening Ceremony on 30 January 2011, and they in turn called in The Prolyte Group to supply a number of elements to help realise their vision.

The ceremony, at the newly built 30,000-seat Astana Arena, began with much fanfare and jubilant activity. The entertainment comprised a cultural extravaganza depicting the history of Kazakhstan, aided by a virtual "eagle's eye view" of the country's vast plains. The ceremony included dance, song, distinctive musical instruments and props that came to life.

The centrepiece of the impressive production was a waterfall t

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14 March 2016

LTM was consulted about the restoration and rejuvenation project for the Baths, (originally designed by city architect Henry Price and opened in 1906) by Jonathan Hartley who is heavily involved in developing Manchester College's creative apprenticeships, performing arts and community training programmes.

He had been tasked with the challenge of making a flexible workable space into a modern theatre and performance facility, capable of staging a wide range of events including art,

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14 March 2016

The occasion was an exhibition of the newly restored Passion Cycle, a 12-picture collection created by German painter Hans Hesse in 1522. The Passion Cycle is one of the most significant religious works from the Middle Ages, and has been painstakingly reconditioned by academic painter Ji?í Brodský and his colleague Ji?í Bareš, a long time art collaborator of Roudnice Gallery, over the last four years.

The paintings were loaned to the Roudnice Gallery by the Church of Birth of the Virgin Mary,

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14 March 2016

Project manager for Unusual Rigging, Richard McIlhiney says, "Unusual supplied all the hanging points and trussing, as well as tracks for floor moving winches.

"Various pieces of scenery move up and down stage throughout the show, including a throne for one of the main characters, The Killer Queen, to sit on. An Unusual-designed nylon block under the show deck is pulled by a chain track and Kinesys-controlled motor, which in turn moves the set pieces.

"There are four LED video screens wh

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14 March 2016

Simon Caldwell, ISS director says: "At Independent Studio Services, we believe that how we do business, is key to our success. Offering the Dirty Rigger range is a great addition to our service and is a key alliance we are proud to be a part of. The team will now be stocking the gloves on all our installs and inspections throughout the UK."

Le Mark & Dirty Rigger director Stuart Gibbons comments: "ISS are a brilliant company, their work ethic and quality of service is second to none, I'm pleased to work with them and have no doubt they will be a great addition to the Dirty Rigger location distribution team."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Each load bearing span across the stage can now carry up to 7.5 tons UDL at 25m span. Additional spans can be located in the 20m and 25m systems at 0.62m centres. Roof capacities of over 100 tons are now easily achievable.

Pete Holdich, director of stages for the company comments: "We trialled a few sections of this new truss at several festivals in 2010 and have now made a big investment to enable us to allocate several uprated spans to each roof in 2011. This puts our VerTech system in the upper echelon of world class heavy duty roofs for tour and festival use."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Cinimod Studio, architecture and lighting design specialists, commissioned Litestructures to realise the next incarnation of their designs inspired by Itsu's butterfly motif. The original concept had already been brought to life as bright and animated sculptures across a number of its London outlets. The new brief challenged Litestructures' design and fabrication team to come up with something far more spectacular. The finished structure comprises a floating, twisting sculptural form that creates a strik

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14 March 2016

This year the BRIT Awards with MasterCard relocated to The 02 after a 13 year residency in Earls Court, creating challenges and opportunities for the events production managers in the way that they chose to utilize the space available in this new and unique arena.

To ease this transfer process and help optimise the layout of the ceremony evening, The Arena Group carefully positioned its temporary structures to make use of this large space. By transforming the area available into a pristine temporary party venue within the 02 The BRIT Awards with MasterCard were able to host the pre and post celebrations comfortably in their new home.

The Arena Group built a 40mx70m TFS structure inside the outer space of the

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14 March 2016

Courses were limited to eight people per session, although such was the demand that 10 were accommodated on the final course. The cross section of attendees represented all areas of the industry and included venue personnel, freelancers and sound, lighting & staging rental companies. Three technicians from BBC Northern Ireland were there along with two from University College Dublin.

Freelancer Phil McVeigh used the course as an invaluable all round 'primer' opportunity before going on to successfully complete his National Rigging Certificate (NRC) Level 2 in the UK the following week.

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