Rigging / Staging

Details

14 March 2016

With this in mind, Tomcat is reintroducing its popular Tomcat U for newcomer and veteran riggers and hoist technicians in the entertainment industry.

The 2014 Tomcat U takes place from 17-20 February in Knoxville, Tennessee, home to the Tomcat factory and epicentre for the education of riggers and hoist technicians.

"The schools give extra value. I've been to three Tomcat schools and have used this training in practical applications. The knowledge and hands on experience from TOMCAT U have given me the confidence to handle situations when they turn nasty," says Kurt Jaeckel, Quickbeam Systems.

Tomcat U is an annual all-inclusive four-day hoist and rigging sch

Details

14 March 2016

Prolyte partner A.C. Lighting Inc. was instrumental in examining the market and identifying the advantages of developing the TwinPin format.

TwinPin offers build-up benefits whilst capitalising on the exceptional speed and performance of the internationally renowned conical coupler truss format pioneered by Prolyte in the early Nineties.

The TwinPin format enables truss grids to be built on the floor as one set of the holes sits horizontal to the ground negating the need to lift the truss to insert the pins. The other set of holes enables this TwinPin truss to still mate with existing Prolyte H Series truss. The excellent load bearing capacity of the truss is not affected by the extra hole. However, the 4-sided orientation will be r

Details

14 March 2016

This will specialise in the design and manufacture of tough, hard-wearing and practical bespoke padded bags, covers and associated products that will complement the vast range of case and trunk products offered by the 5 Star Group.

Manufacturing for ProTect is based at the existing 5 Star site in Cambridgeshire in a separate production unit recently acquired to help facilitate a general increase in business throughout 2013.

Being in a dedicated space will keep a separation between the case and the bag divisions and ensure maxim efficiency for the ProTect production process, which is headed up by operations manager, Andy Hudson, who has worked for 5 Star for over 23 years.

ProTect's products will bear all the h

Details

14 March 2016

Earlier this year AVU provided the full technical at the Samsung S4 Launch and their new brief was clear: To create something absolutely different from the S4 Launch as the same press and celebrities would be in attendance.

With a background in interior design, AVU's In-house Creative Designer, Garrith Castelyn, worked closely with colleagues Victor Vermaak (Project Manager) and Renaldo van der Berg (Lighting Designer) to come up with a concept that would work in that ven

Details

14 March 2016

"We have a somewhat historical relationship with Unusual Rigging. Four years ago, IMG approached Earl's Court as we wanted to stage a reincarnation of the Royal Tournament and Unusual Rigging was recommended as a company that would oversee the project from the technical stunt side of things. We have worked with them every year since and as the technicalities behind our stunts become more complex, we are certain that none would be possible without the Unusual touch."

While the

Details

14 March 2016

Designed by local architects Bland, Brown and Cole, with consultation from theatre consultants Charcoalblue, the Great Hall comprises a 337-seat theatre with retractable seating that transforms into a 600-seat Assembly Hall; a Drama Department incorporating three classrooms; a 120sq m drama studio with its own technical gantry, control room and backstage area; a 100sq m dance studio; social areas including a coffee bar and art gallery; and three science laboratories.

Working alongside lighting specialist White Light, Doughty Engineering supplied vital electrical and rigging components including internally wired bars and all facility panels, with the team from White Light overseeing the integration of power distribution a

Details

14 March 2016

For his first solo headline tour in almost four years, Jay-Z wanted to pull out all the stops, so his production team led by production manager Bobby Schneider enlisted LS-Live to design and build what was to become one of the company's biggest projects of 2013; an enormous set of internally lit cubes both on a rolling house stage and hung overhead, encompassing 17km of aluminium and 400 Pulsar LED ChromaPanels.

Schneider had worked with LS-Live on the successful production of Jay-Z's one-off show for the BBC Radio One Hackney Weekend in the summer of 2012, so he knew it would be an

Details

14 March 2016

Danny is CEO of Wiring Solutions & Interconnect, a successful distributor for electronic components and cable, located in Fuquay-Varina, Wake County, North Carolina. Danny is not only a successful business man but also developer of electronics controls and an enthusiastic musician - the perfect match to Sommer cable and Hicon!

Wiring Solutions & Interconnect has a sales forces of more than 70 agents and has established state-of-the-art cable production. This Know-How will enable Sommer cable and Hicon to develop and produce the best possible products for the US market, says the company.

Danny will be supporting the Sommer Cable team at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, USA, from the 23-26 January 2014. He looks forward to this event meeting active and new Sommer

Details

14 March 2016

The latest exhibitors to sign up include AC Lighting, Apollo Design Technology, Doug Fleenor Design, ETC, LSC America, Philips Entertainment Lighting, Show Sage and Link. They will share the show floor with other industry leaders including; Aeson, ETC, Bandit Lites, Group One, Chauvet Professional, Lightronics, Elation Professional, Creative Stage Lighting, and Applied Electronics, to name a few.

Three new sessions have been added to the PLASA Focus: Nashville 2014 Professional Development Programme, a two-day programme of free educational seminars and workshops running alongside the event.

Ben Jumper, the owner of Soundcheck, will present After the Flood

Details

14 March 2016

Le Mark's gloss black StudioTak professional stage floor has once again been installed on the set for ITV2's Xtra Factor, and also used on parts of the main X Factor stage and props.

Ideal for temporary sets, StudioTak is removed just as easily as it's installed, minimising setup and breakdown costs, whilst offering a stunning high gloss visual effect.

Dirty Rigger, MagTape professional gaffer tape, and a huge selection of supporting products have also played their part over the 10 years the prime time show has been running.

(Jim Evans)

Details

14 March 2016

Lafortune is considered one of the most creative lighting designers of the last 30 years. He is the author of several prestigious lighting design projects, including the shows of the Cirque du Soleil, the Turkmenistan Independence Day celebrations, the musical The House of the Dancing Water, and Peter Gabriel's Growing up tour.

In Saint Petersburg, in front of an audience of professionals, Lafortune spoke about his

Details

14 March 2016

A partner in the theatre consultancy Theatreplan, Richard was also known as the conference director of the International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (ITEAC), which is due to hold its fourth event this year.

After studying engineering at University College London, Richard was trained by the BBC, and went on to work as managing director at Richard Pilbrow's Theatre Projects Consultants from 1967 to 1985, before forming his own professional practice. During his career, Richard was responsible for more than 50 major theatre projects and a large number of more modest performing arts schemes worldwide. He led the development of countless inno

Details

14 March 2016

Mylène Farmer is one of the most successful French recording artists of all time. She has sold over 30m records worldwide and had 13 number one hits in the French charts eight of them consecutive, as well as working as a model and actress during a prolific and successful career.

Wicreations, renowned for their innovative work in the entertainment industry, were approached by the tour's production manager Didier Gaume and technical director Pascal "George" Meley, who have worked with them before on a number of projects, and asked if they could provide a number of solutions to help stage this spectacular show.

Timeless'

Details

14 March 2016

He brings to the role a wealth of experience in sales and new business development, having secured big wins in previous posts for a variety of entertainment industry companies such as HSL Group, Pixelrange and City Theatrical.

Said Cowan, "I visited LS-Live to discuss business and couldn't believe this top of the range facility. I've been all over the world and there is nothing else like this out there.

"As soon as people understand that they can get everything from under one roof, from set design to final construction and rehearsals in the studio, they won't use anyone else.

"My job is to ensure that when anyone thinks about touring and live events, whether th

Details

14 March 2016

For the 12th consecutive year, Blackout worked with organisers Innovent to transform the venue for the prestigious equestrian event. The team utilised 2,500sqm of drapes to enclose the ground floor auditorium and create the entrance tunnels to the seating blocks.

The brand presence of sponsors was maximised through a wall of advertising on the outside of the arena for which the team constructed framework scaffolding to attach the banner wrap.

Chris Brain, installations director at Blackout, commented, "We also installed a backdrop of starcloth above the main competitor tunnel which we used to enhance the iconic golden galloping horse statue.

"Our draping package enables us to completely enclose an area for

Details

14 March 2016

The show is characterized by an all-action narrative that includes free flying (wireless courtesy of a massive sub-stage wind turbine), dramatic visual effects, pyro and stunning fully 3D mapped digital scenery.

Peumans has worked on many previous projects for the producers, and once again he has imagineered a careful mix of spectacle and visual style to match the vibe, energy and magic of the show.

The concept for this version of Peter Pan was developed by creative director Luc Petit and Music Hall's Geert Allaert. Peuman's brief was to provide epic arena style lighting to suit and highlight the action within the fast flow

Details

14 March 2016

LS-Live's staging equipment rental stock at its headquarters in Wakefield includes a large number of automation machines, from travelators and scissor lifts to turntables and toasters, so they can quickly respond to hire orders. The machines can also be built into their standard stage decking for a seamless look.

Said Ibrar Haque, Maynineteen production manager, "We would like to express our thanks for all the hard work that you and your team put in t

Details

14 March 2016

Having ETCP Certification demonstrates that you are in the top third of the industry professionals in North America; furthermore, to maintain your certification, you must accrue continuing education credits which shows your employer that you are current with industry developments and practices. ETCP has issued almost 1750 certifications! Don't get left behind, submit your application today!

The ETCP Examinations will be given at USITT in Ft. Worth TX. All three ETCP examinations will be given in one session the morning of Saturday, 29 March, 2014. Candidates who wish to take more than one exam should contact ETCP. Members and employees of members of USITT receive a $100 discount on examination fees. Interes

Details

14 March 2016

Two of Europe's leading event suppliers revealed the results of their collaboration, with the integration of Intellitix market-leading access control software into Mojo Barriers' Gatekeeper system. Audiences scanned their RFID wristbands, passing through a four gatekeeper system on the way into the 700-capacity temporary 'Cathedral' concert venue. Mojo's project manager Jasper Caldenhoven liaised with the Intellitix technical team leading into the global launch to achieve the seamless integration of their software and scanning technology into the Gatekeeper.

Mojo Barriers' managing director Cees Muurling, also a speaker in the conference programme, states, "With the rise of RFID cashless paymen

Details

14 March 2016

This acquisition doubles Scapin's number of employees. It will also enable Scapin to offer its products in new markets such as the Maritimes and the US where Show Distribution maintains a distribution centre and has a significant market share. This will broaden Scapin's reach, which began when it moved into Ontario, opening its Toronto office in August 2011.

Under the new administration, Show Distribution's activities will continue at its Quebec City location with its current team while its rental department

Details

14 March 2016

The robust IP 65 plastic housing single-pole connector is designed for stranded wires from 10 mm² to 35 mm² cross-section, and is available in both crimp and axial screw termination. The axial screw arrangement allows wires to be terminated to contacts without the need for special tooling.

Extra connector mating security can be provided by the use of additional locking elements that prevent unintentional interruption. Cable-to-cable hoods and gender changers allow a full system distribution cabling configuration to be assembled.

Han(R) GND ca

Details

14 March 2016

2014 is the third year that Fineline - originally established in 1988 - has been running under new, lively and energetic independent ownership, with a management team led by MD Rob Sangwell.

The company has built up a reputation as a leading lighting and visuals facility in the South West region - encapsulated in the new strap-line 'Professional-Creative-Trusted' - and works nationwide in the UK and worldwide internationally.

Sangwell explains, "Three years ago, a new era in Fineline's history was launched with the buy-out and implement

Details

14 March 2016

Julian Chiverton, sales director for Doughty, said, "Over the past 13 years Doughty Engineering has expanded the range of Quick Trigger clamps, that first Slimline Quick Trigger leading to the Titan in 2007 and the Baby version in 2012."

The Baby Quick Trigger Clamp is designed specifically for smaller truss sizes, being adjustable to diameters of 25-38mm. Easy to use, it saves the user time and money and has a safe working load of 40kg. Julian added, "Our entire range of Quick Trigger Clamps shares the same guarantee of providing a high de

Details

14 March 2016

Siobhan has worked in the lifting industry since she joined Rope Assemblies in 1997. Established by her father in 1986 and based in Retford, Nottinghamshire, the company manufactures and supplies a wide range of wire rope and fibre rope assemblies to customers working in sectors that include the entertainment industry and climbing and personal protection equipment.

Commenting on her election, Siobhan said: "I'm delighted to be able to support the invaluable work of L