The show fulfilled three functions: to give the Academy's sponsors something in return, by bringing their products out 'to the market' and providing a forum to informally talk direct to the students; to give the students the opportunity to talk to the companies, to discuss products, working practices, work placements and employment; and to give Scottish production professionals ease of access to a 'local' trade show. Taking place on the stage of the Academy's beautifully-appointed New Athenaeum theatre, the debut show was a relaxed and intimate affair, attended by 11 exhibiting companies.
VLPS London is a major sponsor of the RSAMD's technical courses, providing intelligent lighting and technical advice. The show scored a major coup by being the public debut of the Vari-Lite EX1 digital media server. Providing five independent light sources to model three-dimensional objects against up to two separate backgrounds, the EX1 is designed for use with projectors and controlled via DMX. With High End Systems' Catalyst running not 30 feet away, it provided a good opportunity to see both products almost side-by-side. As well as Catalyst itself (featuring the beta version 3.2 software), High End was showcasing the DL1 delivery fixture, Color Command luminaires and Hog PC control.
Safety has a high priority throughout the RSAMD's courses. Siobhan Hitchen of Rope Assemblies has been delivering seminars on rigging and safety to RSAMD students for five years and was on hand to offer advice and discuss the wide variety of Crosby Europe rigging equipment also on show. Rigging equipment and safety was also the central theme for Lyon Equipment, whose Peter Robertson was discussing the company's new state-of-the-art training facility in Tebay, Cumbria, due to open in May.
Autograph Sales had fully working versions of Clear-Com's CellCom wireless communication system on demonstration, with the production version of the system available soon. RSAMD currently uses the W750 system and will itself be switching to the new system.
Le Mark's range of tapes, signs, labels and lighting accessories was receiving plenty of attention from students and professionals alike. Again, safety is the main underlying message. Another colourful exhibitor was Rosco, whose range of gels, gobos, scenic paints and the Delta 3000 smoke machine was placed stage centre. A steady stream of questions were fired at Rosco's Ron Knell about these, as well as the ImagePro gobo projector and Vortex dual gobo rotator.
Acknowledging that it's difficult to make stage hardware appear as 'sexy' as lighting and sound fixtures, Charles Haines of Hall Stage Products joined the general chorus of approval of the show. But sexy or not, Hall Stage's flying bar systems and other hardware certainly had their fair share of attention.
The Financial Award Scheme is a grants project aimed at making it easier for educational establishments and non-profit making organizations to acquire Zero 88 equipment. With RSAMD already a beneficiary, the scheme was naturally to the fore on the Zero 88 stand. RSAMD's own Illusion console was featured, alongside the Frog console (featuring the latest software update) and a range of the company's other products.
Finally, White Light was showing several key products. These included Look Solutions' foggers (with a water - as opposed to oil - based fog solution), Rainbow colo
