Mark Ager, Stage Technologies' managing director, lead discussions on how automation is used in entertainment venues, including the practical advantages, cost implications and safety issues, as well as giving a technical overview of the equipment used. This information was then augmented with visits to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Wynn and Venetian hotel complexes in Macau, where Stage Technologies has recently completed commissioning several large systems.
The course was designed for students currently in their final year at HKAPA, studying Technical Direction. Ken Chan, senior lecturer of Technical Direction, believes the students greatly benefited from the course; he commented: "the students have gained a much better depth of knowledge in 'stage automation' from this course. The lectures give them an understanding of the uses of automation and the options available, and the pros and cons of using it in the live performance industry. The students were also inspired by the visits to Macau, seeing real venue applications from back stage as well as from the audiences' perspective." One student from the course remarked "The classes were very informative and the site visits reinforced our understanding very well. I am looking forward to working with Stage Technologies in the future to learn more about how the systems work and how they are operated."
Stage Technologies works with many higher education schools and colleges with an interest in theatre technology. For further information on day lectures or courses, contact Stage Technologies' London office through their website.
(Claire Beeson)
