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A new purpose-built high-technology home awaits film and location lighting giant, ARRI GB, who will move from its Heston base at the end of the summer. The entire operation is set for a phased move into a new HQ - the 75,000sq metre three-building Highbridge development, adjacent to the Grand Union Canal in Uxbridge - commencing at the end of August. It is expected to be complete by October.

ARRI GB managing director, Renos Louka, said that the move to Uxbridge marked the end of a long search for an enlarged facility, brought about by the company’s rapid expansion, particularly in rental. "Uxbridge, with its proximity to Pinewood, Shepperton and other film studios, was the ideal location - and when we saw this building we knew we had found our new home," he said. Transpor

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Edwin Shirley Staging (ESS) continues to feature prominently in this year’s Golden Jubilee events calendar. This time ESS will be providing a staging solution for the sell out All the Queen’s Horses event at Windsor between May 16 and May 18.

Major Sir Michael Parker, producer of many royal events during the past 15 years, conceived the show. ESS has previously worked alongside Major Sir Michael on events such as the VE and VJ Day celebrations. The show, an equestrian spectacular, involves a cast of 3000 performers and 1000 horses performing in front of a specially designed stage which will hold an orchestra, a choir and a company of dancers. The night-time event will also feature a floodlit Windsor Castle as a backdrop.

ESS is providing a 25m arched Orbit stage system with a split-level plinth to accommodate the orchestra and choir. The stage will be finished with

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The World Chess Federation, referred to as FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), launched a series of Grand Prix tournaments beginning at the at the Al-Bustan Hotel in Dubai for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Grand Prix at the beginning of April.

The World Chess Grand Prix series will then go on to Moscow for the Russian Grand Prix, Bangalore or Bombay in July, Croatia in August and finally Rio de Janeiro in September. Each part of the Grand Prix has an opening ceremony and a total of five play days finishing with a closing ceremony. A total of 32 players have qualified to play in each of the Grand Prix tournaments and were selected based on strict criteria.

The tournaments include many variations of chess, such as three-player chess, blind chess (in which you cannot see your opponent’s pieces) and speed chess. In speed chess, the clock is set for five minutes per sid

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Indochine X PixMob Fan Immersion

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's - 40 thousand LED pixels on a ceiling!!! Indochine's whirlwind tour transports fans to another level of the live experience - immersing them from floor to ceiling with PixMob's X4 wristbands, and an LED ceiling made entirely of its NOVA Minis! With the vision of Indochine's creative team, PixMob used its LED fan-technology to turn attendees and venues into an ocean of effects, and a starry sky of LED magic. Très très cool!

Read more about the Indochine tour in the latest issue of LSi

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Czech Republic-based truss manufacturer Milos is continuing to expand its global operations with the announcement that the company is finishing the move to its new European HQ near Prague. The facility boasts over 90,000sq.ft of production area, fully equipped with the latest manufacturing technology including semi-automated welding processes. The new facilities creates one of the largest production centres in Europe and enables Milos to substantially increase its production capacity and introduce new product lines scheduled for later this year. Phased production moves to the new site have been completed on time and have ensured that the fast delivery of QuickTruss systems have continued as normal. Full production is expected from the factory by the end of April 2002.

(Lee Baldock)

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While the sensory experience of Dolby 5.1 surround sound has become fairly commonplace, few have experienced the benefits provided by its latest-generation 15.1 successor. Such a system is due to open later this spring at Legoland California, when the 128-acre theme park north of San Diego unveils a new four-dimensional, large-screen video attraction at its LEGO Showplace Theatre.

The show, which will prominently feature white-knuckle automotive thrills as provided by the Lego Racers, will utilize a pair of 12,000 lumen Panasonic PT-D9600U projectors to convey its visual drama, and 16 PowerLight amplifiers from QSC to fuel its larger-than-life 15.1 surround sound. While El Segundo-based Edwards Technology was made responsible for installing the theatre's video and audio systems, Legoland California’s own technical guru Paul Beach will oversee daily operations. Commenting on the s

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High End Systems' award-winning Catalyst system will be prominently featured in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, with finals taking place May 25 in Tallinn, Estonia. Lighting director Per Sundin of SVT has specified 15 Catalysts - the largest installation of Catalyst systems on any Catalyst project to date - along with a number of x.Spot automated luminaires in the production.

SVT is providing much of the technical support for Estonian TV. Spectra+ of Stockholm, Sweden is the lighting rental company supplying the event. Lang Audio Vision of Germany is supplying the bulk of the Catalysts along with other video equipment. Video Unlimited of Stockholm is also providing video services as well as some video projectors.

In a separate announcement, Spectra+ has altered its name and logo to reflect recent changes to the services it provides, with the introduction of a complete entertain

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With the arrival of the ProWash 575 LX, Coemar have inserted the final piece into the LX Series jigsaw. The 575 helps to complete Coemar’s comprehensive range of moving head fixtures, designed to meet the specific requirements of a broad spectrum of market sectors, in both fixed and rental application.

The fixture is a 575W MSD moving head fresnel, offering 385° pan and 260° tilt movement and 16-bit beam positioning, in which movement and blackout effect can be synchronized. With 14/16 DMX control channels, the ProWash 575LX features a built-in mechanical, electronically-controlled dimmer for complete adjustment of light output from 0 to 100%, and a strobing effect, with adjustable flash rate (synchronized or random), fade pulse effect, blackout and programmable chaser effect with adjustable speed. Infinite colour possibilities can be achieved via a CMY colour mixing system. Si

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The unique gobo animation wheel system in the Martin MAC 2000 Performance has been further enhanced with the launch of a set of six new animation wheel designs giving lighting designers access to an unparalleled range of artistic effects.

Six new design wheels provide new effect possibilities, including snow and 'flurries' of movement; swaying tree branches, the rhythmic undulations of sea waves, high speed turbines or passing trains, a flickering lantern, rough sea, flames, psychedelic effects and more.

Since its launch in early 2002, the Martin MAC 2000 Performance has already found worldwide success with installations such as the National Theater in Prague, Hannover Oper and Palermo Theater. It has also found its way to Broadway and the West End in shows such as Hairspray and Mamma Mia.

(Lee Baldock)

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Marquee Audio have supplied and fitted a Nexo PA system - and sound processing - to the Wilde Theatre in Bracknell. Part of the South Hill Park complex, the 350-seat Wilde Theatre has a busy programme of incoming shows and community events, and successfully applied for an Arts Council National Lottery grant to upgrade the sound and lighting.

The theatre had already been using Marquee Audio to provide ancillary equipment - such as mics and stands - when the contract went out to tender. And of the three companies who submitted quotes, Marquee Audio came out on top. "They offered the best package, and best service," said senior sound technician, Philip Hoegger. "We went on past experience, price and service, and throughout the install period Marquee were extremely helpful and responsive. "Having considered various sound systems, we knew we wanted Nexo."

With l

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After exhaustive market research conducted by the Australian National Broadcaster, ABC TV, to find a suitable lighting desk for their recently-digitised Studio 31 in Melbourne’s Ripponlea complex, an order was placed for a Vision 10/ST console from ADB-TTV in Belguim. The desk will be supplied by ADB’s Australian distributor, LSC Lighting Systems of Melbourne.

The Vision desk provides 1024 control channels on 1024 DMX output channels expandable to 2048, 48 submasters over two pages, full A/B playback facilities, moving light control module, special effects module, standard outputs for keyboard, mouse, SVGA monitors, MIDI, audio, IR or HF remote control units, printers and worklights. The desk can also be expanded for ethernet connection.

The Vision fulfilled a number of key criteria that the ABC were seeking. "The ADB Vision certainly provided what we were looking fo

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March 6th marked the grand opening of Chasing Rainbows, the new interactive museum at Dollywood. Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood is a magical theme park inspired by the life and accomplishments of country musician Dolly Parton. The new museum houses a collection of items from Dolly's career.

In the fall of 2001, the creative team at Dollywood contacted UV/FX Los Angeles with the idea of designing a finale room for the museum; a space which would serve as the culmination of the visitors' experience at the museum. The folks at Dollywood wanted a space that physically replicated the Smoky Mountains landscape, and that was conceptually inspired by Miss Parton's song ‘The Light of a Clear Blue Morning’.

The basic idea was that visitors would enter a nighttime environment, which would subsequently evolve into sunrise over the course of the song's playback. The spa

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BML Stage Lighting & Productions Inc, located in Raritan, New Jersey, have recruited Marc Malamud as Rental Account Manager. Marc, formerly with BASH and PRG, brings a wealth of Broadway, off Broadway and industrial experience to the BML team. His duties will include overseeing the expansion of the rental department, in addition to his sales function.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Around 2,500 guests were on hand for the presentation of the Freiburg Nightlife Awards to the establishments and individuals considered to have made the greatest contribution to the nightlife of the city. Messetechnik Bächle, Mammagamma and Dynacord provided the sound.

Freiburg, situated in the Black Forest in southern Germany, has a vibrant nightlife with a wide variety of clubs, bars, cafes and a highly diverse cultural scene. To celebrate all this, in 1999, event organisers 'Endless Event', the scene magazine 'Sub Culture' and the Ganter brewery created the 'Freiburg Nightlife Awards'. The response was so favourable that they decided to present the coveted awards for a second time on 9 March, 2002.

The voting was done by SMS. People were asked to vote for a winner in 10 categories: Best Club/Disco, Best Event, Best DJ (in six categories: techno, house, hip-hop etc.), Best Cafe/B

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The OB Division of BBC Resources Ltd have upgraded their fleet of Soundcraft broadcast desks, to extend their coverage of prime motor sports events. Contracted by production company, Chrysalis TV, BBC Resources produce coverage for Carlton TV of the F1 Grand Prix season and the World Rally Championships, which are screened on Channel 4.

Technical development manager Julian Parsons explained that the OB Division had been in the process of decommissioning two 16-channel B800 desks from older vehicles, while at the same time a further desk was reaching the end of its lifespan. Their solution was to approach Soundcraft, who agreed to build both the original modular broadcast desks into a single-frame mixer, which was this month installed in the principle OB truck. Last month the new 32-channel, eight-group board completed its first Grand Prix in San Marino successfully.

At the same time

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Le Mark has further expanded its accessory section and now offers rental facilities to both trade and direct users alike. Le Mark has launched this new service with the unique GAM Torch, a hand-held real flame accessory.

One of the first clients to take advantage of this new service was Philip Wright, technical manager with Chelmsford Theatre Workshop who hired two GAM Torches from Le Mark for Chelmsford Theatre Workshops production of King Lear at the Old Court Theatre. Wright commented: "It’s an excellent product - the Crew and Cast found them very easy to use. Gloucester’s entrance searching for the King was spectacular! The fact that the fuel pellets are virtually smokeless and odourless was very important as the production was in the round in our small Theatre [120 seats]."

Mark Gibbons, who has both developed and overseen the rental project, commented. &qu

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Avolites has announced the appointment of two new distributors - in Portugal and in Turkey. Electrosound is a sales company based in Lisbon, Portugal. Avolites’ Steve Warren explains that Avolites chose Electrosound because of their focus and emphasis on moving light control, their high levels of support and their enthusiasm for the Avolites product range - which has enjoyed enormous success in Portugal.

Portugal’s very high proportion of Avolites equipment followed on from the Expo in 1998, when 26 different Avolites consoles were specified for various pavilions and stages site-wide. Since then, most Portuguese lighting designers have had a very close working relationship with Avolites equipment. This trend looks set to continue with Electrosound, who have already placed orders for four new consoles for a major Portuguese rental company for their busy summer schedule.

In

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Audio-Technica microphones have been called up to play a significant role in the 2002 World Cup by host broadcasters HBS. Following a successful domestic season on Premiership duty, A-T microphones have been specified for the tournament by Robert Edwards, sound director of Video Sound Services Limited (UK).

The AT895 digital array system is specifically detailed in the Audio Production plan for coverage of each manager’s bench at every one of the World Cup’s 60 games. Broadcasters are able to book specific circuits to independently access these microphones, which make up the core of the ‘Team A’ and ‘Team B’ feeds, available to broadcast companies around the world through HBS. They are also mixed in as part of the overall World TV feed, and will be used at half time for pitch side interviews.

The off-axis rejection capabilities displayed by the AT8

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City Theatrical and A.C.T. Enterprises have announced that, with immediate effect, City Theatrical’s dealer network will become the exclusive distributors of A.C.T. Enterprises line of lighting accessories including Track Tamers, Tee-Slot System, Safer Sidearms, Vertical Extension Tubes, Pipe End Tail Downs and Single Point Speaker Hangers.

CTI’s Gary Fails told us: "I’ve always admired A.C.T.’s products and they fit well into our catalogue of unique lighting accessories. A.C.T.’s range of accessories for mounting moving lights will now have worldwide distribution through our network and we hope to make them much easier for users to obtain.

(Ruth Rossington)

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The Jubilee weekend will see the continuation of Vari-Lite Europe’s relationship with the British Airways London Eye through Park Avenue Productions. Park Avenue has been involved in every major milestone event at the London Eye, beginning with the official switch-on by Tony Blair on Millennium Eve. Once again, they have called on the services of Vari-Lite Europe to turn the Eye gold to highlight a charity fundraising initiative over the Jubilee period.

Producer Ajay Parekh and lighting designer Paul Cook specified a rig of 80 VL5arcs at the base of the Eye to create a gold wash capable of dynamic colour and intensity chases in harmony with the many Jubilee beacons being lit around the country. Creative director Simon Tapping commented: "Each time we produce another event at the British Airways London Eye we are reminded of its enormous scale, and the unique challenges which

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Audace Ltd, manufacturers of the Intelliplate programmable remote control system for DSP-based audio installations, announced at the NSCA convention that US distribution had been agreed. In collaboration with Comsec International, Audace's global distributor, International Sales of San Diego have been appointed to carry the line exclusively in the US. International Sales will also be representing the brand in the Pacific Rim and in Canada.

Bryan Waters, managing director of Audace Ltd, commented on the appointment: "I have known Bardy at International Sales since my time at Allen & Heath and I know that he will do an excellent job for us in the various territories. This is a key step in the development of our business and, combined with the launch of our US-format panels at NSCA, we have all the tools in place to service the needs of our developing North American customer base.&qu

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Meyer Sound's UK distributor, Autograph Sales Ltd, has recently supplied theatre sound specialists, Orbital, with a Meyer Sound M3D line array loudspeaker system, which is making its world-wide theatrical debut on Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest sensational musical production Bombay Dreams. The show, which opens at London's Apollo Theatre on 19 June, fuses the colourful harmonies of Indian film composer AR Rahman with Meera Syal's script, to bring a taste of Bollywood to London's West End.

Following a blind listening test last summer, Meyer Sound's M3D system was specified by sound designer, Mick Potter, and the production's creative team, including Lloyd Webber. Potter has had a long involvement with Starlight Express, which recently closed at the Apollo after an 18-year run and which was the home to one of Meyer Sound's first theatrical applications using the MSL-3 system.

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