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UK - The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has launched a six-week consultation on a proposed regulation to be added to the draft Work at Height Regulations. This regulation will retain a provision already in construction safety law that requires employers in the construction industry to provide particular work equipment and fall protection measures where work is undertaken at or above two metres.

This proposal is the result of representations made by the construction industry, which is seeking to maintain its existing practices by retaining the current 2-metre rule in these new regulations. This may have implications for other industries, which is why a short sharp consultation exercise is being undertaken to gather views from construction industry and other stakeholders.

Bi

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UK - This Saturday, 30 October, will see the PLASA Award-winning InMotion 3D/CyberHoist motion control system make its UK television début, through Vertigo Rigging, which announced last week that it has become the UK Service Point for the unique system, developed by XLNT Advanced Technologies. The system won a PLASA Award for Innovation at the PLASA Show last month in conjunction with the CyberHoist intelligent motor by Verlinde and the DataMotion and PowerMotion system components from XLNT.

It will make its live TV début at 9pm on Saturday on BBC TV's 'Big C' cancer research benefit show, which will be broadcast 'as live' from London's Alexandra Palace. Vertigo Rigging director Rebecca Loughran says: "Viewers in the production business will be able to see the versatility of the CyberHoist/InMotion 3D system being used for scenic moves and lighting effects designed by Pe

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USA - Northwestern University's Department of Theatre has been named the 2004 recipient of the Martin Intelligent Lighting Technology Grant. The Grant was presented at a special ceremony at the recent LDI exhibition in Las Vegas. On hand to accept the award on behalf of the University was Joe Appelt, Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Director of the Lighting Design Program. Appelt was accompanied by Peter Anderson, supervisor of the department's lighting and sound shop, as well as several University alumni.

Claudia Kunin, interim managing director of the University's Theatre and Interpretation Center, stated: "All of us here at Northwestern are thrilled to have been chosen to receive this prestigious grant. The resources Martin Professional is making available to us will enrich the education of our students both in the classroom and in production. The M

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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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Belgium - EML, one of Europe's leading sound, lighting and video hire companies, has laid claim to the first purchase of a DiGiCo D1 Live digital mixing console, and has found it an ideal solution for Night of the Proms in the Antwerp Sportpaleis. The idea behind this successful series of concerts was that of two Belgian students, Jan Van Esbroeck en Jan Vereecke. Based on the UK's Last Night of the Proms, the show takes the concept one stage further by adding in contemproary artists to widen its appeal. In 1990, organizers PSE took the concept to Holland for the first time, shortly followed by Germany in 1994. Now in its 19th year, it is one of Europe's most successful musical events.

This year's rock contingent include James Brown, Joe Cocker, Supertamp's Roger Hodgson, Shaggy and Cyndi Lauper, who will entertain audiences with 56 concerts from 15 October until 22 December in

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USA - Production Resource Group (PRG) hosted a two-day training session for Medialon's show control software at its Las Vegas facility on October 25-26, following the conclusion of the LDI show. PRG is an official dealer and programmer for Medialon software, and the training program was open to all industry participants. Yan Terrien of Medialon taught the program, and Jason Goldenberg of PRG assisted.

Seven technicians from across the US participated in the classes, which covered basic system programming procedures and advanced system features. Upon completion of the course, each participant received a Qualified Medialon Programmer certificate, which entitles the recipient to be recognized as an official programming resource on Medialon's website. Medialon is one of several show control systems sold and supported by PRG. Other systems include Alcorn-McBride, AMX, and PRG's prop

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UK - The Institute of Sound & Communication Engineers (ISCE) has announced that Dr. Roy Lawrence, HonFIOA, MInstSCE, is presenting a two-day course tutorial in Manchester on "Basic Acoustics for Sound System Professionals". The course, which will take place on 9-10 November 2004, is available to PLASA and ISCE Members at £200 (plus VAT) and to non-members at £250 (plus VAT). The course is ideal for both newcomers and those wishing to brush up on their knowledge. Fees include course materials, and limited numbers of places are available. Full details and booking information is available from Ros Wigmore, PO Box 7966, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 7WY, phone/fax: 0118 954 2175, or at the e-mail address below.

(Lee Baldock)

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USA - Meyer Sound has announced the introduction of the Galileo 616 digital loudspeaker management system - a 6 input/16 output, fully-digital matrix processor which collects in a single box all of the facilities required to drive and align sound reinforcement systems employing multiple zones. The device will include digital implementations of popular features developed over years by Meyer Sound for its acclaimed analogue processors, including atmospheric compensation.

Housed in a 2U rackmount package, the Galileo 616 processor can be used as a standalone device operated directly from its front panel, or in conjunction with a laptop or other personal computer via Ethernet. The Ethernet connection presents a broad variety of control possibilities, such as the use of wireless laptop computers and tablets to control the device, enabling the user to walk around a venue while adjust

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UK - Grammy-winning, multi-platinum-selling Canadian jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall is currently touring prestigious venues around the world, including a run of five dates at the Royal Albert Hall in London, in support of her latest release 'The Girl in the Other Room'. A Heritage 3000 at FOH and a Midas Venice 320 for monitors (monitor engineer Eric LaLiberte) will help to ensure that Krall's legendary vocal talents are delivered with warmth and clarity to her demanding audiences.

Dave Lawler of Docktrdave Audio Inc in Capistrano Beach, California, was contracted to mix sound at FOH for the tour and brought in his 48-channel Heritage 3000 console. Though onstage electronics are minimal, with boutique amps, custom instruments and German microphones being par for the course, Lawler's FOH setup belies the simplicity of the DSP-free backline, incorporating no less than three

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USA - ESTA (the Entertainment Services and Technology Association) announced the winners of the 2004 Dealers' and Manufacturers' Choice Awards during the LDI exhibition in Las Vegas last week. The Dealers' Choice Customer Service Awards offer ESTA's Dealer Members the opportunity to publicly recognize those manufacturers that provide consistently good customer service throughout the year. The awards recognize superior performance in four main areas: Customer Service, Shipping and Billing, Technical Support and Quotations/Project Management. Dealers cast their votes for manufacturers in each of three categories based on the Manufacturers' number of employees, 1-6, 7-25, and over 25 - and the winners for 2004 were Doug Fleenor Design Inc; City Theatrical and Apollo Design Technology Inc, respectively.

The Manufacturers' Choice Dealers of the Year Awards offer ESTA's Manufacturer

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UK - Barry Walker's TV and recording showgroup, Smackee, has invested in a new Robe Show Lighting moving light system, complete with Robe 1024 control desk, for its busy live performance schedule. The move was prompted by the company's popular Abba - The Show landing a high profile seasonal booking at Blackpool's North Pier Theatre.

Walker explains: "Blackpool is world famous for its illuminations, and the time was definitely right to get some new lighting technology onboard. Lighting can make or break a show, and we wanted to have the best lightshow in town."

The production has successfully toured Europe and the UK for four years. Smackee also has several other shows in their repertoire, including, The Musicals featuring the top scenes and sounds form favourite shows. When it came to specifying a lighting rig, Walker - also show producer and MD - want

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UK - Edinburgh lighting specialist black light got to the heart of Scottish democracy in October when 46 of its luminaires were used at the official opening of the Scottish Parliament's Holyrood building. Taking place on 9 October, the opening of the building was televised by the BBC. The 40 Source Four MCMs and six Source Four Juniors supplied by Black Light were used by main lighting contractor Lee Lighting in the main debating chamber. Their purpose was to augment existing equipment to light the Queen, the Presiding Officer and the Scottish National Orchestra, amongst others.

"The Holyrood building has been at the centre of the news in Scotland ever since it was first mooted, so we were very pleased to be able to contribute to the opening of the Parliament's official home," says black light managing director Gavin Stewart.

"It's was another example which sh

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If the cruise market isn't of interest, then maybe China is. PLASA will shortly be introducing a new service for members which will assist them with securing new business in China.

Run in partnership with Schmittzehe & Partners, the service will embrace investment valuation, financial structuring, business development, negotiations, interim management and the setting-up and manning of representative offices. Members are offered a free half-hour consultation.Call us now on

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USA - Industry training specialist and lighting programmer Vickie Claiborne has left High End Systems to launch an independent career as a training development consultant and automated lighting programmer. Claiborne has worked with High End Systems for over 10 years developing training programs recognized worldwide for lighting control consoles and digital media systems. She has created and maintained a consistent training curriculum for many leading products, including LCD Controllers, Status Cue, Wholehog 2 and most recently Wholehog 3 and Catalyst. Her programming experience includes the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony as well as numerous live concerts, broadcast events, and corporate industrials.

Claiborne is now actively expanding her coverage of product support seminars to include various lighting control systems and digital media products throughout the lightin

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UK - A.C. Lighting's Special Projects division has supplied and programmed fixtures for the largest installation of Solar LED equipment in the UK. The project, designed by LightMatters, involved providing an architectural lighting and control solution for illuminating the crown of Wall Street broker Lehman Bros' European headquarters in the prestigious Canary Wharf area of Central London. The 32-storey building, known as 'HQ2', is located amongst some of the capital's tallest buildings and the world's leading financial institutions.

To obtain the luminaires for the cutting-edge lighting project, LightMatters consulted A.C. Lighting's Special Projects division, who used its in-depth knowledge of LED fixtures to source the solution used. The whole project was managed by Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd.

The lighting system consists of 152 no. IP67 rated Solar M200B RGB LED luminarie

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Germany - MA Lighting has announced the appointment of Stefan Fiedler as technical sales and project coordinator, in which role he will support the company's international sales and project business, especially concerning tenders and complex system integrations. Fiedler is both a product and system expert and has experience of R&D, production, sales and the market.

As engineering graduate (Dipl.-Ing) for theatre and event technology, Fiedler worked for the Nationaltheater Mannheim, before joining Stella AG as stage and lighting director. Since November 1999 he has worked for the Despar Licht- und Bühnentechnik GmbH, where he was responsible for the planning as well as realization of special projects.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - XL Video supplied equipment and crew to HFM Lighting to help realize the projection of three separate giant moving images onto the curved fascia of Kingston-Upon-Thames Guildhall building. The 50ft high Guildhall was chosen because its circulator shape reflects the 'Zoopraxiscope' invented by Muybridge, which was used to animate film.

The Muybridge Festival celebrated the life and works of Eadweard Muybridge, one of the finest pioneering Victorian photographers who was born in Kingston in April 1830. The majority of his highly acclaimed experimental work was completed in America, and Muybridge is credited with being a founding father of modern cinema.

XL Video supplied three 17,000 lumen Barco ELM R18 projectors to transform Kingston High Street into a public gallery for two evenings as part of a wider series of Muybridge events and exhibitions.

Artistic director Robin

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24 new members have signed up over the summer months and a further 38 are currently applying for membership.

Included amongst the recent new members are Spectrum (UK) Lasers Ltd (Peterborough), Theatre Projects Consultants (London), Robe Show Lighting (Czech Republic), AV Matrix (Harrogate), Bryant Broadcast (Surrey), Central Presentations Ltd (Kenilworth), Miltec UK (Maidstone), Chainmaster (Germany), Milos Ltd (Czech Republic), PR Lighting Ltd (China), VXCO Lighting Systems (Switzerland), The Sound & Light Company Ltd (Isle of Wight), DiGiCo (UK) Ltd (Chessington), Guangzhou Surepro Audio & Lighting Equipment Co (China), Meyer Sound (USA), Duran Audio BV (The Netherlands), Sleepless Productions Ltd (Havant) and Atmosphere Inc (Derby).

Individual members inc

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PLASA has announced a joint initiative with CMP Princeton, organizers of the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention, to launch a new pavilion at the event, focusing directly on lighting, audio, AV and staging technologies.

The PLASA@Sea Pavilion will form a key element of the show which is the largest gathering of cruise line owners, operators and suppliers in the world. Although such technologies have been seen at Seatrade before, this is the first time they will feature in a dedicated area.

This new initiative offers a targeted market opportunity for companies who want to directly connect to the growing cruise markets and will also raise the profile of PLASA and its members.

Seatrade takes place in Miami in March 2005 and UK companies may be able to secure funding to participate. For further details call our US office on +1 212 352 2334 or e-mail

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UK - The COHEDRA Coherent Dynamic Response Array system from Germany's HK Audio was given one of its biggest challenges to date on the first UK production tour for boy-band sensation McFly. COHEDRA's longthrow projection was invaluable at cutting through the screams of the teenage girls who packed the venues to see their idols in action.

The three-week tour in late September and October featured a rig of 12 COHEDRA mid/high cabinets per side at most venues. The system was supplied to Production North by HK AUDIO's UK distributor John Hornby Skewes, together with two COHEDRA PR-8 and two PR-16 Power Racks. It was configured by FOH engineer Nick Warren using HK's CAPS Aiming Software prediction software. " COHEDRA exceeded my expectations for this tour," says Warren. "Firstly it is fantastic to fly and put together. The way the rigging is configured means that apar

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UK - After a competitive tender process, AV systems specialist Tiger AV has been awarded a key contract by Cheshire County Council. The contract is valued at £38,000 and is to provide audio-visual maintenance services to schools in Cheshire.

Over 150 schools with pupils of all ages have subscribed to the project, which is proving so successful that schools outside of the catchment area are now also interested in coming on board. The contract covers the repair of AV equipment including TVs, videos, DVD players, OHPs, slide projectors and a range of audio equipment. Tiger AV guarantees an engineer on-site within three working days of a fault being reported, thereby minimizing any 'down-time' of AV equipment.

Tiger AV's technical director, Tony Crossley said: "There are a number of reasons for the success of this contract. The first being our flexibility; in the fact we o

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UK - London-based ear monitor and hearing protection specialist Sensorcom has announced the release of Soundcheck, a simple key-fob style audio level meter designed to give a visual indication of noise levels. Suitable for use in music venues, theatres, nightclubs and in industry, Soundcheck has a traffic-light format of visual display to indicate when audio levels are safe or too high to work in without ear protection. Current and future noise at work legislation stipulates that employers must be aware of noise levels and must provide hearing protection beyond 90dB, also known as the 'Second Action Level'. This figure reduces to 87dB from April 2006.

Operation of Soundcheck is simple: a single button activates the device and from the resultant display the noise levels can be interpreted from the flashing or steady-state of the LEDs; the red LED indicates the noise level is at

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