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UK - John Hornby Skewes & Co has announced the appointment of Richard Morgan as media relations coordinator. A journalist, Morgan will be working as part of the JHS marketing team.

Most recently, Morgan spent 18 months in Berlin as an editor at Communication Director magazine. He has previously lived and worked in the UK, France and Germany. "As someone who has been into music since a very young age, it's great to get the chance to work with musical instruments and fellow music fans on a daily basis," says Morgan. "I'm looking forward to my new role and getting to know and work with everyone in the industry."

(Jim Evans)

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Spain - Robe lighting has won the 2010 Produccion Audio and Production Professional Award for the Lighting Company of the Year.

The annual Awards, produced in association with IFEMA - The Fair Trade Institute of Madrid - is now in its 8th year, recognises the best creative, technological and human achievements and developments across all sectors of the professional production and installation world.

The Award was announced during a lively evening of celebrations staged at the Auditorio Sur, a large theatre at the IFEMA Convention & Congress Centre in Madrid last week. This attracted leading industry movers and shakers from Spain and other parts of southern Europe including representatives from TV channels, cinema, production companies, advertising agencies, music and concert promoters, post studios, sales, events, technical production and rental companies.

Robe

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UK - London-based drapes specialist Cover It Up supplied scenic dressing and blackout draping for the Festive Lights Switch On by pop star Rihanna at Westfield London Shopping Centre in Shepherd's Bush, west London.

Cover It Up has supplied six sets of different generic scenic drapes to Westfield London that were specified by technical manager Simon Jones for use on different events throughout the year. For some of these - as was the case for the Switch On - the existing drapes are augmented with bespoke additionals.

Cover It Up's team was led by Elliot Stennett. Their task on this occasion was to create a VIP area and drape off the stage and wings.

They used white molton as a base layer with white trevira and voile over the top - taken from one of the standard Westfield packages - and draped about 50m along one side of the atrium to make the VIP balcony space.

Drapes from

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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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Australia - The 2010 UCI Road World Championships held recently in Geelong was the largest cycling competition Australia has ever hosted. The world championship is the marquee event for the Union Cycliste International (UCI) and is second only to the Tour de France in terms of importance and prestige in international cycling.

Geelong-based Total Events Co was given the task to provide audio requirements for the Championship's nine event precincts.

"We had 14 different systems over nine sites for the Championships and it was a total Jands-fest," reports Bill Busbridge, managing director of Total Events Co. "From JBL PRX and VRX boxes, Shure microphones, Crown amplifiers, DBX processing, BSS, Soundcraft to Jands HPC Air Gap power distribution units. We had it all. Plus we had great support from Jands' service and customer support."

A total of 12 JBL-VRX932

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UK - Trussing specialist Milos UK has designed, manufactured and installed a super-grid with three moving sub-grids, a pile winding winch movement system and a full set of blackout drapes for Milton Studio One on the campus of the University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

The venue is a magnificent Grade II listed theatre space within a former Methodist Church, now part of The Milton Building and home to the University's Drama, Theatre & Performance department.

Milos was one of eight companies invited to tender for the project by David Wainwright, senior technician and manager of resources for drama, theatre & performance.

Studio One is used extensively by the University's BA Honours in Drama and its Technical Theatre Foundation Degree courses, as well as for numerous visiting productions, and as a learning resource for other departments across the university.

The facili

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Belgium - After the successful introduction of the Pixled F-6 LED display at key exhibitions (including PLASA in the UK and LDI in the USA) Pixled and Mitsubishi Electric have announced a special cooperation.

As of now the Pixled F-6 display will be available either with a standard proprietary processor or with the latest generation of a range of processors from Mitsubishi Electric.

The Mitsubishi options will include multi input HD and DVI with super resolution technology, MPEG noise reduction and enhanced grey scale processing.

"To unite all these vital elements and achieve the standards of excellence we required, we needed to combine with the best processing, which is now a reality" says Pixled general manager Bart Van der Beken.

(Jim Evans)

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The Netherlands - Results of sustainability research over the course of recent months commissioned by the Dutch Association for Stage Technology (VPT - De Vereniging voor Podiumtechnologie) have shown that, in some applications, LED lamps with white light have an efficiency seven times that of conventional fittings.

Research showed as well that audience appreciation of a dance performance did not change with the use of sustainable or conventional fittings. A group of renowned theatre technicians, lighting designers, directors and stage designers headed the research.

The results of the research programme will be revealed today during the symposium VPT has organised, called Sustainability on stage! in Zwolle. There, all possible ways of making work in the cultural world more sustainable will be considered say the organisers.

In the spring of 2011, together with supplier

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Spain - Christie has been honoured with two Total Media Awards, presented at the digital signage fair of the same name recently held in Madrid. Christie was awarded in the Innovative Solution category for Christie MicroTiles, and in the Best Projector category for Christie Mirage WU7K-M. The Total Media awards were created to recognise the most outstanding and innovative technological products in the digital signage industry.

The jury was composed by the Editorial Board of the Spanish magazine Total Media, a professional publication for DOOH (Digital Out of Home), digital signage and mobile marketing. The nominees for the awards were selected by the votes in a survey among industry professionals on the Total Media web.

"It is an honour and a source of pride to have won these two influential prizes," says Antonio Abad, head of Christie for Spain and Portugal, w

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Italy - A group of 20 technicians from UK stage and rental companies has taken part in a three-day training event organised by Clay Paky at its Italian headquarters in Bergamo. The trip was designed to give the crews command of one of the most widely used tools in stage lighting today - the Alpha 700 range. The course was held from 9 to 11 November 2010 and was hailed as a success for its in-depth focus on a single product line.

The event was instigated by Clay Paky UK Sales Manager Ashley Lewis. "We had no problem filling places on the course, and I am sure this was partly because we chose to focus on the Alpha 700 range.

"Most courses try to cover too much, skating over the detail. Here our aim was to provide our customers with really useful, detailed information - with help from the guys that developed the Alpha range in Italy."

Clay Paky's Marco Zucchinali

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UK - Point Source Productions has supplied the lighting, power, control and smoke solutions for La Soirée, a new show on London's South Bank.

La Soirée presents a 'twisted take on cabaret and variety'. Playing to audiences of 900 people a night, the show takes place in a spiegeltent sandwiched between the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall.

This is the second time Point Source Productions, working in conjunction with Dan Watkins of The Production Desk, has worked with lighting designer, Willie Suddon, having provided the lighting equipment for last year's La Clique show at the Roundhouse.

Point Source Productions' equipment includes Litec trussing, cabling and power distribution, lighting control via an Avolites Pearl, and all exit and emergency lighting. Dimming is in the form of the new 48-way Jands FPX touring dimmer, with Point So

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China - Faye Wong is one of China's most popular icons, and arguably the most famous female Chinese-language pop singer of all time. She is also one of the most offbeat. Famed for her reserve, her effortless "cool" and her fierce independence, Wong received over seven million votes in a government web portal's online poll on 'The most influential Chinese cultural celebrity of the last 60 years', second only to Wong's own personal idol, the deceased Taiwanese singer, Teresa Teng.

Wong has recently embarked on a national 'comeback' tour after a five-year break from performing. Such is her popularity that, according to local media, a computerised ticketing system in Taiwan crashed within a minute of tickets going on sale for the limited number of performances. However, the tour has been recorded for posterity via an Innovason Eclipse digital mixing console.

The tour kic

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USA - Harman Professional Systems Development and Integration Group (SDIG) has introduced HiQnet System Architect Version 2.3. In doing so, SDIG significantly improves the performance, functionality and user interface of System Architect, which, according to Adam Holladay, senior market manager, Harman Professional Systems Development and Integration Group, makes System Architect more useful, more effective and more efficient.

"SDIG is singularly committed to improving HiQnet System Architect on every criteria at every opportunity," Holladay says. "We regularly examine the user experience, the performance engine and hardware integration and we religiously seek out new ways to improve each. With version 2.3, our base of 30,000 registered HiQnet users will see advances in the look and feel of the software, the speed and efficiency of the software and operational fun

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USA - Rascal Flatts' managers Trey Turner and Doug Nichols turned to designer Bob Peterson and Bandit Lites for their lighting needs. The current tour, Unstoppable, is not only the name of the current album, but also seems to describe this music machine. Sold out shows, TV appearances, award shows and movies are all part of the daily life of Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney, otherwise known as Rascal Flatts.

To enhance the already high energy show Peterson used over 150 VL3500 Spots, VL3500 Washes, VL3000 Spots, VL500 Washes and VL2500 Spots as his battery of moving lights. Martin Atomic Strobes, Lycian M2 Spots, Thomas 4 Lights and cyc lights as well as Thomas 9 Light Maxi Brutes were all pressed into use. Peterson used a touch of LED as he engaged 40 GRNLite Washes for set and up light in various locations. His control of choice is the formidable GrandMA, run

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USA - Meyer Sound has announced a new dedicated cinema team to lead the development, sales, marketing, and technical support efforts for the EXP line of cinema products (formerly known as Cinema Experience). This strategic taskforce includes Steve Shurtz as technology director; Mauricio Saint Martin as global sales director; and Brian Long as senior cinema and live sound design manager. Jim Sides, who was formerly the CEO of Meyer Sound Germany, will become business development director, EXP.

"As we continue to grow in the cinema market, it's important that we provide the same level of support to our partners in the field," says Helen Meyer, co-founder and vice president at Meyer Sound. "These personnel changes will enable us to work more closely and effectively with the cinema industry and also allow Steve, Jim, Mauricio, and Brian to focus on their core strength

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UK - The recent 2012 digital switchover open days held by the Audio division of A.C. Entertainment Technologies have proven to be a sound investment for attendees, with many commenting on how useful and informative the events were.

Held in conjunction with leading manufacturers Sennheiser and Shure at the company's High Wycombe and Leeds offices, attendees received an in-depth 2012 digital switchover Q&A session by members of the BEIRG committee and demonstrations of the manufacturers' new Channel 38 compliant equipment, as well as showcasing other brand ranges distributed by Sennheiser and Shure.

James Hudson, director of Futurist Sound & Light commented: "We've attended a couple of seminars previously at AC-ET, and indeed in this instance visited both open days at their High Wycombe and Leeds offices as we were keen to learn as much as possible about the ramifications o

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USA - Adding another staple to the Las Vegas bar, restaurant and nightclub scene, systems integration firm R2W designed and installed a complete JBL loudspeaker system at Fine Entertainment's recently constructed PBR Rock Bar to support all audio from background restaurant music to televised sporting events and live rock concerts.

The 1,100-capacity venue, located in the Miracle Mile complex at the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood Hotel, combines a rock and roll atmosphere with a nightclub, American grill, more than 100 high-definition televisions and a mechanical bull. In addition, the PBR Rock Bar's main dining hall transforms into a stage for live performances after dark.

R2W installed 21 JBL AM7212/95 12-inch full-range 2-way loudspeakers, five ASB6125 high-power dual subwoofers, eight AC28/26 2-way loudspeakers and four Control 24CT 2-way ceiling speakers for the 13,000 square-

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UK - XL Events has won a 2010 Eventia Award for 'Technical Supplier of The Year', which was presented at a gala dinner evening attended by 800 leading events industry professionals at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel in London.

The Awards were hosted by BBC Breakfast regulars Bill Turnbull and Sian Williams. XL Events' director Rich Rowley and business development manager Nick Hart collected the Award on behalf of the XL Events team, who have offices in Hemel Hempstead and Bromsgrove in the UK.

Says Rowley, "XL Events has enjoyed an outstanding year. Our market position has strengthened and we have continued to deliver during a fragile economic climate. More importantly our business has been agile and adaptable enough to offer these Agency's a whole series of multiple and creative solutions for their clients."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Adlib Audio has supplied an L-Acoustics dV-DOSC modular WST line source FOH system to the Spa Bridlington for its 3,800-capacity Royal Hall venue. Technical manager Emrys Jones required a system that could cope with a demanding events schedule and performances ranging from tea dances and sporting events through to comedy, rock concerts and punk festivals.

Adlib Audio was appointed as audio supplier by approved electrical contractor K Binks Heating. The Art Deco Royal Hall ballroom and Edwardian spa theatre have recently been restored, and any installation work needed to be sympathetic to the classic interior decor.

As the venue already owned some L-Acoustics equipment, the dV-DOSC system was the first choice for both Emrys Jones and Adlib's installations director Roger Kirby. A high speech intelligibility factor was crucial, and Adlib was confident it could draw upon its

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UK - Point Source Productions teamed up with Secret Cinema for two of their recent screening events: Ridley Scott's Blade Runner at Canary Wharf and the David Lean epic, Lawrence of Arabia, at Alexandra Palace.

Secret Cinema events operate by providing a creative, immersive experience for its audiences in which to view the film, recreating settings and characters reminiscent of the films such as Blade Runner's China Town and Lawrence of Arabia's souks and deserts.

More ambitious than Secret Cinema's customary one night extravaganzas, Blade Runner ran for eight screenings and proved to be the 11th biggest grossing film in the UK that week.

Point Source Productions supplied a QX30S trussing system and lighting which included ETC Source 4s, CCT Minuette Fresnels, PAR 64s and floor-mounted Birdies providing general cover and uplight from a desi

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USA - When did the theatre industry move from hemp to counterweights? Who invented the sophisticated automatic release system for fire curtains? What did the first computerized rigging control system look like?

These and many other questions are answered in the catalogues of rigging products published by J. R. Clancy throughout its 125-year history. Members of USITT soon will be able to see digital files of every page of these catalogues, beginning with the first from 1886.

In celebration of J.R. Clancy's 125th anniversary year, the company has scanned and digitized all the pages and cover of every catalogue. J. R. Clancy has provided access to these digital files to USITT in acknowledgement of the company's 45-plus years as a member of this organization. These files are available to educators, students, faculty members and other researchers with a serious interest in the hist

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UK - Between 30 November and 2 December, the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's Southbank was used as a canvas to trailer Disney's 3D digital movie, TRON: Legacy. The architectural 3D projection mapping by creative agency Guided Collective in collaboration with Flat-e / Seeper was carried out using six Christie HD18K projectors supplied by large scale projection specialists, QED Productions, and was accompanied by the music from the Daft Punk soundtrack.

The feature also included a re-creation of Flynn's Arcade, inside which housed the original TRON arcade game, a replica of the Light Cycle, the TRON: Evolution video game and an HP demo area with new HP ePrint Technology - that could be used to print the photos taken at the event directly via email.

(Jim Evans)

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