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UK - Production Futures is an initiative created to provide opportunities for young people to learn, train, network, and develop real careers in production across every area of the live event, music, touring, theatre, TV, broadcast and film industries
As part of its continuing programme of On Tour live events, Production Futures will visit Nottingham’s Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies on 23 January, in company with industry experts and brand partners including manufacturers Sennheiser, Avolites, ChamSys, Chauvet Professional, Shure, Nexo, disguise, Brompton Technology, TAIT, Roe Visual, Riedel Communications, and Vectorworks, as well as a number of leading supply and production companies.
Part of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Confetti has two campuses, one in Nottingham and a new one in East London, scheduled to open this September. Production Futures

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USA - Illuminate Production Services (IPS) has recently opened an East Coast facility in Ft. Pierce, Florida, to better serve clients nationwide. The family-owned company, which first opened its doors in Sacramento in 2006, is one of the live event industry’s premiere full-service production companies. The new facility, which is stocked with production quality audio, video, lighting, and staging equipment, includes many of Elation Professional's most sought-after products.
General manager for IPS East is Michael Betancourt, a Florida native who is proud to lead the new 8100 sq. ft. facility. “By choosing Fort Pierce, it allows us to be central and support the many production companies throughout the state and east coast. I am excited about the opportunity and have a lot of ideas to further the successful growth of IPS.”
Betancourt brings over 30 years of audio, v
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Europe - In the next phase of Power Logistics’ ambitious plans for expansion, the temporary power specialist has appointed a European director to lead its newly opened office in Maastricht, Netherlands.
Experienced international sales and marketing professional, Patrick Elissen, will be spearheading the company’s EMEA operation from the centrally located office. Situated in close proximity to both the German and Belgian borders, the new office is just a short hop from many major European cities.
The news follows the company’s announcement in November that it had established a permanent base in Cork, Ireland, and is part of an ongoing programme of growth that will see Power Logistics build on its market-leading reputation for driving innovative, sustainable solutions forward across the globe.
Commenting on his appointment, Power Logistics’ European direct

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UK - A new audio rental company - 22live – has launched, with the announcement that key industry professionals Spencer Beard and Alex Penn have joined the management team.
22live is the UK’s newest pro-audio service provider, initially focused on providing hire services to the touring production market. Founded in early 2022 by Paul Timmins, with the initial business name derived purely from the year the company was established, 22live quickly became the favoured choice of name for its simplicity, availability and focus as a brand. Paul Timmins comments: “22 just works. It can fit on anything and it’s snappy. We’re really pleased with the brand we are creating and it looks great on all the kit.”
In mid-2022 Stefan Phillips and Simon Gladstone joined the company as directors, to establish operations, based in the Midlands. Ti

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USA - Bandit Lites recently held its Annual General Meeting, a gathering of all the team members across the country for an assessment of the year prior and announcements of future endeavours. Bandit chair Michael T. Strickland addressed the team, sharing insights on Bandit’s successes in 2022 and his goals for 2023, including new updated facilities, equipment and support.
“As we enter our 55th year Bandit continues to lead the way in the industry,” said Strickland. “Bandit is now well into fifth generation Bandits, and the younger people are taking the reins in many areas. We have introduced a brand new all aluminium meat rack storage solution that has revolutionized fixture storage and transport and the reaction has been amazing.
“We are also rolling out the first 100 Tyler Ladder Towers, which is another industry changing solution. A single unit is both a f

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UK - Chauvet Professional entered the holiday season with a full head of steam, anchoring shows for headliners at major arenas throughout the country. Now with the turning of the calendar page, the UK team is embarking on another tour, not in support of a musical artists, but to give lighting professionals a first-hand look at some of the company’s new IP65-rated products.
Beginning on Tuesday, 24 January at The Place in London, the Chauvet Professional road show will be stopping at eight different cities throughout the UK to spread the news about products like the Ovation Rêve E-3 IP outdoor ready full spectrum white and multi-colour-mixing ellipsoidal, and the new arena-grade line of Maverick Storm fixtures.
The road shows will also feature a first-time UK look at the new fixtures in the Rogue Outcast series of high-powered moving heads including The Rogue Outcast

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UK – A new company, Electric Airshows, has been launched to provide drone light shows to the UK’s outdoor events market.
Two well-known faces in the event production industry, Chris Crockford and Ian Lomas, have combined their considerable expertise and event experience to offer this new, professional service.
After months spent in research, pilot training and regulatory approvals, the pair are now operating an initial fleet of drones purchased from Chinese manufacturer and drone show specialist, DAMODA Intelligent Control Technology.
The quad-copter drones, using accurate GPS RTK (Real Time Kinematics) positioning technology have already flown several successful displays, including a series of events for Alton Towers. The drones, which each carry a removable, all-in-one 10W RGBW LED and rechargeable battery pack, and can fly and maintain position in winds o

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Flagship Opening - City Academy is to open a new arts complex in the former home of the Central School of Ballet, which it is describing as a "flagship" offering. Opening in the old heritage building in Clerkenwell, London, the site will contain a purpose-built black-box theatre – opening later this year – and classes that will run over the five storeys, with the first course having started already.
City Academy offers dance, acting and other creative courses. Its managing director Michael Ward said: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing this wonderful heritage building back to life and filling it with a new generation of actors, dancers, singers, performers and creatives. As you walk around the building, you can feel its history, and we aim to honour and respect this past as we refurbish the building. Our team cannot wait to welcome our students and clients into t

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UK - Following a rigorous assessment, technical solutions specialist White Light (WL) is now a certified B Corporation (B Corp), joining a socially and environmentally conscious movement of 1000 UK-based and over 6000 companies worldwide. This news comes just a few months after WL gained ISO14001 accreditation - the international standard for environmental management systems (EMS).
B Corp was conceived in 2006 by B Lab - the non-profit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet. As such, the certification process comprehensively evaluates a business’s sustainability practices. Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. WL’s commitment to operating its business as a force for good was rewarded with an Ov

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Europe - Elation Professional has announced that AV equipment supplier XLR has been appointed the exclusive distributor for Elation Professional lighting products in Belgium and Luxembourg. The distribution partnership went into effect on 1 January 2023.
Located in Brussels, XLR delivers innovative pro-AV equipment to theatres, recording studios, broadcasters, system integrators, rental companies & commercial and residential buildings across the region. Company owners Louis Lukusa and Jan De Brucker have been in the business for more than 30 years and have operated XLR for the past 10 years, providing full-service solutions from consultation to installation and after-service support.
Elation’s broad line of lighting products will have application across all of XLR’s markets and will complement well the company’s portfolio of top brand audio products.

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USA - Behind the Scenes is offering virtual training for mental health First Aid and Bystander intervention.
Says BTS, “Become a certified mental health First Aider in 2023 and make a real difference. Take an active role in helping to care for those you work with. Expand your skill sets by learning how to identify, understand and respond to signs of distress in your colleagues and help make our workplaces healthier and safer spaces for all. You will be able to use the information you learn every day in interactions with your co-workers as well as friends and family.”
Mental health First Aid virtual classes are posted for January and February at btshelp.org/mhfa. The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a two-hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to a six-hour virtual live instructor led session.<

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UK - Cambridge-based CEG specialises in the trade rental of lighting, power, rigging, and effects equipment used for a wide range of entertainment shows and live events embracing multiple sectors.
Founded by Ben Bowles and Gavin Thorrold in 2008, the company has weathered the challenges of the pandemic with some smart thinking and fiscal agility and continues to be constantly busy.
CEG has been investing steadily in Robe moving lights and LED products since 2012 – when LEDBeam 100s first joined the inventory which has seen a steady flow of purchases since 2015, with the addition of Pointes, Cyc FX8s, LEDWash 600s, and BMFLs to stock.
The most recent Robe purchases have been Spiiders, Esprites, LEDBeam 150s and RoboSpot systems. The 13 x RoboSpot systems mean CEG holds one of the largest rental-only stocks in the UK, and these make up over 500 Robe luminaires

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Spain - ISE 2023 show is set to welcome more than 900 exhibitors, including around 120 first-time exhibitors who will take up 3,630sqm of floorspace at the Fira.
Those making their debuts in Barcelona will bring innovative products and solutions from across the pro AV and systems integration landscape, from smart home automation and communication and collaboration tools to transparent displays, e-paper signage and audio innovations.
One new exhibitor is Naostage, an engineering-led start-up that has created an automatic beaconless 3D tracking solution to help create immersive, interactive live experiences.
Paul Cales, CEO and co-founder of Naostage, said: “We are very excited to be exhibiting for the first time at ISE 2023, where we will launch our K System tracking solution, the industry’s first real-time 3D beaconless system of its kind. ISE is a fantastic

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Sweden - Events supplier FC Production has invested in a mixture of new Prolights fixtures, including 36x Jet Wash7, 16x Astra Hybrid420, 24x Smart BatPlusG2 and eight EclFresnel fixtures.
The new kit will go straight into FC's rental fleet and is already booked out. “We decided to go with Prolights because of their vibrant and beautiful colour rendering, with high CRI values across all fixtures,” said Christoffer Carpvik, founder of FC Production. “Prolights has a sturdy and well-thought hardware design and the user interface between fixtures is very similar, making it an efficient workflow.”
When asked about the feature that impressed the most, Christoffer commented: “For me, it's the great design and the building quality. It's a well-made product made by professionals for professionals.”
Even though it's not the first time FC Production has used eq

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USA - The Audio Engineering Society (AES) will be presented with a prestigious Technical Grammy Award during the Grammy Week celebration in February 2023. The news was made public as part of the Recording Academy announcing its Special Merit Awards recipients. A special invitation-only ceremony will be held on Saturday, 4 February 2023, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.
With the presentation of this award, AES joins an list of previous recipients which includes such well-known names as Apple Computer, Inc., AMS Neve plc, JBL Professional, Royer Labs, Shure Incorporated, Sony/Philips, Solid State Logic, Universal Audio, WAVES Audio and Yamaha Corporation.
This Special Merit Award is presented by vote of the Producers & Engineers Wing Advisory Council and Chapter Committees.
The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards recipients press release sta

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UK - Sonnox has joined the Focusrite Group. Sonnox is a well-established brand in the audio industry. Its range of plugins are used in a wide range of audio applications including mixing, mastering, live sound, broadcast, TV and film, and even scientific and forensics projects.
The Sonnox team traces its heritage back to the development of the Oxford OXF-R3 digital mixing console which was installed in recording studios worldwide.
Tim Carroll, chief executive officer of the Focusrite Group, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to welcome Rod and his entire team to the Focusrite Group. Sonnox products are globally recognized as best in class, making them a natural fit in our stable, and we are all excited about the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead.”
Rod Densham, founder and managing director of Sonnox added: “We believe that by joining Focusrite

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Europe - Renkus-Heinz has announced a new partnership with Denmark-based AV distributor Matrix Sales.
As one of the largest AV distributors in Denmark, Matrix Sales works to bring audio, lighting and stage equipment solutions to conference rooms, meeting rooms, stages and studios.
“At Matrix Sales, we take pride in offering our customers only the best AV solutions. The company originated as a rental business, and all employees have personal experience with live or studio sound, so quality is paramount,” said Thomas Christensen, CEO, Matrix Sales. “Our team is impressed with Renkus-Heinz’s audio solutions. Quality, paired with extraordinarily good support, gives us the impression of a supreme brand that we will happily represent.
“The advantages of this partnership are obvious. We know the business, the customers and their demands, and Renkus-Heinz offe

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Europe - Elation Professional has announced that AV equipment supplier Rolight has been named the new exclusive distributor of Elation lighting products in the Netherlands. The agreement, which went into effect on 1 January, also encompasses Elation’s atmospheric effects brand Magmatic.
Established for over 40 years and based in Enschede, Rolight specialises in supplying the Dutch market with lighting, video and audio equipment. Rolight provides professional equipment to a wide range of different market segments, including theatres, rental, touring and AV installation companies.
“The new partnership with Elation will help us strengthen both our lighting and effect product ranges, offering our clients a greater variety of options and strengthening our position as one of the leading providers of professional lighting equipment on the market,” stated Robin Eijlders

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Lights Dimmed - Many West End theatres dimmed their lights on the evening of 21 December, in support of Ukraine and the winter blackouts the country will face due to the ongoing war with Russia. 21 December is the darkest day of the year, with the shortest day and longest night of the year, and West End theatres, along with other London businesses and the Mayor of London, participated in the worldwide supportive act.
West End theatres have a tradition of dimming theatre lights before or during an evening performance to pay tribute to notable figures who have died, mark a moment of tragedy or show support for a cause. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged organisations and individuals to band together for An Hour For Ukraine by switching off festive and non-essential lights to help raise public awareness of the continued war impact on Ukraine and to help with f

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USA - The results are in for the 2023 ESTA Board of Directors election. Incumbent Todd Spencer of Ventana Capital Investments will return as president, and incumbent Joe Aldridge will return as individual director. Hannah R. D’Amico of IATSE has been elected as the new organisational director. She will succeed Alan M. Rowe, who reached his term limit.
D’Amico first became involved with ESTA through her work with the IATSE Education and Training Department. Early in her career, she was assigned to work with members of the IATSE Craft Advancement Programme (ICAP) to develop new craft skills and safety trainings for IATSE workers. During her time with the ICAP, she was mentored by ESTA past-president Eddie Raymond; individual director, Joe Aldridge; outgoing organisational director, Alan Rowe; and ETCP Council member Kent Jorgensen, among many others. Last year she joined

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USA - Elation Professional has announced that Relation Lighting Agency (RLA) has been appointed the new sales representative for Elation Professional products in California, Nevada and Hawaii. Headed by lighting industry veteran Robert Pullman, the new sales rep firm boasts decades of industry experience and will draw on that expertise to represent the entire Elation lighting portfolio, including Obsidian Control Systems and Magmatic atmospheric effects.
Pullman, Principal at RLA, began in the industry in 1987 as an NABET technician with ABC News in New York City. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1994, he has worked on thousands of productions and events in the entertainment, live event, film and television industries as a production electrician, board operator, TD, PM, and LD. Prior to founding RLA, he was co-owner of a lighting dealership in Burbank, CA and most recently ser

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World - The LSi and PLASA team are getting ready to down tools for the last time in 2022, but before we do, we’d like to thank you for your continued readership and support this year.
Our daily online news service will resume on Tuesday, 3 January 2023, but if you find yourself pining in the meantime, all 37 years’ worth of LSi’s back catalogue is accessible for free, HERE.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays - we hope the new year finds you happy, healthy, and thriving!
The LSi team

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USA - While many attending LDI 2022 in Las Vegas admired Claypaky’s demo of their Volero Wave LED bar, OSA International’s Mark Fetto bought the full Claypaky LDI show rig. “We jumped on them,” he says. “Volero Wave was the coolest new product we saw at LDI.”
Volero Wave is the latest in Claypaky’s Volero line of high-performance LED bars. A totally new lighting effect, it offers lighting designers the power to create truly original, three dimensional and volumetric lighting for any production that wants to stand out. The bar is comprised of eight independent moving bodies which give designers eight separate heads, each capable of moving on a 220º tilt.
“Volero Wave is very attention grabbing – so different, bright and with cool colours,” says Fetto, who is VP lighting and general manager of the Las Vegas office of OSA International, which deliver

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USA - Harman Professional Solutions recently hosted 20 Los Angeles-based artists, musicians and content creators at an immersive product showcase and networking event. The event launches what will be an ongoing Create With programme where emerging music creators will engage with JBL Professional and AKG products in new and creative ways.
“The event was an amazing opportunity to get connected with other artists and creators,” said musician Caroline Kingsbury. “I loved seeing all the detailed behind the scenes work that goes into making the great products JBL and AKG make to help us create our best work.”
The event kicked off with a happy hour, giving attendees a chance to meet local creators in-person for the first time. Following the meet-and-greet, the creators designed their own AKG Ara microphones using paint markers. Gathered around a long table wit
  1. DPA deployed for musical events across USA
  2. Temporary power courses announced for 2023
  3. L-Acoustics counterfeiters receive prison sentences
  4. Brit Row sponsors Women in Live Music Awards
  5. PL+S and Pro Musik create event stage
  6. Bharat Music moves forward with DiGiCo SD10
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