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Olympic Countdown - Spectators who attended a preview of the Olympic Games opening ceremony have been urged to keep the details secret and not spoil the surprise for others. Thousands of people who attended a rehearsal on Monday were asked not to circulate images or videos. Danny Boyle, the ceremony's artistic director, reportedly addressed the audience to "save the surprise".

About 62,000 are set to attend the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, on Friday. The event is expected to be watched by an audience of billions worldwide. Olympic organisers Locog said the technical rehearsal for the opening ceremony "went very well". "The reaction from the attendees has been overwhelmingly positive on social media and crucially they are still helping us to save the surprise for the rest of the nation on Friday," it said.

Peop

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UK - On Sunday 8th July 2012, Battersea Power Station changed colour from red to green as it hosted 2,000 people attending the Nike+ FuelFest - a huge party rewarding the most active everyday athletes who have taken part in Nike events so far this year.

Each energetic guest wore a Nike+ FuelBand. The wristbands measured the audience's movement - the more they moved the more NikeFuel they earned. As the crowd danced to Tinie Tempah, Magnetic Man and Zane Lowe, the energy produced from their NikeFuel was used to light the exterior of Battersea Power Station from red to green. The event concept and design was created by Will Mould, managing director of Slice.

PRG's John McEvoy, Dan Burgess and Mick Jones supplied the lighting, rigging and video package for James Owers, production manager at Ronin Productions.

The partygoers entered through a 50m long tunnel, clad by 480 Barco M

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UK - Audio, lighting and video specialist, Oxfordshire based RealSound and Vision, has completed the installation of a Community sound system for Cedar Sports Management Ltd. at Bar Sport in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

The new Bar Sport venue is located at Grenfell Island, a popular area in the town for cafés, bars, restaurants and the cinema. "Being a sports venue, Euro 2012 was the major event that dictated the timescale of opening for business", commented RealSound's managing director, David Nibbs. "This defined a tight schedule for the sound and dance floor lighting to be designed and installed, but with a decisive client and good service from our suppliers we were able to complete the installation on time."

RealSound designed the system using Community ceiling loudspeakers to maintain clear sightlines to the bar's 42 video screens in the low ceiling

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UK - The countdown is now well and truly running to 17 August 2012, the final submission date for the White Light-Coemar LEDko Challenge - a chance to win a package of Coemar's Reflection LEDko LED lighting fixtures.

Reflection LEDko is an LED lighting system designed to replace familiar existing lighting tools - framing profile spots, and Fresnel or PC washlights - with a new LED equivalents that behave as the older lanterns do while enjoying all of the advantages LEDs bring, particularly energy efficiency, long, reliable working life and the ability to operate without the need for external dimmers.

Coemar and its exclusive UK distributor White Light have teamed up create the LEDko Challenge, which will supply a suite of LEDko technology to the venue judged most in need of a technological update. The challenge offers the chance to win six LEDko fixtures, in any combination of

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd. has supplied a custom FOH lighting position curved truss, complete with CM Lodestar chain hoists, a bespoke motor controller and power distribution solutions to the Little Theatre Gateshead.

The Little Theatre Gateshead is home to the Progressive Players, who produce up to 10 of their own shows per year and also 'dry-hire' the venue to outside groups.

The Little Theatre's chairman and manager, Robbie Carruthers was referred to AC-ET when seeking an innovative way of integrating a flown truss for lighting positions in front of the proscenium arch. He wanted this to harmoniously follow the curvature of the ceiling and allow maximum height for lighting fixtures, whilst minimising intrusion into audience sightlines.

A.C. Rigging's Matt Millward, based in the company's Leeds office, facilitated the design and co-ordination of the

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UK - Known as the Millennium Bridge, Salford Quay's Lowry Bridge in Manchester, UK was recently equipped with new energy efficient and dynamic lighting and LumenRadio's CRMX wireless lighting controls played a key role.

The 95m long span was built in year 2000 as a pedestrian bridge across the Manchester Ship Canal and it's 18m vertical lift allows large watercrafts and ships to pass underneath. The structure features a stunning, swooping architectural design, now with lighting to match, and serves as the backdrop for the BBC North West Tonight television news programme.

LITE ltd, Philips Colorkinetics distributor in the UK, designed and installed a powerful RGB LED system of ColorReach and ColorBlast fixtures to illuminate the very photogenic bridge with saturated color washes. The whole project is controlled by an extensive CRMX Nova DMX/RDM system that eliminated the

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New Zealand - Philips Entertainment luminaires are helping Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), New Zealand's largest single collection of aviation heritage, dramatically reduce its energy consumption in its most recently completed display hall.

Designed by Studio of Pacific Architecture, the new display hall tells the story of New Zealand's innovative civilian, agricultural and military flight history. The winner of several major architectural awards including the NZIA award for sustainable architecture, the Aviation Display Hall features rainwater harvesting system, naturally reticulating air conditioning and more than 190 carefully chosen Philips Entertainment luminaires. This choice has substantially reduced its overall lighting load from 250kW to under 20kW.

And the fixtures deliver on the museums sustainability goals without compromising on performance.

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USA - Thousands of venues around the globe have staged West Side Story, but none have approached the musical like the 49-seat Chance Theater in Anaheim, California. The theatre is doing West Side Story with a modern lighting twist: an all-LED rig, featuring ETC's latest lighting innovations. The goal of the show is to demonstrate how to use ETC LED fixtures to achieve the look of a conventionally-lit show - with full-spectrum colour and naturally-rendered flesh tones - while achieving huge energy savings in a small theatre.

Show director Oanh Nguyen wanted to present a gritty, contemporary version of the classic West Side Story, so he and lighting designer KC Wilkerson discussed using a rig of practical, industrial fixtures - fluorescent, metal-halide, sodium - to achieve an edgier lighting design. A trip to the USITT 2012 tradeshow in Long Beach, California

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Serbia - Robe moving lights - Robin 600 LEDWash and Robin 600E Spots - have been specified and installed at the Serbian national broadcaster RDU RTV Vojvodine's main studios in Novi Sad, together with LEDForce 18s from the Light4ce range.

These were supplied by Robe's Serbian distributor Studio Berar Projekt. The decision to go with Robe fixtures for the TV station was a collective one, made by all the lighting designers, DoPs, technicians and engineers involved in lighting their busy schedule of programmes.

Day to day, the new lights are being looked after by chief lighting technician, Irinej Hudak. They are currently being used on one of the most popular current affairs programmes on Serbian TV, Tabloid with Saša and Nataša.

The programme is co-hosted by its originator Aleksandar (Saša) Filipovi?, together with Nataša Ili?-Jovanovi? and is celebrating its 16th g

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USA - College Park Center at University of Texas Arlington has installed a spectacular distributed audio system featuring more than 30 Meyer Sound loudspeakers. The 218,000sq.ft venue, which hosts university sports, concerts, speakers, commencement ceremonies, and more, anchors the emerging 20-acre College Park District and is stimulating a revitalization of downtown Arlington.

Austin-based acoustics and AV consultant BAi, LLC was hired by the University of Texas at Arlington and the architect, HKS, to design the sound reinforcement systems as well as distributed television and scoreboard systems. Grand Prairie, Tex.-based integrator ABLe Communications was contracted by Hunt Construction to implement the systems.

"What the project comes down to is a very well-designed system that was in turn installed per specifications. It ended up being a fantastic system," says J

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USA - Audio-Technica has announced that Wadsworth, Ohio-based Online Marketing has been presented with A-T's President's Award, for their work representing Audio-Technica in Indiana and Kentucky. Additionally, the firm sells Audio-Technica professional products to retailers and sound contractors in Ohio, Michigan, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Online Marketing sales associate Steve Grigdesby accepted the award, which recognizes a leading manufacturer's representative for outstanding commitment and dedication during the Audio-Technica 2011/2012 fiscal year. The award was presented by Philip Cajka, Audio-Technica US president and C.E.O., and Michael Edwards,

The A-T President's Award was presented at a ceremony during the 2012 InfoComm Expo on 13 June in Las Vegas.

Michael Edwards commented, "Online Marketing has been presented with this honor for their strong d

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There is an ever increasing demand for sound level measurements and control in the pro audio business. Knowing what to measure and the difference between various measurement types, will simplify daily life for sound engineers, venue operators and concert organizers alike.

In this presentation, Jacob Navne FOH engineer, and inventor of the 10 EaZy sound level measurement system, will provide a brief overview of measurement methods and pitfalls, their application and impact on the same source material, all presented in a very unscientific manner. The goal is to enable attendants to take part in future discussions with local authorities or other people from the "sound police", and to make qualified purchase decisions

presented by: Jacob Navne
Sunday 9 September, 2.00pm - 3.00pm

To book this and check out more free-to-attend sessions, check out the

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) again provided a spectacular architectural lighting system for the Clubhouse of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) at Silverstone racing circuit, for their annual British Grand Prix Ball event.

The legendary BRDC Ball is staged in a luxury marquee adjacent to the Members' Clubhouse on the eve of the F1 Santander British Grand Prix Weekend. It attracts the highest profile members, a selection of celebrities and important players in the world of motorsport.

AC-ET, patron to the British Racing Drivers' Club's exclusive Rising Stars programme - worked closely alongside the BRDC Events team to deliver the impressive temporary lighting installation.

The brief was to transform the three-storey Clubhouse - located right by the racetrack in prime viewing position - into a dynamic space for the event, bringing a new and exciting ambien

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UK - Creative lighting designer Nick Gray from Renegade was commissioned by show producers Bacchus to light the main venue at London's first London Collections : Men a new high profile fashion showcase event for menswear, staged at the Hospital Club in Covent Garden.

Gray is a well-known international fashion show lighting designer, and has worked with both Bacchus and their clients, the British Fashion Council on many other projects.

His starting point for the design on this one was a very attractive clean, streamlined set designed by Bacchus including white stretched material 'walls,' bench seats and large white flats for backdrops in the main room at the Hospital Club, for which the exterior walls were draped in black for contrast and to enhance the clean cut look.

"It was a simple, modular and extremely pleasant environment to light," comments Gray who c

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UK - XL Events recently travelled to Goodwood and supplied a range of video and audio equipment to Red Bull for their 'Gridsters' structure at the Festival of Speed. XL Events was commissioned to provide equipment for the project by Jaie Genadt, production manager at Red Bull's long-term events production partners, Innovision.

Over the four-day weekend at the Goodwood Estate, the Red Bull stand played host to their Gridsters contest, which saw 16 young finalists compete against each other for the title of the UK's best racing gamer.

The site also played host to appearances by F1 drivers, Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, and Daniel Ricciardo, as well as a visit from moto trials rider Dougie Lampkin, who crashed the upstairs VIP area on his bike!

"Having worked with Innovision on a number of projects, we love the challenges which both they and Red Bull set us," states

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Mexico - When Mexico recently marked the 150th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo - the commemoration of the Battle of Puebla, which halted an invasion by the French - it pulled out all the stops with an array of festivities and special events. grandMA2 lighting consoles were on hand for the Cinco de Mayo Spectacular, the night time gala orchestrated by Five Currents, the production company for the 2011 Pan American Games Ceremonies in Guadalajara Mexico and countless other spectacles.

The Cinco de Mayo Spectacular, hosted by former Miss Universe Ximena Navarrette, featured star-studded tributes, an appearance by the Mexican president and a massive display of fireworks. It was staged at the Guadalupe Fort in Puebla; the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Televisa broadcast the event nationwide.

Lighting designer David Grill, of David Grill Associates, Inc. in Mahwah, New Jersey

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Argentina - Roger Hodgson, one of the founding members and voice of Supertramp, recently completed the first leg of his Breakfast in America Tour 2012 in South America. A total of 16 concerts were offered across the continent, and in Rosario, Argentina, where Hodgson played to a full-house at the city's Salón Metropolitano, D.A.S. Aero Series 2 sound systems provided sound for the event.

Local company Marti Audio, with Ariel Marti at the helm, rolled out the big guns for the concert. A comprehensive D.A.S. sound system was set up, which included Aero Series 2 line arrays, specifically 12 units of the large D.A.S. Aero 50 for the PA, set up in two arrays of six units each on either side of the stage in a traditional left-right configuration.

Another 12 units of the powerful D.A.S. LX-218R subwoofers were brought in to reinforce the low frequencies at the concert. The un

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UK - Some of live music's leading audio professionals have been inspiring the next generation of talent at Backstage Academy, the West Yorkshire based training centre for careers in the entertainment industry.

The Prodigy's drummer Leo Crabtree, P!nk and Sade FOH Engineer Chris Madden, and audio mixing author Dave Swallow delivered a variety of masterclasses for the students on the new Foundation Degree in Live Events Production, as part of their month-long Live Sound module.

Leo Crabtree talked to the students about the importance of protecting your hearing when working at live music gigs, a topic recently brought to the spotlight by the Chris Martin and Plan B backed Loud Music charity campaign.

Veteran audio engineer Chris Madden, whose credentials include mixing audio for P!nk and Sade on their worldwide tours, spoke about his experience on tour, how he got into the indu

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PLASA 2012 is now accepting entries from all exhibiting manufacturers and their representatives for the 2012 PLASA Awards for Innovation and the PLASA Sustainability Award. Do you have a new product that you think deserves special recognition?

With a total of eight Awards for Innovation to judge, and with the option of bestowing a 'Gold' Award on one or more really outstanding entries, PLASA's panel of experts from across the industry are looking for products which "advance the industry by demonstrating a new style of thinking, improving technical practice or taking a key step forward in terms of safety." Entries will be judged on new and original thinking; novel ways of harnessing new technologies, materials or techniques; showing fresh perspectives and improvements in technical practices; original concepts that qualify for new patents or unique intellectual property or any

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Israel - Spain-based live engineer Fabrizio Piazzini, a veteran of concert tours and venues throughout Europe, has recently been appointed as a live product specialist for Waves Audio, the industry-leading developer of professional audio digital signal processing technologies. Piazzini's credits include such acts as Patrick Wolf, Tindersticks, Delorentos, Kula Shaker, Amy MacDonald and many others.

In his new capacity, Piazzini will communicate with other live sound engineers across the continent, demonstrating Waves plugins and typical workflows. "They become engrossed. Once they see how they can integrate plugins in their live workflow, they are hooked. It's a simple job, really," he notes.

Piazzini is currently finishing off a stint of promotional gigs with Amy MacDonald, where he has been using a Waves MultiRack Native setup, as most of the gigs are on analogue c

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Germany - GLP German Light Products has announced a closer partnership with its German distributor and neighbour, B&K Braun, based in Karlsbad.

In addition to being the German distributor for GLP, Green Hippo and Global Truss, B&K Braun has also been manufacturing and distributing a full range of architectural and entertainment lighting fixtures for many years themselves. The new partnership will see the B&K Braun range of products being made available to all of GLP's customers with immediate effect.

GLP and B&K Braun are located next to each other in the southern German town of Karlsbad and product distribution will take place from a brand new headquarters in the town where sales administration and logistics will be located.

As with the GLP products, such as the impression range, which includes the new X4 and compact Volkslicht series, all fixtures pass through a rigorous q

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USA - PLASA Events has confirmed details of its third regional event in North America, PLASA Focus: Stamford 2012, to be held 12-13 November, 2012 at the Stamford Marriott in Stamford, CT.

Stamford will be a landmark first event for the entertainment technology communities in New York and the Tri-State area and the first show to cover pro-audio, lighting, AV and stage technologies under one roof. The show follows in the wake of the popular PLASA Focus: Austin, held February, and the highly successful PLASA Focus: Nashville, held earlier this month.

Interest in PLASA Focus: Stamford has already attracted several prominent companies to sign up for exhibition space at the show; they include: Rosco, Drape Kings, Lyntec, Navigator Systems, Production Advantage, and Robert Juliat, with many other applications currently being processed.

Alongside an exhibition of the latest innovat

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Recognition for the People Behind the Products

Named in honour of Tony Gottelier, the designer, innovator and industry commentator who died in 2006, this prestigious annual presentation aims to recognise "the product designers and developers who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the development of the equipment and tools that enable our entertainment technology practitioners to continually push the boundaries of event production, presentation and installation".

This year, a panel of 20 people, all with links to the PLASA organisation or its Media divisions, was invited to put forward their suggestions for the most deserving individuals or teams according to this criteria. From there, the final shortlist of six nominees was reached.

The nominees for the 2012 Gottelier Award are:

Nick Archdale

Nick A

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USA - Designed as a grandiose and captivating live performance, Luminosity, Powered by Pepsi lights up the massive set and stage in Celebration Plaza at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, the second-oldest operating amusement park in the United States.

The 35-minute interactive experience is billed as the perfect way for visitors to end a day of excitement at the park this summer. Hundreds of Chauvet fixtures are part of this show that features displays of lights, music and dance performances, special effects, fireworks, pyrotechnics and live DJ action.

Luminosity, Powered by Pepsi concentrates about 700 Chauvet lights, making it the focal point of Cedar Point come nightfall. More Chauvet fixtures light up Millennium Force and Power Tower attraction rides, and the Midway show that takes the visitor on a colourful experience from the entrance of the

  1. PLASA Rigging Conference Expands International Seminar Programme
  2. Jands Vista v2 on Andrea Bocelli tour
  3. DPA Microphones join Leeds Castle spectacular
  4. Extensive L-Acoustics systems at Eurovision 2012
  5. Lake gives flexibility to Living Hope
  6. Showtec adds to ARX arsenal
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