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UK - Nominations for PLASA’s Gottelier Award are now open.
The award, named after late lighting designer and industry commentator Tony Gottelier, launched in 2007 to recognise product developers who have made significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology. Previous recipients include Wayne Howell (Artistic Licence), Anne Valentino (ETC), David Cunningham (Entertec), Pasquale Quadri (Claypaky), Jim Bornhorst (Vari-Lite), John Meyer (Meyer Sound), Terry Clarke (Klark Teknik, MC2 Audio), Fred Foster (ETC), Alex Cooper (Midas & Klark Teknik), John Stadius (DiGiCo / Soundtracs) and Tony Andrews (Funktion-One).
Anyone in the industry can nominate individuals as well as development teams by emailing

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UK - Poole-based Pulse PA are typical of companies providing full technical infrastructure for small-to-medium sized events. With limited truck space and a trailer stage to erect in rapid time on site, easy portability and fast rigging of the sound system is vital.
The company has been successfully running Martin Audio LE1200 monitors for the past eight years, and when it was time to move into the next generation they kept faith with the brand, adding a quantity of the XE300 12” coaxial differential dispersion monitors to their inventory, powered by Martin Audio’s new iKON ik42 four-channel amplifiers.
“LE1200s have always been very successful and popular with clients and are very rider friendly,” says Pulse owner, Ralph Walsh. But he knew it was time to move on. “We were given a demo of the new XE300 - they sounded extremely good and were perfect for vocal

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UK - Milton Keynes pro audio solutions manufacturer Studiomaster has struck an MI and pro audio retail distribution agreement with EMD Music for Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Switzerland.
The agreement covers Studiomaster’s comprehensive range of analogue and digital mixers and mixing consoles, entry level and mid-market self-powered and passive PA and installation loudspeaker solutions, portable PA systems, and the popular range of Carlsbro CSD electronic drum kits.
Studiomaster general manager Patrick Almond comments: “We have been growing our European market share significantly. Particularly in the last two years, when the rate of increase began accelerating to a point where it became clear that we needed to find a suitable partner with the presence on the ground to sustain further expansion.
“The search for the partne

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UK - Shure UK has partnered with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) “to help foster a strong theatre industry for the years ahead”. As part of the partnership, Shure has agreed to donate some of its equipment to the Academy and carry out masterclasses in wireless technology.
Equipment supplied to RADA includes top-tier wireless microphone and in-ear monitor systems, such as Axient Digital and PSM300, as well as Shure's range of KSM studio microphones.
Steve Mayo, head of sound at RADA comments: "The collaboration between RADA and Shure is one of innovation, rigour and experimentation. Shure's company values sit perfectly with RADA's dedication to world-class education. The partnership between RADA and Shure ensures the high standards of excellence and helps to deliver consistency across specialist training, product development and application."
Tuomo T

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Tax Relief - Statistics published by HM Revenue and Customs show that theatre benefitted from £77m of tax relief in 2017/18, up from £44m the year before - a 75% increase. There were 910 claims made in 2017/18, representing 2,980 productions. Of this, 1,140 were touring and 1,840 were non-touring shows.
Since September 2014, when tax relief for the sector was introduced, a total of £137m has been paid out in relief, covering 1,670 claims and 4,680 productions.
The tax policy follows similar schemes for other media such as film, television and video games. Touring shows can claim back 25% relief on eligible costs and other productions can claim 20%.
Society of London Theatre chief executive Julian Bird said the tax relief had “allowed producers to become more adventurous and compensated for reductions in funding from other sources”.
Reunion Blues<

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UK - TSL Lighting has invested more than £500,000 in new rental stock as it announces the completion of its acquisition of corporate and event lighting specialist Blinding Light.
The investment expands the company's stock of fixtures from a range of manufacturers, including Chroma-Q, Claypaky, Luminex, Chamsys and Litepanels.
Managing director Sam Tamplin comments: "This marks a significant moment for TSL and Blinding Light as we underpin our commitment to growth and service with significant stock expansion. Both brands share common core values - to provide the best quality lighting and rigging equipment and services to the production industry, delivered by skilled, knowledgeable and friendly project managers and technicians. I truly believe that our combined team - made up of well respected, experienced staff who share these values - will be a huge advantage to all o

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UK - J&C Joel reports that the Theatres Trust, the national advisory public body for theatres, as its chosen charity for the company’s 40th anniversary year.
J&C Joel was established as a limited company in Sowerby Bridge, Halifax in 1978 by John Wheelwright whose family had been involved in the textile trade for more than 150 years. Originally selling fabric to tailors and the fashion industry, John quickly identified an opportunity to expand into events and entertainment.
The business, which has now been passed down to John’s son James, exports to more than 80 countries worldwide, providing products such as front of house theatre curtains, stage backdrops, cycloramas, gauzes, acoustic solutions, projection screens and an array of stage engineering solutions.
As part of J&C Joel’s support for the Theatres Trust across the year they will be enc

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USA - The judging panel for the Theatre category of the inaugural Knight of Illumination Awards USA (KOI-USA) has been revealed.
The panel comprises seven experts in lighting and scenic design as well as theatre and choreography. Those are Clifton Taylor, David Rooney, Deborah Jowitt, Chris Jones, Lauren Warnecke, Mark Swed and Celia Ipiotis.
Clifton Taylor - is a lighting designer and chair of the Theatre judging panel, Clifton has over 29 years' experience in creating lighting, projection and scenic designs for theatre, dance and opera around the world.
David Rooney - is the chief theatre critic for Hollywood Reporter, David regularly reviews theatre and film and has been covering the entertainment industry since 1991. He has been a member of the New York Drama Critics Circle for 14 years, and is the winner of both Southern California Journalism Awards,

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) will be holding a UK recruitment event on Monday, 30 July at its headquarters in High Wycombe.
The company will promote new vacancies as well as opportunities opening up alongside vacancies for existing roles and is looking to meet “passionate individuals with commercial / production experience, who are keen to learn/develop skills in this exciting industry and work for a company that is helping to establish new technologies.”
The informal event will include an introduction to AC-ET, a tour of the headquarters' facilities, product demonstrations, and a talk about career opportunities and current vacancies at the company.
To register your interest in attending the recruitment event, please email careers@ac-et.com or call 01494 446000.

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UK - Ambersphere Solutions has announced two additions to its product portfolio in Astera and Zactrack.
This brings Ambersphere's range to six UK exclusive offerings, including Ayrton, Claypaky, MA lighting, and Robert Juliat.
Astera manufactures cable-less LED fixtures, including a waterproof, pixel controllable RGBW tube (AX1); the magnetic AX3 (Lightdrop), which can be used as a hanging or free-standing; the AX5 battery uplighter; and the AX7 and AX10 event spotlights. Ambersphere now carries the whole range, as well as a wide stock of spares and accessories.
Zactrack is a motion tracking system, which can operate standalone but is designed to integrate with any lighting system. Ambersphere has a full demo system set up in their West London showroom.

www.ambers

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UK - London-based PA rental company Capital Sound Hire has confirmed its acquisition by SSE Audio Group.
The deal follows a period where the two businesses have been aligned through a strategic partnership. Capital Sound will continue to operate as a separate brand, but will be able to access the Group’s resources, including its multi-million pound hire inventory comprising L-Acoustics and d&b audiotechnik systems and the largest rental stock of digital mixing consoles in the UK. In addition, SSE offers specialist services including manufacturing, which serve the whole group.
Keith Davis, founder and MD of Capital Sound explains: “We approached John Penn at SSE at the beginning of the year to assist us on a project that required a larger pool of equipment, knowing that we could trust SSE not to nick the gig! Through projects like this we were able to

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USA - Lawo will participate as a sponsor for this year’s MixCon in New York, taking place on 21-22 July. The annual MixCon two-day event is dedicated entirely to mixing music and sound and takes place at the Manhattan Centre’s Grand Ballroom.
The event will feature six workshops plus Q&A’s focused on mixing different musical styles where attendees will get mixing tips, techniques and advice from some of the top pros in music production.
In addition to the popular workshops, MixCon offers excursions around the Manhattan Centre, including the renowned Studio 7 which is widely acclaimed for having the “best natural acoustics in the world”.
At the heart of Studio 7’s capabilities is an 80-fader Lawo mc²56 audio production console. Many of the most popular broadcast entertainment and sports shows, global events, and premier classical music performin

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UK - Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance and the Lighting Education Trust (LET) have announced a partnership to develop a new undergraduate lighting design degree pathway in Space and Architecture.
The proposed pathway is a development of the college’s existing BA (Hons) Lighting Design programme and is a study route for those wishing to make architectural lighting design a career.
Starting in September, the pathway will be available for four BA (Hons) Lighting Design Students per year. The £30,000 three-year package of support from LET will include staff and teaching resources as well as industry placement opportunities.
Nick Hunt, Rose Bruford College Head of School for Design, Management and Technical Arts, comments: “We are delighted to be working with the Lighting Education Trust to develop this new undergraduate pathway. We have had an am

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USA - Entertainment technology industry charity Behind the Scenes has announced its new holiday and note cards are now on sale on the charity’s website.
Three card ordering options are offered - personalised cards with a company logo and custom message, card packs of 10 with a standard greeting, and e-cards. Orders will be taken until 4 October to arrive by late November.
Seven evocative designs are featured this year. Perennial favourites Andrew Hefter and Robert Mendoza are back while Mount Vernon Senior High School is represented by Madelyn Plough. New contributors are Vicki Davis, Jocelyn Joyah Henry of Scenic Art Studios, Vicki Pui and Anastasia Vasilakis.
Richard W. Prouse from Scenic Art Studios has designed a new note card.
All proceeds benefit the Behind the Scenes charity which provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professio

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UK - The Knight of Illumination (KOI) Awards 2018 shortlist for Television has been announced.
The category’s judging panel, chaired by lighting designer Stuart Gain and comprising outside broadcast director Stephen Neal, The New Statesman television critic Rachel Cooke, art director Jane Shepherd, and lighting director John O'Brien, has picked the nominees based on their creative work in the sector.
The KOI Awards 2018 Television shortlist is as follows:

Drama, sponsored by Philips Strand Lighting:
Martin Kempton for Upstart Crow
Anna Valdez-Hanks for Endeavour: Quartet
Chris Ramage for Emmerdale

Light Entertainment, sponsored by SLX:
Martin Hawkins for Mrs Brown's Boys
Dave Davey for The Voice Final
Max Conwell, Rob Bradley and Gurdip Mahal for

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UK - The University of Kent has launched a new Centre for Music and Audio Technology (CMAT) to equip students with the range of skills necessary for a career in the music industry.
Launched on 12 July and based on Chatham’s Historic Dockyard, CMAT has been designed to meet the industry’s needs in three key areas: music performance, music technology and music business.
Its undergraduate courses will offer students the opportunity to make full use of state-of-the-art facilities, including an impressive array of recording and mixing desks, recording studios and sound-proofed practice rooms.
Equipment at CMAT includes: New Neve Genesys Black G48 Recording Console with 5.1 Genelec monitors; SSL Matrix Console; Foley Recording Studio; Flexible Surround Sound Studio; Workstation rooms featuring iMacs and industry-standard audio software; Music practice rooms; Full r

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UK - Edinburgh-based Black Light has invested in the ETC ColorSource family by adding 30 ColorSource Pars to its expanding rental fleet.
Slightly smaller than a D40, the ColorSource Par is a budget friendly solution for customers who do not want sacrifice quality for price. Eight homogenised LED arrays consisting of ETC’s unique recipe of Red, Green, Blue and Lime colour system enable the ColourSource Par to provide a rich bright light unlike any other LED wash light in its class.
Designed and built to last in the USA where Calder Sibbald, Black Light director, recently visited the production facility. Calder, commenting on his trip to ETC Southwest HQ, says: “The culture within the ETC organisation is just amazing to witness and experience.”
Already widely used in Black Light’s installations, the reliability, ease of use and incomparable output of the

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Norway - Production house Innlandet Lyd & Lys has made what it calls a future-proof investment in Nexo’s STM Series modular line array. Just two years old, Innlandet was started by two 20 year-old engineers who have been steadily growing the company with Nexo products.
Amund Kvernvold and his partner Marius Nordeng are the newest faces on Norway’s audio rental circuit. Located just two hours outside Oslo, their business had expanded to the point that they wanted a main PA solution that could take them to the next level. Having started out renting Nexo Geo S12 line arrays, they were impressed by the modularity of STM Series, which they describe as “small but huge”, able to scale up from small events in a private house to a large festival.
“When we started looking to invest in a bigger system, we wanted to have an all-in-one solution, not a brand with diff

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UK - Munich-based Astera has appointed Ambersphere Solutions as its exclusive UK distributor.
Ambersphere Solutions is also the exclusive UK sales, support, service and training centre for Ayrton, Claypaky, MA Lighting and Robert Juliat entertainment lighting products.
As of today, Ambersphere Solutions becomes the exclusive distributor of Astera products for the entire country as it will be distributing and servicing the German brand`s battery powered entertainment and film lighting X-series.
“I was introduced to Astera at PL&S by an existing Astera distributor friend of mine and was blown away by the smart system thinking,” says Glyn O'Donoghue, Ambersphere’s managing director. “At Ambersphere, we only work in the professional lighting sector and Astera products fit within our portfolio perfectly. Our clients are really going to appreciate the adva

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UK - A group of industry representatives will cycle from Chippenham to London Olympia on Saturday 15 September to increase awareness of mental health within the entertainment and events industries. All donations will go to Backup, the technical entertainment charity which helps industry members and their families get back on their feet during times of hardship.
Starting at 7am, the cyclists will traverse 100 miles across the North Wessex Downs towards London in time for the PLASA Show. So far, eight cyclists have signed up to the challenge, including Peter Heath and Shane McGreevy of PLASA, John McEvoy and Bryan Raven of Whitelight, and Ben Tredwell of Autograph. 
This bike ride is part on an on-going collaboration between PLASA and PSA to support the mental health of all those working within lighting, AV, live sound, rigging and staging. This collaboration continues

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Here We Go Again - 10 years after unexpectedly making cinema history, Mamma Mia is back with a prequel that looks like it could be both as camp and successful as the first time around. With an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Cher, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is released this week and has been touted by lead actor Amanda Seyfried as a "better" movie with "more heart".
It follows an original that became a popular classic and the highest grossing film at the UK box office of all time - despite being widely panned by critics on release.
At the premier of Mamma Mia Here We Go Again Pierce Brosnan, who plays a past love interest of Meryl Streep's character Donna, told Sky News he wasn't bothered by bad reviews. "The critics could have a good old field day with us, but I think at the end of the day the people are going to enjoy it ev

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UK - Event production and equipment specialists Light Fantastic Production Services (LFPS) has welcomed three Elstree University Technical College (EUTC) students at its Borehamwood base.
EUTC, a university technical college for 14-19 year-olds, delivers an academic curriculum as well as specialist courses in creative arts and media production. Those, who benefited from work experience at LFPS, are Key Stage 5 (16-19 year-olds) students on the school’s BTEC Production Technology course.
During their spell with the company, Luca DeLauri, Drew Topping and Ellis Montgomery were given a hands-on introduction to the busy LFPS lighting, audio, video and scenic construction departments, along with the chance to be part of the crew servicing ‘real world’ productions.
Speaking about the placement, Montgomery says: “My time spent with Light Fantastic really has hel

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Italy - API has named Digiland Srl as its new distributor in Italy. Founded in 2001, Digiland sells recording equipment, provides technical support, designs and manufactures audio cables, and offers sound-proofing and acoustic treatments.
Digiland owner Massimo Biasibetti comments: "We are proud of having earned this strong recognition. We feel honored by the chance of helping API grow and fulfill their great potential in the Italian market. As new API Italian distributors, a whole new set of creative chances await our customers.
“API is a milestone which every serious audio engineer simply can't avoid. When you are able to hear and test API gear for yourself - you will simply get it. That's how bright we see our immediate future working together with API.”
(Jim Evans)

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UK - EM Acoustics recently put their new HALO-A large format line array system through its paces during two days of intensive demos at London’s LH2 rehearsal/production studios (see LSi July’s event report). In addition to HALO-A, the company also took the opportunity to show off the compact HALO-C line array – the inspiration behind HALO-A – as well as several EMS Series models, including the new, award-winning EMS-41.
EM Acoustics’ operations director Mike Wheeler, comments: “The venue was amazing. We had enough space to demo HALO-A properly and compare it to the much smaller HALO-C system to prove to visitors that we really have managed to take HALO-C to the next level – the natural EM Acoustics
  1. ANSI approves Prevention of Falls standard
  2. KOI-USA 2018 names Live for Broadcast panel
  3. PLASA Show 2018 announces first wave of seminars
  4. sE Electronics appoints Colombian distributor
  5. ISE to relocate to Barcelona in 2021
  6. Airstar balloons at Eurovision opening
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PLASA Media Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 4111709 - VAT Number GB 762 5913 14
PLASA Media Ltd, Redoubt House, 1 Edward Road, Eastbourne, BN23 8AS, UK Tel: +44 (0)1323 524120

 

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