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UK - This week has seen the launch of The Marketing Business, a company which offers SMEs in the entertainment technology industry, the full range of marketing expertise, from business development and export advice to corporate identity and public relations.

The Marketing Business is an informal association of three companies which together have over 60 years experience in the entertainment technology business and which individually are recognized as experts in their field: PE Consulting, Harmer PR and The Wells Partnership. PE Consulting was formed in 2002 by Peter Ed, previously marketing director for ETC Europe and business development manager for Strand Lighting. Peter’s experience will be of great benefit to companies wishing to expand their business by moving into exporting or into new market segments by combining tried and tested marketing techniques with in-depth k

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UK - In the April issue of Lighting&Sound International magazine, our regular Technical Focus section will be looking at the technology related to the development and manufacture of smoke/dry ice and haze machines. We will also assess some of the current standards and safety issues in this area, including ESTA's current work on a new standard covering Theatrical Fog Effects and Equity’s study of the effects of theatrical smoke. This will be followed by a brief profile of the main manufacturers and coverage of a selection of the leading products in the marketplace.

If you would like your product to be featured in this report, please e-mail L&SI’s technical editor James Eade at the e-mail address below before Friday 28 March, 2003.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Projectionist Pod Bluman has recently set up Pod Projects Ltd - a company specializing in large-format projection work.

Bluman is an experienced projection designer: he started his career with Labyrinth, a company which specialized in ‘Guerilla-style’ projections, probably the most famous of which was the image of a naked Gail Porter projected on to the Houses of Parliament in London. He went on to work on numerous projects, including projections onto Buckingham Palace, MI6 and the Tate Gallery, as well as being involved in the River of Light project for the Millennium celebrations in Liverpool.

In the last two years he has been the video crew chief for a number of large projects, including the Vodaphone Ball 2002, the New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Millennium Dome and the launch event for the Birmingham Bullring. More recently, he has taken on the p

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UK - UK Steel have welcomed the preliminary ruling by a WTO disputes panel that the tariffs imposed by the USA last year on steel imports contravene WTO rules. The news will also be welcomed by those in this industry who export steel-based products to the US.

Ian Rodgers, deputy director commented: "This confirms what we said from the start - that there was no legal justification for the US government to impose these measures at a time when steel imports had been falling consistently for three years. The WTO rules are quite clear - such measures can only be taken in response to a current increase in imports."

Responding to the possibility that the US government might appeal the ruling, Rodgers said: "This was such a cut-and-dried case from the start, it would make most sense for the US government to end the tariffs immediately, rather than suffer the humiliation

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USA - The ESTA Board of Directors has voted unanimously to approve a detailed business plan to establish a personnel certification programme for entertainment technology technicians provided the required funds can be raised. Two key areas have been identified for initial development - electrical skills and rigging skills. In addition, a curriculum-based certificate programme will be created to address essential skills which comprise a fundamental body of knowledge needed to work in the entertainment industry.

The business plan for the programme has been developed under the guidance of a professional certification consultant using detailed research and extensive market surveys. In order to implement this business plan, the Board has defined the administrative structure needed to establish and run the programme, including the management skills that are essential to the governing

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UK - Friday 6 June: Coombe Abbey, Coventry

This year, PLASA has put together an impressive business event designed to address its Members’ professional needs. Built around the Asociation’s AGM, the day will feature a series of workshops which will give Members access to expert advice, information, ideas and research, thereby arming them with information that they can use in the day-to-day running of their businesses.

The two anchor sessions will see specialists provide members with valuable advice on business issues: Keen to be Lean? will reflect on the current trends in Lean Manufacturing - a technique already implemented by some PLASA Members - and the ways in which manufacturers can effectively reduce costs. Effective Marketing for Tough Times will look at what marketing can do in terms of improving your bottom line, identifying ways in which companies c

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UK - More new members have signed up for Association services.

Joining as Full members are London-based Kinesys Projects (Tel: +44 (0)20 8704 0603), a manufacturer of control equipment for motors, hydraulics and pneumatics, and also power distribution equipment; DMC Ltd of Slough (Tel: +44 (0)1628 667124), a long-established provider of CDs for DJs. The company is also the official UK music merchandiser for Technics; Burnley-based Rubber Box (Tel: +44 (0)1282 830965), is a supplier of rubber distribution boxes, cable reels and handlamps; London-based Live Business International (Tel: +44 (0)20 7801 1732), a specialist sound, lighting and AV installer and consultancy.

Joining as Full EU members are Italian company Coemar Spa (Tel: +39 0376 775 21) a veteran of the lighting business and a pioneer of intelligent lighting; Behringer Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH of Germany (Tel:

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UK - Trade Partners UK has appointed an export promoter to work with the music industry to help develop its export potential in overseas markets. Bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the music industry, Phil Patterson took up the post with Trade Partners UK on 23 April 2003 following an open competition. He has been seconded until 1 October 2004 from the Association of Independent Music (AIM).

His long-term experience will prove invaluable: after graduating from Newcastle-upon-Tyne College of Art and Design, Patterson worked initially as a musician and DJ and then for a number of record companies including Chrysalis, Pye, RCA and Polydor in promotion and public relations. In the mid 1980s, he moved into international marketing with Chrysalis and eventually became Director of EMI Music UK in 1992. He told us: "I am delighted to be offered this position and believ

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Joining as Full EU members are Swedish company Swefog Technology Group AB (Tel: +46 590 12250). Swefog has been manufacturing smoke and haze generators for use as special effects within theatres, concerts, clubs, TV productions, film productions, showrooms and exhibitions since 1997.

Joining as Corporate members are Coemar UK Ltd (Tel: +44 (0)1233 636 688). Linked with renowned lighting manufacturer Coemar spa, the company supplies Coemar lighting, Antari smoke effects, Pixeon LED technology and Hungaroflash Strobe systems.

Also joining as Corporate members are Lighting Technology Projects Ltd (Tel: +44 (0)1554 740 500). Part of the PA Installations Group, LTP will operate out of Wellingborough and will specialize in architectural lighting and the heritage market.

There are also two new Individual Associate Members joining the PLASA ranks this month: Claire Dickinson (Tel: +44 (0)2

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PLASA members are about to get the benefit of a major new service which will immediately save them money. On behalf of its members, PLASA has negotiated highly competitive terms for those members who process debit and credit card payments. This latest service is offered through Lloyds TSB Cardnet and will give members significant reductions on all their major credit and debit card transactions.

Details of the rates offered are outlined in the table below, and demonstrate that even those companies which handle relatively small amounts will immediately see a benefit. (Switch and Visa Debit cards are charged at 20 pence per transaction).

Users of the scheme will also have the advantage of additional security, at no extra cost, provided by the Card Verification Number Scheme (CV2) and Address Verification Scheme (AVS) - designed to combat the rising fraud now emerging on transactions w

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UK / Russia - As members of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) will be aware, PLASA has been approached by IIR Exhibitions to work on a project that will see the launch of a trade show in Moscow, Russia in April 2004. In order to assess interest in the project, PLASA and IIR Exhibitions are staging an Open Day on Wednesday 21 May at One Whitehall Place, London SW1.

The Open Day will include presentations from a number of key speakers including representatives from PLASA, the DTI and IIR Exhibitions. The presentations will focus specifically on doing business in Russia, emphasizing changes in the business culture, the types of assistance that can be accessed, the pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities available. The event will be a half-day session starting at 11.00am and concluding at 1.15pm with a buffet lunch to follow.

All interested parties are invit

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USA - The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) has accepted a permanent seat on ESTA’s new Certification Council - the governing body which will manage the development and implementation of a new industry-wide certification program for entertainment technology technicians. The key areas of electrical skills and rigging skills have been identified for initial development in the ESTA Personnel Certification Program.

IATSE president Thomas C. Short has appointed Anthony DePaulo, eleventh vice-president of the General Executive Board and Business Agent of Local 1, and Brian Lawlor, co-director of the Stagecraft Division as their representatives to the Council. "Both Mr. DePaulo and Mr. Lawlor have first-hand experience and knowledge of those skills that will be certified in this program. Knowing that the IA will have a guiding impact on this certif

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USA - The Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) has announced that the draft American National Standard BSR E1.7, Entertainment Technology - Recommended Practice for the Design and Use of Manual Systems for Flying Performers, is available for public review until 29 July 2003.

The draft standard describes recommended practices for lifting and transporting performers to create the illusion of flying or levitation in theatrical performances. Anyone that has an interest in flying effects with live performers is invited to review it and offer comments. Public review and comment is being sought so that the draft standard may reflect the consensus of informed opinion in the industry.

The standard is a project of the Rigging Working Group, part of the ANSI-accredited standards committee E1, Safety and Compatibility of Entertainment Technical Equipment and Practices.

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Denmark - Statements of faith in the future of the lighting industry don’t come any bigger than Martin Professional’s new ‘Happy Factory’ - a major new production facility for the company, two years in the planning, which has put the Danish manufacturer more firmly on the map than it has ever been in its entire history.

Located in Frederikshavn, in the northern part of Denmark, the facility stands out in the relatively flat landscape around the Knivholt area of the town - it’s an impressive exhibition window for Martin products, particularly its architectural lighting ranges, which are a relatively new, but fast-expanding, part of the Martin business. Its design owes something to the industry it serves - the support infrastructure features 455 tons of roof truss - influenced, no doubt, by the touring and performance systems Martin works with every day of t

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UK - The Laban is offering its first dance Summer School in its new home, from 14-25 July 2003. Students can train intensively for two weeks with leading dance practitioners in state-of-the-art facilities. The variety of courses on offer makes the programme ideal for those who want to refresh their skills and keep up-to-date or for those considering professional dance training. Guest artists and teachers include the Transitions Dance Company, Linda Hartley, Wendy Houstoun, Benji Reid and Ben Wright.

(Jane Cockburn)

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UK - With all the less than positive speculation surrounding the industry in the last year or so, it was good to discover that Leisuretec Distribution are as active as ever and looking optimistically to the future.

The company was founded by Mike Henden in Luton in 1990, and having grown consistently year on year, moved to its existing address in Leighton Buzzard in1995, since when the premises have literally trebled in size. The expansion has come from diversity: the company stocks and distributes an extensive range of products catering for many different market applications from pro audio, retail, studio, conference, stage and lighting, to education, pubs and clubs. The stock is vast, and the main emphasis of the business is on customer care and commitment to detail - complemented by experienced staff from a range of backgrounds.

Henden is understandably proud of his company’

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Germany - Lightpower’s Open Days in April were an ideal opportunity for those who attended to learn more about the range of products distributed by the company, and also participate in an exchange of ideas and experience, as part of an extensive seminar programme which featured many influential German designers. The event also marked 25 years for the company, which was founded in 1978 under the name Effektlicht- und Bühnengestaltung Proppe & Hövelkröger GbR, before changing to Lightpower in 1987.

More than 1,000 visitors from across the lighting industry visited the Heinz Nixdorf Museum in Paderborn, to participate in the three-day event, the central theme of which was technology and design. To this end, there was a wide array of equipment on show from companies such as Pulsar, Rosco, MA Lighting, Vari-Lite, Osram, Philips, GE, Rainbow, ETC, Clay Paky, Spotlight and Doughty, n

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Members of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) are about to get the benefit of a major new service which will immediately save them money. On behalf of its members, PLASA has negotiated highly competitive terms for those members who process debit and credit card payments. This latest service is offered through Lloyds TSB Cardnet and will give members significant reductions on all their major credit and debit card transactions.

Details of the rates offered are outlined in the table below, and demonstrate that even those companies which handle relatively small amounts will immediately see a benefit. (Switch and Visa Debit cards are charged at 20 pence per transaction).

Users of the scheme will also have the advantage of additional security, at no extra cost, provided by the Card Verification Number Scheme (CV2) and Address Verification Scheme (AVS) - designed to com

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UK - Keith Ferguson, who served as the general manager of the PSA for many years and was a trustee of the PSA Welfare & Benevolent Fund, died on Friday 23 May. No date for the funeral has yet been set, but details will be made available as soon as we have them.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Discounted packages will reduce member company travel expenses

The new PLASA Travel Service has been established in partnership with Kuoni Trade Fairs, a travel specialist with 30 years’ experience in providing travel services to trade shows and events worldwide.

No matter what level of travel you or your staff do during a year, the Kuoni service will prove highly beneficial. It covers just about every travel requirement, and includes flights (and upgrades where required), group and private transfers, ferry and Eurotunnel travel, accommodation, local hospitality assistance and pre-booked entrance tickets to events and trade shows.

The main benefit to PLASA members will come from the significant buying power of the Kuoni organization, which will translate into prices that are competitive and a range of services that can remain flexible and individual-friendly. In looki

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Joining as Full EU members are German company Amptown Cases GmbH (Tel: +49 4064 21410). Established in 1978 the company manufactures flight cases.

Joining as a corporate members are Hong Kong-based International Optics Ltd (Tel: +852 2304 7200), linked to British Optical Ltd, a manufacturer of projection and moulded optics for over 25 years, and Brown Box AV Ltd of Reading (Tel: +44 (0)118 970 8395), linked with Atmospheric Ltd, and set up to distribute audio and lighting solutions to AV dealers throughout the UK and Europe.

Anne Valentino (Tel: +1 201 530 9250) of New Jersey, USA, joins as an individual member. Valentino works as a consultant on product development, marketing and public relations for companies in the entertainment technology market.

To join, call us now on +44 1323 410335 or e-mail

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Members can now access over 60 factsheets, through the member-only area of the PLASA website, covering a diverse range of business issues.

The factsheets come under four main headings

Legal

Employment

TAX

VAT

and include Security in the Workplace, Business Contracts, Absence Control, Data Protection, Long-Term Sickness Absence and Unwanted Faxes and Phone Calls.

PLASA’s Business Support Helpline provides the factsheets as a complementary service to the advice and assistance they already provide to members over the telephone. Members can use the free telephone service to obtain further information or guidance on any of the topics outlined. The information within the factsheets is updated on a regular basis to reflect best business working practices and changes in legislation.

PLASA members can gain access to this new resource by using their current username and pass

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UK - The funeral of Keith Ferguson, the former general manager of the Production Services Association (PSA), will be held this Saturday 7 June, at 11.20am at Putney Vale Crematorium, Stag Lane, London SW15. Ferguson, who also served as a trustee of the PSA’s Welfare & Benevolent Fund, died in his sleep during the night of Friday 23 May. He was 56. Freddie Nyathela of the South African Roadies Association (SARA), who worked closely with Ferguson, described him as "a gentle giant - a man with a soft heart and vision."

He leaves a son, Guy, and a daughter, Meredith. The family has requested that flowers be sent from family members only, while anyone wishing to contribute should send a donation to the family’s chosen charity, Diabetes UK, c/o the Funeral Directors at: Fred K W. Paine, 24 Old London Road, Kingston, Surrey, KT2 6QG.

Following the service, a Mem

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UK - After seven years at Metier, Duncan Sones has announced his intention to stand down from the post of chief executive to work in a freelance capacity in education, training and regeneration projects.

Matthew Griffiths, chief executive of PLASA and also the Chair of Metier commented: "On behalf of the Board I’d like to express my thanks to Duncan for his achievements since his arrival in May 1996. During this time he has overseen considerable changes in Metier's fortunes and has been instrumental in raising the annual turnover of the organization from £250,000 to £1.5m. We believe that Duncan has been instrumental in bringing £10m to the sector - a large proportion of this has been invested in partnership projects helping to support the viability of around 35 other organizations."

Metier has made the successful transition from a National Training Organiza

  1. BBC puts safety training within reach of freelancers
  2. USITT joins ESTA certification council
  3. System Sound
  4. New production facilities for Blink
  5. Exclusive PLASA Discounts for PALME 2004
  6. Fuzion’s value added equation
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