The BBC, together with other major broadcasters, now demands that all contracted staff must demonstrate safety competency. However, with freelancers making up almost 44% of the industry's workforce, and few able to find the time or money to train, ens
USITT president Bruce Brockman has appointed Dennis Dorn, USITT vice-president for commissions and professor of theatre technology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as USITT’s representative to the Council. He has also appointed Joe Aldridge, USITT vice-president for special operations, professor and technical director at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and a trustee for IATSE Local 720-Nevada Resort Association’s Training Trust as their alternate member of the Council.
President Brockman commented: "USITT strongly endorse
The company’s reputation for care and quality has spread well beyond their home country. The relationships it has forged wi
Dandridge comes from an industrial design background, and joins the company having completed a degree in Product Design at Bournemouth University. Tom Colbourne is the fourth member of the team and was instrumental in creating Blink’s award-winning visuals for Kylie’s ‘Fever’ tour last year.
Blink Production occupies the top two floors of a converted mill. The new edit suite includes both Avid Express and Cinewave edit systems, complete with Sapphire effects plug-ins for the Avid. The Cinewave runs Final Cut Pro,
There are strong reasons to justify attending: the Middle East continues to present the professional lighting and sound industries with significant market potential and is the world’s fastest growing tourist destination, predicted to attract 68.5 million tourists by 2020 - an annual growth rate of 7.1%, well above the world average of 4.1%.The region, and the UAE in particular, continue to invest huge sums in new, architecturally-driven initiatives which require state-of-the-art facilities to be competitive. Projects in development include the Kempinski Hotel on The Palm island (US$50 million); The Gardens s
"Of course we can attribute a certain amount of our success to having a core of strong brands," says Ward, "many of whom have been with us since the beginning, and on the whole, excellent relationships with our suppliers. However, it’s far from the whole story. As businesses we are all under pressure at the moment, and it’s at times like these where it’s even more important to remain professional. I believe we need to look at business models outside our own industry and apply them here . . . so often in our i
Several factors have worked against the theatre. Its funding was cut by Leicester City Council earlier this year and it also lost money when shows were cancelled whilst it negotiated new pay rates with its staff - members of BECTU.
With the closure will come significant job losses, leaving a reduced core of staff to work on the development of new projects, and to plan for the o
One of the key features is an exhibition charting Brel’s life. Stan Colders of Nexus Creative People was commissioned to design the exhibition, his ideas relying heavily on theatrical techniques - lighting, video and set dressing - mixed with artefacts from Brel’s childhood. The ‘set’ incorporates the house where Brel grew up, taking the visitor on a journey from Brussels to Paris, to a recreation of his Parisian room where he wrote many of his songs. Visitors can also re-live Brel’s last co
The unpredictable nature of their work lies at the root of this problem. It means that most freelancers are unable to make long-term training commitments and pay for formal
PLASA is looking at the possibility of running a half-day seminar on the research findings: led by Trevor Wilkinson of Business Diagnostics, the session will demonstrate to members how they can gain commercial benefit from the research. PLASA envisages that the event will be a half-day session, starting at 11.00am and concluding at 2.00pm, followed by lunch, and is currently looking at venues in London. The event would be open to all PLASA members.
If yo
IAAM president Joe Floreano, CFE, has appointed Don Hancock, Ph.D., CAE, IAAM’s director of education, research and development, as their representative to the Council.
The ESTA Certification Council will represent the diversity of the industry. Members will include key leaders in entertainment business, labor, facilities, associations, and academia. ESTA is in the process of extending invitations for Certification Council membership. IATSE, (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), and USITT, (the United States In
With over 30 years' experience in the pro audio world, Formula Sound is well placed to advise on noise control, whether in entertainment venues or industrial locations. In addition to the new noise control content, the company's revised website also contains both general information and detailed specification data on Formula Sound's extensive range of products.
These include a variety of noise control units, rack-mount, standby, zoner and fixed forma
PLASA hosted its 2003 Association Day and Annual General Meeting on Friday 6 June, in the impressive surroundings of the historic Coombe Abbey Hotel, near Coventry.
The PLASA Association Day is designed to incorporate the Association's AGM into a full day's activity, offering PLASA Members an event that is both useful and enjoyable, as PLASA's managing director Matthew Giffiths outlined: "We've made a conscious effort in recent years to get away from the focus on the AGM: this meeting is a legal formality for an Association, and is itself over very quickly. The real value of the Association Day then arises from the seminars, discussions, networking and entertainment which follow - all of which is heavily subsidized by the Association and is there for members to take up."
The AGM itself provided the opport
"It is marvellous to have a Royal Patron who has a real knowledge of what goes on backstage," commented Sue Banner, director of the Stage Management Association and former stage manager on Starlight Express where she met His Royal Highness. "We are particularly honoured to receive this very public seal of recognition in the form of a Royal Patronage, added John Lonergan, chairman of the Association. "This should help raise public awareness of the part we play in bringing live performances to the public."
(Ruth Rossington)
Running alongside were a series of professional conferences and meetings, including the FIRT International Theatre Conference, Transteatral international meeting of students of theatre studies, and that of the OISTAT International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians.
The exhibition itself showcased two unique projects - 'The Heart of PQ - a Cardiac Arrest to the Conve
Stardraw marketing director Rob Robinson explains: "Stardraw has always used different environments to allow you to present your system documentation in the most appropriate format. For example, engineering layouts are best produced in the Block Schematic environment, while sales presentations benefit from the Pictorial Schematic and Rack Layout environments.
Stardraw has long had a 'Convert to Rack' function which analyzes all the data in your Block Schematic, selects those elements that are rack-mountable and then puts that information into the Rack Layout environment. July's feature, t
It all stems from the UK Government's desire to do away with the existing two-in-a-bar rule, which allows up to two performers to appear in a venue or pub without a licence. If the Licensing Bill as it stands becomes law, this will no longer be possible. The concern expressed by those most directly affected - the musicians and the venue owner/operators - is that the replacement Bill will mean a lot more paperwork, will prove costly, and could do some serious damage to the UK live music industry.
The pro lobby believe that the Bill is well intentioned and will update archaic licensing laws, clamp down on some of the UK's more worrying crimi
Having finally been approved by both Houses of Parliament, after much negotiation over the fine detail, the Licensing Bill will now go forward for Royal Assent, after which it will become law. The key elements of the bill include flexible opening hours; measures to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder (including new police powers to close licensed premises without notice for up to 24 hours); a greater say for the public (licences will be granted by electorally-accountable licensing authorities, instead of magistrates, with local residents able to make representations); strengthened protection for children and less red tape (the new Bill sees the amal
What plans do you have for the future of the Millbank name'
There are very few global brands within our particular sector and this is an opportunity to re-position Millbank back at the top of the pile. Worldwide distribution channels take a long time to put in place and we now need to work with our partners to ensure that the placing of the brand is maintained. The product line will be enhanced - quickly and powerfully. Some of the products suffer from an image of being a bit tired, although I have been very pleasantly surprised with their functionality.
What investment will there be in t
Although often lighter than conventional flight cases, Spectralite cases are designed to withstand harsh touring environments, but if damage does occur, they are easily repaired. One of their main advantages is the innovative ribbing system, allowing the case to be reconfigured easily by repositioning simple inserts, giving the customer total flexibility. Other advantages of the case are that it is water resistant and because the materials used are recyclable, it is environmentally friendly.
The case is also available to OEMs and case manufacturers around the wo
According to the UK-based website, Fraud Central ( www.fraudcentral.org.uk), Paola Getti Holdings is well known for this scam, which also takes the form of requesting a return telephone call, also on a premium rate number.
(Lee Baldock)
The format for this year's programme has changed to offer visitors more choice and variety. This year, the sessions will range from Technical Workshops aimed at technicians through to Business Semi
Previously marketing manager at Tannoy Ltd, Peter Osborne founded the company in 1985, and provides a comprehensive design and production service for both new and old media applications within the pro audio industry. Osborne Creative Services has recently created websites for Audient plc www.audient.co.uk and Stirling Syco www.stirlingsyco.com. Other pa
Derek enjoyed a long and successful career in audio sales - his extensive product knowledge was paralleled by an enduring personal interest in computing and a garage full of everything you would ever need to fix anything. His years in audio included positions with beyerdynamic, Hayden Labs, ASC (with his famous Skoda company car) and Alice (Soundtech). In 1998, he joined Nagra (GB), where he approached the role of sales and marketing manager with typical self-effacing humour - often adding that he had only himself to manage, which was quite enough!
As a long-standing and active member of the Institute of Broadcast Sound, Derek accepted honorary membership in December 2002 'in recognition of his contribution to broadcast sound over many y
