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14 March 2016

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

With the auditorium's existing lighting proving inadequate for filming key lectures and guest speaker talks, Cass approached A.C. Special Projects to specify a solution. The new rig needed to provide adequate light levels for filming without dazzling the audience or compromising the visibility of two large back-projected screens in the centre of the stage area.

A.C. Special Projects specified fixtures from the Spotlight Mini Series, which feature the latest theatrical lighting technologies in a compact yet powerful

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14 March 2016

The BBC will open the PLASA Focus seminar programme at 10.30am on Tuesday 28 April with a look at the UK's first Media City, opening in 2010 at Salford Quays.

The inspirational new Media City will cover two hundred acres and establish a new state-of-the-art media enterprise zone for the North. The new iconic building will hold a custom-built recording studio for the BBC Philharmonic, floating stages for theatre and concert venues, studio and technical facilities and a number of other offerings for media industries

During the seminar, Jim Brown (Portfolio Director, Production Studio and Technical Facilities in BBC Workplace) will explain what will be in Phase 1 of the project, what first attracted the

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14 March 2016

The US was the top-earning foreign territory for the British in 2008, providing an income of £21.7m, followed by Germany with £15.1m and France with £11.7m. "It's not just MTV any more - there are loads of music video channels and loads of commercial radio stations around the world," said Barney Hooper, PRS for Music, on the rise in earnings. Other major internationa

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14 March 2016

The organisation's three founders are Enttec Pty. Ltd. of Australia, Martin Professional A/S of Denmark, and Wybron, Inc. of the U.S. All three manufacturers have strongly embraced the RDM industry feedback standard.

"Our goal here is not to break trail for new protocols. That is being handled very capably by ESTA and PLASA and the committee members who work diligently to advance the technical standards used in lighting control," said Jeremy Kumin, Enttec's

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14 March 2016

Lodhie told viewers that light-emitting diodes hold tremendous promise for a world that faces diminishing energy resources. "LED bulbs are the most ideal complements to alternative energy solutions, as they make perfect use of the relatively small amounts of power generated by such sources as wind, solar and tides," said Lodhie, who the anchor introduced as an innovator intent on "reinventing the light bulb."

Lodhie cited a recent example where LEDtronics became involved in a project for Lockheed Martin to develop special-wavelength LED outdoor streetlights that minimis

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14 March 2016

Intended as a starter guide for those wanting to make their work in lighting shows have as little impact on the environment as possible, the Green Guide offers suggestions for each phase of the process of show lighting, from initial meetings and planning through rig design, set-up and focus, show running, touring and final load-out.

"Many of the suggestions in our Green Guide are largely common sense," comments White Light's managing director, Bryan Raven, "but it's often the obvious things that get overlooked when it comes to putting a show together, particularly in the final hectic days of tech when the old mantra of 'the show must go on' tends to win out over everything else. We hope that by

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14 March 2016

Stage Technologies was on site at the Lyric for installation, commissioning, show programming during technical rehearsals, operator training and the press performance. The equipment installed consisted of an Illusionist console, a Maxis PTS control system, eight BigTow Classic winches, four counterweight assist winches (used to propel in-house flying bars), two point hoists installed in the grid (used for a platform eleva

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14 March 2016

Traditionally festival organiser Michael Eavis has given free tickets away to people living in the villages of Pilton, Pylle and Sticklynch. The idea behind the give-away is to make up for disruption to roads when about 200,000 people arrive for the event at the end of June. The spokesman said: "No other major festival looks after people who li

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14 March 2016

Under the agreement, PERA will become the PERA Council within ESTA, retaining its focus on the production of film, television and commercials. The Council's mission is to focus on development and implementation of programs and services for production rental businesses.

The move will provide PERA members with immediate access to a wide array of benefits and services as well as the support of a professional staff, while allowing the PERA leadership to focus on their core mission. By adding a key sector, ESTA strengthens its voice on behalf of the entertainment technology industry and brings an important new dimension to many of its programs.

ESTA President Bill Groener commented: "In

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14 March 2016

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise recognise and reward outstanding achievement by UK companies and are presented in three separate categories: International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development. The Awards are made each year by Her Majesty The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.

This is the second time that Stage Technologies has received a Queen's Award, the first being in 2003 in the same category for its 'outstanding international trade performance'. This year's Award has been bestowed in part due to an 84% increase in overseas revenue over a three-year period. The company also reports a sustai

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14 March 2016

ARX managing director Colin Park commented: "Taiwan Access's Rick Chen and I have been discussing the possibilities of working together in Taiwan for some time. Rick thought with the release of new additions to our USB DI product range the time was right to expand ARX's presence in the Taiwanese market.

"Rick and his sales team also felt our range of signal processing products was a very complementary fit with the other lines they currently represent, they were especially excited by the new products we released at the recent Frankfurt Pro Light and Sound Exhibition."

Alongside ARX, Taiwan Access represent a number of companies including Schoeps, Superlux, Auralex & Monster Cable.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

As we reported in January, Martin Professional A/S is in the process of creating a regional sales organisation, Martin EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) based at Martin's headquarter office in Aarhus, Denmark. During 2009, Martin's current European subsidiaries will be integrated into the new structure while Martin's distributors within the area will be served by the new European regional organisation at a later stage.

Villads Thomsen, previously managing director at Martin Professional's Scandinavian subsidiary, heads the organisation as vice-president EMEA.

Browne commented: "These are challenging times that are creating man

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14 March 2016

This one-hour session, which takes place at 12pm on Wednesday 29 April at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, will provide freelancers with an overview of a wide range of areas relevant to their working lives, including an examination of key legal requirements and responsibilities.

Its main focus will be an introduction to Health & Safety law for freelancers, including a review of risk management, individual levels of responsibility and risk assessment practices. It will also provide an understanding of financial issues such as IR35 and what it means for an individual's self employment status, outlining the measures that can be taken to protect it. There w

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14 March 2016

The charity chosen is RAFT (Restoration of Appearance & Function Trust). RAFT is an independent charity working to prevent and improve the treatment of major traumas such as burns, wounds and cancers of the skin. This is achieved through medical advances in medical research and reconstructive plastic surgery.

Baldwin Boxall has supported the charity in previous years, holding golf days and the like. This is the first time the company has used the exhibition stand to raise money. Staff are optimistic that visitors will agree that the

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14 March 2016

Adapted from the novel by Michael Morpurgo, War Horse is set at the outbreak of World War One and tells the story of Joey, the beloved horse of young Albert, who is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. But Albert cannot forget his horse, and embarks on a treacherous mission to the trenches to find him and bring him home.

The story is told by actors working with spectacular life-size puppets created by the Handspring Puppet Company who, along with designer Rae Smith, won an Olivier Award for the show last year; the design is completed by an Olivier-award nominated lighting design by Paule Constable.

Supplying the lighting rig for Paule Constable's design, entertainment lighting supplier

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14 March 2016

Already pledging to donate their royalties for 24 April are the lighting designers of some 40 international shows, many of them - like Howard Harrison's Mamma Mia! and Mary Poppins - in several different productions. Joining Rick Fisher, Ken Billington and Ken Posner, the day's co-sponsors, are Neil Austin, donating his royalties from the Frost/Nixon US tour; M

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14 March 2016

Equipment from RTS, including a digital Cronus DSP intercom matrix and two keypanels (KP12 and KP32), ensures smooth production. The modular structure, easy handling and numerous DSP-controlled functions offered by RTS systems contribute significantly to the quality of the programs produced by Emma TV.

RTS supports the project by providing Emma Children's Hospital with equipment for the studio as well as its know-how virtually free of charge.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

"The Creative Stage Lighting approach taking on new products, along with its strong dealer network has made CSL a natural choice for Compulite. We are delighted to establish together a significant presence for our products in the market," said Compulite CEO Yehuda Shukrun.

"This relationship with Compulite is very exciting and rounds out Creative's portfolio of the high quality products we distribute." said CSL president George B. Studnicky III.

Creative Stage Lighting recently announced its hiring of Michael Nevitt as product manager. Nevitt's responsibilities at CSL include supporting Compulite products sold i

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14 March 2016

Studer's Executive VP of sales, Bruno Hochstrasser, will retire at the end of 2009, making way for Adrian Curtis, previously VP Sales for Soundcraft, to take on the mantle for both Soundcraft and Studer. Curtis will assume this position immediately whilst Hochstrasser will remain within the sales team for the remainder of this year to ensure an effective hand-over.

Andy Trott praised Hochstrasser for his 37 years' service to Studer "Bruno epitomises Studer's resilience and drive for innovation; he managed the business during the days when every top studio in the world had a Studer reel to reel tape machine, then, when the recording market changed dramatically during the 90's he transitioned the business into the world's lead

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14 March 2016

Well-known lighting designer Rick Fisher, who instigated Light Relief Day in 2007 in honour of the late Tony Gottelier, co-founder of Light Relief, said: "The link with Behind The Scenes has given the day a much higher profile and as a result we have a record number of designers joining in the fund raising. Anyone who has links with the industry is welcome to join us, including rental companies

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14 March 2016

"We strongly welcome the guarantee to young people of funding for training and subsidies to help them get the skills and experience needed in sectors with strong future demand," says a statement. "Extra investment announced today for 16 and 17 year olds wanting to stay in education or training should be put into the Creative Apprenticeship, which will develop talented job entrants with the right skills."

Tom Bewick, chief executive of Creative & Cultural Skills comments: "We are pleased that the creative industries are recognised as a future growth sector, one which will provide employment for many in the future. We will be working to ensure the £2.5 billion earmarke

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14 March 2016

Niclas Arvidsson, CEO of Wireless Solution explains: "This has been a problem for a while, but it is getting worse. For example, there is an Italian company using the name 'wireless solution' on their website and printed in their catalogues, while the legal and registered company name has nothing to do with this. There is also a Chinese manufacturer selling OEM products with both 'W_DMX' and 'W-DMX' but are not in any sort of partnership with W-DMX made in Sweden by Wireless Solution Sweden AB. These examples represent blatant trademark infringement."

Arvidsson continues: "For OEM companies who support this theft of brand names we will start to take action in Europ

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14 March 2016

The announcement, which came during the first day of PLASA Focus, the organisation's new regional event in Leeds, will see PLASA supporting the ABTT in becoming one of the organisation's preferred assessment centres for the theatre sector, whilst the ABTT will actively endorse and support the future development of PLASA Qualifications.

PLASA Qualifications became an Awarding Body in 2008 as part of the organisation's aim to become the 'Industry Awarding Body', a key element of its wider strategy to ensure the industry has the right skills and professional development opportunities to meet both present and future demand. The organisation w