Lighting

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From the opening ceremonies until the last medal is awarded, Vari-Lite Inc will play a prominent role in lighting the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. More than 1,200 Vari*Lite luminaires are being used to light events within and surrounding the Olympic Games, including the nightly concerts following the medals presentations at the medals plaza.

Rusty Brutsché, chairman and CEO of Vari-Lite, said: "Just as the athletes have spent years training for the competition, organizers have shown the same dedication in preparing for the way the games and events are presented. We were up here exactly a year ago for a trial run on the opening ceremonies, so it has been a painstaking process to make sure the proper equipment is in place and being used. Vari-Lite is extremely proud to be an integral part in the way these events are presented worldwide."

A lighting package th

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PSL is the first video projection rental company in the UK and US to invest in High End Systems' new Catalyst image manipulation system, which turns ordinary video projectors into artistic tools. Winner of five technical awards in 2001-2002, Catalyst offers users a unique new tool that integrates the video and lighting industries.

At the heart of the system is the Catalyst Media Server (video processing computer and video/DMX interface). This provides an unlimited range of real-time image processing capabilities. Designers can load their own still or moving images or select from an extensive library of stock files. They can then scale, rotate, zoom, edit, morph, colour mix or overlay to create the desired effect. Images can be projected anywhere in three-dimensional space using Catalyst's unique orbital movement system. The head provides 250 degrees by 360 degrees of movement and can b

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Many of the top names in the lighting industry watched as the new Vari-Lite VL1000 ellipsoidal reflector spotlight was put through its paces in collaboration with the Vari-Lite Series 2000 products at a recent open day hosted by Vari-Lite. The demonstration took place on Thursday, 7 February at The Manhattan Center Studios Grand Ballroom in New York. "The VL1000 continues the Vari-Lite tradition of providing the most reliable and innovative lighting systems available on the market," Bob Schacherl, Vari-Lite vice president of sales and marketing, told those in attendance.

Attendees, which included some of the top lighting professionals on Broadway, were treated to an exhibition showcasing the VL1000 ERS. Also on display, were the VL2202 spot luminaire, the VL2402 wash luminaire and the VL2416 wash luminaire.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Show Presentation Services has appointed Mike Fisher as its head of lighting, following Stephen Prince's return to lighting design on a freelance basis.

Mike Fisher joined SPS in 1999 as Prince's right-hand man and over the last two years the duo have established SPS as a major player in the conference lighting market. He told us: "Everyone at SPS was unhappy to see Stephen Prince leave, but his ideas, drive and vision have given us a great platform. Now it’s my job to let our established clients know how the SPS lighting department can help them whilst maintaining the highest standards."

Mike Fisher was previously sales and marketing director of Cerebrum Lighting and was part of the team that established the brands of Celco and Powerdrive in the eighties and nineties. More recently he had returned to freelance lighting design whilst continuing marketing strategy with

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One of the most enduring effects in the club scene is the Strobeflower from Luton-based lighting specialists, OPTI. When it was first launched, it proved an instant hit with promoters because it combined laser-like effects without the cost and complexity associated with true lasers. As a result, it has become one of the all-time classic effects for concerts, clubs and events all over the world.

Now it’s received an important updating which puts it right back into the forefront of dance music theatre. OPTI has introduced a DMX to Analogue converter box that can be used with its Club Strobeflower, Terrastrobe or the Shutter/Dimming option of the K Range projectors to allow easier control from a central lighting desk. Taking advantage of this development, UK lighting hire company Colour Sound Experiment (CSE) based in Park Royal, London, have converted their entire hire stock of OP

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Incubus are currently enjoying a sold out world tour, coinciding with the runaway success of third album, Morning View.

The lighting designer for the tour is Joe Paradise, who took the bold step of choosing an all-Martin MAC moving light rig - there’s not a generic light in sight! So far, 16 MAC 600s, four 500s, eight 300s, ten 250s and four 2000s have been Paradise’s tools, arranged between two trusses and the floor, operated by Paradise using a WholeHog II console.

In the supply seat are the US and UK operations of Bandit Lites, who are providing lighting for the whole tour, which kicked off on September 14th and also takes in Japan and Australia before returning to play three months’ worth of arenas in the US. Paradise is a hands-on LD and currently it’s just him and Bandit US crew-member Geddy Kordyjaka in the lighting department, although the system was

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I half expected there to be fleets of Parka clad spotty youths on spangled scooters outside the venue. The billing alone was enough to evoke a mid sixties revival - the Who? Watford Town Hall? Surely not?

L&SI does not take lightly the privilege to exclusively witness this unique event, many thanks to Bill Curbishley (manager), Mick Double (production manager) and Tom Kenny (lighting designer) for their kindness.

In essence this was one of two warm-up venues for the Who’s brief residency at the Albert Hall - but of course, it was also so much more than that. How often do less than a thousand punters get the chance to see a band of this stature in such intimate surroundings? Feeling like the David Attenborough of R’n’R, I recognised instantly the natural habitat of this wildest of beasts, a seminal rock band in a provincial shoebox.

Mick Double joined the band as

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MA Lighting’s grandMA control system made a big impact with lighting designer Chris Jaeger at the PLASA Show last September. Jaeger, a lighting designer with 20 years’ experience, was impressed enough by what he saw to follow up the demo with a more extensive evaluation of the desk at UK distributor AC Lighting Ltd’s new demonstration suite in High Wycombe.

From there, AC offered to loan a desk to Jaeger for a forthcoming production of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch, Essex. The production, directed by Matt Devitt, with set design by Dinah England, was set to run through seven weeks in December and January. Jaeger, along with the Queens Theatre’s house technician Dave Starmer, who handled the programming of the show, were full of praise for the system, with particular emphasis on the system’s programming facilities. "It&rsqu

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White Light and E//T//C UK helped launch the British Tourist Authority’s (BTA) new UKOK initiative in spectacular style by illuminating and projecting onto the Tower of London for a VIP press conference. The international marketing campaign is aimed at encouraging tourists and holidaymakers back to Britain in 2002.

The Tower has seen a succession of celebrity inmates throughout its chequered history, but this time the VIPs attending the breakfast press conference were free to leave. They included the Rt Hon. Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, David Quarmby, Chairman of the British Tourist Authority, Dr Kim Howells MP, Minister for Tourism and Lord Marshall, Chairman of BA.

White Light’s Mike Crossman project-managed the event. His brief came from the BTA, who wanted to architecturally light the Tower in a show-lighting style, and also feature t

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Once a small lighting service company, Bytecraft has grown over the last 17 years to become one of the most significant players in the Australian industry, and has, in the process, earned itself a worldwide reputation for its audacious approach to everything it undertakes. Andy Ciddor reports . . .

In common with many other companies in the entertainment industry, Bytecraft owes its existence to dear old Strand Electric. During Strand’s sojourn as part of the Rank organization, it operated in Australia as part of Rank Electronics, a company that manufactured and marketed everything from telecine chains and stage machinery to consumer electronics and language laboratories. Amongst other projects, Rank Electronics had won the contracts to supply the stage lifts and wagons, lighting and audio to the Victorian Arts Centre (VAC), in Melbourne. The project was in the process of complet

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Familiar faces from all aspects of the lighting industry visited White Light’s new base during a successful open day in January. The new facility in Wimbledon, London, SW19, has 35,000sq.ft of equipment storage and preparation space and 10,000sq.ft of office space, allowing all the Group members to be brought together under one roof for the first time.

"We had close to one hundred visitors," notes White Light’s general manager Bryan Raven, "many of whom hadn’t had the chance to visit our new building since we moved here last October. I think they were quite surprised at the difference between our old base in Fulham and where we are now - but were relieved to discover that all of the familiar White Light faces they know are still here. Albeit all with a little more room to work in!"

Amongst those at the open day were theatre lighting designers Si

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With the intention of strengthening its position in the Middle East region, Martin Professional A/S has entered into an agreement with Nour Assafiri, to establish a joint venture - Martin Professional Middle East.

Nour, owner of Martin’s long-time Middle East agent AMAC, heads the new venture, which handles distribution and service of Martin, Jem and Mach products. The new joint company, already operational, is based in Lebanon from where it will co-ordinate activities throughout the region. As a decisive first step, Martin Professional Middle East has established a branch office in Dubai, UAE, to support and further develop the relationship with Martin’s customers in the region. The official opening is expected to take place sometime in May.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Barco Projection, a division of Barco n.v., Belgium, and High End Systems Inc of Austin, Texas, have announced a strategic alliance that will enable the two companies to cooperate in the marketing of their products to the entertainment and events markets.

Barco Events specializes in providing tailor-made visualization and show-control solutions and manufactures amongst others a range of professional large-event projectors, ranging in brightness from 5,000 to 17,000 ANSI lumens. High End Systems, a manufacturer of automated lighting products, has introduced Catalyst, a cross-cultural system that converts video projectors into automated lights. The Catalyst system (developed in conjunction with WWG), which incorporates a Media Server, can also be used in conjunction with Barco's range of Ilite and Dlite LED displays to create an extensive range of effects and imagery.

The newly formed

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Alessandro Safina - christened by the press as the ‘singing George Clooney’ - made his US television debut recently on Thirteen/WNET New York’s Great Performances: Only You, produced by David Horn.

An opera fan from his childhood days, the Tuscan tenor has already performed across Europe in Puccini’s La Bohème and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, but is also a confirmed U2 fan. With musician/composer Romano Musumarra, known for his work with Celine Dion, Safina has developed a new ‘pop-opera’ genre and the show, also featuring Mexico’s Patricia Manterola, captured the artist under the warm Sicilian stars in the breathtaking setting of Taormina’s ancient Greek amphitheatre.

The international team involved in the shoot before a live audience, included LD Patrick Woodroffe, production manager Robbie Williams and sound designer Daniele T

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Coe-tech has provided all lighting and sound equipment for Aqua - a new independent club concept, the first of which has recently opened in Grays, Essex. The equipment was supplied through IFC and the installation company DIVAS. Owned by Lee Darcy, Aqua is water themed, fusing the oceanic sights, sounds and atmospheres of bubbles, mermaids, fish and fun.

The dancefloor lighting scheme - devised by Coe-tech’s design team headed by Nathan Wan - was crucial to the venue’s visual identity. The walls and columns are painted a pastel blue, complete with stencilled bubbles - and are ideal for gobos and projection effects. The lighting brief was to produce a liquid and flowing feel for the room, and low ceiling height also played a role in the choice of fixtures.

Wan chose 24 Coemar I-Spot 150s (which were launched at PLASA 2001), one of the Italian manufacturer’s new stabl

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The New England Patriots recently won their first Super Bowl over the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome. As usual, a star-studded list of headlining acts was featured, including a half-time performance by Irish rockers, U2. The band delivered a moving tribute to the victims of the 11 September terrorist attacks, the names of which were scrolled on a 120' high x 60' wide soft screen, which was positioned behind the band as they played.

Fourth Phase Image Systems Group, the team that specializes in large-format projection, provided 12 7kW Xenon PIGI film projectors to execute the spectacular commemorative backdrop. This technology was used to project the names over the audience as well. Fourth Phase is the exclusive US distributor for these projectors, which are manufactured in Paris by E/T/C Audiovisuel. Other recent events utilizing the technology include the 2002 Winter Olympi

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ETC has expanded its presence in Europe with the appointment of Ingo Bernert as field project manager for the Northern Region. The position will be operative from 1 March 2002. With over 17 years’ experience in the lighting industry, Bernert has spent the past five working for ETC dealer Despar GmbH, where he was sales director for the project department and where, last autumn, he played an active role in the negotiations to appoint Despar an authorised dealer for ETC's dimming and control equipment in Germany. Before joining Despar, Bernert worked as a lighting designer and technical director, gaining extensive experience freelancing for various German theatres, rental houses and television companies.

"Having worked with ETC's products for many years, I am really looking forward to joining the company and being part of its development in the Northern region," said Ber

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Metool Products Ltd, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of flexible cable handling systems, has purchased the Cable Reeling Division of Sturge Industries Ltd of Dudley, West Midlands.

Sturge winders and reels are designed for a wide range of critical electrical and power applications, including inflammable and other dangerous environments where EX certified products are mandatory. Typical applications include electrical hoists, overhead cranes and mobile control systems, inspection lighting and portable power tools. Sturge slip-ring cable reels are specified for low-current/standard cable requirements in non-hazardous environments and where space is limited or the payout length is shorter.

Malcolm Dade, managing director of Metool commented: "This is an important addition to our range of reeling technologies in the electrical engineering market and a further step in ou

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Martin Professional Plc has appointed Dave Jacobs as technical manager. Jacobs has a background in electronic and electrical servicing and comes to Martin from a position as Service Manager at Celco Ltd in London. He is also qualified in City & Guilds electronic servicing parts 1, 2, 3 and HNC (Higher National Certificate) up to HND (Higher National Diploma) standard.Dave began in the new position on 1 February and brings a distinct service-minded philosophy with him. "My philosophy," he states, "is to keep the customer happy by helping meet his or her needs while treating each customer as an individual."

"I am totally interested in all aspects of technology whether it be electrical, electronic or mechanical," he comments. "I also bring with me a valuable array of life and people skills that I have learned over the years, as well as a positive outlook

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Lightfactor Sales has supplied Hertfordshire-based Smart Light & Sound with eight High End Systems Studio Spot 250 and four HES Studio Color 250 wash fixtures for their hire/loan stock. Smart Light & Sound is an innovative, non-profit making organisation set up to help support schools, drama clubs, churches and societies in Hertfordshire - and beyond - with the loan of cutting-edge stage lighting and sound equipment for amateur use.

After in depth research and comparisons between all available intelligent fixtures, Smart Light & Sound’s Bill Parker decided to go with the High End fixtures and Lightfactor. The deciding issues for fixture choice included the benefit of the different lens options on the Spot 250 - ideal for dealing with the short throw distances of many school halls and theatres. Fixture weight was also crucial, together with reliability.

Lightfactor also supplied

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Leading pro entertainment industry lighting sales specialist TMB Associates has changed its name to TMB. The decision to drop ‘Associates’ from the title was taken last month. "At first we were quite embarrassed about losing our Associates, we couldn’t figure out where they’d gone," stated California-based CEO Colin Waters, "but once we got used to it, we decided we really liked it. Everyone knows us as simply TMB, so now we’ve made it official."

With offices spanning three continents and over 100 full time employees, TMB felt that the term ‘Associates’ was no longer appropriate for its global commercial operations. The company has also launched a new logo, reflecting its growth as a worldwide, high-tech company. The name-change and new logo give TMB a more consolidated approach to international trading and marketing. It al

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The third of White Light North's Let's Talk Arts meetings took place recently at the studios of Yorkshire Television in Leeds. Visitors were offered a guided tour of YTV's main and regional studios by Neil Salmon, YTV's resident head of lighting, and also received an insight into the complexities of switching the ITV network between main, regional and even sub-regional areas at YTV's principal transmission control area. More importantly, the visitors also enjoyed the buffet lunch with wine - and the chance to 'talk arts'.

Created by White Light North, Let's Talk Arts is a forum run to allow people working in the arts to get together on the first Thursday of every month for what White Light North's John Anderton describes as "lunch and a good gossip!" The forum is open to anyone influential in the arts in Yorkshire, including theatre managers, directors, technica

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Last week DHA Lighting treated members of the ABTT to a backstage tour of My Fair Lady at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Organised by Louise Tester, DHA's UK sales manager, the event attracted over 70 guests, including David Chivers who had employed David Hersey as an electrician at Theatre Projects when he first arrived in the UK! "It's fascinating seeing what David has achieved," said Chivers. Another ABTT member, Dick Walsingham added: "It's always interesting to see what other people have done."

Howard Bird, executive director of the ABTT, opened the session and introduced a number of speakers, plus front of house demonstrations. Bryan Raven of White Light, Steve McAndrew, chief electrician at the Theatre Royal, and My Fair Lady's production electrician Alistair Grant together described the workings of the variety of equipment used on the show. The

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Clay Paky and its Mexican distributor Vector 10, in collaboration with Miller Mix, Grupo Communica and Ingenieria Electrodigital, recently organised a professional lighting seminar in Mexico City, held at the Flamingo Plasa Hotel from 31 January to 2 February and attended by almost 300 people. This, say Clay Paky, is the first meeting between the most important Lighting Designers and lighting operators ever to be held in Mexico.

Over the course of the three days, Francesco Romagnoli, Clay Paky sales manager for the Americas, and Jorge Aguirre, president of Vector 10, demonstrated Mexican market trends which are providing some very interesting indications: indeed all sectors are in constant growth, from discotheques, to touring, TV and the architectural sector.

One of the highlights of the seminar was the session conducted by Patrick Woodroffe. During his career, Woodroffe has designe

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