Lighting

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Australia's premier contemporary dance company, Graeme Murphy's Sydney Dance Company, have developed a new production called Ellipse, which features, on-stage, use of a fully motorised 4K HMI De Sisti Rembrandt Piccolo. At a meeting between Coemar De Sisti's Australia's Peter Kemp (MD) and Richie Mickan (Technical Products Manager) and Sydney Dance Company's Graeme Murphy (Choreography & Concept), John Henderson (Production Manager) Nick Broun (Development Manager) and Hugh Hamilton (Head Electrician), the dance company concept was explained. CDA were very happy to be able to suggest that a standard lighting system from De Sisti Italy, the ICARUS, met the specifications exactly.

The Icarus system is fully customisable, and for this production features a Rembrandt Piccolo 4kW HMI fresnel in the motorised pan-tilt-focus Icarus housing. Combined with the luminaire is a De Sisti DEB

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July 2002 marks the 20th anniversary of California-based Dove Systems. It was summer of 1982 when Gary Dove left Teatronics where he was co-owner and vice-president of engineering, and started his own company in his garage. Gary took the Scenemaster product line with him: the Scenemaster was improved and other products were soon added to the line. In 1990, Dove acquired the WestStar company, a pioneer of memory lighting control on a personal computer. Lighting control products were developed for the Commodore, Apple, and IBM personal computers. In 1996, Dove acquired Hallikainen and Friends Inc, a broadcast equipment company. Along with the deal came owner and electronic engineer, Harold Hallikainen, who turned his expertise from radio and TV to lighting control. Today, Dove Systems has 15 employees including Gustav the mascot dove. Dove's products include over 25 lighting control produc

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Color Kinetics’ co-founder and chief technology officer Dr. Ihor Lys has been named one of the top technology innovators under the age of 35 by MIT Technology Review Magazine. He is one of 100 people from around the world selected for the magazine's second ever TR100 list, which recognizes young individuals whose work in business and technology has a key impact on today's world. Ihor was selected for his role in the development of Color Kinetics’ intelligent LED-based Chromacore technology.

(Ruth Rossington)

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LM Productions has just completed one of the largest brand launches of 2002 in the UK, in association with Edelman Public Relations. LM Productions provided all the lasers, lighting, sound, video and pyrotechnics for the launch of the new Mobile Communications brand O2 - the result of a merger between BT Cellnet, Genie and four European countries. The launch was also the first UK outing for Laser Magic’s new StratoSphere system.

The contract went to LM following a demonstration of its StratoSphere system in Reading. The location for the launch was the British Airways London Eye, and the concept was to light up the London Eye which would become the ‘O’ part of the logo and a 20m x 20m water screen was used as the projection medium for the ‘2’. The 300 VIP guests were treated to a ride on the London Eye, from where they viewed the show. Stephen Harvey said:

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Confronted with the need to increase their large-format fresnels, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden have recently added ARRI high-grade theatre luminaires to their rig in two separate batches. These were supplied and installed by White Light.

The new lights comprise two fully automated 4K Compact ARRI HMI fresnels and a further three automated 5K tungsten ARRI Junior fresnels to add to the nine units supplied by White Light last year. The Junior 5Ks, in this case incorporating dichroic reflectors, are built into a moving yoke with scroller, while the ARRI Compact 4K HMIs have dimmer shutter and scroller incorporated into the moving yoke. The Royal Opera House are a long-standing client of White Light, who also service and maintain their moving lights, dimmers and control system. Account manager David Howe said: "The Royal Opera House rig has come on a lot since their initial

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In a deal widely expected within the lighting community, Lighting Technology has announced that it is to promote Vari*Lite luminaires throughout the UK and France. Garry Nelsson, LTG sales director commented: "Over the past few months many of our customers have been asking if we can supply this equipment and we are delighted to have reached a formal agreement to distribute the Vari-Lite range. With sales and service facilities in London, Paris, Manchester and Newcastle we are ideally positioned to handle the distribution of these stunning products."

Vari-Lite’s European sales manager, Simon Roose, told us: "With excellent relationships, throughout the UK and beyond, the Lighting Technology Group are natural business partners."

(Lee Baldock)

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Stardraw.com has welcomed two new members to its team - Frank Walker has been appointed to handle technical sales in the US whilst Francesco Marcolini takes on the role of web developer.

"Our business is expanding daily," said Randell Green, president of Stardraw.com Inc, "so it is important that we have the right infrastructure in place to support growth. Frank Walker has a proven track record within the industry and a high level of technical expertise and we're glad to have him on board." Francesco Marcolini, meanwhile, will develop the company’s web presence. "The Internet is an integral part of our business and will be central to everything we do. Custom-developed, web-based tools represent an important part of that and we aim to deliver world-class products," explained managing director David Snipp. "Francesco is a highly skilled and experi

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Bandit Lites is supplying Barry Manilow’s sold-out Manilow Live! 2002 US and UK tour, which finishes - after 10 months - back in the US in September. Lighting designer Seth Jackson has worked with Manilow - one of the world’s most successful singer/songwriters - since 1998. The lighting for each tour starts conceptually, when Manilow gives Jackson the demos for the upcoming album. They reconvene a couple of months later and evolve a scenic concept. Manilow is big on collaboration, with clear ideas of the visual elements he likes to see incorporated and choreographed into his stage show.

The ‘Here at The Mayflower’ album is about an apartment block, and contains strong narrative tales about the different people inhabiting each space. For the tour, he wanted a city feel, without it being too literal, and so Jackson came up with the metallic scaffolding structure a

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Avolites has launched its first installation dimmer - the ART2000i Install Dimmer - the latest addition to its ART 2000 digital series. The dimmer, which is aimed at theatrical, architectural, leisure and retail applications, has the same high specification as other dimmers in the ART 2000 range. It is currently available in modules of 24 x 16 Amp units or 12 x 32 Amp, and each Avolites ART Installation System is available in hybrid mixes of the two modules.

Main features include quick and simple installation; proven design reliability; the ability to operate in all types of environments - hot and cold; a hot patch option; 100% duty cycle on all channels simultaneously; virtually silent operation; thermostatically controlled fan in ducted, force cooling chamber; dual Isolated DMX inputs with merge and full soft patch; flexible dimming, mains distribution or contactor modules; intellige

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The Selecon Arena 2.0/2.5kW Theatre Fresnel and P.C. have just received a redesign. The update has created some impressive beam angle ranges and equally impressive beam quality, a smooth field with little spill and minimal field angle. The key attributes include an automatic disconnect of the mains power when accessing the lamp; Selecon’s unique ‘posi-slide’ focus action, which delivers a fast and smooth focus action minimising lamp vibration as the reflector/socket assembly moves on machined teflon bearings along extruded guide rails; adjustable suspension yoke along the length of the fixture and focus reference scale. The redesign includes improved airflow around the filter holder to maximize filter life and remove unwanted light spill along with a new extruded cover for the accessory mounting slots. The Arena Theatre Fresnel, as with all Selecon fixtures, carries a t

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The new ChromaScape from Pulsar is a compact, waterproof spotlight containing a combination of 80 red, green and blue LEDs. Its IP68 protection rating makes it ideal for outdoor use in any weather condition. Available in black only, it comes with an adjustable mounting bracket - for a variety of working positions. It offers an optional recessed/ground-mounting kit making it an extremely versatile fixture, suitable for a wide range of applications.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Unusual Services Ltd are main contractors for the massive Golden Jubilee weekend celebrations that are happening in The Mall, Green Park, St. James’s Park, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and at the Queen Victoria Memorial.

The company is supplying all technical infrastructure, co-ordination, site and production management for this mind-boggling task, working closely with show producer Major Sir Michael Parker and the Golden Jubilee Weekend Trust. Unusual has employed over 250 sub-contractors and mounted a major logistical exercise to ensure the event - being broadcast live worldwide - is a well-oiled operation. To this end, the company has been interfacing with various authorities including Westminster City Council Special Events, the Metropolitan Police, Royal Parks, the GLA, the WRVS, London Underground, London Ambulance, St. John Ambulance and the British Red Cross.

The event i

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PSL has announced that it has been awarded a certificate of approval by the BVQI. The award states that the Quality Management Systems in place have been assessed and found to be in accordance with the requirements of Quality Standards, as set out under BS EN ISO 9001:2000. This is the latest internationally recognised standard of Quality Management Systems, established in December 2000 and supersedes previous standards issued in 1994.

PSL is the first (and currently the only) rental and staging company to be awarded this accreditation. The process involves an ongoing quality audit by an independent professional body and covers all operating divisions within PSL, who have qualified independently in their own areas of expertise. Gary Davis, managing director of PSL stated: "This accreditation illustrates our ongoing commitment to providing the highest levels of service to our custo

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Avolites has launched Pearl Simulator, a useful, time-saving free software download, available from the company’s website, which provides a virtual interface for Avolites’ popular Pearl 2000 console. The photo-realistic software enables LDs, programmers and operators to start programming a Pearl without a physical console, or to edit existing shows, saving data to a Pearl compatible floppy. Pearl Simulator is also an ideal solution for those learning the desk or anyone wanting a first view of the Pearl 2000 Console and its user-friendly feature set.

Pearl Simulator is designed to work with the Avolites Visualiser emulation system - uniting both the console and lighting rig in a virtual environment. This is invaluable for situations where programming and set up time is at a premium. Down time can also be optimised and used efficiently - for example, on long haul plane jou

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Sound Art Canada has established a new division for servicing national and international touring artists. Named ‘Sound Art Touring’, the new division builds on the cross-Canada resources of its parent company to provide custom-configured sound systems for major recording artists in North America and abroad.

Based in Toronto, the Touring Division is managed by concert sound veterans Jon Erickson and Jeff Berryman, formerly of Jason Sound. Erickson, a seasoned touring professional, brings hands-on experience in operations and skills in account and project management. Berryman, an audio and loudspeaker systems architect and computer expert, brings strategic design and planning skills. The parent company, Sound Art Canada of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is a 21 year old sound reinforcement organization with a strong track record in special events, regional touring, corporate audio, and

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Lightfactor Sales has supplied the majority of the lighting fixtures for two completely new floors and a refitted entrance area at the famous Madame Tussauds Waxworks exhibition in Amsterdam. The supply includes a wide variety of instruments - nearly 500 James Thomas MR16 ‘Birdies’ with integral dimmer - chosen for their neat, unobtrusive appearance; MAD ITM moving lights; LDR Tempo fresnels with long-life bulbs; Optikinetics GoboPro fixtures, and customised Thomas PAR 36 and 46 cans, utilizing 12.8 Volt halogen sealed beam units - to produce a tight, crisp beam. These lights are mounted on custom Internally wired bars also manufactured by James Thomas.

Lightfactor also supplied AVR colour-changing down-lighters and special connection cables, surface-mounted UV fittings, chandelier bulbs and several hundred metres of three-circuit tracking. LightProcessor Power Station II d

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During a total refurbishment of The Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford, technical director Andy Mahaffey selected the Special Projects division of A.C. Lighting Ltd, to install the architectural lighting and audio solutions.

The first stage of the project involved architectural lighting, comprising clusters of three 500W fresnels, each fitted with an amber filter; these were used to give a soft glow of light to the stage and bar area. The second stage covered the event and effects lighting system; this employs custom internally wired bars, all with switched and dimmed outlets, as well as DMX connections. A Jands Event 24/120 console was also supplied, which provides control over all functions of the system. The audio requirements were the final stage of the installation and AC were handed the brief of providing infra-red hard of hearing systems in both the theatre and cinema complexes

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Starmax International has introduced the SX800 - a 10W, air-cooled, laser luminaire. Based around Starmax’s proprietary solid-state laser technology, the SX800 incorporates an innovative DPSS YAG laser which produces a brilliant 10W green output, enough power for the most demanding concert, nightclub and outdoor applications. The SX800’s features include: an integral beam scanning system coupled with a pan and tilt mirror to project beam arrays and atmospheric effects over a 180 x 45 degree area; full DMX control of all laser functions, scanned effects and mirror positioning, requiring only 115 VAC at 15 amps.

The system is packaged much like a standard intelligent lighting luminaire rather than a typical laser table configuration. Several units can be truss-flown and controlled from the LD’s standard DMX lighting board or controller, without the need for special com

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ARRI GB used the recent Production Show at Olympia as a platform to expose the benefits of its X-series daylight luminaires. A full house of LDs and production staff attended the demonstration, presented by experienced television lighting director, Dave Lock.

With the aid of a butterfly net and chimera soft box, the talk did more to extol the virtues of soft lighting in confined spaces than live up to its rather laconic billing, ‘Lighting By The Seat Of Your Pants.’ Advocating the use of reflective, rather than direct lighting, Dave Lock explained that the ARRI X Series - the X2 (200W), X5 (575W - the model which was demonstrated), X12 (1200W), 25/40 (2.5K/4K) and X60 (6K) - were the result of the Japanese requirement for a 130° flood, non lens lamp producing a hard shape. He illustrated how much closer this could be operated to the butterfly net to produce the diffused ef

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Pulsar has added TMB to its existing US dealer network. With offices in Los Angeles and New York, TMB is an established supplier of lighting products to professionals in all areas of the entertainment industry. The appointment will strengthen Pulsar’s existing US distribution network, currently represented by New York based Group One.

TMB’s CEO Colin Waters comments: "LED lighting is an exciting technology with untold potential. Pulsar, with its ChromaRange, has introduced the first viable LED technology for performance lighting and made architectural LED lighting affordable. TMB is excited to join forces with Pulsar in growing this new market, bringing the artistic and economic possibilities of LED lighting to TMB’s customers."

(Ruth Rossington)

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Spider Engineering has opened a ‘Flightcase warehouse’ in the UK at its Tamworth site in the Midlands. The new look warehouse, which is open to the trade and public, has over 6,000sq.ft of space, including a new flightcase dept, a used flightcase dept and a used equipment dept. "This is an exciting project which we’ve been working on for three years," comments managing director Steve Austin. "We saw that there was a huge potential market for ‘off the shelve flightcases and have spent the last three years developing our manufacturing process to place us in the best position to supply that market." The company now carries over 700 cases in stock.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Nils Thorjussen, co-founder of Flying Pig Systems and subsequently marketing VP at High End Systems until last year, has returned to the lighting industry with a new company. Along with industry veterans Chris Varrin and Jeremy Hochman, Thorjussen has set up Bright Lighting LLC to market lighting products using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). LEDs deliver long life, minimal maintenance and high energy efficiency, while providing extremely bright colours.

Color Stream, the first product from Bright Lighting, looks like a fluorescent tube, but changes colour, generates patterns and moves them along the tube. "It’s just like neon with pixels," says Thorjussen. The intriguing effect is created by a linear array of LEDs housed in an IP66 weatherproof tube suitable for interior and exterior applications. When multiple tubes are linked together, pre-programmed or custom effects

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A blustery afternoon set the scene for an industry five-a-side football tournament in late May hosted by Fourth Phase London. Creative Stages, DHA Lighting, Vari-Lite, White Light and the Fourth Phase team were out in full force for the five hour session.

Despite a fiercely fought semi-final between Vari-Lite and White Light, particularly as the scores drew closer, there was an atmosphere of fun and a great day out was had by all. As the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read Fourth Phase as the winners, with Vari-Lite as runners up, followed by White Light, Creative Stages and DHA. DHA were 'compensated' with wooden spoons that have since taken pride of place on their desks. Louise Tester, UK & Eire sales manager at DHA, also received a plaque for being the only female willing to take part! Sadly, for all his pains, Nigel 'the cat' Sadler only got a pain in his back, having spen

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Rainmaker founders Jim Hepplewhite and Paul O’Brien have moved their base to Wimbledon, and will be focusing on their increasingly prolific lighting design portfolio. Hepplewhite and O’Brien are renowned for their work as creative lighting designers of a myriad of corporate and industrial presentations and events. Equipment supply for all Rainmaker’s forthcoming projects will now come from Colourhouse Technical Presentations.

Jim Hepplewhite states: "We’ve seen our business expand rapidly in recent years, and the time came where we had to decide between being equipment suppliers or a design agency. With our projects getting increasingly diverse and needing such a wide spectrum of gear, we decided to make some changes." Paul O’Brien adds: "We’ve used Colourhouse for several recent projects. As part of the White Light Group, they offer t

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  2. Racklight evolves into Viperlight
  3. A.C. offers free training on MA and Jands consoles
  4. Laser Magic's new DiscoScan
  5. Avolites specified for Gomez
  6. ABTT product launches for Compulite & LSC
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