Lighting

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UK - Jon Petts has joined Cambridge-based Pulsar as sales manager. Prior to his appointment Petts was briefly UK sales manager for Antari - an appointment that coincided with Coemar UK taking over the distribution of Antari's smoke machines in the UK. He is, however, better known for his time as international product manager for Jem, part of the Martin Professional Group. At Pulsar, Petts will be strengthening Pulsar's existing structure and developing its customer contact.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Denmark - Designed especially for use in theatrical environments or situations where greater control of the beam of an automated wash light is required, Martin has developed a fully motorized and fully closing set of barndoors for the MAC 2000 Wash.

The barndoors were conceived in the original design process of the fixture after consultation with lighting designers from around the world. The barndoors come fitted with a wide angle lens as standard, but can be fitted with the Fresnel or PC lenses that are supplied with the MAC 2000 Wash fixture. Quarter-turn screws allow users to easily remove the standard front lens and replace it with the barndoor module, complete with lens. No cables are needed as the module plugs directly into a socket already equipped on every MAC 2000 Wash fixture.

An individual DMX channel controls each of the barndoors' four blades. Additionally, each b

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UK - DHA Lighting's David Hersey has been nominated for Best Lighting Award in the 2003 Laurence Olivier Awards for his design for Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia. "It is an honour to be nominated for this award," said Hersey, whose design for the National Theatre production was unique. William Dudley's set, also nominated for Best Set Design, demanded moving lights to enhance the cinematic effect created by video images, without interfering with the video projection.

The Stoppard trilogy also featured large-format projection, using slides custom-predistorted by Wyatt Enever and Steve Larkins of DHA. After such close collaboration on the plays, DHA is delighted that the production has been nominated for a clutch of awards - also Best New Play and Best Costume Design. The company's products and services also feature in other nominated shows. Trevor Nunn's prod

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UK - Slough-based lighting and sound sales specialist Stagetec has two new team members onboard - Rob Whitaker as project manager and Ken Poole as sales and marketing manager. The new appointments come in response to a dramatic increase in already-confirmed sales and installation projects for the company.

Whitaker, an experienced project manager in the pro sound and lighting industry, has recently been co-ordinating the installation of a wide range of systems into theatres and pubs for the Bourne Leisure Group. He also has extensive hands-on experience as a sound and lighting technician in venues nationwide. He'll be working within Stagetec's existing projects team, where he will also be assisting in the production of designs and proposals for new ventures.

Poole has a wealth of over 20 years' experience in sales, marketing and customer care. This will be invaluable for the pr

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USA - The Fog & Smoke Working Group, part of ESTA's Technical Standards Program, is starting work on a new standards project, BSR E1.23, Entertainment Technology -- Design and Execution of Theatrical Fog Effects. The standard is intended to offer guidance on the creation of atmospheric effects using glycol, glycerin, or white mineral oil fogs or mists in theatres, arenas, and other places of entertainment or public assembly. The standard will address the planning and execution of theatrical fog effects to avoid problems from excessive exposure to the fog materials or from the obscuration of hazards or safe paths of egress. In addition, the standard is intended to help avoid nuisance triggering of fire detection systems.

People and organizations that might be affected by the development of the standard are invited to become involved in the project by joining the Fog & Smoke Worki

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Denmark - The Martin 'egolution' continues with the Ego 03, a one-of-a-kind 250-watt deco effect featuring colorful, ever-changing kaleidoscopic patterns. Similar to a kaleidoscope, you remember, those tube-shaped optical toys that rotate to produce symmetrical designs by means of mirrors and bits of colored glass, the Ego 03 is a visual treat, projecting a varying barrage of psychedelic gobo designs.

The Ego 03 features high precision optics, a specially designed color/gobo wheel, and sharp and detailed kaleidoscopic gobo designs, all in a great looking composite shell. Other features include variable behavior options, selectable auto or music trig, remote operation, switch mode power supply and much more. The Philips ELC/5H, 24V/250W source gives up to 500 hours of operation. A continuous duty cycle and fan cooling means the effect can run continuously with no cool-down time n

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UK - As the sun set over Waterloo Bridge on Wednesday evening, the stars came out in force at the Old Vic and the BA London Eye glowed a glorious orange. Two separate events linked by one lighting supplier: The Moving Light Company. At the Old Vic theatre, Elton John played a concert to raise funds to repair the theatre's leaking roof - and also to welcome the theatre's new artistic director, Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey. As well as Elton John, the concert included appearances from Sting, Sinead O'Connor, Lulu, Elvis Costello and Courtney Love.

The lighting designer for the event was Nick Richings. Basing his design around the rig for The Tempest, currently playing at the Old Vic and also using equipment from The Moving Light Company (including DHA Digital Light Curtains and Digital Beamlights, Strand Pirouettes and High End Studio Colors), Richings also brought in ex

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USA - The Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) has appointed David Taylor, director of project management at Theatre Projects Consultants, to its Board of Directors. A recent vacancy in the position of Affiliate Director allowed ESTA President Mike Wood to appoint David to the Board to fill the remaining two years of the vacated term.

Commenting on his appointment Taylor told us: "Theatre Projects are privileged to specify a huge amount of performance equipment for the US and world markets and we value our close relationships with manufacturers, suppliers and contractors - I look forward to contributing to the ESTA Board and supporting the mission of the diverse ESTA members to create a better, safer and more efficient entertainment market."

Taylor joined Theatre Projects in the UK in 1985, became a project leader in 1989, and a senior consultant

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UK - To mark the start of the New Year, Navigator Systems has released a free upgrade to its best-selling rental management software HireTrack Eclipse.

The upgrade - which consists of more than 70 new features - comes in response to customer feedback, and demand for the new version has already been high, with the system now a regular feature of many company's business plans. One such client, Saville Audio Visual, winners of the AV Rental Company of the Year at the AV Awards 2002, has grown its rental turnover by 26% - an achievement "based around the use of HireTrack Eclipse", which is now installed in all 14 outlets. Navigator will be showing the new release at this year's Frankfurt Pro Light+Sound/MusikMesse in March.

(Ruth Rossington)

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France - Le Petit Prince has come back to life in the Casino de Paris Théâtre. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's grand novel is now a journey through worlds of enchantment and colourful characters, a metaphor for man's vices and virtues. The show began on 1 October, 2002 and will run through the end of June 2003. Produced by Victor Bosch/NODO Productions, the show features music by Riccardo Cocciante, with lyrics by Elisabeth Anais, and is directed by Jean-Louis Martinoty.

Jean Kalman served as lighting designer, a lighting artist whose work has appeared onstage at the National Opera of Paris, the Musical Theatre, the Royal National Theatre of London and numerous other theatres, festivals, and concerts the world over for internationally acclaimed artists.

In Le Petit Prince, Kalman demonstrates how recently the possibilities of theatre lighting have expan

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UK / France - Anytronics took advantage of the SIEL show in Paris from 2nd - 5th February to launch their new Anycolour stacking light box system on the Areco stand. Their demonstration was based on 12 of the new Anycolour Lightboxes arranged 3 high and 4 wide to give a seamless 2m x 2.6m wall of colour. The light boxes were controlled by the DMX output of an Anycolour ColourDesk controller via a DMX interface to give a wall of attractive and easily-controlled moving colours.

"The entire installation took me less than 20 minutes to unpack and construct from time of arrival on site, thanks to the simple interlocking Lightbox design and the 'plug and play' interconnection system," said Bob Hall, managing director of Anytronics, who was reportedly delighted with the attention that the new product attracted to the stand throughout the show. The Anycolour Lightbox is an ext

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UK - Blitz Birmingham was recently commissioned to add the audio-visual elements to the biggest dating party the UK has ever seen. The first ever 'Chemistry' event, held at London's Vinopolis from 29-30 January, offered the 3,000 people who attended the chance to find Mr or Miss Right. It was managed by Brand Events, who commissioned Blitz.

A number of different zones were created to help break down barriers and encourage mingling. 'The Ocean' was the centre of the action with Capital FM DJs Martin Collins and Justin Wilkes getting the party started. A 10k d&b audiotechnik sound rig was provided for the DJs, and Blitz supplied a network of Sony plasma screens to provide ongoing images of the crowded dance floor switching to vox pops carried out during the evening, which gave participants a few minutes of fame and a chance for some self-promotion.

Speed dating, an adult version

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Russia - The world-famous Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow recently took delivery of 35 DHA Digital Light Curtains, the first permanent installation of these fixtures in Russia. The DLCs will be used to add the finishing touches to the much-needed renovations at the theatre.

Damir Ismagilow, lighting designer for the Bolshoi Theatre, said: "I specified DHA DLCs after seeing them in use in New York - I really liked the many varied effects that can be achieved with them. DHA has a very strong reputation as a company and its equipment is consistently reliable. The DLC provides a unique combination of features for the lighting designer - it's a multifunctional and flexible product. There is nothing quite like it in Russia."

This project is representative of the progression towards the use of new technology in Russia. The latest equipment in theatrical applications will bring gr

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Germany - When well-known television lighting designer Manfred 'Ollie' Olma was looking for an exciting new light to integrate into the set for the final three shows of the German version of Pop Idol ('Deutschland sucht den Superstar'), he opted for Color Stream from Pixeon.

The blockbuster show, broadcast on German station RTL was the world TV premier for Color Stream. Color Stream uses LED technology in an encapsulated package to create subtle colour effects and linear sequences which have hitherto been unattainable in the lighting designer's pallet. The system consists of one metre long diffused tubes, which conceal the LEDs, and connect together seamlessly to make long lines of light that can be programmed to evolve in a series of synchronous events.

The Color Stream tubes contain dense arrays of red, green and blue LEDs arranged in individual pixels. Each pixel is control

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Europe - Lego has recently opened three new retail stores in Cologne, Milton Keynes and Moscow. These stores all make extensive use of effect lighting to add atmosphere and excitement to the specialist display areas in the stores. Designed and maintained in house by Lego AudioVisuals, the architectural and effect lighting in all stores is controlled by a Medialon system.

The objective of the new Lego stores is to bring excitement to users. Leif Andresen, AV project manager says: "We think it is important that there should be something to stimulate the interest of both children and adults. For example, the lighting will change colour throughout the day. The large video screens will constantly show new images, and as soon as a new Lego product is announced, it will be marketed in a special way in our brand stores."

Ethernet is used as the backbone for transmitting the

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UK - A.C. Lighting Ltd has recently completed an exclusive six-week training programme for new trainee sales executives to join its UK and Export sales teams. Trainees have been given a comprehensive induction to the entertainment technology industry, from cables and connectors to state-of the-art lighting control consoles.

The intensive training programme was designed to provide considerable insight to all aspects of A.C. Lighting's business, from individual products through to hands-on exposure to the entire sales cycle. By drawing on specific product range expertise within A.C. Lighting, key employees imparted their valuable knowledge from years in the industry to create customized training modules. In addition, many of A.C. Lighting's suppliers were able to provide representatives for the programme, offering informative demonstration of the features and benefits that their c

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UK - The Newcastle Regional Art Gallery in the Hunter region of NSW, Australia, rivals all other public collections in Australia with its quality and breadth. Some 3,000 works of art present an encyclopedic view of Australian art from colonial times, and many major artists are represented in the exhibition. A recent change of curator at the Gallery has led to some key changes, one being a proposal for a new look for the front of the building. Newcastle-based company Custom Audio Installations was approached by the Gallery to develop some ideas on how to enhance the rather plain, concrete wall that greets the visitor.

Colin Rothapfel owner of Custom Audio met with gallery staff to decide what could be used to brighten the façade and attract more people to the Gallery. Custom Audio had, on previous occasions, supplied the Gallery with Martin MACs to light a number of launches and

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USA - When the latest production of the smash-hit ABBA musical Mamma Mia opened in Las Vegas on 3 February, it became the eighth full-scale production of the show running concurrently in the world - and saw the show taking delivery of a further 17 DHA Digital Light Curtains, bringing the total used by the musical to 136.

Mamma Mia first appeared in April 1999 at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, the production directed by Phyllida Law and designed by Mark Thompson with lighting by Howard Harrison. Harrison made use of a wide selection of automated lighting equipment, but central to the rig were eleven eight-lamp Digital Light Curtains "absolutely fantastic for creating a strong backlight, the clean, clear look of Greek sunlight," said Harrison.

The show immediately became a smash hit, with Harrison nominated for an Olivier Award for his lighting. Mor

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Canada - Following record sales growth in 2002, Pathway Connectivity has made another significant investment to further increase its ability to service the needs of its customers. Two new staff members have joined the company, each with a unique set of skills that will be visible to customers both in the near term and further down the road. Jon-Paul (JP) Bussoli will bolster technical support and Virginia Massey joins customer service.

JP is a graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology with a shiny new Diploma in Electronics Engineering. He will complete intensive in-house training and industry orientation over the next two months, after which he will begin to handle entry-level support calls.

Virginia Massey met Kerri Parsons, Pathway's Customer Service Manager at a CITT conference last summer. They both hit it off and Kerri recommended her as an addition to the

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UK - The Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) has warned its members in the past about scams in which companies are approached by organizations claiming to be 'collectors' for Data Protection Act registration. The approaches are often in the form of a letter, and carry demands for a registration fee (often £95 +VAT) along with erroneous 'reminders' that failure to register could result in a fine of up to £5,000. Other 'collectors' have even visited companies in person, and displayed convincing-looking ID tags.

It seems that the practice is still continuing, with up to 18 bogus agencies known to be engaged in the scam - for a full list, visit the web address below. Anyone being approached with a similar request is asked not to make any payments, and to contact their local police.

(Lee Baldock)

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UAE - The Middle East's sound and lighting industry is expected to be worth $1 billion a year in three-to five years time, according to Matthew Griffiths, CEO of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), the leading international association for the industry. He was speaking in Dubai at the first Pro Audio Light Middle East (PALME) trade show, an event officially endorsed by the organisation.

PLASA's own research into the global market indicates that the sound and lighting sector generates $20 billion a year worldwide. "With so much construction and so many major events in the Middle East, we anticipate that the Middle East will grow to be worth $1 billion a year. The sector is already worth that a year in the UK and the Middle East can certainly match this given the level of activity here.

"This is a dynamic part of the world. It isn't afraid to be lo

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UK - Architectural lighting specialists I-vision supplied Tim Matthews of Fentura Production Services with Studio Due City Colors and assorted other lighting fixtures to highlight three buildings in the new Paddington Basin development - which is largely still under construction. Matthews managed the four-week project for event production company Light Bitz. He also created the eye-catching lighting scheme for the buildings - The Point, and the new Marks & Spencer HQ, Waterside 1 and 2. The Point is scheduled to be handed over to mobile phone company Orange at the end of the month, and Waterside was finished by the end of 2002.

The aim of the lighting project was to raise the profile of the buildings and supply some eye-candy to attract the attention of passing motorists, crawling their way into and out of London on the A40 in evening rush hour. Shows ran from 3pm to midnight ea

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UK - When Graham Norton and Angellica Bell hit the big red button to launch this year's Comic Relief fund-raising event on 7 February, the Fourth Phase crew were behind the scenes ensuring that London's BT Tower turned into a fiery red pillar. Then, with all the lighting equipment in place, later that same evening the second phase of the project kicked off with material for a series of 13 upcoming BT advertisements being projected down the side of the tower, from the new directory enquiries number to the Comic Relief donation number.

PR agency Sinclair Mason came up with the idea of turning the tower red back in September 2002 as part of a documentary on Comic Relief for Children's BBC and got in touch with lighting and large format projection specialist Fourth Phase London. To create the radiant tower, Fourth Phase employed lighting designer Paul Cook, who, in turn, opted for s

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UK - The latest addition to the Chroma-Q range of colour changers is the Cascade, which utilises two internal gel-strings and the latest technology to provide over 300 useable colours from a single unit. Offering the same level of reliability and affordable technology, the new compact and lightweight Cascade offers many new features and enhancements creating the most versatile Chroma-Q to date.

A Universal Mounting System (UMS) eliminates the need for individual mounting plates, and by simple adjustment makes this unit instantly compatible with a range of lanterns with up to a 175mm lens, suitable for up to 50º beam angle (without light loss). The Cascade is supplied complete with gel-strings, and further benefits from an integrated heat shield, which increases gel-string longevity, particularly beneficial for higher wattage lanterns. The unit additionally features two operatio

  1. Lighting up a Storm
  2. Hirad launches Vipco
  3. Avolites ART 2000i Focus Day
  4. Flame retardant gaffer tape from Le Mark
  5. Entec production for John Squire
  6. Projected Image Digital launches new RADlite v4 software at Open Day
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