Lighting

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UK - Working together, sound design and installation specialists CP Sound and professional audio distributors Arbiter Pro Audio have brokered a finance deal to enable the Shoosh Bar in Thames Ditton, Surrey, to benefit from some of the best sound, lighting and AV equipment.

Shoosh is a stylish independently-owned, new-build bar/restaurant concept, and the finance deal enabled the design, specification and installation of an impressive technical infrastructure at the venue. Cutting a deal became necessary as cash was tight after the funding of interior building works, designed by Steve Howie of Howie Design. New ventures are traditionally the most challenging when it comes to raising additional finance. However, CP Sound’s Colin Pattenden undertook to help Shoosh owner Terry Ramsay raise the necessary, so he didn’t have to compromise on his sound and lighting installa

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USA - City Theatrical, the New York-based manufacturer of entertainment lighting accessories has acquired the New York firm of Matsuda-Dunn Design - an engineering and design firm specializing in products and projects related to the entertainment lighting industry. Its operation will be integrated into City Theatrical’s production facilities in the Bronx, and the entire organization will be known as City Theatrical.

CTI’s President Gary Fails told us: "This acquisition strengthens City Theatrical’s engineering and product development base, and gives us an experienced custom projects group. While we have always done a great deal of custom metalwork and manufacturing, we now can offer our dealer network a much higher level of support on their systems and installations work, including electrical and mechanical engineering and software development. We hope t

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UK - Since the successful launch of Chroma-Q colour changers in March 1996, the brand has diversified to incorporate Gobo Rotators, providing the lighting professional with a more comprehensive range of professional lantern accessories.

The new range consists of the Chroma-Q Junior, Chroma-Q Twin, and Chroma-Q Twin DMX. The Junior, specifically designed to fit the ETC Source Four Junior lantern, holds ‘M-size’ gobos, features basic manual speed adjustment, and is supplied complete with a small stand-alone power supply. The Twin and a Twin DMX models meanwhile, have been developed for ETC Source Four, Altman Shakespeare, Strand SL and Selecon Pacific fixtures, and house B-size gobos. Both the models share the same high quality drive system, resulting in near-silent operation, and long-term reliability.

The most innovative developments can be found with the Chroma-Q

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UK - Stagetec Distribution started the year in style with a surge in Compulite Spark lighting console sales - orders were received for three SparkTOP systems from Richard Martin Lighting (RML) plus a Spark 4D/LX system for Alton Towers in the first month of the year.

RML specializes in the television lighting, and is already the largest Compulite rental house in the UK, with 19 systems in stock. However an increase in its workload necessitated the additional systems. Current RML TV shows with Compulite in control include Blue Peter, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Crimewatch, Midweek Lottery, Shooting Stars and the Saturday Show.

One of the latest productions for which RML has supplied a Spark console is ‘Smart’ for CBBC. The show demonstrates different techniques for drawing, painting and creating. Lighting designer Dave Davey had the challenge of designing a flexible,

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UK - Ron Knell, most recently a senior account manager in the export sales department at AC Lighting, has been appointed Rosco’s sales manager for the UK & Eire. In this role he will be responsible for developing new business, whilst serving the needs of the already established dealer network and managing all sales effort within these regions.

Knell is a well-known figure in the industry with established contacts and knowledge of both the UK and export markets. Having previously worked for Rosco dealers, most notably Lighting Technology (a Rosco dealer of nearly 25 years), he has both a technical understanding of the product and a working knowledge of the level of support it requires. In appointing Ron, Kees Frijters, Rosco’s vice-president for European Operations told us: "Ron, with his previous industry experience, contacts and knowledge, will be a great asse

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USA - The Scorpions & Whitesnake 2003 tour is using High End Systems products to add punch and reliability to its rig. Lighting director Charlie ‘Cosmo’ Wilson specified 12 High End Systems Studio Color 575 automated wash luminaires and two Studio Beams for the tour, supplied by contractor LSD/Fourth Phase of Los Angeles.

Now on his seventh tour with the Scorpions and his first with Whitesnake, Wilson was easily able to design a truss to accommodate both artists while giving each a distinctive look at the same time. The bulk of the rig was outfitted with PARs and LSD’s own brand of lighting and console. The tour kicked off on 29 January and continues in North America until 22 March. Following that, Wilson takes off with Whitesnake on their UK/Europe tour, which runs from mid May to early June again with High End Systems fixtures in the rig.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Now in its 26th year, the PLASA Show, which draws to Earls Court in September, thousands of UK and international visitors interested in lighting and sound from entertainment and installation industries, promises to be brighter, fresher and more creative than ever before.

The look and atmosphere of the show is being revitalised for 2003: a project manager has been appointed to implement the feature areas which include a central networking area, situated in the hub of the show. Other highlights include Architectural Audio & Visual - a new show sector which recognizes the growth of architectural lighting, contract audio and vision industry into this market. Products, case studies, new ideas and creative design solutions will all be showcased, aiming to inspire both architects, specifiers, installers and end users.

The New Technology Gallery, situated at the front of the ha

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UK - Flying Pig Systems and Cast Software have announced a new link-up that will provide WYSIWYG visualization with the Wholehog III control system.

The collaboration means that every Wholehog III console will come bundled with WYSIWYG Perform - Console Edition. This new version of WYSIWYG connects to the Hog III via Ethernet, and provides 512 channels of visualization and advanced features, such as AutoFocus and patch transfer. It will also be possible to view blind programming or preview upcoming cues in the WYSIWYG visualizer, while maintaining normal output onstage.

Designed to work with the Wholehog III, WYSIWYG Perform - Console Edition is a feature-rich version of the well-known visualization tool, which includes CAD, data management and rendering facilities. Where additional visualization channels are required, the supplied dongle can be easily and quickly upgraded to

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USA - Lighting designers seeking the full range of beam spreads for their Source Four PARs will appreciate the latest addition to the ETC lens line-up: the new Extra-Wide Flood Lens. With this latest addition, the PAR range is now complete and offers VNSP (Very Narrow Spot); NSP (Narrow Spot); MFL (Medium Flood) and WFL (Wide Flood) - all of which are standard on the Source Four Par - and now, of course, the XWFL (Extra-Wide Flood).

The Extra-Wide Flood Lens acts as a wash or fill light with a soft edge, while still maintaining an intense centre beam. The lens provides a circular beamspread up to 60 degrees, and is ideal when illuminating an area or surface from a restricted, short-throw distance. For theatrical use, the Extra-Wide Flood Lens allows the PAR to be used as a fill light or set mount to illuminate low-ceilinged areas from tight hanging positions, or as a wash light

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UK - Reflex Systems Ltd, specialists in the design, installation and maintenance of audio, CCTV video and access control solutions to the Hotel and Leisure industries, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The company works with a growing number of UK and European customers, many of which are leading blue chip organizations, providing security and site management solutions.

Reflex is experienced across the whole leisure sector, and is responsible for meeting the requirements of a diverse range of clients. Its customers include Luminar, THI Leisure, Boots WellBeing, Ramada Jarvis, Thistle, Queens Moat Houses, Handpicked Hotels, World of Golf, Butlins, and countless other brands from the smallest independents to the largest players. Reflex's installations are located in many of the country's leading bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, sports and leisure facilities, and the compa

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Denmark - Martin Professional has appointed Henrik Sørensen as managing director of Martin Security Smoke, a fully-owned subsidiary of the company that produces and distributes computer-controlled equipment for smoke protection.

Currently managing director of Martin Manufacturing (UK) PLC, located in Louth, in the UK, Henrik will be returning to his native Denmark, but will retain overall responsibility for the manufacturing facility. He will also continue to oversee Jem Smoke Machines’ R&D activities, as well as Jem’s product management.

The change means that Martin Manufacturing will now be positioned under the Martin Security Smoke umbrella, yet will continue to supply smoke machines to the entertainment market through Martin Professional.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - AVR has launched a new range of LED-based colour-changing panels. The LEDION DMX panels are aimed at the bar, club and restaurant markets, and offer both dramatic colour and intensity changes, and movement through chases and matrixes.

Consisting of a slim 44mm x 300mm x 300mm square panel, the LEDION produces a diverse range of colours and shades from its LED light source. Due to the all day/all night operation of most modern bars and restaurants, LEDION light panels are inherently suited to this demanding environment, being virtually maintenance-free and having LEDs expected to exceed 50,000 hours of operation. The LEDION can either be used as a stand-alone colour changer or in multiples. AVR has designed a standard 4x4 frame system for multi-unit applications, with bespoke frames an option for special projects. The units can be floor, wall or ceiling-mounted.

(Ruth Ross

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USA - Total Structures has announced that p-wave is now in production and should be ready to ship in early April.

p-wave is the innovative decorative version of the award-winning new wave truss series. While the same patented construction techniques are used, it is made entirely from Plexiglas. A prototype version of p-wave, the Plexiglas variant of new wave, was shown at LDI 2002 and generated a huge amount of interest. This prompted the Total Structures team to undertake further development. A unisex, non-rotating, fork end connector and the webs are machined from solid rod and flat sheet respectively using CNC machinery. Both sets of components are bonded to the tubular chords using high strength two part adhesive. p-wave really comes into its own when lit. The edges of the plexi capture the light and the truss positively glows with the colour it is bathed in.

(Ruth Rossing

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UK - On 16 May this year, Mike Crossman, White Light's long-serving hire director, will leave the company. He has been with White Light for 15 years, during which time he has overseen an ever-more diverse range of hire projects from the smallest school shows to the largest West End and touring productions including, currently, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Contact, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon and the Olivier-award winning Our House, as well as the company's move from Fulham to Wimbledon. "I have had a fantastic time through the years at White Light, working with great people, both in the company and in theatres and on shows," says Crossman. "I feel it is time for me to get out of the office and explore the world a bit!" To that end, he is leaving White Light to embark on an 18-month round-the-world trip - promising to forward any req

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USA - Bandit Lites has promoted John Rolison to be the new director of the sales division. Rolison was formerly a national sales consultant for the company and had recently had his name added to Stage Directions ‘Who’s Who’ list for 2003. "I am confident that John has the initiative and drive to lead our sales force and take us to the next level," commented Michael Strickland, Bandit Lites CEO.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - PLASA Member CTS has been awarded dealership status for Strand Lighting. "We are thrilled with this development," said David Harwood, CTS sales director. "Having been in this industry for nearly 25 years, a Strand dealership was something that our company always aspired to."

Part of the new product range recently introduced by Strand is aimed at educational establishments and small theatres, and therefore ideal for CTS, which has a large customer base in these sectors. The company holds a comprehensive hire stock of lighting, sound and stage-related equipment and its policy of remaining independent has allowed it to offer clients the equipment to suit their needs. CTS is confident that the Strand range will complement the other manufacturers they represent.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Leisuretec Distribution Ltd and Strand Lighting have announced a new partnership. Strand Lighting has recently invested heavily in the development of entry-level equipment and products aimed at the education market - a move which has strengthened their already broad range of solutions for the film, television, theatre and architectural markets.

Leisuretec Distribution has made a substantial stock investment and managing director Nick Spalding is delighted at the appointment. He comments: "It is fantastic to be associated with a brand as prestigious and established as Strand Lighting, with our commitment to 'Pure Distribution' throughout our extensive customer base, we are looking forward to an exciting and long-term relationship with Strand."

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - LightProcessor’s new range of dimmers, called Dimension, is specifically designed to offer both features and performance not normally available at this price level. The dimmers will come in three versions - D610 (6 x 10A) wall-mount in dim and switch versions, D610 (6 x 10A) portable, D610 (6 x10A) truss-mount, D1810 (18 x 10A) and D2410 (24 x 10A) commercial.

Compact size, sleek clean lines and ease of installation make this range the smart choice ideally suited to both the architectural and entertainment sectors. Channel identification and MCBs are standard and RCCD options allow this product to be used in any location. Operational feedback via clearly defined and simple visual indicators. Installer and maintenance friendly features make this the ‘low cost’ option both before and after purchase.

Also new from LightProcessor is a range of small desks wi

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Germany - Holzkirchen-based lighting specialists transtechnik Lichtsysteme have equipped two well-known theatres in Munich with the latest lighting technology - both the Münchner Kammerspiele and the Bavarian State Opera House have seen significant system upgrades.

transtechnik Lichtsysteme became involved with the Bavarian State Opera House as far back as 1998, and were part of the team working on a phased renovation of the theatre. The 10 FDX90 dimmer cabinets installed as part of phase 1 and the 23 FDX2000 cabinets that went in during phase 2 have ensured that the State Opera House now has one of the largest pools of dimmers in Germany. A Digiplus digital auxiliary console is used to control the auxiliary functions (such as working lights and rehearsal lighting), whilst the Prisma NT and Focus NT lighting control consoles from transtechnik's NT family are used for the stage

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USA - The Motovator is Wybron’s new DMX-512 controlled scenery and drapery motion system. It provides precise servo control of the position and speed of movement of AC motors, DC motors and hydraulic actuators used to move scenery, drapes and drops.

The Motovator can be set-up and used anywhere, but particularly suited to projects where motion needs to be tightly integrated with show lighting and effects using standard lighting consoles and moving light programming techniques. This system allows motion to be designed and edited in the same way (and by the same personnel) as lighting cues. Motovator motion control systems for Traveler and Austrian curtains, roll drops and stage turntables are available for inclusion in custom designed applications, or as complete packaged solutions.

(Ruth Rossington)

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USA - High End Systems has launched a retail outlet on the popular Internet auction site, eBay, to sell its range of compact interior luminaires. The luminaires, which appeal to the mainstream markets, will be featured on The World's Online Marketplace at a special price for a limited time only, and although High End is known for its customer service, these particular products will be sold ‘as is’ without warranties because of the discounted price structure.

Further introductions to the site will include slow-moving and obsolete products, used products and products that don't fit the core competency of the company. High End's professional line of lighting and control systems will continue to be exclusively sold through its dealer network.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Once again the infrastructure of Stage Electrics has proven to be a lifeline for a touring theatre company. The Blue Room, staring Tracy Shaw, was playing in Cardiff for a week’s tour, when on Monday at 5pm the show control computer failed. Stage Electrics took the call at 5:15pm and although not a supplier to the show, Chris Patton, business development manager for the theatre touring market agreed to attend site. Patton had the forethought to grab Ross Livings from the company’s IT support team, armed with a company PC. On site by 6:30, Livings had two computers in pieces within minutes, swapping the necessary parts and software. The show was running by 7:15, a cool 15 minutes ahead of curtain up. Stage Electrics offers this level of support and service throughout the UK from its 10 Branches.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - White Light's long-serving hire director Mike Crossman will leave the company on 16 May 2003, after 15 years with the company. During that time he has overseen an increasingly diverse range of hire projects from the smallest school shows to the largest West End and touring productions, currently including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Contact, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon and the Olivier-award winning Our House, as well as the company’s move from Fulham to Wimbledon. "I have had a fantastic time through the years at White Light, working with great people in the company and with all of the fantastic people we work with in theatres and on shows," says Crossman. "I will miss all of them and the hustle and bustle of getting shows on, but I feel that it is time for me to get out of the office and explore the world a bit!" To that end, he is leaving

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UK - Leisuretec Distribution Ltd has announced the appointment of Peter Owen as UK sales manager. Owen joins Leisuretec after six years at Arbiter Pro Audio, where he was responsible for developing sales of JBL Professional loudspeakers and dbx signal processing product ranges in the UK.

Leisuretec managing director Nick Spalding is confident that Peter’s decision to head up the sales team at Leisuretec will prove to be a great move for Owen, the company and in turn the company’s extensive customer base. "Peter always impressed me whilst at Arbiter with his willingness to go the extra mile, making sure our customers received the products they needed, when they needed them. He was also singularly responsible for encouraging Leisuretec to invest in a large stockholding of both the JBL and dbx product ranges, resulting in significant increases of turnover of both l

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  2. Video takes centre stage with Scene Change
  3. New staff and busy times at White Light Sales
  4. Changes at Coemar De Sisti Australia
  5. Quentor launches the latest in transit case design
  6. Manchester Production against the War
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