Lighting

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UK - Leisuretec Distribution exhibited at the ABTT Theatre Show this week, showing the new BlueBeam and BlueDome Systems from GDS (Global Design Solutions) - for which Leisuretec has been appointed the exclusive UK distributor. Blues Systems are designed for use in all front- and back-of-house technical areas, and are ideal for theatres and performance spaces of all types.

The products (both interior and exterior) are designed to replace many existing architectural light sources such as fluorescents or low-level halogen fittings. They are also suitable for inaccessible corners, nooks and crannies, providing an alternative LED working light that is very reliable and needs zero maintenance - not ever needing the lamp or gel changed.

The BlueBeam (spot) and BlueDome (flood) produce little heat and use an integral 0-10v onboard dimmer allowing each fitting to be dimmed to suit the

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UK - Stage Electrics has introduced the Encore 'Squelly', its new CE-approved 2-way 15 amp adaptor. With first-hand knowledge of the failings of some previous adaptors, Adrian Searle, Stage Electrics' technical manager, was heavily involved with the design to ensure the product met the strict criteria he had set. The Squelly has a unique offset socket design to prevent cable fouling; its small footprint makes it easy to use with 3- and 6-way dimmers, and the traditional square design with moulded grips ensures it is easily removed from sockets. The Squelly is also shuttered, un-fused and has shrouded pins. The product is in stock and available today from any branch of Stage Electrics.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Avenue Q - winner of the 2004 Tony Award for Best New Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score - is a hilarious and irreverent look at life through the eyes of recent English graduate, Princeton. Previewing until 28 June, the show is a symbiotic partnership of actors and hand puppets create the diverse range of characters that live on Avenue Q.

The show's lighting designer is Howell Binkley, who last week won a Tony for his lighting of Jersey Boys. Lighting is an integral factor when it comes to the successful delivery of many of the jokes, and supplying the lighting as well as accessories such as smoke machines and mirror balls for this stunning show is PRG Europe.

Craig Bennett, project manager for PRG Europe says: "PRG has a strong relationship with Howell in the USA; it's certainly one of our strengths to be able to supply a 'home fro

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USA - Pharos Architectural Controls has announced a new North American distribution agreement with ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls Inc) at Lightfair International 2006 in Las Vegas. The show was an ideal opportunity to introduce the Pharos product line to ETC's dealers, reps and customers. There was much interest and enthusiasm about how well Pharos will fit with the ETC product line, and the contribution the Pharos Lighting Playback Controller (LPC) will make to forthcoming projects. Both companies are delighted at the positive response and the show was a great success.

The award-winning Pharos LPC is ideal for architectural, retail and themed entertainment environments that require sophisticated control of colour mixing, dimming, moving light and LED sources. Its advanced timeline-based lighting control, versatile triggering options and rugged solid-state construction make it

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Canada - MDG, the Canada-based manufacturer of fog and haze generators, has appointed Thierry P. Fletcher as sales director responsible for MDG products and the new distribution division. MDG president Martin Michaud commented: "Thierry's wealth of experience and philosophy of professionalism is consistent with our own ideals and modus operandi here at MDG. We welcome his input and creativity and it shall be a pleasure working with him to better serve our clientele worldwide."

Fletcher began his career in the industry as a salesman for various professional photographic equipment suppliers, while pursuing his studies in Economics and, at the same time, got involved in stage hand work at the local IATSE. in September 1986. In 1997, he graduated from Lionel-Groulx College in Theater Production, and, in December of the same year, joined the team at Solotech as lighting spe

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UK - The opening day of the ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) annual trade show saw Strand announce its first customer for its new Palette range of consoles. White Light, based in London and Halifax, UK, have ordered their first three classicPalette consoles for immediate duty in its rental stock.

Dave Isherwood, technical director of White Light says: "We were impressed with the power and flexibility of the new console and the new click and point graphic environment. We already have a large fleet of 500 series consoles which remain very popular across a broad range of users so we could see that being able to introduce the Palette series in addition brings this new Strand control system within the range of an even larger number of users."

Isherwood continued: "Being able to read existing 300/500 series show files directly into the Palette console

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USA / UK - This year sees ETC celebrating 30 years as one of the world's most popular names in entertainment lighting equipment, and 10 years of serving the UK and European markets. A record 250,000 ETC Source Four luminaires were shipped in 2005 and the company expects to exceed that this year, which also sees the highest number of product releases of any year in ETC's history.

Seen at ABTT was a new model in ETC's SmartPack range of economical and compact dimming solutions. The Wall Mount version of SmartPack is now available with six 20A dimmers and is ideal for architectural applications requiring high performance dimming at an affordable price. This convenient, low maintenance unit can be installed directly, without any other parts, anywhere there is free space, say ETC. SmartPack is usually controlled via DMX, while for architectural purposes ETC offers SmartLink with the

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UK - Global Design Solutions has announced the appointment of Adam Cooper to its team to strengthen the ongoing activity of technical product design. Cooper comes across from Stage Electrics where as projects engineer he worked on projects from designing and testing power and battery systems for Manchester Passion, to designing LED dimmers and lighting for the Royal Court Theatre.

A strong knowledge of paging systems, interfacing, fault-finding, problem-solving, AMX design, VoIP and vast experience with servicing most theatrical and entertainment equipment means Adam's new role as design engineer at GDS will further compliment the innovative company, which recently launched new LED products BlueBeam and BlueDome.

Director Matt Lloyd said: "Due to the ongoing development of GDS and the increased demand for its services, the company is delighted to appoint Adam, who brings

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Australia - With a century old façade, a stunning new interior and many years of planning behind it, the new Drum Theatre in the heart of Dandenong is finally completed; and what a magnificent sight it is. In a town with an abundance of artistic expression and limited outlets to express it, The Drum aims to bring a new sense of artistic culture and style to the City of Greater Dandenong.

The massive job of converting the site of the heritage-listed old town hall fell to Kane Constructions, who through the design of William Ross Architects and Denis Irving of theatrical consultants Entertech, combined the traditional façade of the old town hall, with a modern, practical and visually appealing theatrical space. The task of coordinating the creation of this venue was given to the City of Greater Dandenong's director of cultural faculties, Paul Streefkerk. Having been involved in

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UK - Richard Ashcroft ended his latest tour in style rocking out in front of a hugely enthusiastic 'home' crowd of 26,000 at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.

Bandit Lites supplied tour production lighting and crew for LD Jonny Gaskell throughout May, project managed by Bandit's Lester Cobrin.

Gaskell's work with Ashcroft dates back to the days of the phenomenally successful Verve. For the Old Trafford show, working with Tim Flemming, he also designed and produced a series of custom video visuals, which were beamed onto an LED backdrop onstage and integrated into the lightshow for Ashcroft's set.

The rig comprised three overhead lighting trusses and six vertical truss towers on the floor. The system included 28 Martin MAC 2K profiles, 34 High End Studio Beam wash fixtures, 60 2-lite Molefeys, 16 Atomic strobes and Source Four profiles for key-lighting. In additi

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Italy - Il Migliore is a quiz show hosted by Mike Bongiorno, which selects its contestants within specific professional categories - teachers, naval officers, engineers, pilots and archaeologists - for a battle to the last question. The program bases itself on the English format coined by Celador, which was broadcast on ITV1, Britain's Brainiest, which received a 33.5% audience share.

Aldo Solbiati, director of photography on the show, says: "At various stages of the quiz, before the commercial breaks and when we return to the studio, the 'bamboo' camera follows along the entire length of the studio in a move that encompasses the stage of the host, the nine contestants' podiums, and the audience gallery. This 'dynamic' situation, repeated many times throughout the show, intensifies its own movements thanks to beams of light which have been studied to combine w

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USA / UK - Color Kinetics Inc has announced that Dialight Corporation, the US subsidiary of UK-based Dialight plc (FTSE: DIA.L), will license Color Kinetics' full patent portfolio to support its LED application initiatives in the architectural, entertainment and general illumination markets. The worldwide license applies to sales of Dialight products in all markets covered by Color Kinetics' patent portfolio. The agreement also gives Color Kinetics access to Dialight patents as they may relate to enhancements to Color Kinetics' technology.

Dialight specializes in the application of LED-based lighting technology and enables OEM partners to develop complete LED-based lighting solutions. Dialight says that the agreement with CK will allow it to offer its partners the unique features that are covered by Color Kinetics' patents - complementing Dialight's SpectraMix control system and

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USA - The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) began its 71st season at its three-theatre location in Ashland, Oregon operating in true rotating rep, meaning a different show plays each afternoon and evening; 11 plays are currently rotating at the 360-seat Black Box New Theatre, the 600-seat Angus Bowmer Theatre, and the 1200-seat outdoor Elizabethan Theatre.

Michael Maag, master electrician for OSF, orchestrates an impressive routine to light these performances, with around two-and-a-half hours between curtain down on one show and house open on the next. The lighting crew changes colour, gobos, and shutter cuts on the rep lights in each theatre. With such a demanding schedule, there are very specific requirements. They needed fixtures that would operate easily and quietly, while still giving excellent colour. Maag chose the Wybron Nexera CMY colour-changing fixtures for two of the

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Finland - Top Finnish metal superstars Nightwish used 28 Robe Show Lighting ColorSpot 1200 AT moving lights and 24 Wash 250 XTs on the final concert of their Once world tour, staged at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki.

The fixtures were specified by the band's LD Tommi Stolt and supplied by one of the leading Finnish rental companies Akun Tehdas. The Nightwish crew chief Villie Kauhanen asked Akun Tehdas to supply lighting again, after they serviced band's last Finnish tour. The company has a good reputation in terms of equipment and crew on the road in Finland - which now includes a selection of Robe Show Lighting products.

The Robe's where positioned on main rig over the stage and back wall horizontal trusses. They were creating basic effects for the show. Stolt particularly likes Robes for their high output and fast movements. The 1200 ColorSpots also have good gobos.

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UK - Lighting designer John Rinaldi of Stage Light Design is one of the first UK customers to take delivery of a Jands Vista S3 lighting console. The company specialises in providing a full lighting design and production service for the exhibition and corporate events market, with major clients in the broadcast, telecommunications and electronics sectors.

Intrigued by the Vista's overall concept and philosophy, Rinaldi had been following its progress with much interest, but was waiting for the launch of a more compact and affordable version which would be a better fit with his budget and regular pattern of work.

He commented: "The majority of our work is exhibitions, which usually means packing all the lighting control equipment into a tiny little cupboard space on client's stands. The S3 is ideal for this as I can use it with a laptop to program shows on the stand, and t

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USA - Syncrolite is gearing up for one of its busiest summers. All of Syncrolite's rental equipment is booked up. Tours already scheduled include Depeche Mode, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones, David Gilmour, Madonna, Robbie Williams, Dave Mathews, The Eagles, Pearl Jam, Toby Keith, Tom Petty, Roger Waters, The Who, Rascal Flatts, Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, Goo Goo Dolls, Kenny Chesney, Nickelback, and Ligabue.

Syncrolite just finished The Opening Ceremonies for the World Cup. The next manufacturing run of Syncrolite B-5/2's is scheduled to be completed by the end of June with 50 of these highly demanded xenon skylights being produced. Most of these lights have been spoken for months in advance, says the company, and the popularity and demand for Syncrolites has hit an all time high.

Syncrolite's newly renovated website offers information on: products offered, prod

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UK - The Hurlingham Club in London provided the perfect setting for those attending PLASA's AGM and Members Lunch on Tuesday 6 June. Over 180 members and special guests were there to enjoy the day, learn more about the Association's achievements over the last 12 months and meet with industry colleagues.

Adrian Brooks, vice-chairman of PLASA, reflected on how PLASA - originally known as BADEM - first found a role delivering a trade show for discotheque equipment manufacturers, and on the remarkable growth of the PLASA Show and the Association since that fledgling start 30 years ago. He went on to reflect how the continued success of the Show had allowed the organisation to focus on initiatives intended to develop the industry further. Ambitious projects such as the National Rigging Certificate and qualifications for the PA/VA sector are central to PLASA's commitment to raise prof

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UK - The 10 days from 7 June were busy ones for leading entertainment lighting supplier White Light: as well as their regular work supplying new shows around the country, the company also made a number of 'public appearances', including its own Graduates Open Day, a visit to the Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference, and its stand at the 2006 ABTT Show.

The Graduates Open Day is now an established annual event, where White Light throws the doors of its Wimbledon base open to anyone contemplating a career in the technical or design sides of the entertainment industry. This year's Open day was attended by 26 students who got to experiment with the latest lighting equipment from a range of manufacturers as well as listening to a careers advice from a panel of established industry figures including David Amos, Kevin Sleep, David Harvey and Mike Le Fevre and then a 'keynote

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UK - Metropolis AV boosts its extensive range of LED products with the launch of three new fixtures each designed for cost effective, energy efficient lighting requiring little maintenance - ideal for use in restricted and difficult to access spaces, says the company.

The TC30-75 'Beamer' 75 Watt RGB Projector is a solid state full colour fixture capable of delivering a blistering 75 Watts of LED power, designed specifically for hi-brightness colour changing applications.

The Beamer is perfect for lighting both large interior and exterior expanses and for highlighting specific features, due to an assortment of available beam angles, and comes with standard spreads of 6,15, 25 and 25 x 6 degrees (letterbox). It features a substantial heatsink on the projection head itself, allowing passive non-fan cooling of the LEDs. Another heat-reducing factor is that the driver is located i

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Turkey - W-DMX and Stockholm-based Spectra Stage & Event Technologies recently returned to Istanbul, although without the Euro-disco music this time (W-DMX was first used by Spectra in Turkey during the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest.) The team revisited the Turkish capital to flip the switch at the grand opening of the ultra-luxurious Istanbul Kanyon - an urban living complex that contains 168 residential apartments, a 26-floor office building, and a shopping mall with 170 stores. Amazingly, every apartment, office, and store space is already sold out. The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan opened the mall during the nationally televised 30 May event, which included 6000 VIP guests.

The team used 20 Space Cannon 8kW and 28 Century Colour 2500W supplied by local company Playback. They used all four universes of a Whole Hog II, all operated with W-DMX by Wireless Soluti

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UK - i-Pix is a new LED design and manufacturing company, formed by one of the co-founders, and core developers, of the 'Pixel' LED brand. Chris Ewington and Tony Horton are joined by an innovative electronics and software approach from Chris Tolley. Based in Manchester and Worcester, i-Pix has just launched the first in its new range of high powered products - the Satellite.

"I-Pix is definitely different," says Chris Ewington. "We have a huge collective pool of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm, and a host of innovative ideas that we want to bring to the market. We want to build on everything we learned during the four years of developing the Pixel."

i-Pix is focused on good quality products and relevant R 'n' D, and intends to be completely market-led the company says. It has already identified an untapped area of the entertainment sector needing hig

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UK / Hong Kong - Artistic Licence continues to expand with the opening of a new UK headquarters building and Hong Kong office. The recent launch and immediate market take up of products such as Pixi-Flex and Pixi-Web has led to an expansion of outsourced assembly, say the company.

Artistic Licence has selected Remploy to expand its manufacturing and assembly capability. Managing director, Wayne Howell comments: "Remploy is a very impressive organisation. They have been very responsive to our requests and have a good understanding of our need for quality and consistency in manufacturing. I am also extremely impressed with the ethos of the organisation and pleased to play our part in expanding the opportunities for disabled people."

Remploy is the UK's leading provider of jobs for disabled people. Last year it supported in work or into work more than 10,000 people with

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Japan - March 2006 saw the colorful opening of Cocone Kamifukuoka, a multi-use complex in Fujimino City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Located north of Tokyo and situated directly in front of Kamifukuoka train station, Cocone Kamifukuoka offers a variety of services such as rental housing, shopping and medical facilities. Operated by the Urban Renaissance Agency, the complex's convenience and friendly atmosphere is already proving quite popular with locals. A new, dynamic façade illumination has added to the area's appeal.

The shopping center's façade, a five-storey construction housing a large parking garage, features a colour changing illumination from 11 Martin Architectural Exterior 200 Long Barrel colour changing luminaires. The IP65-rated fixtures, mounted with 12° lenses and spaced equally atop the structure, focus a narrow beam of seasonal shades vertically across the

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Morocco - 40 years ago, exclusive French tour operator Le club Méditerranée, opened a village in Agadir, Morocco. To celebrate their birthday in style, the resort received a complete refurbishment, which included the addition of eight PixelPar 90s.

Club Med's Entertainment division asked French lighting designer Olivier Legendre to design the scheme. Fortunately, Olivier had used PixelRange fixtures before on many tours with Paris-based company Prévues - so from experience he chose PixelPar 90s as his creative lighting solution.

He says: "This was a great opportunity to introduce LED technology to Le club Méditerranée. The PixelPar 90 is the perfect plug-and-play fixture, creating fabulous effects with low power consumption and no maintenance - which are key points for this kind of international product."

The PixelPars, chosen for

  1. Pepin to design Singapore spectacular
  2. Tryka supports the FIFA Globe
  3. Entec gets Tooled up
  4. Philips Lumileds sets LED luminance records
  5. Robe launches ColorSpot 2500E AT
  6. Color Kinetics achieves RoHS compliance
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