Lighting

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USA - Brian T. Edwards has joined Production Resource Group, LLC (PRG), as general manager of the company's Los Angeles office. Edwards will oversee all aspects of PRG's Los Angeles division, including sales, event staffing and rental operations. He will report to Joe Schenk Sr, president of PRG's West Coast operations.

Veteran of nearly two decades in the motion picture and television lighting support industry, Edwards comes to PRG from Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, NY, where he served for three years as vice president of operations. Before that, he was with Paramount Pictures for 10 years, as executive director of PPSI, Paramount's lighting rental company in New York and Los Angeles.

"Brian will be a great asset to PRG and we're very glad to have him with us," said Schenk. "In addition to his great experience in our industry, he brings us outstanding management

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UK - To celebrate 800 years to the day since King John signed the first charter which created the city of Liverpool, the city arranged some pretty serious events for Tuesday 28 August. Following a weekend of street parties, the big birthday itself began with a lunchtime pageant featuring 800 people in costume representing Liverpool's icons, past and present, and the day culminated in a 20-minute firework display at the Pier Head.

Event Design Logistics, which specialises in outdoor event design, site and production management, worked closely with Liverpool City Council to make this finale event go like clockwork. The display, supplied by Fantastic Fireworks, was set to the music of Liverpool's finest composers and included 'hit' firework sequences from past events.

Adding an additional layer to the fireworks were 12 B52 5kW Syncrolite searchlights at the Pier Head, plus two fo

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UK - PLASA 07, the first PLASA Show managed in-house by PLASA Events, has been judged an 'outstanding success' by exhibitors and visitors alike - with a large number of this year's exhibitors already confirming their intention to return to the show in 2008. The show featured over 500 new product launches and attracted over 50 new exhibitors.

With the show floor packed on Monday morning, PLASA Events also announced its acquisition of the A.C. Lighting North trade show, bringing the PLASA Events' team's expertise and drive to this fast-growing event for the north of the UK.

PLASA 07's radical new layout saw an easy-to-navigate, one-floor event occupy both Earls Court 1 and 2, combined with lower noise limits and a smoke-free atmosphere - plus exhibitors' determination to make the most of the new opportunities with brand new stand designs. The massive growth in innovative video a

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France - The first 1800W followspots ever to go on the market will shortly be available from French followspot specialists, Robert Juliat. Two models will be available, a long throw version named Victor (7-14.5°) and its short-throw counterpart, Flo (13-24°).

The Victor and Flo have been modelled around the new 1800W MSR DE, hot restrike, lamp, which has been developed in co-operation with Philips to offer a high output of light in a very compact unit.

Despite physical dimensions which match the 'LDI 2006 product of the Year' 1200W HMI Super Korrigan, there is an increase in light output of up to 50% on the 1200W models, a fact which Robert Juliat director, Francois Juliat, is happy to promote.

"We are now offering in the same compact format and design as the 1200W but with the equivalent light output of a 2500W," he explains. "The compact size (less t

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UK - An interactive, low energy light bulb installation designed by Jason Bruges Studio and commissioned by Greenpeace has been moved to the front of house feature space at the 100% design exhibition which begins this Thursday (20 September) in London.

Exhibition organisers have recognised that the combination of style and efficiency embodied in Bruges' Light Garden will be a major draw for the show and a groundbreaking example of low energy technology. Jason Bruges has designed a fully interactive, dimming garden of light, which at its brightest will dazzle observers with its intensity whilst consuming a fraction of the energy of its exhibition neighbours. The installation is presented as part of Kinetica's latest group show - In Flux.

In addition, a completely new type of energy efficient bulb, produced by small scale manufacturer Varilight, will feature in the instal

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UK - Le Maitre chose the recent PLASA Show in London to celebrate the company's 30th birthday. Company directors Rick Wilson and Karen Haddon were joined by members of the media and industry luminaries to help them celebrate their great achievement.

In a short address, Wilson gave praise to all those people, past and present, who had helped them on the way: "Le Maitre has benefited from a great deal of help from both the industry and the media," he said. Karen Haddon added: "It's hard to believe that from such small beginnings, Le Maitre is now such an established international brand."

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Wireless Solution Sweden announced the winners of their Outstanding EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Asia) Dealer Award during PLASA 07.

Lightpower of Germany and Leifull Light & Sound of China won the Dealer award, and Golden Sea from China was recognised as an Outstanding OEM Dealer. The winners were awarded with a special limited-edition GoldBox, custom made by Wireless Solution in celebration of W-DMX BlackBox unit number 10,000. The awards were given in a special ceremony held at the Wireless Solution booth.

"We are so grateful to have the support of such strong dealers in Europe and Asia," said Niclas Arvidsson, international sales manager and founder of Wireless Solution. "We wanted to share the celebration of our 10,000th unit by recognising those dealers who have helped make this possible."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - "One day I was working on Starlight Express in Edinburgh, the next I was in hospital with the prospect of being unable to work for many weeks." Chris Luscombe is a freelance production electrician, who is now singing the praises of Light Relief for its support during an extremely lean time.

The injury wasn't even work related - Chris was walking down some steps when he twisted his ankle, to be told in hospital that he had both fractured and dislocated it. Initially he was told he wouldn't be able to work for five to six weeks, but he soon found out that his job meant he would actually be off work for 14 weeks. Chris's wife works for him, looking after the administration side of the business, so no work meant no income at all.

Chris said: "We have two young children, a mortgage, lease on a car - all the usual trappings - so it was all a real shock. I

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Italy - For the debut of the new 500 (a car that made history in Italy and Europe in post-war times), Fiat did it in the big way. After a long wait, on the 4th of July the new compact car was revealed within the spectacular "Welcome 500" live show. For the first time ever, a new car model was presented to a worldwide audience (via streaming web, a major Italian TV network and maxiscreens in the largest squares in Turin) live from the Murazzi alongside the river Po.

Coemar was there with 50 Wash Flex, 50 Spot Extreme and 24 ParLite Led. And on the next two days the show was staged a further 30 Italian cities, too.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - This year's winner of the Michael Northen Bursary, who received an honourable mention last year, is Georg Spindler who entered his lighting design for The Memory of Water, which formed part of the 2007 student show at LIPA.

Described by the judges as "creative in a very theatrical way, this was a beautifully documented and reasoned entry, with well presented sketches and photographs," the design won Spindler the £500 Bursary.

Presenting the award on 11 September at PLASA 07, Rick Fisher, chairman of the ALD, said: "There was definitely no 'favouritism' because this year, for the first time, the judges were not told the names of the entrants, so to us all the entries were anonymous."

The judges - ALD members Rick Fisher, Sam Gibbons, Mark Jonathan, Mary Pope, Paul Pyant, Mike Robertson and Mark White, also representing ETC - were unanimou

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Australia - LSC Lighting Systems in conjunction with Iceworks Design, have come together to light up the Gateway Upgrade Project - Customer Information Centre, located in Queensland, Australia.

The Gateway Upgrade Project is the largest bridge and road construction project in Queensland's history, totalling more than $1.87Billion. The project includes the construction of a second Gateway Bridge and the upgrade of more than 20km of roads, plus the addition of a Customer Information Centre.

Key to helping community understand, interact and accept the new construction is the Customer Information Centre and of course its interactive presentations. Technically speaking the centre is controlled by a Pharos LPC1 (LSC is the official Australian Distributor of the Pharos brand) and an LSC EKO Dimmer. The user interface is also provided by LSC in the ePlate wall controllers, each with e

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USA - Founded in 1996, LifeChurch.tv has grown to become one of the most influential churches in America. LifeChurch.tv is a dynamic group of almost 20,000 people that gathers each week at 12 different locations across the US (the vision is for 50 locations in five years). Satellite broadcasts enable all of their locations to be connected, thus their motto 'One Church, Multiple Locations'.

"Each location has a full staff and a worship team that is very contemporary, like a rock band," says Phil Rapp, central technical director at LifeChurch.tv. "The teaching is very relevant to every day life and is fed over satellite to each location. Putting it simply, we will do anything short of sin to see people come to know life in Christ."

Currently, LifeChurch.tv owns over 250 intelligent lighting fixtures from five different manufacturers. "With the vision of

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USA - Theatrical Lighting Systems Inc (TLS Inc) has announced the new location of its Nashville office, and two new sales project managers to man it. The new location is 2961 Armory Drive - North Entrance. Expansion is expected as renovations to the building are completed. The renovations will allow for a sales showroom and rental warehouse.

Two "local guys" who have worked in Nashville for many years were hired as new sales project managers. Mike Brack has worked in television, video production and sales since 1986, while J. Andy Flatt has worked in the lighting business since 1987.

(Jim Evans)

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Italy - The return of Biagio Antonacci with a mega-concert at the Meazza Stadium (his only Italian summer 2007 date, with guest bands Velvet, Zero Assoluto and the Nomadi certainly lived up to the expectations of his fans.

The set centred on a mega-video (consisting of 11 13.5m high columns) and three 38m catwalks flanked by 200m of Coemar LineaLeds, and reaching out into the audience. "A very bold design, with a number of problems that were not easy to solve," was the satisfied comment of Francesco De Cave, lighting designer, set designer, producer and Catalyst contribution planner.

"For example, focusing the audience's attention on the centre of the visual field despite the fact that the catwalks, thanks to the LineaLeds, created a stage effect of aircraft runways. Around 50 iWash 575s provided striking colour backlighting. On the video front, the surrounding

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UK - HSL supplied lighting for all main live music and DJ venues at Bestival 2007, and co-ordinated the sound supply via their audio partners ML Executives. The operation was led by site project manager Ian Stevens, involving nine artics of equipment and 38 crew.

The hugely popular 'boutique' style music festival produced by Loudsound Events is now in its fourth year on the Isle of Wight and has expanded to a capacity of 30,000. The site surface area at its Robin Hill Country Park location has also increased. Main stage headline acts for 2007 were the Chemical Brothers (Friday), The Beastie Boys (Saturday) and Primal Scream (Sunday).

HSL has been involved with Bestival since its inception in 2004, and once again worked closely with event production manager Lee Charteris and Loudsound's Jim King and Jo MacKay in co-ordinating all the site's technical production and infrastructu

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UK - A.C. Lighting has opened a new 24-hour online shop (www.aclighting.com/shop) to provide customers with round-the-clock ordering access to its range of entertainment technology brands.

Initially the shop will sell consumable items, but as it develops, A.C. Lighting will be introducing more and more items from its extensive range of lighting, audio and rigging products. Consumables currently available through the shop include batteries, effects fluid, filter sheets, gobos, gobo accessories, lamps and tape.

With the shop being available to customers worldwide and many items available in stock for immediate despatch, the new service provides customers with a fast, efficient way to order urgent items for speedy delivery, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

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Denmark - Mark Ravenhill, vice-president television and theatre lighting at Martin Professional A/S, has relocated back to the company's Danish headquarters after a two-year assignment at Martin's Florida-based US subsidiary.

Ravenhill's primary goal in locating to the US in 2005 was to place increased focus on America's influential television and theatre markets, along with the growing House of Worship market. He also lent invaluable support through a period of personnel changes at Martin US, says the company.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the two years that I spent in the US organisation," Ravenhill commented. "I not only learnt a great deal about the US market and its way of doing business, which was one of my main goals, but I made many friends along the way."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - ETC's PLASA Award for Innovation for its Eos lighting control system has meant a hat-trick of Awards for the company. This is the third such honour that the Eos has won, following product of the year awards at LDI at the end of 2006 and Showtech 2007 in June.

ETC's CEO Fred Foster says: "It is truly gratifying to receive this PLASA award, as well as the other recognitions that the Eos system has received. And it particularly validates the creative efforts of the Eos development team, lead by Dennis Varian, Anne Valentino and Dan Duffy."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Robe Lighting has launched a fresh new look logo and has undertaken a complete corporate re-branding exercise - including a name-change from 'Robe Show Lighting' to 'Robe Lighting', to reflect the current scope and breadth of Robe's products and the hugely increased range which also includes digital lighting and LED products.

In just five years since launching as an 'own brand', Robe has enjoyed enormous success worldwide, and the company says its new identity takes it forward into "a new level of operation".

Robe's presence can be found in all sectors of the professional entertainment and leisure market - from clubs and live music venues to casinos and cruise ships to buildings and architectural applications.

The new logo was introduced at the PLASA 07 exhibition, which also included a completely new booth with a strong contemporary design.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - The latest new face representing Stage Electrics on the London scene is Mark Burnett, who joins Paul Roughton as part of Chris Patton's team of business development managers.

Burnett has made the move from the company's Cambridge branch where he has been working for the last two years; and will be concentrating on the West End and touring theatre business.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Lighting designer Mark Wynn-Edwards is lighting the current As I Lay Dying tour with 20 i-Pix Satellites as the core elements of his lighting rig.

The energetic San Diego based metalcore five-piece are currently undertaking an extensive European tour promoting their just released An Ocean Between Us album. It's their first visit to the UK and Europe with their own production.

When Wynn-Edwards, who has an array of heavy, metal and punk bands on his CV, was recommended for the job of LD, he was informed that there was an expedient budget for 'specials' and other than that, he'd have to rely on house rigs at each venue.

"I really needed a fixture that was mega-bright and spectacular that would flash, strobe and change colour very quickly to match the energy and intensity of the music," says Wynn-Edwards. "I also wanted to add a few elements of finess

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USA - ETC has released an update for its newest and most advanced lighting control system to date, the Eos. Version 1.2 is designed primarily to provide support for Net3 Radio Focus Remote (RFR) units and Universal 2x10 fader wings, although many other features and improvements have been added.

In addition to the RFR and fader wing support, other major enhancements in v1.2.0 include improved features such as Undo/Command history. This command allows you to sequentially undo the last actions taken, including record, update and delete functions. A Redo command is also included.

Up to 1000 snapshots can be stored and recalled, which reconfigure selected portions of the desk and external monitors to their condition at the point the snapshot was stored.

Curves may be defined and edited to 100 points of granularity. These then can be assigned to dimmers in patch, or to cues or cue

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USA - American DJ has added three new mobile effects to its On-The-Go Series - the Deco FX, Hyper FX and Warp FX. Targeted toward beginners as well as experienced performers, each of these additions to the On-The-Go series is modelled after a larger, more complex and/or more expensive American DJ effect that is not part of the series, says the company.

"With these three new fixtures, we've taken some of our best-selling effects and re-interpreted them to fit the On-The-Go model by scaling down their size and weight and simplifying their operation," said Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. "Our new Deco FX, Hyper FX and Warp FX are designed for anyone who wants an effortless and affordable way to enhance their performance with an interesting variety of great, professional-quality effects. If you're a DJ, musician or entertainer who

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USA - Bandit Lites recently lit Volunteers Crusin' For A Cause homecoming celebration. Coaches, Holly Warlick and Nikki Caldwell road Harley Davidson motorcycles for an 11-day cross-country journey to raise breast cancer awareness.

The Market Square homecoming event was the last stop in a 3,000-mile ride from Berkley, California to Knoxville, Tennessee. The trip also included special events and rallies in Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville.

Lighting designer, Chris Lisle, chose to use six-Lamp Bar Silvers, Martin MAC 500s, 600s, Coemar LED Pars, and Martin Atomic Strobes. Lighting was controlled by a WholeHog II.

"Lighting design for Crusin' For A Cause was actually pretty simple, but I tried to add some uniqueness to it," explains Lisle. "Because there was a lot of TV coverage, and IMAG for the video screen, I bas

  1. LED first for White Light & Hawthorn
  2. ETC Sensor dimming upgrades Coliseum
  3. Shoot out at Edinburgh Military Tattoo
  4. Compulite for York College
  5. Wybron strengthens house of worship team
  6. MACs feature on Hillsong Conference 2007
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