Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

Give it a Name was a new indoor festival concept launched in 2005 at London's Alexandra Palace This year the festival developed to run over two days, in two cities (London 's Earls Court and Manchester 's MEN Arena ), with two stages in the two venues.

Lost Prophets and My Chemical Romance headlined 26 bands that gave tens of thousands of fans ten hours of non stop music, with two stages allowing quick change-overs, creating a great atmosphere at both venues.

Showsec manager Paul Joy ran a team of 120 trained crowd management professionals at the MEN Arena, looking after the fans front-of-house, the pit area and the backstage. Steve Reynolds ran the FOH Showsec team of 200 staff at Earls Court, and the two managers liaised through-out the weekend

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14 March 2016

The benefit of the operation was also dramatically demonstrated on Live 8 weekend in 2005, when the UK industry completely ran out of stage roofs. But Star Events Group was able to come to the rescue provide a 20m Orbit system by shipping it over from Italy to the organisers of B-Live on Clapham Common at very short notice.

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14 March 2016

Since 2004 Charcoalblue, created by Andy Hayles, Jack Tilbury, Jon Stevens and Gavin Green, has also been working on the RSC's new Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon.2005 saw commissions from English National Opera and Bristol Old Vic, in addition to being appointed by the National Theatre to work on its new studio redevelopment with Haworth Tompkins Architects. Following this, Aldeburgh Productions appointed Charcoalblue as theatre consultant for a second concert hall space at Snape Maltings, and to Newcastle Theatre Royal for a renewed flytower.

This year Charcoalblue was awarded the

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14 March 2016

It incorporates two braked geared motors, a four-way limit box with BGV-C1 rating and optional encoder and a safe working load of up to 500kg. Its control system provides fixed or variable speed up to 10 metres per minute via a touch screen HMI unit and a switching power matrix enables two inverters to control up to 10 hoists via a single 13A or 6A 240v supply. It can be mounted either directly onto a grid or fixed to roof steels so that no lateral load is placed on the

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14 March 2016

Recent qualifications undertaken by staff to enhance the specialist skills required to work across different sectors include the NEBOSH General Certificate (Hannah Charlton), National Rigging Award A1 Assessor (Simon James) and the Institute of Acoustics Certificate of Competence in Workplace Noise Assessment (Tim Roberts).

TESS managing director Mike Richmond said: "The Investors In People award, along with our new infrastructure reflects a continuing commitment to expand the diversity of areas we work in, and raise the quality of service to clie

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14 March 2016

Take That, riding high on one of the most remarkable musical comeback stories so far of the 21st century, have received great critical acclaim for their new show. The tour reunites many of the successful production team that propelled the band to stardom in the 1990s including production manager Chris Vaughan, LD Simon Tutchener, artistic director Kim Gavin and Summit's Jon Bray.

Bray says: "It's really good to be working with so many of the original team again. Take That were the first band to use a large moving bridge over the audience and it's good to see that trick back in the show, plus a host of other ambitious movement and automation effects."

The epic set for the 2006 tour is design

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14 March 2016

With the creation of this new P/S, specifically for the world market, The Pocket Console DMX can now be used virtually anywhere. Electricians, lighting technicians and designers worldwide can now find out why these very portable units have sold so well from Broadway to Hollywood. From backstage to soundstage, The Pocket Console is found anywhere in the US where DMX is found, says the company. For the professional, this may be the most convenient, economical access to DMX control in the market today.

Each "Wall Wart" comes with a full kit of standard 'clip-on" male A/C adapters making The Pocket Console user friendly around the globe.

The BCi line includes the Original Pocket Console DMX, the Wall-M

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14 March 2016

Entec has experience of working with several leading Russian artists, and for this show, their crew co-ordinated in advance with Kirkorov's touring crew to ensure the busy show day ran smoothly.

Lighting designer Boris Volkov design involved three upstage trussing triangles, constructed from mini-beam and hung off nine points from two rigging trusses, plus two straight A-type front and mid lighting trusses.

His operating style was based on 'beam technology' with lots of dramatic beam and gobo looks from lighting fixtures spread across all of the trussing elements. These included 26 Vari*Lite VL 200

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Following their 2:1 victory over PSV, the contingency plans for the victory celebration swung into action. Mojo Barriers worked with the City of Amsterdam and local police in advance to plan secure areas for the players and ensure the prestigious buildings around the square were protected.

Mojo's Jeroen Tap led a team that installed 110m of Mojo Aluminium Barrier to create a safe area for the team bus to drive into and the team to move onto the theatre steps to show off the cup.

The Mojo Barrier configuration allowed crowd management stewards and local police to successfully manage the good natured but exuberant fans, with a great atmosphere for all to enjoy the occasion and very few arrests.

(Chris

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14 March 2016

Building that scale of spectacle has involved the talents of Bill Lazlett and Simon Tutchener for stage set and lighting respectively. At the behest of band svengali Kim Gavin the presentation also includes arguably the largest LED screen ever used for an arena show, as supplied by large-scale screen specialists Creative Technology (CT). "It's a Unitek Version Mk3 - a screen I love,"

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14 March 2016

Gregor returns to Northern Light, after an absence of 12 years, as events services manager. During his time away he ran his own company - Liquid Lighting - supplying lighting to the nightclub and events industries. After a chance meeting with Northern Light's managing director, Gregor was wooed back to the company and will liaise with clients to plan the production of their events.

Ferguson joins Northern Light as marketing manager from her own freelance marketing consultancy. With experience in the private, public and voluntary sectors, Lois will put in place Northern Light's strategic marketing and communications plan and address the day to day marketing

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14 March 2016

Equipment provided by Tomcat included two truss MD circles: one 35' OD and one 18' OD. The circles were spilt in two separate sections creating a unique appearance while allowing adjustment to one side of the grid and access to one side as needed. Six 6' sections and two 5' sections of MD truss provide additional support and panel points for hanging the fixtures.

Another important part of the equipment list was a complete motor package including twelve CM Model L, 1-tonne hoists with 60' of lift, a Skjonberg control unit and a cable management system fabricated by Tomcat. This system allowed all power and control cables for the hoists and light

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14 March 2016

CableNet was initially specified by the project architects John McAslan and Partners as the safest and most flexible way of providing access to the high level technical space. This contains rigging, lighting and audio equipment above the stage and auditorium.

Slingco was initially consulted in 2002, and CableNet was an integral part of the rebuilding plans very early in the design process. They liaised with other civil and engineering contractors to co-ordinate the design, and ensure a smooth and efficient installation.

Circular tension wire grids are rare. Slingco's first UK model was complet

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14 March 2016

All proceeds from the one-day outdoor concert in Horam will go to Cancer Research UK. Gary, who recently released the album Old New Ballads Blues, will be joined by a host of other famous names including fellow guitarist Ray Russell, Mo Foster on bass, and drummer Gary Husband of Level 42.

The line-up for the day also includes percussionist Pete Lockett, who has played with Peter Gabriel and Robert Plant; John Helliwell, sax player from Supertramp; Leee John, lead singer of Imagination. Other guests include the Led Zeppelin tribute ba

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14 March 2016

The four safety training courses will be held at the Birmingham Hippodrome from the 3 - 6 July and will include: Basic Health and Safety, Pyrotechnics Safety Awareness, Electricity At Work - The Entertainment Environment and Working At Height Regulations/Tallescopes & Ladders.

Stage Electrics is committed to raising standards in Health & Safety across our industry and is working closely with many other agencies to establish a recognised series of training courses that will improve standards, increase safety and promote the health of all those working in the industry.

Successful completion of the Pyrotechnics Safety awareness entitles free membership to the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians (ASP).

Courses cost from £120 + VAT

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14 March 2016

Stage Electrics worked with Matt Prentice and colleagues at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to present the tradeshow in the Vanbrugh Theatre.The event attracted a 60% increase in visitor numbers compared to the company's open day at its branch in Long Lane in May 2005.

Stage Electrics' major suppliers were on hand to demonstrate their latest products. Exhibiting at the show were Martin, Rosco, Zero88, Strand, ETC, Selecon, Mackie, Sennheiser, Le Maitre & Pulsar. The new Limelight XS-2000 Xenonspot together with Prolyte, Teclumen and Apollo products were presented by Stage Electrics business development managers Andy Elsegood and Ed Gamble.

Matt Prentice Head of Lighting Design at RADA says:&qu

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14 March 2016

Last held in 2002, the Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference brings together the many practitioners involved in creating successful performance spaces, from initial brief and financial planning right through to completion of the facility and opening it on time. Over two days, the conference will hold discussions on everything from designing a proscenium arch zone that will satisfy lighting designers, sound designers, directors, performers and the audience to the changes in culture that new arts buildings can bring.

White Light's involvement with the Conference reflects its continuing expansi

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14 March 2016

One of the dominant themes of the first few Forums has been that of manufacturers feeling the squeeze with legislation getting ever more complex and price competition intensifying. The twin directives of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulation) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Regulations) - two new Environmental Regulations about to be implemented into UK law - are likely to have a major impact on manufacturers.

As part of its strategy for the next 12 months, PLASA is

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14 March 2016

The jury eventually selected Prolyte on several grounds, recognising Prolyte's capacity for innovation, their continuous growth and their worldwide recognition as a manufacturer of high quality and reliable products. For both Anne and Fokko Smeding it was an unexpected surprise, as Fokko says: "We were flattered to have been nominated, but didn't really expect to win. We are very proud of all the people at Prolyte who are the heart and soul of our company, and who bear this success."

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

Summit won a competitive tender for the work which is being project managed for them by Jay Call. Coincidentally, Fuerzabruta production manager Jonathan Bartlett, knew Call from Summit's work at the Royal Albert Hall and Call is also acquainted with The Roundhouse's technical director, John McKinnon.

Call and the Summit team worked closely with Fuerzabruta technical director Ale Garcia throughout. The show contains a myriad of aerial stunts, lots of water, and plenty of audience interaction.

The mother grid - measuring 22 metres at its longest point - is suspended on nineteen static points and tensioned off to the external ring of roof bea

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14 March 2016

The Fairfield Halls in Croydon offers excellent facilities with easy links from London, Brighton and Gatwick Airport. Safety Solutions (UK) Ltd are an accredited centre for City and Guilds, NEBOSH qualification programmes and provide short courses regulated by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Summer Safety Week at Fairfield (7-11 August) will consist of a series of updates on legislation and stimulants for compliance and the application of best practice. Special events will also be held to assist small- and medium-sized comp