Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

A well-known face in the industry, Hadfield brings many years of technical experience and industry knowledge to the new role, having previously worked in a variety of entertainment industry sales roles.

Previous roles include working in the Sales department of Tomcat UK supplying CM Lodestars and trussing equipment to a Global network of dealers and working in the rental hire departments of Lifting Gear Hire. Hadfield also gained a knowledge of rigging and various other lifting equipment whilst working in the Sales department at PCM.

Phill Capstick, A.C. Lighting's UK

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14 March 2016

"Our industry's history is full of strong partnerships that have led to technological advances, artistic reaches, and goals we continually strive to achieve," says Behind the Scenes committee chair Rick Rudolph of the new initiative. "Many of these partnerships have also led to lasting friendships that are at the foundation of our industry. We hope that the relationships and partners we work

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14 March 2016

A host of innovations, based on exhibitor and visitor research, are designed to build on the show's reputation as the premier international new product showcase and PLASA Events anticipates a record number of new product launches this September.

The most radical development is the new show floor layout, which sees PLASA07 transformed into a two-hall, single-level show by expanding into the adjacent Earls Court 2. Essentially, this re-draw will secure premium exhibition space for the future growth and expansion of the show, whilst addressing industry and exhibitor demands.

The show design t

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14 March 2016

The award, which was voted for by readers of Total Production International (TPi) magazine, reflects the group's strength on the international concert production scene and its reputation for combining top quality service and equipment with constant innovation.

Ampco / Flashlight Group rental companies, both independently and jointly, have provided a wide variety of audio, lighting, rigging and motion control systems for major tours in the past 12 months including Madonna, Black Eyed Peas, Blue Man Group, Coldplay, Lenny Kravitz, Paul McCartney, Rammstein, Mariah Carey, Riverdance and Lionel Richie, and hundreds of festivals including North Sea Jazz, Lowlands and WOMAD

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14 March 2016

The Young Vic is one of the most creative venues in the UK having been completely refurbished over the last two years. TRP worked in close collaboration with the Young Vic management and technical team on this important project that will secure the versatility and functionality of the theatre for years to come.

TRP were contracted to design, supply and install 25 bespoke lockable travelling spreader-beams, which provide suspension points to any position in the auditorium. These spreader beams are telescopic, removable

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14 March 2016

Summit's team of six riggers headed by Jon Bray started two days before the dinner. It was just one of a series of events, conferences, seminars, workshops and presentations taking place all around the city. They installed over 300 metres of trussing and 60 conventional motors, plus seven Kinesys-modified hoists, two powered beam trolleys and a Kinesys' K2 control system to fly and move a nine-metre diameter truss. This was used for lighting effects and as a large circular projection screen.

The trussing was used to form three

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14 March 2016

Every dollar raised will be tripled thanks to challenge grants sponsored by I. Weiss and Sapsis Rigging. The list of twelve terrific raffle prizes, which have been donated by industry companies, can be viewed at www.lrlr.org/LRLRsponsors.html or www.estafoundation.org/bts/events_USITT.htm

All proceeds of the raffle go directly to The ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes programme, which provides entertainment technology industry members with grants for emergency situations, such

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14 March 2016

According to Jonathan Gadalla, project manager for the vertically-integrated show, interest in live music is running at an all-time high in the desert, with international legends such as Iron Maiden, The Prodigy and Incubus heading a Festival line-up that will appear on one of the largest stages in the region. Also included are Junkyard Groove, the winners of SHAMAL (a competition for unsigned rock bands in the region).

Gadalla believes that the world is starting to take notice now that the Middle East is not only attracting leading names in the world of rock, but will also stage a second F1 Grand Prix (in Abu Dhabi) in 2009 - which will

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14 March 2016

Filling all three exhibition halls in London's Royal Horticultural Halls to capacity, the show will again play host to over 100 exhibiting companies who will showcase a comprehensive range of products and services for professionals involved with equipping, refurbishing or up-grading their drama studio, theatre, auditorium or multi-purpose performance space.

Committed to building on the show's success the organisers aim to expand the show's attendance which grew by 5% last year to over 2,400 visitors, and included theatre and venue managers, technical directors, technicians, technical managers, heads of drama departments, architects, consultants, des

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14 March 2016

Within the relentless run-up to the festive season, the Blackout team was called upon to provide black wool serge drapes to a series of prestigious events, all of which were televised.

The hectic period began in Copenhagen, where Blackout supplied drapes to the two venues hosting the MTV Europe Music Awards in November. Blackout then moved on to London to supply black wool serge drapes to the UK Music Hall of Fame event at Alexandra Palace. "We 'black-boxed' the Great Hall and Blackout did an amazing job," says Paul-Anthony Viollet, the event's production manager.

"Working with Blackout is always a pleasure," Viollet continues. "Their profess

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14 March 2016

Fortunately, the Gulf Cup followed hot on the heels of the Asian Games, whichhad just taken place in Qatar, meaning that a great deal of the expertise, technicalequipment and skilled personnel were already in the region and available oncethat project was concluded.

Jim Tinsley, technical director for Stage One, says: "The success of this ceremony isdown to sheer hard work. It was pulled off in an incredibly short time scale - onewe wouldn't want to make a habit of! It does demonstratehowever, that we can provide a service that goe

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14 March 2016

The two Expert-T controllers used here, which are also from Movecat, were developed for the systemic control of kinetic drives in complex projects where up to 240 fixed- or variable-speed drives may be in use simultaneously. The selected c

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14 March 2016

The high profile event was staged at Earls Court in London and broadcast live on ITV 1. The screen - measuring 12 metres wide by 7 high, made up from Lighthouse R16 LED panels, weighing approximately six tonnes and supplied by XL Video - was rigged on eight Kinesys-adapted 1 tonne CM Lodestar motors.

All rigging was undertaken by Outback, with the overall operation co-ordinated by head rigger Dave Morrell, working closely with production manager Mick Kluczynski and his team from MJK Productions. The Kinesys system - run by its proprietary Vector software - was operated by Mylan Lester.

Kinesys' Dave Weatherhead says: "It's a great show and good to be ba

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14 March 2016

The project was comissioned to Hall Stage Limited, who also installed the original systems in the theatre when it was built in the 1960s.

The flying system has been upgraded to the highest professional standard, providing an increased number of flying bars - up to 42 x 14m ladder bars, with a far quieter, safer performance.

Jon Woodley, Abbeys stage production manager says: "A tremendous amount of work was achieved in a short space of time, all thanks to an excellent team of skilled people working very hard.

"I could not be more happy with the project and I am most grateful to all involved, and highly praise the level of expertise and professionalism displayed

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14 March 2016

Crestron will be demonstrating its 'Every Room Connected' philosophy, with new products including the Media Processing System (MPS), the latest generation of facility-wide network control software (RoomView 7.0) and the latest Isys i/O WiFi touchpanel, the TPMC-8X.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity of showcasing our single platform solution and related product portfolio to decision makers at this, the most important AV event in the Middle East.," explains Vincent Philippo, regional director, Crestron Middle East. "We will be able to demonstrate that Crestron can deliver the only complete control and connectivity solution for every room, every application and ev

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14 March 2016

Established challenge grant slots are still available for the Behind the Scenes / Long Reach Long Riders 2007 USITT Raffle, March 15 - 17 in Phoenix, Arizona at $5,000 each (four openings left) and The Long Reach Long Riders 2007 New England Charity Ride, July 29 - August 6 at $10,000 each (two openings).

David Rosenberg, president of I. Weiss, explains that it was an easy decision for his company. "We believe that we should be supportive of th

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14 March 2016

Since then, 5 Star has manufactured and supplied a steady stream of cases to the AV specialist. These have been selected from 5 Star's recently-launched lightweight EX brand through to their robust and popular Tour Grade specification, and has also included bespoke cases for Doughty stands, PAR 64 floor cans and HP printers. The EX range is particularly suited to ligh

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14 March 2016

"I think that the recent success lies in the personal touch. We take on the brief and follow it through from concept to completion. We then sit down with the client post-event and do a thorough 'post mortem'. It enables us to constantly improv

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14 March 2016

It is built around twelve of ChainMaster's new 250 kg VarioLifts, which are capable of speeds up to 35 metres per minute. For the project, ChainMaster is working in concert with the Rock Stage Agency, its local distribution partner.

The VarioLift from ChainMaster came onto the market in 1998 after an 18-month development and test phase. It offers maximum precision and reproducibility in the positioning of chain hoists, the company reports. The lift is based on an integrated, vector-controlled frequency converter, supplied by a high-impulse incremental encoder and operates with a positional accuracy of 0.2 millimetres

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14 March 2016

The Tait structure was a 4,000lb, 48'x32' unit that rose up 25' holding the lighting grid and a roof to keep everybody dry. It was used during the pre-game broadcast, half-time, and post-game coverage and had to deploy and retract in minutes. "From the time the game clock goes to zero at the end of the half, we then had the first commercials to deploy everything for a thirty seconds spot that

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14 March 2016

The course was presented by LTM's Dave Ward and John Jones, and follows on from the first one staged by LTM at the end of 2006. The intention is to hold two more UK-based Motor Schools at LTM's Wirral HQ in 2007 - on March 21-22 and October 2-3.

John Jones says: "There's a stronger demand than ever for Motor Schools, and we're responding to that. Others who have presented them in the past are no longer doing so, and there's a definite need for these courses." He adds: "All our clients want their staff and regular crews to be comprehensively clued up on the

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14 March 2016

This latest deal to extend the Verlinde network in the UK was negotiated by Verlinde's UK sales and marketing manager, Simon Rothechild, who said: "Tony and Paul have a wealth of experience in specialist lifting, particularly in the entertainment industry where their expertise and overall offering is second to none. We are delighted to welcome Hoist UK as a Verlinde distributor in the UK and wish Hoist UK every success with its UK launch."

Hoist

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14 March 2016

Litestructures Studios is a purpose-built, music tour rehearsal and film and television production facility in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. With over 17,500sq ft of floor space and a height of 54ft the studio is able to accommodate even the largest music tours and film productions. For the live music sector it sets a new standard of excellence for rehearsal space while for film and television production it is a significant addition to the UK's facilities and is a viable option for major film production in the North.

"We are honoured to welcome The Earl of Wessex to open The Litestructures Studio," says Litestructures managing director Adrian Brooks. "Since we built the Studio in 20

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14 March 2016

In his new role, Rennie will be working alongside SPS event producers and production managers to administer creative solutions that work flawlessly with technical solutions, in order to communicate the client's needs.

The solutions division of SPS provides creative services for events through the latest computer graphics, digital video and other innovative technologies. It concentrates on delivering client's messages effectively with bespoke solutions which look vibrant and appealing to the audience, rathe