Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

J. R. Clancy presented the vast assemblage of materials to the FSU School of Theatre on 31 March at the opening of the USITT Stage Expo in Kansas City, MO. FSU will make this collection of documents accessible to students, historians, and others who may research the development of theatre rigging.

Particularly fascinating are the drawings that tell the story of a critical period in the company's history, during the transition to motorised rigging. Beginning in the 1960s, Clancy manufactured the synchronous point hoist and early 'package hoists', precursors to the motorised hoists that are so popular today.

The university projects that the archive will be available in digitised form on the FSU

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14 March 2016

The iRigging app delivers instant information about wire rope, batten loading, arbors, stage ropes, motors, fabrics, fleet angles, and more. Derived from J. R. Clancy's slide rule, the app provides all the data required for proper installation and operation of manual and motorized rigging.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

this annual event will be broadcast live on television and the internet from the Telenor Arena in Oslo, Norway. 39 countries will take part in the contest won last year by Norway's Alexander Rybak.

Thousands of meters of flame retardant fabrics, from basics like black Molton CS masking drapes to some of the most innovative special effects textiles will provide a backdrop for the performances. Show hosts will also be reporting from the venue's green room which will be covered in ShowTex dimensional flame retardant fabric.

ShowTex's Marjon Franken comments: "ShowTex provided stage decoration and masking drapes for many of the previous Eurovision shows over the ye

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14 March 2016

Media Powerhouse is an audio visual solutions provider with experience of delivering high quality AV services to high profile events. It is paramount that every

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14 March 2016

"And as a live attraction they look great too. I saw right away that the show would be far from conventional; these guys project a lot of energy and more than anything that needs to be expressed in the visual context. The big T shaped forestage stretches the performers into the midst of the fans. Losing the weight of a regular 'end on' emphasis allows the show to become totally immersive."

Rodgers, with collaborative input from lighting designer Marc Brickman, has called upon the services of set builders Tait Towers to realise his design. "The T stage element might look simple," he said, "bu

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14 March 2016

Unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion, and recalling her time as director general of the Chemical Industries Association (CIA), Hackitt acknowledged the contribution of PASMA and trade associations in general to advancing safety and best practice.

In particular, Ms Hackitt highlighted the long time cooperation between HSE and PASMA and the work of the association in promoting competency when working at height. She commented, "PASMA is a good example of what can be achieved when regulator and trade body work together

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14 March 2016

The certification indicates expert proficiency in the use of counterweight, mechanical, and hydraulic systems installed in theatres. ETCP riggers also understand the health and safety issues involved in the use of theatre rigging, as well as Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA) requirements for the use, maintenance and inspection of rigging.

Finn came to Clancy in 2009. Previously he worked with Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut; Virginia Opera Company in Norfolk; Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, Ohio; and City Theatre Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently, he served as a consu

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14 March 2016

The second was a fast paced affair involving many KF730 speakers lobbed over the top to another of South Africa's finest - Strike two!

The third used a mixture of tactics involving yet more UK and European suppliers to provide a complete JBL rig, roof system and decking to another South African company. Strike three. Hat-trick. Match ball.

"We've been supplying several South African companies for a few years now, but these were t

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14 March 2016

The latest new product is a portable lectern system, which comes compete with integral Heavy Industrial grade case, This has been developed to address all the frustrating and time consuming things about setting up lecterns.

The lectern is manufactured from birch plywood which is CNC machined at 5 Star's factory in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire on one of three Thermwood CNC machining centres.

It's aimed at AV rental companies operating in the conference and presentation sectors, and anyone needing a quick and tasteful looking lectern set up, with the major advantage of being fully protected in transit and also ultra-portable with a flightcase.

It features a sloping work area to accommodate laptops or papers, with easy cable access via a series of slots machined into the body

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14 March 2016

Featuring the same dependability and durability with a new matt black finish, the shackle is available in a range of sizes from 3/8" through to 3/4" and with working load limits of 1, 2, 3.25 and 4.75 metric tonnes.

The carbon steel shackles are forged, quenched and tempered, feature alloy pins and are fatigue rated.

A.C. Rigging stocks large quantities from the Crosby range of shackles, Masterlinks, chain slings and other high quality loose rigging accessories. For a limited period the theatrical black S-209T shackles are available from A.C. Rigging at the same price as the industry standard G209 shackle.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The software specialists and engineers at J. R. Clancy replaced the troublesome rigging controller with its own SceneControl 500 automated motion control system.

The new system ends an odyssey that began as far back as 1984, said Scott Mahrer, entertainment technician for Trump Plaza, who arrived at the hotel and casino in 1985 and immediately began troubleshooting the control system in place. "The console was accurate to within two inches or so," he remembered. "If you wanted to move something in another quarter-inch, you had to run it back a couple of feet and reset the target."

Trump Plaza replaced this system i

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14 March 2016

The SIA is an independent organisation that was set up by the government with the aim of providing an effective, fair and efficient regulation of the private security industry. To create a recognised hallmark of quality for companies looking to engage security providers, the SIA created the Approved Contractor Scheme. Showsec was one of the first to adopt the scheme upon its introduction, encouraging and driving the progression of standards across the wider industry.

Since being awarded ACS accreditation in the categories of door supervision and man gu

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14 March 2016

Moments later she received a detailed quote from a member of Maltbury's sales team who advised that Steeldeck Ultra with a phenolic coated finish would be ideal for her requirements. The aluminium frame was chosen to keep the weight down, but the deep frame maintains a very impressive loading.

The addition of the weatherproof phenolic plywood created the solution for a portable outdoor platform. It's also non-slip and long-lasting. A customised canopy with WMFS logo completed the package and a trolley was made to transport everything efficiently.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

LTM recently purchased 100% of the shares in COW Lifting Technology - the Aichach (near Munich, Germany) based manufacturer of BGV C1 and SIL 3 chain hoists, winch and control systems, solutions from both companies are being shown on LTM's stand.

Together the two companies can offer solutions for most lifting and control applications within the entertainment industry. From a standard theatre hand winch to an automated BGV C1 hoist and control solution with variable speed, positional control and load monitoring.

Both companies offer spares for various manu

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14 March 2016

The exhibition space itself sold out long ago, as last year's returning exhibitors were joined by 33 new names, filling both The Royal Armouries & Saviles Halls. Dozens of new product launches have been announced, many making their first UK appearance following international launches at Prolight&Sound in

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14 March 2016

Says ShowTex: "Luckily for many stand builders awaiting deliveries from Europe that could never clear customs by the 1 May Expo opening date, ShowTex warehouses in the region had more than enough display fabric to go round. Offices in the Middle East and Hong Kong, like all ShowTex locations have a huge stock of stage drape fabrics, curtain track, and motion control systems.

"The local warehouses keep a huge stock of fabric rolls on hand so ShowTex customers don't have to rely on airfreight for their orders."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Thanks to its self stabilizing design, and its use of the PA equipment to self-ballast the structure, this system requires no external ballast blocks or guy cables in most applications. The system has been fully engineered, and allows PA systems to be flown in conditions up to 40 mph 3 second wind gusts.

Users can cover the inclined mast with graphics for additional signage space by reducing the maximum wind speed to 30 mph. With the exception of the corner junction, head block, and tower supports, all components are st

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14 March 2016

It is the first time that the Space Roof design from Serious Stages and goalposts have been used in combination together in the UAE.

Al Laith Events Services was again working for Flash Events, a regular Abu Dhabi based client. Al Laith's project manager was Jacques Smalberger, and he and his crew - numbering of up to 80 people - worked closely with site manager Jean-Carl Saliba, and Flash Events production manager Lee Charteris.

In addition to providing the stage and roof, Al Laith also supplied the gig with a 2500 seater grandstand, two VIP platforms and assorted other structures, including a FOH platfor

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14 March 2016

As one of Germany's most successful bands, with credits including Germany's first Moonman, MTV VMA for Best New Artist and EMAs in both 2008 and 2009, the Welcome to the Humanoid City tour is the biggest show this multi-award winning band has ever produced.

Brilliant Stages took the set designed by Misty Buckley and turned it into a full on touring show.

"This was the first time I have worked directly with Brilliant Stages and they were absolutely amazing," says Buckley. "Tony Bowern and Mel Welch were so accommodating and understanding of what I was

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14 March 2016

Peter Pan was held in the Marlowe Theatre Arena, a temporary venue, in use until the original theatre re-opens in 2011 as a much larger concern with a new programme of world-class shows. Peak Hire was approached by Theatre Tent to provide a rigging solution for the lighting and sound systems, as well as a track for flying Peter and Wendy above the audience.

The project required a compact, high load, anti-twist truss that would be strong enough to support the weight of the various production rig equipment. As an existing Lit

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14 March 2016

The concept was based around a journey through Lady Gaga's home city of New York and incorporated several iconic New York symbols, including an impressive model of a New York subway carriage with automatic doors constructed from a combination of aluminium and perspex, and a rolling staircase which mimicked a New York fire escape, with the addition of 4 ft long syringes which made up t

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14 March 2016

"Our Beta Testers give us extremely valuable feedback," says Gil Densham, president of CAST Software, "When we compiled the results from the Beta testing on R25 the response was an overwhelming thumbs-up. For CAST, it's all about producing the best product for our Members. From the feedback, we truly believe R25 is the best Release ever."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

The Sheldonian was built in 1664-68 for the University of Oxford, based on a design by Sir Christopher Wren. It is acknowledged as significantly important in terms of the classical influence it had upon other Oxford buildings, and as well as being a functional space for the University, it's also used for music recitals and other events and is available for private hires.

Cover It Up's Elliot Stennett says, "It's a great tribute to the skills and dexterity of our crew to be asked back for the third year to help prepare this very special building for the conference section of the event. It takes a good deal of patience

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14 March 2016

Sales of CD albums continued to fall in 2009, dropping by 6.1%. Digital income now represents over 20% of overall recorded music revenues, taking into account earnings from online downloads alongside mobile, subscriptions and advertising-supported services. An unprecedented 4.22 m