USA - As part of an experiment for the Moonrise mission, NASA set out to simulate the moon's landscape. Four decades after the Apollo astronauts first brought samples from the Moon's surface back to Earth for study, NASA has selected Moonrise for a Phase A study under the New Frontiers Programme for solar system exploration.

The Moonrise mission would focus on the giant South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on the far side, which lies between the Moon's South Pole and Aitken Crater, just 16° south of the Moon's equator. The SPA Basin is the oldest, deepest, observable impact basin on the Moon and ranks among the largest recognised impact structures in the solar system at nearly 2500km in diameter and 12km deep.

Since there is no atmosphere on the moon, there is also no light reflection. To create the same conditions indoors, they needed wall coverings that absorbed the maxi

UK - It has been announced that, following a restructuring of the Stage Technologies' group of companies, Mark Ager has been appointed as CEO of the new holding company Stage Technologies Group Ltd. The company's subsidiaries include Stage Technologies Inc. in the USA and Stage Technologies Ltd and Delstar Engineering Ltd in the UK.

As part of this rationalisation Nikki Scott has been appointed managing director of Stage Technologies Ltd.

The Stage Technologies group continues to provide automation and engineering solutions for entertainment venues, live productions, TV and film around the world.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Event LED Signs took their sign system to Earls Court earlier this month to work backstage at the British Military Tournament (formerly known as the Royal Tournament). The networked signs provided a cue light system to marshal the troops backstage and indicate when they should move into the arena.

The LED signs were placed at strategic points backstage, using text and colours to call specific performers to get into formation; to proceed to a waiting position; then to enter the arena. The signs were updated from a single control point under the direction of the deputy stage manager.

Karen Mayne, Event LED Signs director said: "Participating in the Tournament was a fantastic experience, as it such an iconic show. I was providing the cues for the bands and troops to enter the arena. There were two entrances to the arena and with more than 500 people and 150 horses invol

UK - Belfast-based Production Services Ireland (PSI), supplied lighting, video (including screens and media servers), trussing and rigging to BBC Northern Ireland for the 2010 Belfast Children In Need concert staged at the city's Odyssey Arena.

PSI has been involved with this annual fundraising event for at least seven years, but this was the first year that they have supplied such a comprehensive package of technical equipment and crew for the show, which was presented by John Daly and BBC Radio 1's Reggie Yates. The capacity audience enjoyed live performances by Westlife, The Script and Jedward among others, and it was broadcast live across the region, with link ups to the simultaneously running London event at the BBC.

PSI's Brian Reilly project managed, commenting: "We were delighted to be so involved with Children in Need this year as it's a fantastic cause, and it w

UK - Unusual Rigging may be the appointed points rigger for Earls Court - which means they're the only company with the licence to attach things direct to the ceiling - but that doesn't mean they automatically get to rig everything else. But when it came to choosing a supplier for the T4 show Stars of 2010, event producer Done & Dusted didn't need to think twice.

"We've worked with Unusual many times before, and we know they always do a fantastic job," says event director Rachel French. "The show is Channel 4's roundup of the year's highlights in music, TV film, featuring three presenters and 15 live music acts - so it was bound to be big - with stunts and special effects.

"Our designer, lighting designer and CAD artist all work closely with Ruthie Buchanan, Unusual's Earls Court service manager, to make sure everyone knows what's happening and agree

USA - FLI Rigging is a new company formed to service the entertainment lighting, film, AV and installation markets with professional equipment for sale or rent, along with safe, certified services.

Headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, FLI Rigging operations director Kevin Phail says the company was originally borne out of a need for recognised professional rigging services in their own home state, along with the neighboring Ohio and Indiana.

However, since it opened its doors this year, FLI Rigging has expanded its temporary and permanent rigging solutions nationwide. Stage productions, special events, concerts, trade shows, corporate functions, sporting events, film production, architectural installations and other markets have found a need for their services.

This demand led to the creation of two divisions within FLI Rigging. One division handles the sales and rentals o

UK - Lewden Electrical supplied a variety of cable and hose protection systems at the recent Taste of London 2010 event. The four-day festival took place in Regent's Park and included product stands and demonstrations by top chefs and restaurants cooking up a vast array of gastronomic delicacies.

With the event attracting over 50,000 visitors, Taste Festivals have become a global phenomenon and a brand which now holds events in 15 cities around the world. With safety of paramount importance for visitors and exhibitors alike, Lewden's Linebacker and Guard Dog Low Profile of cable protection systems were used throughout the site.

(Jim Evans)

UK / Netherlands - In the wake of the PLASA 2010 announcement of the merger between Dutch trussing and structural specialist Prolyte and UK-based Litestructures, the newly-formed Prolyte Group has announced the first steps towards integration of the two companies - a restructured and revitalised Customer Service department and the implementation of brand management teams.

The move coincides with the launch of a new corporate identity. Designed to reflect the recent changes within the organisation, the new look is a combination of existing brands and logos that have been updated for a fresher, more modern feel.

The Customer Services department is the first area to benefit from the reorganisation. Focusing mainly on quotations and order handling, Customer Services will be the first point of contact for customer enquiries. Supporting the CS department will be the newly-created br

Italy / USA - At NAMM 2011, FaitalPRO will show the latest additions to its FE Series - the 6FE200, 8FE200 and 10FE200 loudspeakers which complete the FE family, which makes use of ferrite magnets and pressed steel baskets.

These are medium-low power loudspeakers "with absolutely respectable performance, but are above all dedicated to a budget conscious market" which demands a slightly "more competitive" price; with nominal power ranging between 130 and 150 W, 37mm (1.45 in.) voice coils and efficiency between 95 and 96 dB.

The new 4FE30 model is developed from the already successful 3FE20, but is larger in size, 100mm (4"), while maintaining the same electromagnetic structure and voice coil diameter, but varying the cone, now in fiberglass, and the basket.

The HF 104 is the new high-frequency driver by FaitalPRO with 37mm voice coil, 1" mouth,

UK - Blackout, the long-established drapes and rigging supplier, was involved in the transformation of London's historic Covent Garden Market for the festive season.

As with so many of the projects it is involved with internationally, Blackout provided a complete production service for the transformation, supplying staff, rigging and access equipment to hang Christmas decorations beneath the glass roofs of the market's two main aisles. The decorations, created by Sculptivate, include 73 giant baubles, the biggest 3m in diameter and weighing 250kg, four Sputniks and 24 enormous candy canes.

The installation took place at night so as not to disturb the market's daytime trade. Blackout's team, led by Tom Lambert and Ian Moody, were on-site for ten "very cold" nights over two weeks.

The installation - due to remain in place until 9 January 2011 - was just one of the ma

USA - J.R. Clancy has been selected to supply the automated rigging for Hempstead Hall, the new auditorium and conference centre at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. The hall is scheduled to open in fall 2011.

J.R. Clancy is the rigging equipment manufacturer for the project. Pook, Diemont & Ohl is managing the project and performing the installation of all of the rigging equipment.

The 50,000sq.ft facility will feature a 1,600-seat auditorium, a convention area and an expandable exterior amphitheatre. Completion of the construction project is scheduled for January 2012.

J. R. Clancy will provide six PowerLift automated hoists, each with a 2000-pound capacity and a fixed speed of 20ft per minute. The PowerLifts will be used for the cyclorama, electrics and utility battens.

Clancy's SureTarget 10 control system will be used to control the PowerLifts' mov

UK / USA - The New Year sees the launch of the enlarged PLASA trade association, following the formal merger between industry trade bodies ESTA and PLASA on 1 January.

The merger has created one of the largest networks serving the industry worldwide. Operating from regional offices in Europe and North America, PLASA now has a membership of 1100 businesses, organizations and individuals working across the entertainment, events and installation industries, giving it a substantial worldwide industry voice.

The move also greatly strengthens PLASA's position of leadership in the development of industry standards, best practices and skills.

The formal merger represents the first phase of the two associations coming together, and the months ahead will be focused on the further unification of the wider range of projects and initiatives that now sit under the PLASA banner.

In the m

UK - The British Military Tournament brings together all the best elements of the world famous Royal Tournament and incorporates them into a new show for the 21st century. Unusual Rigging provided both staff and equipment - in the form of over 130 points, 130 hoists and 400m of truss.

"Unusual had a 21 year unbroken relationship with the Royal Tournament until its last production in 1999," says Unusual's managing director Alan Jacobi, "and so we were delighted to be able to continue to support its modern day revival. The British Army is dedicated to keeping us safe, and we're proud to be able to support them in return."

Unusual supplied all the rigging equipment, motors and truss, and also fabricated many of the scenic pieces at the company's facility in Bugbrooke, near Northampton. They also took responsibility for automation of all the scenic pieces.

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USA - Larry Eschelbacher, J. R. Clancymanager of controls engineering, has been promoted to the position of director of engineering.

In his new role, Eschelbacher will supervise both the controls engineering and mechanical engineering departments at Clancy. His responsibilities include both off-the-shelf products and custom jobs for performance spaces of every size.

Eschelbacher came to J. R. Clancy in 1994 to manage the company's controls department. Since his arrival, he has designed controls for more than 1,000 motorised rigging projects, from simple up/down operation to complex systems with more than 300 motors. Some of the projects in Eschelbacher's list include the just-completed Carmel Performing Arts Centre in Indiana, the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City, and Segerstrom Hall in the Orange County Performing Arts Centre

UK - StudioTak Studio Vinyl has once again been the floor of choice for the ITV show Celebrity Juice, now into its fourth series and staring Keith Lemon, Rufus Hound, Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton.

Le Mark's peel clean Studio Vinyl has been used throughout the series, offering a 'bang tidy', gloss black set floor.

"The set looks superb, StudioTak is made to be the first choice for set designers working on a tight budget yet demanding visually impressive sets. The ability to lay the floor almost instantly and remove it without leaving residue is so important in today's fast changing studios" says Stuart Gibbons.

(Jim Evans)

USA - When the resident orchestra at the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Ind, arrived for its first rehearsals in the Palladium, the players experienced extraordinary sound quality - made possible by acoustical specialists Artec Consultants and the rigging experts at J. R. Clancy.

Artec's plan called for multiple motorised acoustic canopies and acoustic curtains that can be adjusted to change the room's response. Acoustic canopies are usually made of wood, but the Palladium required an unusual material for such an application: large panels of clear glass. The glass keeps the canopy from masking the Palladium's intricately decorated domed ceiling. The glass panels vary in size and thickness, measuring an inch at their thickest points.

To accommodate the canopies, the J. R. Clancy team designed and built massive hoists with capacities of 23,000lbs. Each of the f

UK / USA - Navigator Systems, authors of HireTrack Eclipse rental software and Production Exchange of Los Angeles, the online exchange for AV, Lighting and Rental Staging market sub rentals have announced a technology partnership demonstrating a fully integrated link in the latest HireTrack Eclipse release.

The Production Exchange will be a third party application that integrates seamlessly with HireTrack Eclipse software's current version. As a result of this partnership, current authorised users of HireTrack Eclipse will be able to subscribe to Lite Exchange, Video Exchange or Audio Exchange individually or as a bundled solution.

David Rose, of Navigator Systems comments, "We see this technology agreement with Production Exchange as another layer of value to each of our software users. The integrated tools created by both HireTrack Eclipse and Production Exchange could

UK - The 33rd ABTT Theatre Show promises to deliver a packed showcase, whilst celebrating The Association of British Theatre Technicians 50th anniversary, say the organisers.

The Show will focus its marketing campaign online and again offer a simple and free pre-registration facility through its enhanced website. This will also boast easy to use facilities for exhibitors and visitors alike allowing fast upload and download features.

The ABTT Theatre Show is already well over 50% sold out for 2011 with exhibitors including XL Video, ETC, Stage Technologies, Martin Professional, Yamaha and Philips Entertainment booked to appear from 15-16 June, at the Royal Horticultural Halls, Vincent Square, London.

The Show will feature a two-day programme of seminars and meetings, which will reflect the achievements of the ABTT as it reaches its 50th birthday and look forward to the challe

USA - Global Truss America LLC has filed suit against GLP German Light Products, a Delaware Corporation and Mark Ravenhill, president of GLP, alleging trademark infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair business practices and other violations of the Lanham Act.

Global Truss America LLC has accused GLP of falsely stating that it is "an authorized distributor of Global Truss products in the United States and falsely stating that Mr. George Lee is the CEO of Global Truss" and wrongfully "implying that Global Truss is the source of the products that GLP is advertising, distributing, offering for sale and/or selling."

In the suit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California on 6 January, 2011, Global Truss America LLC states that its established and federally registered trademarks identify "Global Truss stag

Qatar - The State of Qatar has recently celebrated achieving a production capacity of 77m tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas and Stage One were invited by Tim Elliott from the Qatar office of international production company WRG, to provide their technical expertise for the official celebrations.

Stage One were asked to create an in-the-round performance environment for the 45-minute celebratory show, which included a 360º seating block, 360º projection screen (160m x 10m) to the rear of this, a central pool that was used as a performance area and 20 different Qmotion controlled elements.

Steve Dolan, account director for Stage One, said, "The scale of this job was huge, with on-site assembly requiring over 1000 man days. However, a close working relationship with our client, along with extensive experience of working in Qatar, meant we were able to facilitate a

UK - Creative production agency Lodestar recently collaborated with Nissan to create the Nissan Innovation Station at the 02 Arena. The Innovation Station is staffed and managed by experiential agency RPM and features an advanced audio-visual infrastructure created by Feltech Electronics, which encourages interactivity and is built largely around GestureTek gesture-controlled technology.

As the O2's official automobile partner, the attraction is part of the brand's three year partnership with O2 owners, AEG. This entertainment experience showcases Nissan's new zero-emission, fully electric car LEAF, with a number of pods and kiosks designed to inform and entertain visitors, who are able to ride in driving simulators, design a car virtually and play interactive games aimed at boosting understanding of electric vehicles.

Feltech won a competitive bid to provide full multimedia i

USA - David Taylor, the theatre consultant and lighting designer, died in Taipei, Taiwan on Monday, January 17. He was 48. He died falling from the 14th floor of the Howard Plaza Hotel. Early newspaper reports suggested that the death was a suicide; however, updated reports indicate that the police have refused to speculate on the cause of death. A full police report is said to be pending.

A popular, well-connected, and highly involved member of the industry, Taylor was born in London. He studied theatre aesthetics at the University of London, followed by attendance at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and graduate studies at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Taylor spent 21 years at Theatre Projects Consultants where he was involved in a number of acclaimed and high-profile projects, including the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, New Amsterdam Theatre in New York, Hyper

USA - Elation Professional has introduced the Antari F-3 Fazer. This new DMX-compatible 800W water-based dry fog machine comes integrated in its own steel flight case. The F-3 Fazer's case design also makes it easily stackable, so it can be packed up and transported with no fuss and hassle - and ready to roll anytime the show goes on the road, says the company.

Featuring Antari's pump system, it produces "a fine, dry fog with minimal fluid consumption". For example, just one liter of fog liquid will provide five hours of continuous fogging, so each bottle of fluid lasts longer and less time is spent re-filling the machine.

"The Antari F-3 Fazer is an advanced water-based dry fog machine that's ideal for a variety of applications," said Eric Loader, director of sales for Elation Professional, the exclusive North American distributor for Antari products. &quo

UK - When Sonalyst MD Rory Madden was asked to supply full, new build audio distribution and ground control infrastructure for the We Will Rock You tour in just nine weeks, he knew time was against him. "Normally, for a show of that scale and complexity, you'd feel up against it given three or four months to prepare. In this case, we had just nine weeks so our choice of technical partner was absolutely vital."

One of the first things Madden did was drop in to VDC's premises in North London. He reports, "I'd worked with VDC before on a few smaller projects and had a strong feeling they would be the right choice, based on the technical expertise, manufacturing quality and ability to work to very short deadlines. But I just wanted to drop in for a chat and see their facilities for myself, before even talking about the We Will Rock You project. When I le

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