Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

After the government approval of 59 group standards for Trailblazer apprenticeships earlier this year, the 'Live Event Rigger' working group lead the way in further developing the initiative to help more youngsters embark on careers in the live events industry. Employers who have supported the standard of the Live Event Rigger have been designing the apprenticeship over the past year.

The National Rigging Advisory Group's (NRAG) working subgroup, comprised of key industry representatives including PLASA and Blackout, helped design the assessment process to meet relevant business needs in terms of knowledge, skills and behaviours. NRAG agreed the range of assessment methods, grading a

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14 March 2016

As of groundbreaking, the facility is at 75% occupancy with nine companies committed as tenants, two of which are relocating their headquarters to Lititz.

"Joining the Rock Lititz Campus is a natural move for us. Atomic has enjoyed a 20-year relationship with industry giants Clair Global and TAIT in our hometown of Lititz. Now we'll have the opportunity to collaborate in more ways, while starting new relationships with entertainment companies moving into the area." said Daniel McPhillips, Preside

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14 March 2016

Installation of the panels, which are estimated to produce 4000kW hours of energy a month, began earlier this year with an initial 98.5sq.m of panelling. Work has recently been completed to install the final 100sq.m.

Julian Chiverton, sales director at Doughty explained: "It's vital that manufacturers like us are doing everything within our power to become more eco-aware and eco-friendly. With initiatives like SiPA being set up to help businesses achieve their environmental goals and with support from the government, companies are running out of excuses for not doing their bit."

The move is an economical one as well as environmental - production at Doughty's factory is thriving and

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14 March 2016

The certification has been designed by the The National Rigging Advisory Group (NRAG), with contributions from NRAG members including Harry Box from UK Rigging, Mark Armstrong from RTM Rigging, Paul Riddiford, PLASA's NRC manager and Unusual Rigging's Robin Elias. It is being offered to those working in the entertainment industry - in lighting, sound, video and scenery - who are often called upon to undertake rigging work, and to carry out lifting operations, without possessing the relevant qualification.

Robin explained, "The one-day assessment consists of; practical exercises in marking out, a practical assessment of a rigging related task leading up to and including carrying out a lifting operation, an hour long ex

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14 March 2016

This event has been designed to cover the operation and implementation of Kinesys equipment and will showcase a broad range of products that will appeal to individuals and companies involved in the increasingly popular discipline of automation / motion control.

The invitation is open to lighting and show designers, automation operators, rental suppliers and rigging service providers - anyone with an interest in this dynamic element of modern show production.

The training workshop will provide structured learning in the theory, progr

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14 March 2016

Prior to Tait, Kempf spent fifteen years as the Director of Design and Senior Engineer for PRG Scenic Technologies, developing hundreds of corporate and Broadway projects including Lion King, Wicked, Spiderman, and Book of Mormon. Kempf spent six years as an IATSE stagehand and studio mechanic working in feature films including Silence of the Lambs and Shawshank Redemption. Kempf has been awarded 20 US patents, built two Olympics, and also ran away with the circus. He holds degrees in Scenic Design and Entertainment Engineering from Carnegie Mellon a

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14 March 2016

"I am very happy to see that, after 10 years, over 90% of the original certified technicians have chosen to renew again. This shows a huge commitment to the industry, and confidence in the programme." said Tim Hansen, ETCP council chair.

ETCP currently has a total of 2,141 certified technicians, with 29 people who hold all three certifications: Rigger - Arena, Rigger - Theatre and Entertainment Electrician

ETCP would like to c

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14 March 2016

Thousands of dedicated fans flocked to London to celebrate the latest instalment in the Star Wars franchise, where Stormtroopers and Jedi knights joined the cast and celebrities for the biggest premiere of the year.

Utopium illuminated Nelson's Column, transforming it into a giant light sabre. Utopium provided 24 Clay Paky Mythos, three MDG One atmosphere machines, four Studio Due City-Color LEDs and two Studio Due City-Beams to create the spectacle.

In Leicester Square, the cast and crew were joined by celebrity guests as the area was transformed into a space-themed venue. Utopium installed 120 tonnes of ballast to stabilise the 26 masts supporting 175m of 52cm ST header truss, from wh

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14 March 2016

Arena Seating installed 7,586 tiered temporary seats at Olympia - 5,191 were public Tip-up seats and the remaining 2,405 were upholstered Instyle VIP seats.

Within the venue, Arena Seating also installed press and competitor interview platforms home to the world's sports journalists for the week, follow spot platforms facilitating illuminations throughout equine performances, judge platforms offering a clear view of the indoor arena and hospitality platform supports.

Indoor arena entrance doors, jump stores, presentation areas, video screen supports, a bridged logo platform and ménage surface retaining walls were also supplied by Arena.

Arena Seating project ma

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14 March 2016

Chris Brain, Blackout's project director oversaw a pre-rig before the set at London's Three Mills Studios was built, then worked closely with HG Event Production's Harry Guthrie and the lighting team installing the TV lighting over a three-week period.

The Blackout team were called upon to install 90 CM Lodestar motors, 600m of truss and 150m of pipe, and black wool serge drapes to mask the dressing room.

Chris explained, "The show was the first of its type, being shot live from numerous stages in the studio. This was such a special project to work on and we are proud to have been contracted to provide the truss, rigging and drapes on such a world-renowned live musical p

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14 March 2016

For the sixth year running, Blackout helped maximise the presence of sponsoring brand H & M through the installation of advertising drapes near the main entrance of the venue.

Chris Brain, installations director at Blackout, commented, "It is a privilege to return to such a fantastic sporting event year on year. Despite the tight time schedules, the whole draping project was completed in just four days, which only serves testament to the wonderful work our team delivers."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Despite its difficulties, 2015 saw many positives for PLASA. At PLASA Media, Lighting&Sound International celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2015, having been confirmed by research completed by Fusion Insight & Strategy as the market leading magazine and by far the number one choice of readers in the marketplace. LSi also welcomed a new media sales team: commercial manager Andrew Organ and business development manager Greg Morley have quickly settled into their roles, and 2016 is shaping up to be LSi's most successf

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14 March 2016

On announcing the sponsorship Ken Tilson, vertical market specialist - entertainment, stated, "Columbus McKinnon is excited about the opportunity to support ESTA's TSP which is vitally important for the Entertainment Industry. The TSP members are entertainment subject matter experts who develop and create industry specific technical standards and recommended best practices. CMCO specifically participates in the Rigging Working Group and has actively done so for many years. We are com

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14 March 2016

Strictly, broadcast live on BBC 1's Saturday night prime time, is one of the nation's favourite programmes, and the 2015 series' weekly audiences regular topped 10m viewers.

"There was some serious pressure" explained DLM's automation director Erlend 'Spider' Webb who co-ordinated this project, "and that's why we work with Kinesys equipment, because it's absolutely rock solid."

DLM has been involved in specialist rigging aspects of Strictly for the last five years. When the prime-time series moved out of the BBC TV Centre in Wood Lane to the larger space at Elst

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14 March 2016

The park is also home to a variety of other industry brands including: Brilliant Stages, Perry Scenic Creative, Litestructures, LS-Live, The Music Consortium, Knight Rigging Services, Tek LED, J&C Joel - and, of course, the renowned live events university centre, Backstage Academy.

Across the three open days, from 1-3 March, you can also meet the Nitelites team, who (using LS-Live's 17,500sq.ft Studio 001) will demo their new turnkey arena touring package from the specialist Italian lo

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14 March 2016

Andrew and Thomas Abele launched their own business in 1986, initially distributing events equipment which they also supplied for tours and installation projects. Later they began developing and manufacturing powerful equipment and functional solutions in the field of stage technology. For these, the brand Movecat was created and it is upon these that the company has for some years now been concentrating and for which it has built up a worldwide distribution network.

With the change of name has come a strengthening of the senior management team and a reassignment of responsibilities, with CF

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14 March 2016

Denis joined Unusual in 2000 from Tomcat, as operations manager, taking on the role of general manager in 2014. Based at the company's Northamptonshire headquarters in the UK, he has overseen the company's expansion, including the opening of a new 1200sqm facility in Autumn 2015.

Denis said, "The decision to take the job in Dubai was not an easy one; the work Unusual Rigging does in the UK is inspiring and it's been my pleasure to work for a company that is held in such high regard across the industry. From production managers to museum curators, eve

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14 March 2016

Power Logistics specialises in providing temporary power, heating and lighting for the event and entertainment sector.

It has now bought a further 20 state of the art, energy-efficient lights thanks to asset finance facility provided by Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. The lights will be used this year in functions across the UK.

The investment is part of the business' ambitious plan to double in size in the next five years.

Mike Whitehouse, managing director of Power Logistics, said, "We have ambitious plans for growth and the new facility from Lloyds Bank means we can look ahead with confidence as we aim to increase the size of the business.

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14 March 2016

Starting on Sunday with a special dinner and party to celebrate its 25th anniversary year, the event started on a high note.

With over 110 persons attending, both key personnel and distributor representatives from all four corners of the globe, the atmosphere was lively and animated. Mixing dinner with award ceremonies, the night started professionally and progressed to a perfect networking event.

Over the course of the next two days the network was informed on product updates, marketing and sales strategies and the new Prolyte factory.

Feedback sessions on several topics gave all particip

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14 March 2016

The controversial play, which was famously banned by the censors when it was first written, tells the story of the ambitious independent politician Henry Trebell and his plans for a bill to disestablish the Church of England.

The National Theatre's deputy production manager Clíona Ní Mhocháin approached Triple E's managing director David Edelstein to assist with the track solutions.

"We needed a smooth, silent and reliable system to achieve a swipe motion to go from an empty stage to actors' preset," explains Ní Mhocháin. "We also wanted to create an aperture to suggest the outside world further upstage that could change size and

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14 March 2016

Musikteater's investment in Kinesys products started around six years ago, explains technical manager Tor Futtrup, who has been working there for 13 years and initiated this move with a first purchase of 10 3.25 tonne Kinesys LibraCELL load measuring shackles and the Kinesys LibraBASIC system.

The Libra shackle pin is designed to work with the globally recognised Crosby safety

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14 March 2016

Mullard comments: "I have enjoyed the challenges presented by the lifting industry in relation to weighing technologies and have spent the last three years in particular developing a thorough understanding of the marketplace. Straightpoint continued to emerge as the market leader and I am grateful for the opportunity to align my goals with such an innovative, dynamic business."

Straightpoint director Da

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14 March 2016

To help resolve the long-time industry problems of loosened screw terminals, damaged housings and ineffective cable strain reliefs, Lex Products has developed the new EverGrip Moulded CEE Extension, the first-ever over-moulded CEE cable extension.

The Evergrip Moulded CEE extensions feature a UV stabilized mould material to prevent degradation of housing when used outdoors, ergonomic hand grip to provide a firm gripping surface for easy connector mating and un-mating and integrated tie loop hole for ease of storage or rigging.

Available in single phase 16 amp and single/three phase 32 Amp PCE plugs and sockets with Titanex HO7 cable, the extensions are offered under a three year limited warranty. Personalised company logos moulded into t

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14 March 2016

Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) ushered in the 4th FAI World Air Games (WAG) at an impressive and colourful opening ceremony on December 3, 2015 in front of an appreciative audience of nearly 5,000 spectators, which included officials and contestants from over 50 countries.

"It was great," said Polish microlight team member Kajetan Ruks. "I've never seen anything like it before. And now, I want to see it again." Joao Franciso, who came from Portugal to compete in the air navigation race said, "O