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Earls Court has introduced an innovative new grid ceiling feature and dividing wall which enables the venue to create two smaller exhibition spaces within the existing Earls Court One hall. International staging and structure specialist, Edwin Shirley Staging (ESS), were appointed to develop the overall solution and installation of the grid as part of an ongoing programme aimed at providing service excellence for clients in the exhibition and live events industry. Tim Norman, managing director of ESS, said: "ESS was approached to provide a solution that would help improve the overall service Earls Court is able to provide its clients in the exhibition and events industry. Our bespoke system increases the adaptability of Earls Court One, allowing clients the opportunity to adapt the hall space to a preferred scale. This project helps establish ESS as a strategic solution provider to

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Following a front-page story in the NME and prior to an appearance on Top of the Pops tonight, Mercury Records chose London venue ‘the garage’ to showcase breaking US artiste Andrew W. K on 23 October. Andrew and his record company brought in US lighting designer Warren Flynn to devise, programme and operate the lighting for the showcase performance. Flynn specified an MA Lighting grandMA console for the show. The console was supplied by Neg Earth Lights along with a rig comprising High End Systems Studio Spot 250s and 4-lamp Molefay units which were used to supplement the venue’s extensive array of Par cans. During rehearsals, Flynn explained his choice of console by stating: "I just love the way that with this board, everything is totally user definable." He continued: "The three high-contrast colour touch-screens, coupled with the console's powerful op
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Los Angles-based scenic design and painting company UV/FX recently completed a 28ft x 50ft backdrop for Clint Black's tour. The art was painted in UV/FX signature Day to Night style which allows for an ambient lit scene to go to sunrise or sunset by adding colored light and then with the introduction of UV lighting to make a dramatic change to the night look.Working with Nashville/Los Angeles-based lighting designer Drew Boca, UV/FX designed and painted the drop to go with Clint's vision of the country road on which he travels. UV/FX president Richard Green said: "We worked very directly with Clint on this one and with him being such a gentleman and so interested in what we do it couldn't help being a huge success for the tour and a big personal design success for both UV/FX and Mr Black. We're looking forward to working with their team again very soon."

UV/FX also supplied e

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For the ninth consecutive year, the organizers of the Pepsi Festival (Sziget Kulturalis Szervezoiroda) in Budapest, asked Production 2000 Ltd to provide sound and lighting for the main stage - and the other areas. The company fielded a high specification of equipment from their hire fleet, including a major Turbosound Flashlight and Floodlight rig. 36 Flashlight TFS 780H mid/high packs were flown in 6 x 3 configurations on either side of the stage, with 48 Floodlight TFL-780L bass enclosures configured four wide and six high on each side. 12 Turbosound Floodlight TFL-760H mid/highs were used for near-fill and infill and a further eight TFL-118 low-frequency Floodlights provided centre coverage.

The sections of the sound system were driven from three amp racks housing configurations of MC2 MC750 and MC2 1250 amplifiers. In addition, Production 2000 supplied all Turbosound stage monitori

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Show Presentation Services, the leading equipment rental and staging specialists, won the prestigious award for Rental Company of the Year in the 2001 AV Industry Awards. The winners of the awards, designed to celebrate the best audio-visual companies, projects, users and applications and held by AV Magazine in association with Sharp and a raft of sponsors, were announced at a ceremony at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, on 18 October. SPS beat off competition from Saville's and XL Video to win the award, which was given to the rental company which had shown the most marketing, technological or applicational innovation and which had demonstrated business development and both turnover and profit performance.

Robin Coles, managing director of SPS, commented: "We are delighted that the judges recognized our genuine commitment to innovation and excellence, demonstrated by a 70% increase in

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Expotus-managed distributor Stagecraft, based in the Philippines, were rewarded for their efforts this year, as they received the Turbosound International Distributor of the Year in the Far East Award based on growth in sales throughout financial year 2000/2001. With sales having increased by 156% last year, director of Stagecraft Frankie Zabala (pictured left) commented: "Receiving this commendation was a great surprise and indeed an honour. We hope to do even better for Turbosound next year!" he says. Martin Capp, managing director of Expotus, (pictured right) continues: "Expotus business in the Far East goes back a long way, and we’re proud that Stagecraft has been recognised in this way by Turbosound this year. We’re particularly pleased as the Expotus-managed Chinese distributor Jia Hui won it last year!"

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Milos Structural Systems recently expanded its European operations with the opening of a new UK design and distribution centre in Luton, Bedfordshire. Milos specializes in modular aluminium trussing systems for entertainment, theatrical, exhibition and display applications.

The new UK centre comes 18 months after the launch of Milos America in Ashland, Virginia, and is timed to coincide with the increase in its semi-automated production facilities to almost 90,000sq.ft. The latest range of QuickTruss systems feature quick-connect pins and solid connectors, creating one the fastest assembling truss systems available today whilst maintaining structural integrity. A comprehensive range of system formats and configurations are available to suit specific project and loading criteria. Also available from Milos are MT1 Rigging Towers, MR1 and MR2 Roofs for special events, and the latest rang

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The Adelaide Convention Centre in Australia has recently invested in Turbosound Powered QLight enclosures as part of a venue extension programme that will more than double the size of the facility. The development will offer more than 10,000sq.m of pillarless floor space, (divisible into six sound-proofed halls) for exhibitions, banquets and other events, in addition to existing convention facilities. The combined banqueting capacity will facilitate 6,500 guests, allowing for much larger events and enabling multiple function hosting.

After an extensive evaluation of most major brands in the market place, the ACC chose Turbosound’s new QLight Powered System and 16 TQ-440SP powered three-way enclosures and eight TQ-425SP subwoofers were duly supplied by Australia’s Turbosound distributor Audio Telex.

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Arbiter Pro Audio has supplied Edinburgh-based SI Sound & Light with a large quantity of JBL loudspeaker systems for an exciting new sound installation at Genesis nightclub in Dunfermline. The independently-owned 800-capacity club is split into two sections - a large bar/walk-in space, and the main dancefloor area. A good budget had been allocated to allow for a sound system to cater for a diverse selection of musical genres from mainstream pop to hardcore dance. It was also essential not to alienate those wanting to drink rather than dance. SI Sound & Light’s Pete Simpson undertook the sound design - his latest of several using JBL.

Genesis' dancefloor speakers are four SP222s from JBL's Sound Power Series - 1500W each with 12" drivers. For bass, Simpson chose two JBL VS125HS speakers, combined with two SP128 subs. For maximum impact, he has sub-divided the low frequencies:

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Truss manufacturer Slick UK Ltd has announced the sale of 114 lengths of 2.4 meter Minibeam truss and 38 lengths of 1.2 meter Minibeam truss to the Excel exhibition centre in London's Docklands. The contract was to supply truss to allow more points to be hung in the roof of the centre and to give greater flexibility to exhibitions held there. Slick's Ian Hall told PLASA Media: "The order was worth in excess of 50k and was clinched by the new regime of good customer service and on-time delivery of product operating at Slick."

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NXT's SurfaceSound flat panel loudspeakers have found their latest application in the new Predators exhibition at London's Natural History Museum. Open to visitors until May 2002, this new family-oriented showcase features a range of audio-visual effects enhanced by the use of bespoke acoustic panels made by NXT licensee, Amina Technologies Ltd.

The exhibition uses a series of interactive robotic models, including a 5 metre-long great white shark, a 3 metre chameleon and a 2.5 metre funnel web spider. Using the SurfaceSound technology, clear tri-wall polycarbonate flat panel speakers sited above the models provide the realistic surround-sound effects for each of the animal exhibits.

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PLASA will be sponsoring a UK exhibitor group to the SIB 2002 exhibition, which will run from 24-27 March in Rimini, Italy.

The DTI’s SESA (Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad) funding programme will cover 60% of proven stand and construction costs, up to a ceiling of £2,300. In addition, PLASA will provide shared telephone and fax facilities and full on-site support for members of the Exhibitor Group. PLASA Members benefit from a reduced management fee for this service.

For more information, e-mail trade@plasa.org, or visit the PLASA Website at www.plasa.org/events

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SSE Hire's work schedule for Christmas and the New Year period is looking busy, with a number of tours and special events in the pipeline for the audio hire company. Tours being serviced by the company include the forthcoming tours of the UK and Europe during November and December by Travis and UB40. Front-of-house engineer for Travis is Giles Woodhead, who will be using the SSE-supplied Midas XL4 desk and the Nexo Alpha system, while Chris Leckie has a Midas XL3 looking after monitors. Front-of-house for UB40 will be Jerry Parchment and Steve 'Gonzo' Smith with an XL4, and SSE's Betamax speaker system. Monitor engineer Graham Blake will be using an XL3. For Faithless' UK and Ireland tour, FOH engineer Mark Kennedy will be using a Midas Heritage 3000 (also with a Nexo Alpha system), while monitor engineer Tim Pattison will be taking advantage of the facilities offered by the Innova Son G

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German media is reporting a large-scale investigation into corruption at the Frankfurt Messehalle, home of the Frankfurt MusikMesse and ProLight & Sound exhibitions. According to Die Welt, 25 people have already been arrested on charges of corruption. In one example quoted, an employee of the Messe allegedly received almost £60,000 in one cash payment. Die Welt reports that seven employees of the Messe and as many as 90 entrepreneurs from 20 companies based in the Frankfurt-am-Main region are being investigated as part of the ongoing case. It is thought that the scale of the corruption could equate to many millions of Deutschmarks.

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The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is set to create a new waterfront theatre village, redeveloping its historic home in Stratford-upon-Avon. The £100 million proposals include plans to rebuild a landmark modern Shakespeare playhouse on the riverside site of the current Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The Arts Council has already earmarked a total of £50 million for the project - a matching £50 million is being raised by the RSC.

The rebuilt flagship Royal Shakespeare Theatre will be the most significant new theatre building of the new century. Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat and theatre consultant Iain Mackintosh will play a key role in moving these proposals through to the design stage. It is anticipated that initial design ideas will be completed by the early summer of 2002. The key elements of the new theatre village include the construction of a completely new 1,050-seat Royal Sha

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Central London-based Flying Squad Aerial Rigging were recently contracted by London-based Acrobat Productions to project manage the stunning centrepiece aerial show at the Indian launch of Fiat's new Palio, staged in Goa on 20-21 September. The Fiat Palio is heralded as India's 'hot' new hatchback and the product on which Fiat India will base a complete revamp of its manufacturing performance, dealer network and brand image. With this in mind, its launch party was a stunning showcase, set in a purpose-built geodesic structure on a Helipad above a palm-fringed beach.

Flying Squad's director Jon Gee worked closely with Acrobat Productions, the Delhi-based production team and each of the artists to ensure that, after only one day of final rehearsals, it would be completely safe for them to perform. Rigorous checks were made to the design of the rig itself as well as to the specialist equi

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Paradigm recently supplied two 40" dnp Holo Screens and a rear projection rig to top executive search consultants Korn/Ferry in London. Supplied and commissioned by specialists Wave - who design and install bespoke presentation and technology systems and have a long-standing business relationship with Paradigm - the screens were part of an entire refurbishment, which included the installation of various technologies within the reception area, the board room and the training room.

Installed within the reception area - along with two Proxima projectors above the ceiling - the two Holo Screens present rolling information sourced from Korn/Ferry's website, and are controlled solely via PCs. Adrian Hicks of Wave commented: "We worked with the company’s project manager for the entire fit out and sat down at an early stage. We discussed their vision of the end result as a wh

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The Music Producers Guild (MPG) has elected Andy East as its new chairman, replacing Phil Harding who has now completed his one-year tenure as chairman but will remain on the MPG board. The appointment was announced at the MPG’s recent AGM. Steve Parr also joins the board as vice-chairman and, as part of the MPG’s rotational chair and directorships, a number of other board members were announced. These include Jim Barrett, Meg Nicholl and Roger Askew.

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Contrary to incorrect reports that have been circulated, Thales Angenieux has, in fact, appointed OpTex as its Authorised Distributor and Official Service Centre for its Broadcast and Film Lenses in the UK. Angenieux is now one of the fastest growing brands in the Broadcast Lens sector and this is set to strengthen with the introduction of the new Extreme Tele Zoom Digital 40x11AIF.HR complimenting its all-purpose 15x8.3AIF.HR and Wide Super Zoom 12x5.3 AIF.HR ENG/EFP lenses.

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Creative Technology London recently supplied a wide array of AV equipment to the Microsoft TV Corporation at the IBC exhibition in Amsterdam. Commissioned by Evolution Event Management Ltd - Microsoft's preferred supplier throughout Europe - CT provided 18 x 37" Plasma screens, a 7 x 5 Barco iLite 6mm LED Screen, extensive graphics equipment and a complete audio replay system. Hitachi 37" Plasma screens were used in Demo Kiosks and a 50" Plasma on the reception area, whilst the ultra-high resolution Barco 6mm LED screen was used for relaying pictures and graphics from the Microsoft TV station. The whole integrated installation was Dataton Trax controlled enabling the presenter to run their shows from a touch screen display, set in a lectern. Robert Bell of Evolution commented: "We used CT because they already have existing relations with Microsoft TV Corp, but mainly

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The Boardwalk nightclub, where Oasis began their career, has been put up for sale. Built in 1876 as St Peter’s School, it opened as The Boardwalk club in 1986 and ran successfully for 13 years until August 1999.

The Boardwalk has witnessed the UK debuts of Primal Scream, Sonic Youth and Courtney Love’s band Hole. Big names such as Oasis, M People, Pulp, The Verve, Suede, Blur and the Stranglers have also appeared, along with DJs such as Paul Oakenfold, Todd Terry and Pete Tong and comics Steve Coogan and Peter Kay.

The basement rehearsal studios were as famous as the club. Acts who rehearsed at The Boardwalk included Terry Hall & Colourfield, Nico from the Velvet Underground, Simply Red, The Fall, James, The Railway Children, Manic Street Preachers, ACR and Happy Mondays. The Happy Mondays’ residence is immortalized in the new film about Factory and The Hacienda -

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One of the more eye-catching products launched at LDI was MA Lighting’s grandMA 3D visualization software - created for the design of three-dimensional stage layouts. The software allows a wizard guided design and set up of any custom stage or scenery layout with 2D drawing facilities and a library of basic graphical elements. Multiple windows can be opened and updated at the same time, and all the stage elements can be positioned in X, Y, Z directions and may also be rotated around the various axes. The set-up of lanterns, luminaires or moving lights can be simply retrieved from the grandMA console’s show file by electronic transfer. There is no need to set DMX lines, DMX addresses or operation modes as these are already pre-adjusted in the grandMA console. The software will be compatible with the whole family of MA Lighting consoles, and will be available for free download

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The 2001 LDI exhibition in Orlando ended yesterday after a successful three days which included a full and well-attended conference programme. At the LDI/ESTA Awards ceremony held at the Orange County Convention Center auditorium on Saturday evening, Jim Bornhorst of Vari-Lite was this year’s Wally Russell Award recipient. Amongst the product awards were the Omni Connector from Total Structures, Protec’s Smart Motion control system, Rosco’s ImagePro, Wybron’s Eclipse 2. Prizes for ‘Widgets’ went to Rosco, Lex Products and Lee Filters. High End Systems’ Catalyst picked up the Entertainment Lighting Product Award to add to the Award for Product Excellence it won at the recent PLASA Show. Best Audio Product was the Legend tri-purpose mixing desk from Midas.

Full details of the rest of the award winners will follow and a full report from LDI, inclu

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You don’t get to see too many of these in your average shopping day. These illuminated mannequins are the latest thing in High Street retailery (we made that word up, but it’ll do) currently striking a pose at Selfridges in London. Rare Basic Ltd are the company behind these rather unique mannequins, which are crafted by former Madame Tussaud’s sculptors. Manufactured in a translucent wax effect finish, the material lends itself to a colour changing facility developed for Rare Basics by AVR Colourmaster.
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