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14 March 2016

Graeme Sewell, director of Vortex Lighting Ltd, says: "We are proud to be the first company in the UK to have the new Martin Laser available for hire." Vortex had been contemplating the purchase of a Laser for at least a couple of years but took the decision to wait until the technology had developed before investing.

Sewell says: "There are quite a number of products on the market now and a few of them have some good features, but we wanted a quality piece of kit from a respected manufacturer with all the relevant sa

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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 Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers has always had a close working relationship with the statutory regulation bodies and is available to answer any questions that may arise from this particular issue - contact the e-mail address below. Voice Alarm is a life safety system and on

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14 March 2016

The 49th Grammy Awards, produced by Cossette Productions took place on 11 February, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and were broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network.

The Falcon Beam, available in 3K to 8K for both indoor and outdoor applications, uses the very latest xenon technology, with a built-in electronic ballast and upgraded optics. These compact fixtures are specifically designed for both floor-mounted and suspended / inverted use. The Falcon Beam converts into a multiple-beam Falcon Flower. With the Flowe

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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 award was collected by members of the XL Video UK team. XL Video also won this coveted award in 2002, 2003 and 2005. XL UK's Chris Mounsor says: "Winning the 2007 Award means a huge amount to us, particularly as its voted on by our peers, giving it even more credibility and significance.

"The imaginative use of LED technologies has definitely stepped up a notch during 2006," says Mounsor, adding, "I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank all our crews and those out there representing us on the 'frontline', on tours, events and festiv

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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

New Look has decided to specify GE Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) lamps because of their lumen maintenance and life span as well as colour rendering, ideal for retail environments. The retail chain used the GE CMH lamps for 18 months before this contract win. Historical data built up during this period confirmed to New Look that GE lamps were the right choice, with fewer failed lamps and better light levels.

The CMH lamps offer a low 8% failure rate allowing for fewer re-lamping procedures and help to drive down overall maintenance costs, the company says. In addition, GE has supplied the lamps with a pre-determined warranty

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14 March 2016

Designed by internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Walt DisneyConcert Hall is a $272 million live entertainment complex in the heart ofLos Angeles that became an instant landmark upon openingin late 2003. The hall is the winter home of the L.A. Philharmonic and hostsa broad range of musical events.

(Chris Henry)

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14 March 2016

Under the lead of Massimo Fontanesi, the management had started various changes aimed at strengthening Coemar's position in the world market. Renato Molinari, former managing director, has also become president of the company.

Coemar says it is entering a new phase characterised by innovation, following a "more than positive response" to the launch of the new products , the Infinity Wash and the whole LED range.

(Chris Henry)

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14 March 2016

The acquisition will add depth to Proel's position in the marketplace, allowing it to benefit from the strengths and reputation of an internationally renowned company which, for 25 years, has specialised in the design and manufacture of high end sound reinforcement products. The Proel Group is strongly committed to a strategy of growth and development which is built on a policy of carefully nurturing and exploiting the intrinsic skills of its various companies.The basic structure of the companies will remain unaltered, each continuing to operate independently on a day-to-day basis. By joining the Proel group, Turbosound will benefit from additional financial backing, enabling it t

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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

Artist Tim Knowles was commissioned to create several contemporary artworks in the regenerated Harbourside area by developers Crest Nicholson PLC, of which "Field of Play" is the largest.

Measuring an impressive 48 metres wide by 12 metres tall, it's constituted from 288 vertical lines of Flex, staggered - as per the original design concept - at between 50 and 700 mm widths, with varying drops. It runs along the sides of two buildings in the at the ever-evolving Bristol Harbourside development.

"Field of Play" is an interactive light drawing created - sometimes unwittingly - by the public as they move arou

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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

"The design for Soapstar Superstar was based on the fact that thecompetitors on the show are stars of the small screen - hence the designis primarily based around screens," explains Bingemann. "The set isn'tdissimilar to last year's, with a few gaps filled in, especially whenthe camera looks back into the audience, as they tend to with this typeof show.

"TV studios always have weight limits in terms of the amount of kitwhich can be hung from the roof, and we were right up against that limitthis time round - so it's he

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14 March 2016

Boeing Boeing lit by Hugh Vanstone opened at the Comedy Theatre on the 28 January. It initially opened in 1962 where it enjoyed a five-year run and was subsequently adapted into a film starring Tony Curtis and Gerry Lewis.

Equipment supplied to Boeing Boeing includes Clay Paky Alpha Wash Halos and three of the brand new Martin MAC700 Wash fixtures along with approximately 120 generics.

The new national tour of The Woman in Black for PW Productions opened at the Bromley Churchill Theatre at the end of January with Stage Electrics providing lighting and effects equipment to the tour which runs for 16 weeks.

Fame is also being supplied by Stage Electrics; the new national tour opened in Nottingham on 12 Janua

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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

But the town centre venue, owned by experienced nightclub operator Douglas Quirk and managed by Alistair Burrell (who had safely evacuated all the staff and customers on that fateful October evening), has done precisely that.

Quirk, who made his name running the epochal Hollywood Romford in the 1980s, turned to fellow Essex contractors, Southend-based Essex Sound & Light and interior designer Colin Stone of Stone Me Design, to deliver a superior interior package. What they have produced is an upscale, all-day chameleon venue which trades from 11am until 11pm (midweek), 1am Thursday and 2am at weekends.

ESL were asked to carry out the technological integration in view of their

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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

From April 1, after a long and close relationship with Sennheiser AB in Stockholm, Sweden will join Denmark, Finland and Norway, giving customers direct access to top products, services and comprehensive consulting support for audio projects of all kinds.

Volker Bartels, Speaker of the Sennheiser Executive Committee, says: "Our experience has shown that setting up our own subsidiaries permits closer cooperation with the end customers. This transition will provide added value and make the best use of resources and infrastructure."

Paul Whiting, vice-president sales of the Sennheiser Group, says: "A local presence in Sweden

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14 March 2016

Proel International's MD, Paolo Burocchi says: "This is excellent news for all the parties involved and for the audio market as a whole, because it strengthens two major European brands. We offer our congratulations to both Proel, in Italy, and to Turbosound.

"Meanwhile, Proel (International) continues as the UK distributor for a wide range of products including those from Proel, but not for Turbosound, which will still handle its own brand in this country."

Burocchi continues: "For our part, we have recently expanded our management and technical teams - an announcement will be m

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14 March 2016

But the Welshman was savvy enough to listen to the recommendation from his friend Richard Jackson, who recounted that he had used Digidesign's D-Show live console while mixing Welsh band Super Furry Animals.

From that point things moved quickly into gear, so that by the time the UK mainland tour commenced at the Glasgow Academy, the sound engineers from all four bands had become willing converts.

Two companies had provided the catalyst for this: Digidesign resellers Marquee Audio, and the tour's sound production company Stage Audio Services, who were more than happy to accommodate the desk - supplied with a mobile Pro Tool