UK - PLASA has announced three new professional development training events aimed at industry professionals looking to broaden their skillset. The events, taking place in November and February, will cover creative branding, problem-solving solutions and the latest electrical and wiring regulations, coming into force from January. The branding, communications and strategy workshop is taking place on 21 November at Leisuretec’s HQ in Leighton Buzzard. It will be led by PR specialist Lauren Rogers of Burnt Orange (the Big Chill Festival; FIFA Club World Cup Abu Dhabi) and explore the importance of unique branding and how to differentiate in an authentic way. Businesses of all types and sizes are encouraged to attend. On 22 November, LSi columnist and electrical consultant James Eade will provide updates to the 18th edition Wiring Regulations in a seminar and wo
UK - Equipment hire software companies Current RMS and InspHire have been acquired by integrated ERP solutions provider Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS). The deals will allow KCS to strengthen its presence within the rental industry. InspHire and Current RMS will operate as independent business units within KCS, under their existing management teams. Current RMS will remain tailored to the needs of the AV, production and events industries. InspHire, which supplies software to companies that rent heavy plant and construction vehicles, will be backed to expand into the US market. Chris Branson, managing director of Current RMS, comments: “I’m delighted that a company as prestigious and well regarded as KCS Group has chosen to invest in Current RMS. We’ve achieved so much in the four years since we launched and through this acquisition we’ve now got th
UK - Tickets for the upcoming Paul MacCallum benefit concert can now be purchased via Eventbrite only, the organisers have said. MacCallum, who founded PLASA member company Wembley Loudspeaker, has been confined to a hospice due to suffering with an advanced form of multiple system atrophy. He was the bass player for Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and was also known as ‘The Womble’ from his days as Uncle Bulgaria in Mike Batt’s original Wombles. The entertainment industry has rallied to help fund his medical expenses through buying tickets to the charity event, taking place on 29 October at the O2 Academy Islington. Follow this link to buy t
UK - Current RMS treated PLASA 2018 visitors to an exclusive look into some of the upcoming developments in the equipment rental management software. The company said the show was ‘a great success’ for the team, who were offering visitors live demos of Current RMS on its stand, built by Red Peak Design. The team demonstrated how the software can manage an entire rental cycle, from updating booking details to viewing accurate kit availability, allocating resources like crew and transport, and drawing up quotations. Visitors to the stand were also given a sneak peek at Current RMS’s upcoming Automatic Costing and Purchasing modules, to be released in the coming weeks. These new modules will automatically pull through additional costs onto a job, including sub rents, freelance costs and any purchases. Users will also be able to create purchase orders to send
UK - EI Live!, the trade show for the AV and automation industry, is spreading its wings and moving to a new venue in 2019, as well as embracing new industry sectors in an expanded format. In 2019 EI Live! will expand to incorporate the commercial AV and automation, and electrical contracting sectors. The show will also move to the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, a new venue in the South East of England. The Residential, Commercial and Electrical zones will have “something for everyone working in the industry; whether they’re directly installing smart building technology, or working in related fields such as architects, interior designers, developers or specifiers”. New for 2019: The commercial AV and automation sectors will play a major part in the newly-updated EI Live! trade show. For the first time, technologies cov
USA - As show lighting and video professionals prepare for the inaugural Knight of Illumination Awards USA (KOI-USA), to be held in Las Vegas on Saturday, 20 October, 2018, the organisers have revealed the shortlist. Following the launch of KOI-USA back in April, nominations were received from across the US and around the world. Nominations fall into three categories - Theatre, Live for Broadcast, and Concert Touring & Events - and the shortlist includes some of the world's best-known names in lighting and video design: Concert Touring & Events: LeRoy Bennett, Bob Bonniol, Gabriel Coutu-Dumont, Ben Dalgleish, Patrick Dierson, Cory FitzGerald, Bryan Hartley, Sarah Landau, Francis Laporte, Matthieu Larivée, Robert Long, Nico Riot, Sooner Routhier, Rob Sinclair, Tom Sutherland, Jim Tetlow, and Andi Watson. Live for Broadcast: Yves Bélanger,
UK - PLASA has said the 2018 edition of the PLASA Show has been ‘the busiest and most vibrant’ show since it moved to London Olympia in 2016. PLASA 2018, which took place on 16-18 September, saw a 4% increase in visitors with a palpable atmosphere that was reminiscent of its popular Earls Court days. The show welcomed a stream of exhibitors and attendees from around the world, primed to explore the leading edge of live entertainment technology. The expo also confirmed its importance for networking and trade, with 63% of visitors being final decision makers or specifiers, and a quarter being business owners, managers and directors. Jonathan Walters, UK sales and purchasing director from A.C Entertainment Technologies comments: “This third year back in West London has really confirmed PLASA’s decision to relocate to Olympia, each show here has worked consi
UK - Dan Ryan has been promoted to commercial manager for Stage Electrics’ and Northern Lights’ testing and inspection division. Previously the company’s electrical compliance and quality manager, Ryan is now responsible for ensuring the provision of compliance and maintenance services enabling customers across the UK to enjoy peace of mind about the condition and safety of their technical performance systems. Dan Aldridge, commercial director at Stage Electrics, comments: “After a demanding 12 months with levels of business continuing to grow significantly, we have appointed a commercial manager to focus on leading the commercial, engineering and quality aspects of our testing and inspection offering. Dan has recently achieved professional recognition as an incorporated engineer from the Institution of Engineering and Technology. It’s great to be able to o
UK - Holoplot’s ORION sound system was awarded a PLASA Award for Innovation. The judges were convinced by the technology and the product, which allows a radical new approach to sound reinforcement and provides audio engineers with a versatile tool for their work. On the first two days of the PLASA Show, the judges visited the 47 nominated companies to learn more about the innovative products. Demonstrations were given, use cases were discussed, and functionality for rigging, maintenance, and installation was explained. The Holoplot stand attracted many of the jury members a second or third time. In their eyes, “a system with such precise beam steering capabilities and flexibility in how audio can be projected, demonstrates a paradigm shift in the industry”. Roman Sick, Holoplot’s CEO, comments: “The conventional speaker technologies are very establishe
UK - At this year’s PLASA Show, UK immersive audio and showcontrol specialists Out Board demonstrated the new StageSpace object-based spatial environment auto-rendering tool within the new TiMax 500S software. The stand featured a miniature booth-sized demo of TiMax’s ‘orchestral hugeness experience’, which has been trialled on some arena-scale and festival-sized stages across Europe this summer. Out Board co-owner Dave Haydon comments: “Even under the slightly challenging conditions of a busy tradeshow floor, people were overwhelmed by the realistic spatial enhancement that StageSpace added to multitrack classical and jazz music playback. Of particular note was the adaptive nature of the StageSpace rendering that allows quick delivery of full immersion for audience members while using relatively minimal and flexible speaker system topologies.” Haydo
UK - Alan Jacobi of Unusual Rigging was honoured with the 2018 Gottelier Award at the PLASA Show. Named in memory of Tony Gottelier, the renowned industry innovator and commentator, this annual award recognises product developers who have made significant long-term contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology. Voted for by his industry peers, Jacobi was this year's recipient, having worked rigorously to raise the profile and professionalism of the rigging industry and having long recognised the need for training and education in the sector. He has been a driving force behind the NRC accreditation scheme since the beginning in 2005, and Unusual Rigging is an Assessment Centre for the NRC. Jacobi comments: "I am so very honoured, not just to be this year's recipient of the Gottelier Award, but to know how much support I have
UK - Avolites’ video and lighting control integration system Synergy has won a coveted PLASA Awards for Innovation. Picked by an expert panel of judges, Synergy stood out because it “opens up the creative opportunities for visual effects on stage as well as providing time-saving opportunities in production workflow.” Koy Neminathan, Avolites sales director, says: “We’re all thrilled that Synergy has won a PLASA Innovation Award. Synergy is the product of years of experience and innovation as we continue to push forward what’s possible for total visual creative control. To have this recognised by the judges is a testament to the forward-thinking attitude at Avolites and the hard work we put in to achieving our vision of the future - which is empowering our users to achieve even more incredible things.” Synergy was launched at this year’s
UK - The leading lights of the entertainment production industry descended on London's Eventim Apollo on Sunday night, where the winners of the 2018 Knight of Illumination Awards were announced. A record number of people attended the glittering ceremony this year, which brings together entertainment technology professionals from around the world. The Knight of Illumination Awards celebrate the achievements of lighting and video designers working in the fields of theatre, television and concert touring & events.
Belgium - Boomtown Fest (see LSi September 2018) is part of the 10-day Gentse Feesten (Ghent cultural festivities) in Belgium. Running since 1843, and therefore celebrating its 175th anniversary, today it attracts as many as 1.7m visitors over the duration. Held at the 850-capacity Handelsbeurs Concert Hall, as well as Opera Ghent and on outside festival grounds, Boomtown started in the year 2,000, and today provides three stages and 41 acts over five days. The event combines indie music from some of the country’s up and coming talent with international acts like Suzanne Vega (who appeared in Opera Ghent). Martin Audio’s rental partner, ARC-Productions from Dentergem, added MLA Compact to their vast in
UK - Innovative technology and insightful seminars have been the highlights on Day One at the PLASA Show, with exhibitors wowing visitors with new technologies and stylish solutions. After revealing its new stand concept, Platinum Sponsor Robe continues to showcase its latest lighting fixtures in a show-stopping stand production featuring a dance troupe, rain, fire and a mysterious cave, all visible from the Gallery Level. “We decided to create a ‘Lost World’ trilogy for three trade shows,” explains design duo Nathan Wan and Andy Webb. “We drew inspiration from Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones and the Goonies, creating an epic fire VS water battle. We always go big and this year sees a 22m wide rain feature.” Stand aesthetics have led the way for Yamaha, too. Chris Irvine, Yamaha’s product manager, says: “This year we took a new approach which has had a gre
UK - The 41st edition of PLASA Show - the worldwide event for live entertainment technologies (16-18 September) - opened the doors of London Olympia this morning along with Platinum Sponsor Robe, Silver Sponsor Infinity and Hawthorn as Technical Sponsor. The atmosphere is tangible as exhibitors and visitors waste no time in browsing new products and discussing industry trends. 200+ brands are present representing each sector across the live events and entertainment spectrum, and the seminar programme is brimming with expert sessions and enlivening talks. Plus, the all new Hands-on Rigging Area and Rigging Theatre are welcoming both aspirational and seasoned riggers. “After months of hard work, the team and I are excited to see PLASA Show 2018 in action”, says PLASA managing director Peter Heath. “Many of our industry’s leading brands are here with their iconi
UK - Elation Professional is introducing TwinkLED, a new and innovative LED lens design offering creative layers of powerful light beams and elegant lens illumination. TwinkLEDs offers a prominent, patent-pending LED pixel effect using dedicated high-brightness pixels inside large front lenses to provide additional layers of creativity for the lighting designer. Shown on stand H40 for the first time anywhere is an all new visual effect - the Rayzor 760, a compact yet extremely powerful LED wash effects luminaire and the first fixture to feature Elation’s the TwinkLED system. With a wide zoom range from 8° to 77°, the Rayzor 760 provides intense and well-defined mid-air beams with over 8000 lumens, as well as an exceptionally wide and even wash coverage. The Rayzor 760 is also available in a compact and lightweight weather and dust protected IP65 version, the Prot
The Netherlands - Audio-Technica is to unveil a pair of new shotgun microphones from its Broadcast & Production series at IBC2018. The BP28 and BP28L combine low-noise, large diaphragm condenser elements in shotgun models with tight polar patterns, making them suitable for long-range sound recordings. Two lengths are available, with the BP28 being 355mm long, the BP28L 568mm - both feature a patented acoustic port to maintain directionality across the entire frequency range. The new models offer market-leading dynamic range, with self-noise of just 3dB (BP28L) and 8dB (BP28) in conjunction with remarkable SPL handling (143dB in the case of the BP28 and 138dB for the BP28L). They bring studio microphone-like response to distance miking applications such as on movie sets, location TV, sports broadcasting and more. The BP28 and BP28L are expected to be availabl
UK - Chroma-Q's new Studio Force II and Brute Force high intensity tuneable white LED fixtures will make their show debut alongside the Vista 3 by Chroma-Q lighting & media control system at PLASA 2018. The Studio Force II high intensity tuneable white wash light uses a homogenised LED source capable of delivering variable colour temperature, plus/minus green shift control and the ability to produce deep saturated colours when needed. It is ideal for TV Broadcast, film and other situations demanding high quality tuneable white light. The Brute Force LED alternative to a quarter ‘Wendy’ light was developed and rigorously tested in a variety of ‘real world’ scenarios to ensure optimal functionality across many indoor and outdoor applications; to create a true LED full colour RGB-W lamphead that draws just 15 amps @ 240V. Robustly designed, it has an extended
UK - J&C Joel returns to the PLASA Show as it continues to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The company, which is one of the leading manufacturers and installers of flame-retardant fabrics, flooring and stage engineering solutions, will be exhibiting on stand A45 at the show. During PLASA, J&C Joel will relaunch its new and improved Serge Tape in response to high demand from customers. They will also be showcasing other new products including Euro Wool Serge, Empress, Super Wide Width IFR Canvas and the West End Velvets. JCJ Serge Tape is designed to provide a quick, easy repair of tears in black Wool Serge drapes will be available in 25m rolls which are 50mm wide and is sure to be a staple product in the events and entertainment industry. A roll will be on hand for people to look at as well as some in applicatio
UK - At PLASA 2018, Claypaky will debut the new Axcor Profile 600 and Axcor Profile 400 LED profile spotlights, part of the company’s Axcor family. Featuring a 500W white LED engine, the Axcor Profile 600 stands out for its versatility, high level of performance and the superior quality of its light. According to Claypaky, the unit’s luminous efficiency is among the highest for this power category, and can be further increased by about a quarter if necessary thanks to ‘boost mode’. The Axcor Profile 400 has a compact body (65cm/25½in high) and is packed with advanced lighting, mechanical and electronic features. The Axcor 300 series comprise three powerful yet compact moving LED lights - the Axcor Spot 300, the Axcor Beam 300 and the Axcor Wash 300. With a physical size, power consumption and price-point that disguise their strength and creative potentia
UK - The ProLights family of fixtures will be represented on the A.C. Entertainment Technologies stand, E30, at PLASA 2018 taking place on 16-18 September at London Olympia. ProLights will also launch new indoor and IP65-rated lighting and video solutions. Highlights include the PLASA Awards for Innovation-nominated Panorama IP WBX - an IP65 LED Moving Wash Light ideal for temporary outdoor events, the RA3000 - a 1000W fully featured moving LED profile, and the Eclipse family of theatrical LED luminaires. The Panorama IP WBX leads the extensive ProLights IP65 family, which includes Pars, Blinders, Battens, Strobes and Moving Lights all designed for temporary outdoor use for events and festivals. Increasing the creative options for outdoor shows, the ProLights OmegaPIX 3.9 is an IP65 modular LED screen with a 3.9mm pitch which delivers stunning image qualit
UK - After previewing its new Hyperion LED series earlier this year, Spotlight will showcase a six-colour Fresnel, six-colour profile and warm white Fresnel with new software at PLASA 2018, taking place at London Olympia on 16-18 September. In addition, the company will debut its tuneable white profile. Developed to celebrate 50 years of the brand's innovation, the Hyperion series has been expressly designed to meet the most discerning requirements of professional users, both for the quantity and the quality of the light output. The Hyperion six-colour LED technology adds amber, cyan and lime alongside RGB, for a wider choice of even colour-mixing, a colour temperature range from 2,700K to 8,000K, and colour rendering up to 97. As a result, it gives designers increased creative possibilities to achieve their artistic vision. The Hyperion range of Fresnels and Zoom Pro
Belgium - Pukkelpop is Belgium’s second largest festival and prides itself on its ‘alternative’ label. Featuring performances by nearly 100 different artists on eight stages over four days, this year three Yamaha Rivage series digital mixing systems were in use, along with Nexo PAs. This year Pukkelpop took place on 15-18 August, with Yamaha Rivage PM7 and PM10 systems featured on the Club Stage and CL series consoles on the Lift Stage. The Club and Castello Stages featured Nexo STM series PA systems. All Yamaha and Nexo systems were supplied by VDB-PA, except the RIVAGE PM7 which was supplied by AED Rent. More than 25 bands performed on the Club Stage, including Shellac (with legendary producer/engineer Steve Albini on guitar/vocals), Rhey, Madensuyu, Dirty Projectors, Metz, Benjamin Clementine, Jordan Rakei, Gogo Pinguin and King Gizzard & The Lizard
