USA - Known for its professional productions throughout Northwest Missouri, the Robidoux Resident Theatre recently produced the musical comedy Spamalot. Brought on by the director of the show, Jeff Stover, assistant professor/technical director at Missouri Western State University, was asked to create a lighting design that could match and enhance the whimsical satire of the show itself. To accomplish this, he wanted to be able to take the design to an extraordinary level, so he brought on the additional support of VL440 Spot Luminaires from Philips Vari-Lite.
"With Spamalot being so over-the-top in style, it gave me opportunities to take the lighting over-the-top as well," began Stover. "This was definitely one of the shows where you could do the bump and flash with colour mixing and have it fit perfect with the story. The Vari-Lite colour mixing sy
Indonesia - No fewer than 40 units of SGM P-5 TW (tunable white wash lights) and 40 units of Q-7 W (white flood, blind and strobe), fitted with eight-way Barndoors and Accessory Holders, were recently acquired as part of the light inventory for the Indonesian D'Six Studio, which is owned and operated by PT. Prima Global Indomedia.
Technical & operations director of D'Six Studios, Lemmy Ibrahim says, "I carried out intensive research online and I discovered SGM's LED products." He then contacted SGM's Indonesian distributor Goshen Electronics, and SGM's area sales manager Hanslee Lim from SGM A/S conducted a demo with the P-5 TW at Goshen's office. "I was very impressed by the small size, along with the bright light output of the P-5 TW during the demo,"Ibrahim states. He immediately arranged for another demo at the TRANS TV studio, who had requested the use o
USA - While there were talks of a winter storm brewing for Nashville, the city was all about bikinis and great music as Sports Illustrated chose Music City to launch the 2015 Swimsuit Edition.
The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted the event where lighting designer John Lucksinger and production manager Chris Lisle worked with Bandit Lites to provide lighting for the A-List event dubbed as Swimville.
Swimville was held on Broadway with six bands performing a free show each day on Wednesday and Thursday. More than 15,000 people came out on the first day alone to see performances by Will Hogue, The Weeks, and Chris Young, and also to meet this year's SI models who were available to sign autographs and take photos.
Bandit provided gear for the grand entrance along with a lighting package for the performances. Later, the red carpet was rolled out in front of
Germany - Michael Althaus, the former managing director of MA Lighting, has launched a new distribution company in Germany, called Visionstage. The company begins with two exclusive brands in its distribution portfolio - Ayrton and Oxo, while "a few more exciting brands will follow soon," says Michael.
Michael says he is convinced that there is "a huge demand for innovative and sustainable solutions and disruptive technologies - paired with high sales quality, years-long experience and outstanding customer service."
Visionstage will have two fully equipped showrooms, centrally located in Germany. The flagship showroom is in Frankfurt, the second at the headquarters in Detmold, which is midway between Dortmund and Hanover. Michael and the Visionstage team will be on the Ayrton stand at ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt in April.
UK - Northern Stage Services Ltd, the specialist lighting, sound and stage solutions provider, has completed the acquisition of the business of Lancelyn Lighting and Lancelyn Theatre Supplies.
Northern Stage Services Ltd, whose client list includes the RIBA award-winning Liverpool Everyman Theatre, Brio Leisure and Manchester Communications Academy, acquired the business on 16 February 2015, enhancing its overall offering to be UK-wide spanning the theatrical, architectural and construction sectors.
Northern Stage Services Ltd managing director, Patrick Colin, comments: "Lancelyn has a long history in both Oxford and The Wirral and its customers very much value the service given by its skilled design, manufacturing and installation teams.
"Similarly, Northern Stage Services has built up a solid reputation within the industry through our ability to work on larger, m
UK - TSL Lighting is pleased to welcome Andrew Cheshire to its team as Head of Projects. Andrew has over 19 years' of experience in the rental and installation markets. Andrew was most recently technical manager at West End Studios and has also previously worked at Hawthorns. Andrew heads up the project management team at TSL and brings a wide range of expertise and experience to the role and the company.
UK - Robe was again a major sponsor of the TPi awards, supplying their latest moving light technology including 38 x BMFL Spots, 46 x Pointes, 32 x LEDBeam 100s, 21 x CycFX 8s and 70 x PARfect 100s plus an MDG theONE hazer in a design by Jack Sayer from Hawthorn, lighting rental partner for the 2015 event. Jack worked closely with Hawthorn project manager Tom Ring.
The annual jamboree - produced by TPi Magazine, part of Mondiale Publishing Ltd - honours the technical and creative achievements of the live production / event industry over the preceding 12 months - seriously upped the ante this year, moving to a new venue, Battersea Evolution in London, which offered more space for both guests and the production.
Over 1,100 leading industry professionals and personalities enjoyed an evening of entertainment, networking and fun, hosted by comedian and actor Russell Kane who presen
World - Ed Sheeran is currently on a major worldwide tour, with lighting and production designer Mark Cunniffe using super powerful Clay Paky A.leda B-EYE K20 and Sharpys to hold their own against his video-heavy theme.
Cunniffe's design is beautifully multi-layered and sees the Clay Paky fixtures, supplied by NEG Earth, working with the video to give variation to the solo artist's stage set up.
"As Ed's show is one guy with an acoustic guitar on a 60ft wide stage, it ends up looking pretty bare, so we made the show very much video-based," explains Cunniffe. "The B-EYEs and Sharpys perfectly supplement this as they deliver a plethora of varying looks. I put 30 Sharpys upstage behind a broken screen arrangement of video, where they stab through the gaps unexpectedly to add another dimension that no one will have seen before. I use them to 'paint' rather than as a
South Africa - Durban based rental company, Black Coffee, has purchased 12 new Clay Paky Mythos fixtures which will go onto the 14th Metro FM Music Awards for lighting designer François van der Merwe and Dream Sets, the official technical suppliers . The awards will be hosted at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Conference Centre (ICC) in Durban on 28 February and will be broadcast live on SABC1. Black Coffee will also be receiving six Stormy Colors.
Brandon Bunyan, owner of Black Coffee, was introduced to the projectors comprising of The Mythos, The Stormy and The SuperSharpy on the South African leg of the Clay Paky Roadshow held at the end of last year. Once Massimo Bolandrina and Giovanni Zucchinali had completed an indoor demo, they took the fixtures outside to do an informal outdoor demo. "I was late for beers at the demo," remembers Bunyan. "It was night time and
Czech Republic - Robe Lighting's RnD department has finished an extensive and comprehensive piece of research and testing in conjunction with lamp manufacturers Osram, relating to the longevity of the Lok-it! HTI 1700/PS lightsource used in Robe's new signature BMFL fixture, when run consistently in its brightest 1700 W mode.
This confirms that the lamp life expectancy is exactly the same when the fixture is run in 1700W mode as in 1200W and 1500W modes.
Therefore, Robe can categorically announce that the BMFL lamp life time is the same in all three modes - 750 hours.
The project also examined the lumen maintenance of the source at 750 hours when run in 1700W mode and reports that lumen output was measured at 60% compared to that of a new lamp - representing a 40% drop over the full lifespan.
This means that the lamp is extremely efficient and robust, and maintains brightn
Europe - GDS has announced that Fernando Freitas has been appointed as its new European account manager.
Fernando will be responsible for the European territory working with GDS's dealer network in Europe and end users in both, the entertainment industry and development of new opportunities in other industries.
Moving from marketing manager to European account manager he changes his role at GDS as part of the ongoing strategy to increase GDS participation in the European market.
Fernando brings almost two years of experience within GDS and a good understanding of the entertainment and event industry.
Fernando comments, "Having settled into the marketing department I am now thrilled to work with our European partners directly in this amazing industry. I am looking forward to this new exciting role and providing the best solutions to current and future customers."<
Japan - Ayrton's IntelliPix-R LED panels played a prominent role in the spectacular lighting design at the annual Japanese music show, Best Hits Kayousai 2014. The show, which recognises some of Japan's most popular artists of the year, took place in November at the Festival Hall, Osaka and was broadcast live on the NNN network. Over 18 acts, including Exile Tribe and May J, performed during the two-hour show.
Ayrton's Japanese distributor, First Engineering Japan, supplied 120 IntelliPix-R panels to their client, Heart-S, who used the static panels to surround the stage and performers with beams of intense light.
IntelliPix-R is a modular beam projection panel of 25 independently controllable 4.5° LED emitters arranged in a 5 x 5 array which project graphics and media far into the air. Panels can be connected together to form a semi-transparent wall, screen or ceiling or
Columbia - Foo Fighters, recently visited Colombia on the South American leg of their Sonic Highways World Tour. At the Estadio Nemesio Camacho, commonly known as 'El Campín', in Bogotá, they were greeted by a crowd of 40,000 fans for what was to be an amazing concert.
Prior to the concert, event production company Iluminación Jaime Dussan had been contacted to supply the roof structure as well as LED screens. Dedicated to providing technical services for large scale events such as this, they had the inventory to fulfill the requirements - including big screen reinforcement. "The client required an outdoor screen with a 6mm pitch from a European manufacturer," informs the company spokesperson, Ms. Andrea Dussán.
The SGM LS-6.67 is IP65 rated and suitable for the job, with its pixel pitch of 6.67mm and a brightness of 5,000 nits per sq.m. It comes in a robust but
Fighting Talk - Foo Fighters have revealed they will be the headline act on the first day of Glastonbury Festival. The US rockers announced the news after they were named best international band at the NME Awards. In a recorded video message, frontman Dave Grohl told music fans at Brixton Academy, south London, they were returning to the UK to play Glastonbury. They are the first major act announced for this year's event. Foo Fighters will headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday, Glastonbury's website confirmed, making their first appearance at the Somerset festival since 1998. Lionel Richie was the first 2015 performer to be announced in November. He will make his debut in the Sunday teatime slot on the Pyramid stage.
Festival Move - T in the Park will be on a new site this year and the headliners will be Kasabian. Avicii will make his debut at the festival when he closes t
UK - Northern Light Stage & Technical Services has announced the successful management buyout of its hire department with the formation of NL Productions Ltd.
Intended to capitalise on the growing order book of the last two years and under the leadership of managing director Phil O'Halloran, the new business will operate as a unique alliance with the hire department of Northern Lights' sister company Stage Electrics.
Phil O'Halloran commented: "Our local knowledge and capabilities within our specific market area coupled with the backing of an alliance relationship with Stage Electrics provides an ideal combination to drive continued growth and deliver value for customers that will be a benefit to all parties."
Providing technical expertise, design and equipment NL Productions offers lighting, sound, AV, staging, rigging and power distribution to events across Scotl
UK - The sixth School Theatre Support Group (STSG) conference took place in February 2015 at the Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Cheltenham. The event was attended by technicians, managers and teachers from school theatres and drama departments around the country.
Workshop sessions on a range of relevant technical topics were provided by AC Entertainment Technologies, Stage Electrics and White Light, alongside displays from GDS and iStudio Projects. Charcoalblue Theatre Consultants also provided sponsorship.
This year's conference marked the tenth year of STSG as an organisation, having grown from an informal group of like-minded individuals, to now being affiliated with the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT). This important link gives wider recognition to theatre work within schools, as well as encouraging the development of the next generation of theatre pro
USA - Every year, the NFL Super Bowl attracts hundreds of millions of viewers; many are there for the football game. Others are there for the halftime. The core create team includes executive producer Ricky Kirshner of Touchdown Entertainment, production designer Bruce Rodgers of Tribe Design and special effects designer Mark Grega of Strictly FX. "The production is really a team effort. It's the third year that we've been working with Mark; his creativity and experience are a vital part of creating a memorable Super Bowl Halftime," states Rodgers.
For the Super Bowl XLIX Pepsi Halftime featuring Katy Perry, the special effects portion of the production was remarkably flexible. "We change the show up until the day of- in fact, we made changes on Super Bowl Sunday, because of the camera shots. We try to maximize the best shot that the director, Hamish Hamilton, is
Puerto Rico - LumenRadio once again worked with the extraordinary lighting magician Tupac Martir on Palomino, a desert Island off the coast of Puerto Rico and home to the legendary Bacardi Triangle party.
Three jumbo jets from three cities across the world, flew the world's hottest artists and 1862 invited guests to a private island in the Caribbean Sea to party in one of the most mysterious places on earth. Headlined by Calvin Harris, Kendrick Lamar and Ellie Goulding, the three-night music festival brought some of the world's leading artists together for a gig of epic proportions.
For three nights, Bacardi took over the 5-star resort, El Conquistador and transformed it into one of the most spectacular venues on earth. A total of 14 universes of LumenRadio's CRMX Nova TX2 RDM units were used to transfer reliable wireless DMX/RDM data to four large areas across the resort. 22
UK - TNA (Total Non-stop Action) Wrestling stormed British shores this month for a series of adrenaline-fuelled shows with lighting operator Andre Huff running the show on an Avolites Sapphire Touch console, and ART2000 dimmers providing the power behind the scenes.
The dynamic tour, featuring some of the biggest names in world wrestling, had a vibrant light show designed by Emmy award-winning LD Jeff Bornstein and used production gear and crew provided by Ian Livie.
"Jeff instructed me he wanted big two-tone looks for each wrestler's entrance, rather than a lot of flash and trash with the lights," says Huff, an Emmy-nominated LD and operator of 24 years, with significant combat sports experience.
"We chose to do big panning movements with two colours and sometimes a gobo. No real crazy flashing looks with a lot of colour changes."
Russia - Leading Russian consumer electronics retailer M.Video has had its "best New Year's Eve event in history", thanks to technical producers MAX'N'MAX and lighting designer Roman Stolyarov choosing the super powerful Clay Paky A.leda B-EYE K20, Sharpy Wash 330 and Alpha Spot HPE 1500 for the event's live stage shows.
Stolyarov's design saw a central chandelier truss above the stage in the Moscow Expocentre rigged with 32 x B-EYEs, which were supplied by rental company Arlecchino Group. Throughout the evening there were varying performances by M.Video's staff, directed by George Dolmazyan.
"As the chandelier was the focal point, Roman used the B-EYEs' graphic light effects and vibrant colours to create the varying looks for each performance," says MAX'N'MAX's production director Maxim Korotkov. "It was our first time working with the B-EYE and its i
USA - The potential for output variations that seem to be inherent in LEDs can be problematic for entertainment lighting manufacturers who are in greater need of consistent colour and brightness.
The industry is concerned with a more complete testing of the performance of light engines. Composed of the combination of one or more LED modules, together with an LED driver (also known as electronic control gear, or ECG), the variations in light engine output account for most of the variations in LED colour temperature, brightness and other output characteristics.
To alleviate this problem, many LED light engine manufacturers provide 100 percent "functional testing" of lamps along with first article and periodic inspections of a production run. However, functional testing merely validates that the lamps will illuminate, and usually don't analyze the CCT (correlated colour
UK - Flashlight Ltd has announced the appointment of industry veteran Gordon Smith, who joins the company's UK sales department as a Film and TV sales executive. Gordon will provide field based sales and support for the company's expanding range of leading lighting brands.
A well-known face in the industry, Gordon brings over 40 years' specialist knowledge and commercial experience to the new role, having previously worked in a variety of TV, film, theatre and entertainment lighting hire and sales roles. Gordon says: "I'm looking forward to the exciting challenges ahead within an established, vibrant company. I can't wait to get started!"
Flashlight directors Andy Dodd and Rob Williamson commented: "We're delighted to welcome Gordon to the company. His extensive experience and knowledge of the Film/ TV lighting market further strengthens our high level of produc
UK - SGM were again one of the major sponsors at the third e-Luminate Cambridge Festival - occupying two iconic sites, St John's College Tower and King's College Chapel, and bringing them to life with their powerful IP65-rated LED fixtures.
While Jack Beccegato from Zero Kb designed the set piece for King's College Chapel, Daniel Kirby from SGM UK created the concept for the St John's College Tower lighting. Six G-Spots were used by Beccegato to illuminate the front of the Chapel, while the St. John's Tower was animated with the stunning used or 11 P-5 RGBW wash lights.
Also playing a central role in the Festival was SGM customer, Hawthorn, under the coordination of the company's Cambridge based head of sales and marketing, Rachel Waterfield. Hawthorn also supplied all the power and rigging for the SGM lights.
The festival, co-founded by Alessandra Caggiano and Hugh Parnell
USA - EDM may appear like a lot of random flashing, but puts a lighting console through a stress test quite unlike any other. Without the luxury of a script or a set list, the EMD lighting designer has to create an infinite series of dramatic looks that match the feel of the music and support the strong video images that are another hallmark of the genre.
Tom Schneider, an ETC tech and console trainer in the company's Hollywood office, has designed and operated EDM shows since he was old enough to sneak out of the house to light raves in warehouses. He believes that Eos is the perfect tool for the job - "What really sets this console apart from other high end consoles is the effects engine. It's pretty cool. The effects engine is programmable to anything I could possibly want."
While big US events like Electronic Daisy Carnival, Electric Zoo and the Ultra Music Festi