Italy - DTS Illuminazione S.r.L. has appointed Maurizio Gidoni as the company’s technical director. Gidoni has a background in electronic engineering as well as management and process industrialisation. In his new role, he will lead DTS’ research and development department. The company says in a statement: “During his 30-year career, Maurizio has developed a strong leadership attitude, alongside with a fundamental teamwork and coaching skills. We strongly believe he will be an example and a human incitement to our technical teams. “For 10 years, Maurizio has successfully led technical departments and always focussed on electronic products development. His professional philosophy is to promote constant innovation by pursuing the excellence, paying strong attention to cross-functional interaction to achieve the company's goals. “His skills includ
Europe - Ayrton has appointed Kseniia Igoshkina as the latest member of its international sales team. Based in Detmold, Germany, Igoshkina is responsible for emerging markets across the Baltic countries, the CIS states and South America. Igoshkina joined Ayrton at the end of 2019, since when she has quickly established her position by appointing new distributors in Belarus, Armenia, Romania/Moldova, Colombia, Panama and the Caribbean. Her previous experience includes two years at Astera LED Technologies as key account manager based in China, after which she relocated to Europe to look for new challenges. “My first experience of Ayrton was its famous lightshow,” she says. “I was immediately blown away by their unique products. Now, a few years later, I am working for this amazing company and I couldn’t be happier. “Ayrton’s approach is very different f
USA - ADJ has announced the immediate availability of the new Focus Spot 5Z LED-powered moving head spot luminaire. Building on the success of ADJ’s popular Focus Spot 4Z, the new 5Z model takes the same LED engine and compact body, but adds additional beam-shaping tools to give lighting designers increased creative potential. As with the 4Z, the Focus Spot 5Z is built around a 200W cool white LED engine, which offers an impressive 50,000 hour lifespan. This is focused through high quality optics to allow the fixture to punch out sharp GOBO projections, in vibrant colours, that are equally suited to adding texture to a stage as they are to generating aerial effects over a dancefloor. Motorized focus, which allows for pinsharp Gobo projections over variable distance, is the signature feature of the entire ADJ Focus Series. In addition, the Focus Spot 5Z inherits the 4
USA - For 11 years, country music lovers in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, have gathered for the KNIX BBQ and Beer Festival, enjoying on stage performances, along with things like a petting zoo, games and popular food pits. With this year’s live event postponed, HDE Agency, its organiser, has moved the festival online with a series of five livestreamed Saturday shows. They don’t have a petting zoo (viewers will have to rely on their own dogs and cats for that), and they’re not cooking up any finger licking good treats, but the livestreams are offering generous servings of country music. Supporting these performances are a John Garberson-designed lightshow that features Chauvet Professional Maverick and Rogue fixtures supplied by Creative BackStage. (Pro Production provided the audio.) Taking place on a temporary stage in a converted studio in the Creative Backst
Japan - CÉ LA VI is a new luxury dining, bar and club lounge complex spread across the 17th and 18th rooftop floors of the revamped Tokyu Plaza Shibuya Fukuras shopping mall. The CÉ LA VI marque is already well known as the top floor bar of Singapore's five-star hotel, Marina Bay Sands, and CÉ LA VI Tokyo has now opened as the first concept-imported restaurant in Japan for such a global brand. A number of Martin Audio’s specialist ranges were specified by Shintaro Dobashi, director of the company Enter Sandman, who was in charge of the audio design. He explained, “The customer’s request was to connect all three sections of the venue; to create a restaurant that could be used commercially or privately - to make it ideal for a cool Tokyo clientele, and a place that lived up to the reputation of the CÉ LA VI brand. “From the outset, we aimed at something
UK - Tony Kingsley, a former PLASA chairman, industry maverick and disco lighting pioneer, passed away on Friday 8 May 2020 after a long illness. If the early 90s marked the period when Tony Kingsley was in the chair of PLASA, it was a decade earlier, when the trade association was still known as BADEM, that he achieved his finest moments, writes Jerry Gilbert. Tony ran the UK operation of Cologne-based Avitec Electronics GmbH, arguably the pioneers of the ‘superdisco’, who ran operations in four countries. A former Roger Squire’s store manager, Tony set up Avitec Electronics UK in Hitchin at the end of 1979, and became distributor for the vanguard of popular lighting helicopters, scanners, ‘flowers’ and other effects - mainly from Spain and Italy - that would quickly populate nightclub ceilings and redefine the new disco genre. These included K
USA - Magmatic atmospheric effects has introduced Prisma, a range of advanced UV LED lighting products with weatherproof IP65 rating. Designed for use in clubs, EDM events, glow paint gatherings, or any production with a UV element, Prisma’s IP65 rating and fanless design mean they can be used in even the most challenging environment, says the company. Compact, lightweight and easy to handle, a variety of narrow to wide beam angles are available. Prisma combines true 365nm UV output for long and wide throw performance with the control and efficiency of LEDs. Because Prisma uses high quality, medical grade LEDs that emit UV light in the 365nm range, no visible light is emitted, meaning only the UV reactive material glows and nothing else.
USA - Operating within the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, offers a comprehensive educational curriculum as well as opportunities for participation in the performing arts. The performing arts programme utilises two performance spaces highlighted by a 1450-seat theatrical auditorium. Theatre manager Shaun McIlquham recently integrated a new inventory of Siren Series LED Followspots from Altman Lighting. “This is my second year teaching at NCHS and in our performance season we do four theatrical shows, a Junior spectacular showcase, and then we also assist the middle school with their annual production as well,” began McIlquham. “In our performance space, we are way overdue for a renovation as we still have the original dimmers from the 1960s. In a production a few years ago the lighting syste
USA - At the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, Bethany Church in Baton Rouge published three ‘Quarantine Goals’ on its Facebook page. Like the three large white crosses that tower over its spacious grounds, the church’s statement left no doubt about its conviction or commitment. It read simply: ‘Calm Down, Get A Word, Stand Firm’. The same one characterises the four virtual services Bethany is livestreaming every week. This is reflected in the visuals created for those online services, which are supported by a diverse range of lighting designs, from those featuring variety of colours and movements, to more subtle versions that rely on side and back angles. Chauvet Professional Rogue fixtures in the church’s rig are used to convey this range of powerful looks. In a time of lockdowns, the church is taking a more basic approach to visuals. This is even reflected
USA - On the 13 May edition of the Elation Hour (10:00am Pacific Standard Time), Elation service manager Gines Gines explores a critical topic for any lighting professional, Service & Support, and also take a closer look at Elation’s new atmospherics brand, Magmatic, with Magmatic product manager Anthony Velasquez. Gines has served as Elation’s top service specialist for over a decade and on this episode will cover service/support topics like RMA’s, service centres, updates, warranties and more. Anthony will share insight into Elation’s new Magmatic brand of on-the-road tough atmospheric effects while reviewing the first innovations in the new product line. The Elation Hour is a weekly virtual presentation that delves into the more personal side of product development and includes discussions with industry designers who share their experience across
USA - For 45 years, Girls Inc. has dedicated itself to “equipping girls to overcome barriers”. This April, the Manchester, New Hampshire based organisation provided young women with a first-hand example of doing just that. When its usual, and very critical, spring auction at the local Marriott ballroom was pre-empted by the Covid-19 lockdown, the non-profit responded without missing a beat by moving its fundraiser online with the help of the Events United at Studio Lab. Raising $175,000 from its “first annual virtual auction” Girls Inc. did more than acquire much-needed funds; it also provided an important lesson for anyone, of any age, in the value of persevering in the face of adversity. Like all inspiring stories, however, the one behind this successful auction involved more than determination - it also required a lot of careful planning. For the Events Uni
Zimbabwe - Supporting a performance by gospel singer Margaret Mwamuka at Zimbabwe’s F.O.G. Auditorium was a design that featured over 50 Chauvet DJ fixtures supplied by Audiosure of South Africa. The owner of Sound Kalcha, Freeman Mugadza and Mandla Khabo a Bulawayo-based designer created flowing looks that achieved the delicate balance of engaging the live audience, while also providing an attractive background for the DVD that was being recorded at the venue. Washing the stage with a wide palette of complimentary colours and texturizing it with gobos and crossing beam patterns, Mugadza reflected the moving power of his client’s music, without distracting from her charismatic stage presence. At the same time, he occasionally added bold specials to make the show come alive. Key to helping Sound Kalcha achieve this design were the 20 SlimPAR T12 USB fixtures
World - As much of the world remains on lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, ADJ is aiming to inject a little fun into social distancing through its ADJ House Party Contest. The company is encouraging lighting users to get creative for the opportunity to win ADJ prizes, including a pair of Focus Spot 2X moving heads. The contest is open to anyone, anywhere in the world, who owns at least one ADJ lighting fixture. To enter, all you have to do is put your ADJ lighting equipment to use at home and post the photos or video on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter along with the hashtag #ADJHouseParty. “What you do with them is entirely up to you,” says ADJ. “If you’re a lighting designer, you could set up a rig in your garage and program a timecoded lightshow. If you’re a DJ, you could use your fixtures to light up your next live-streamed set from your livin
USA - After announcing an expansion of its Nashville site, lighting specialist Bandit Lites has completed an overhaul of its Knoxville world headquarters. The premises have been revamped as a sales facility, with a renovated conference room, updated warehouse, and dedicated testing and demo areas. Following a collaborative process of zeroing in how to make the intake, testing, and output most efficient, Bandit’s team devised a system that streamlined the process, with the entire front of the warehouse scoured, painted and sealed with painted lines to designate spaces for check in, prep’ and testing, and shipping. The changes will accommodate the growth in sales and installations projects. Knoxville facilities manager, Brad Hylton, comments: “Thes
UK - Long-time ETC employee Mark White has announced his retirement from the company after nearly 20 years of service. White has worked in theatre since 1985 and was part of a team of theatre consultants at the Royal Opera House before he joined ETC Europe in October 2000, taking on the role of sales manager for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. He has remained at ETC since and his most recent position was regional sales manager, Ireland & UK Rigging, a role in which White focussed on progressing ETC’s stage machinery offering across the UK as well as growing the business in Ireland. Following his departure, Jeremy Roberts will take on those duties. White comments: “ETC has been a fine company to work for. I am retiring at a time of new and exciting product development in the company, which will keep ETC in pole position as the go-to suppliers of enter
USA - Harman Professional Solutions has introduced zoom lens accessories for the Martin ELP family of ellipsoidal LED light fixtures. Martin ELP Zoom Lenses broaden the functionality of ELP CL and WW LED ellipsoidal lights with two industry-standard beam ranges and two housing colours. Their six-lens design promises “stunning optics, providing the ultrabright output, unmatched flat projection and crisp focus of a static lens with the speed and flexibility of a zoom lens”. The lenses feature a mechanical anti-slip locking mechanism and a convenient service hatch for easy lens cleaning and maintenance. A gobo/accessory gate accommodates A/B-size gobos, and a colour gel frame is included. “Martin ELP LED ellipsoid fixtures are famous for their unrivalled luminance, output and light quality,” comments Mark Buss, product manager, entertainment lighting, Harman
The Netherlands Highlite International BV has launched its latest campaign, The Power Of Entertainment with publication of an updated catalogue, numerous activities and various product launches. One of these product launches concerns Showtec’s latest addition: the ACT series. With the ACT series, Showtec offers a range of compact entry-level luminaires with a high-class finish and high CRI levels. Due to their size and output they are well equipped for a wide range of applications and venues but also offer a lot of advantages for the rental business. The ACT series consists of five different models. It starts off with a 20WW and a 50WW Fresnel version which come complete with matching barndoors, followed by a 60 RGBW PC unit, a 50WW Profile spot and an Flood 80 RGBW. All, except the 20WW version, are controllable via 3p DMX, have easy to handle rotary kn
USA - Ordinarily at this time of year, Nicolas ‘Murph’ Murphy, the owner of Murphy’s Production Services in Midvale, UT, is busy touring with The Piano Guys, Wax Tailor or some other client. Not in 2020. With live shows put on hold, Murph embarked on his own ‘world tour’, all without leaving the friendly and safe confines of his Salt Lake City suburb. Rather than simply livestreaming a band and calling it a day, he created a virtual tour package, complete with posters, virtual backstage passes and even donates his time with a weekly streaming service: Social Antidote. The looks he’s created for his COVID-19 World Tour are also good replicas of the real thing, using eight “lazy universes”, a ChamSys MagicQ MQ500 Stadium console and a ChamSys SnakeSys R8 Artnet to DMX Node 5 for each of its weekly broadcasts. “Not being able to go ou
Ireland - To celebrate Galway’s status as European Capital of Culture, Finnish light artist Kari Kola was commissioned to turn the beautiful Connemara Mountains emerald green and sapphire blue. The result - a massive artwork called Savage Beauty, with Lough Na Fuaiche in the foreground - owed its success to around 900 lighting fixtures, many from the GLP catalogue. With the illuminated area spanning 500 hectares (measuring around 6.5km wide and 700m high), this vast canvas is believed to be one of the biggest light art projects ever created. Kari Kola had originally been approached by Galway 2020’s creative director, Helen Marriage, back in February 2019. The artist recalled: “Helen knew that I was working on really large-scale projects, with light and nature, and so she called me up.” Two months later he was in the Emerald Isle for the first time
China - Following the launch of Aqua LED 1700 Framing, PR Lighting has announced another new shutter blade device, the XRLED 3000-W Framing. This new addition to the XRLED moving head series features the latest advanced 1200W white LED light source. In addition to its complete range of spotlight effects and features, the fixture’s four sets of framing blades offer “endless rotation, different size and shaped graphics, and a curtain effect in a module designed and patented by PR Lighting”. This bright and powerful spot, which is suitable for any type of project, comes in two versions. The 6500K, 70 CRI, 55000 lumen version is suitable for concerts, major events and exhibitions while the 5600K 92 CRI 41000 lumen spot has been designed specifically for theatres, TV studios and corporate events. Thanks to the design of the LED engine cooling system, the noise l
USA - Obsidian Control Systems is presenting a two-part live webinar series, Onyx on Set, to show how Obsidian’s Onyx lighting control platform is utilised in motion picture and television settings. Hosted by Obsidian Control Systems product manager Matthias Hinrichs, the series airs 7 and 14 May and will include in-depth discussion and expert advice from professional film and TV programmers Chris Chalk and Phil Shearer, both of IATSE Local 728 in Los Angeles, along with programming specialist Tommy Sullivan of North Carolina. Part 1 will take place on 7 May, 10:00-11:30am PT and comprise a round table discussion exploring how lighting programmers on motion picture and television sets utilise ONYX on a daily basis and how the lighting platform supports them in thi
USA - As many broadcast stations are operating in a work-from-home environment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, TSL Products has altered its R&D roadmap for the short term to meet the current needs of the industry. Since TSL’s acquisition of DNF Controls in April 2019, the US team based out of Northridge, CA, has remained focused on the developing and supporting the Flex Control Network and range of Universal Control Panels. “We have many customers across the United States who use our Flex Control Network for critical production and playout in news-based Hub and Spoke systems that connect network stations. Due to heightened demands in remote broadcasts, we recently altered our R&D to service our Flex customers and assist them in response to the pandemic,” says Fred Scott, regional sales manager U.S. at TSL and former sales director for DNF Controls.
USA - With its gritty industrial warehouse looks, The Temple in Greensburg offered a powerfully evocative setting for SxWxP when the doom metal band was looking to shoot a video for its new song Cup of Sorrows. Only one thing was missing: a punchy, production level lighting rig. The band decided to transport their own lights from their Louisville base to this small Indiana town 90 miles away. As a metal musician himself, Doug Taylor, manager of The Temple, was impressed not only with SxWxP’s growling performance, but also by the way their lightshow generated a volcanic eruption of visual energy that swept over the whole club. “This experience made us realise that we needed to replace our 25W party bulbs with a real lighting system,” explains Taylor, whose brother owns the club. Convinced as he was by what he saw at the 23 February video shoot, Taylor embar
USA - Harman Professional Solutions has announced the addition of 14 free live workshops available for registration through the Learning Sessions programme in conjunction with Harman Professional University. Available workshops scheduled for the first two weeks in May feature lighting or audio experts who have extensive industry knowledge and experience working with various touring acts. Topics include Loudspeaker Design for Airports, Festival Lighting Control and The Art of Making Productions Look Larger. More than a dozen Live Workshops conducted and recorded in April are now available at Harman Professional University’s YouTube channel. Workshops include AV Challenges in Esports, Microphone Applications for Stage and Studio and Lighting for Churches. Many more sessions are in production for release in the coming mon
