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Rigging / Staging

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UK - Kinesys' hugely flexible K2 3D automation control system is in action on the Night of The Proms spectacular, currently playing two weeks of sold out shows at Rotterdam's Ahoy arena.

The system is controlling twenty 500kg VariStar motors (with a speed of up to 30 metres a minute) which are moving four large 'shamrocks' - irregular triangular shaped trussing set pieces - dressed with reflective scrims and four bars each rigged with four Vari*Lite 2500 Spots upstage. All these pieces appear to 'float' in and out during the performance - such is the smoothness and accuracy of K2.

The system was specified by lighting and visual designer Geert Vanhout, who first saw it used with Belgian rock superstars Clouseau. It's being supplied by leading Belgian production company EML who are also supplying lighting and sound to the Night of The Proms production.

Three moto

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Denmark - Copenhagen was Stage One's destination when, for the fifth year running, the company was asked to apply its experience and skills to the MTV Europe Music Awards, one of the most prestigious events in the music calendar.

Working for MTV Networks Europe, Stage One built all of the Ray Winkler-designed stage and set elements, along with specific band extras for several of the artists, including Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, P Diddy and Rihanna.

The main stage and performance areas consisted of a 40m diameter, horseshoe shaped stage, along with a 12m diameter central performance area and several presenter islands. All stage areas were clad in over 900sq.m of black mirror gloss laminate, with a three-strip Neo Light detail to the edges.

Providing several unusual access points onto the stage were two time tunnels consisting of structural rings, inserted with Neo Ligh

Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

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UAE - IIR Exhibitions, organiser of the annual PALME Middle East exhibition in Dubai, reports that the success of the 2006 event has led to another surge in expansion for the PALME 2007 event. Initially planning to increase the 2007 event from three to four halls of the DIEC, IIR has now announced its decision to increase the size of the show to five halls.

The main objective of PALME is to allow for manufacturers, suppliers and installers to meet with Middle Eastern buyers and specifiers from a wide range of industries who have a need or requirement for professional sound, light, music, audio-visual and systems integration equipment and solutions. The latest major companies to sign up for PALME 2007 include EVI Audio, Indu Electric, Martin Professional, RCF Spa, Prolyte, Projectiondesign, Audioprof and BG Franck Bichon to name but a few, say IIR.

The 2007 PALME Middle East sh

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UK - Lester Cobrin, recently appointed MD at Bandit Lites, will be marrying Kim Carson this Sunday 3 December, at Langshot Manor in Surrey. Kim and Lester were childhood sweethearts. "We met at the age of five," said Cobrin, "but somehow it didn't work out at the time. Now, after a 28-year hiatus, the time seems right for both of us."

Prior to the wedding, Cobrin will be hosting a stag night at a large West London venue: "All the girls from the Pussy Cat Dolls will be there" he said lasciviously, "and I expect about another 10,000 guests to turn up." Watch the press for announcements.

We wish Lester well.

(Steve Moles)

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Italy - The steering committee of the SILB (Italian Dancehall Owners Syndicate) has formally authorized chairman Renato Giachetto to officially sign an agreement with Rimini Fiera SpA for the SIB biennial international exhibition for event and entertainment technology, which will see the SIB exhibition remain in Rimini for the next 14 years.

Contrary to what was previously reported, following the 2006 event, the next edition of SIB is scheduled to be held at Rimini expo centre from 6-9 April 2008. Rimini Fiera chairman Lorenzo Cagnoni commented: "Yesterday we announced the important agreement with TEN, a network of 50 large companies in this sector (lighting, audio and video, décor and theatre stage equipment and sets, musical instruments, industrial design firms, design studios, training, research) which has officially chosen SIB for developing its members' business

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France - Blackout supplied all rigging and drapes tocover 6,500sq.m of exhibition space at the Paris Expo - Porte deVersailles for the Sapphire '06 conference.

Hosted by SAP, supplier of enterprise software applications and businesssolutions, Sapphire '06 Paris is an International customer conference heldfor three days for decision makers and businesses from more than 25 industriesworldwide.

To host and support the many different elements of the conference, a largeand intricate infrastructure was supplied. Blackout staff were involvedwith not only with the supply of product, but were also on site to helpwith the rigging of the venue, which included 800 rigging points and 6km ofBlackout truss to support over 3,700 lights.

Over two kilometres of drapes were used as well as cyclorama and banners.Blackout allocated, partitioned and dressed each area. Exhibition space wasdressed

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UK - Stage Technologies make the 'hills come alive' in the new production of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, literally moving mountains. In this case it is a 12 tonne automated mountain (26 tonnes including mechanics), one of the focal pieces of scenery in this highly acclaimed production in London's West End.

Stage Technologies worked with set building company Scena to create this scenic piece which is raised and lowered from the grid and also rotates along horizontal axis, all of which is controlled by an Acrobat control console.

As well as beautiful mountain backdrops, the story of the problematic Maria unfolds amidst the stone walls of an abbey and the beautiful Von Trapp family mansion house. Large automated trucks bring the house on stage in four sections. The synchronisation and millimetre positioning of these trucks is vital to bring each piece toget

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USA - JR Clancy's PowerAssist counterweight automation system was awarded both the 2006 Live Design International Product of the Year in the Rigging and Staging category and the ESTA Dealers' Choice Product Award at LDI in Las Vegas.

"This year at LDI we were honoured to receive both awards on top of the extraordinary feedback from attendees on the show floor. We were very happy with the response at the show before Saturday night's awards, but we were really happy on Sunday morning," says Tom Young, vice president of marketing for JR Clancy. "We're particularly pleased by these awards because the LDI award is from judges who are end users and specifiers of the product and the ESTA award is from dealers, who we consider our partners."

The PowerAssist allows the user to automate existing counterweight rigging sets, as well as add motorised rigging to new proj

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UK - The ABTT Theatre Show's organisers - The Association of British Theatre Technicians - have announced that its 29th edition is set to take place in six months time. With space already at a premium, the Show will again fill London's Royal Horticultural Halls to capacity on 13 and 14 June.

In 2006 the record-breaking show boasted a record attendance representing a 5% growth, and packed the venue's three halls to capacity with over 100 exhibiting companies. Over 2400 visitors including theatre and venue managers, technical directors, technicians, technical managers, heads of drama departments, architects, consultants, designers, and building services managers attended.

To maintain this level of growth, the organisers are committed to focussing time and money into an expanded PR and marketing campaign that will raise awareness of the show and have a drive into both the educati

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USA - The ETCP Council has announced the electrical, arena rigging, and theatre rigging examinations will be offered at the USITT Conference and Stage Expo on March 17, 2007 in Phoenix, AZ. Those who pass these tests will become ETCP. Employers have already begun seeing the benefits of ETCP Certification in reduced insurance rates as well as attaining more work because their services are being performed by certified personnel.

If you would like to take the arena rigging, theatre rigging, or electrical examination at USITT, please submit your completed application, including all supporting documents and fee, postmarked on or before 1 February, 2007.

For more information, eligibility requirements or applications, please contact Katie Geraghty, ETCP certification director at the e-mail address below.

If you are unable to attend USITT, you can apply to take an examination at a t

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UK - The Setwear Light Pouch is now in stock and available from UK distributor Le Mark. The Light Pouch is available in five- and two-pocket versions and features a bright LED light built into the flap of the pouch. Made of a superior nylon material to withstand the toughest environments the Entertainment Industry can devise. The LED has a clever built in battery saver that turns off the light every 30 seconds.

A steel belt clip allows you to fast fix the light pouch to any convenient pocket, belt or harness. This allows clear 'close in' illuminated access to tools, say Le Mark.

(Chris Henry)

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Sweden - Wireless Solution Sweden recently had the opportunity to help with a unique large-scale project in their home country. Täby Centrum, Sweden's largest indoor shopping mall, has installed a massive Christmas light show on the façade of the building, sequenced to holiday music. During the four-minute show, which repeats every half hour from 4pm to 8pm nightly, Christmas tree lights chase, Syncrolites sweep over the crowd, and giant Blachiere snowflakes flash to the beat of the popular Trans Siberian Orchestra. The inaugural show kicked off on 4 December, and runs until 26 December.

Stockholm-based Spectra Stage & Event Technologies supplied equipment for the show, which includes 90 Par-64, two Syncrolite B-52, 200 Egg Strobes, 3 Data Flash Strobes, 13 Blachiere Christmas decorations, 3 High End Systems F-100 Fog Generators, 96 flood lights, and 12 Color mixing fluorescen

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UK - Following on from their major installation of acoustic and blackout blinds at the Royal Horticultural Halls (the venue for the annual ABTT show) in Westminster this summer, Triple E has installed 15 permanent Chaintrack drape systems in the venue's Lawrence Hall, enabling the hall to quickly close off its side bay areas and create a simple box style space.

While installing the 56 acoustic roller blinds and three Venetian acoustic banners in the Lawrence Hall, Triple E had also provided a semi-permanent, manual pipe and drape partition system which allowed the staff to mask off the hall's 14 side bays. The drapes, manufactured by J&C Joel, were of reversible, double sided, bonded wool serge, providing the option of black or sand coloured drapes, the latter being dyed, like the acoustic blinds and banners, to colour match the walls.

David Edelstein, managing director of Tri

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Europe - Lighting designer Leggy (Jonathan Armstrong) used a Kinesys motion control system to great effect for the recent Basement Jaxx tour. It was the first time he's used Kinesys and he enthused, "I love it," adding that he will use the system again at the first opportunity.

He designed four upstage/downstage 'claw' trusses as the key architectural elements of the lighting rig, and these moved constantly during the show into different positions, adding depth and dynamics to the overhead stage rig.

Each claw truss - two at 40ft long and two at 38ft - was suspended by five motors - two static Lodestar hoists downstage and three Kinesys vari-speed Liftkets on the upstage hinges, which moved them in and out via a Kinesys Vector control system.

Hung on the claws was the majority of Legg's lighting rig - including five High End Studio Command 1200 fixtures, four X-Spo

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UK - The opening of temporary outdoor ice rinks across the UK were delayed due to the unusually warm November weather (the Met Office states the warmest autumn since 1659). However, Stage Electrics' supplied rinks in Bristol & Gloucester which managed to open on schedule.

Speed of freezing was crucial to the rink Stage Electrics supplied to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, a regional shopping centre on the outskirts of Bristol. The team led by Sam Saltmarsh, installed ice, lighting, sound and structures in less than a week to meet the launch deadline. The rink opened on time and runs until early January.

For the second consecutive year Stage Electrics is working with Gloucester City Council to provide a 475m2 ice rink for the Christmas season. The rink is situated in Kings Square in Gloucester city centre. Paul Greenwood led the team that installed all of the technical elements in

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UK - Wirral based lifting and rigging specialists Lift-Turn-Move has launched an apprentice scheme, and taken on its first new recruit. "We became acutely aware of the engineering skills shortage needed in our specific area of the industry when we were recently trying to recruit a workshop engineer," explains LTM's John Jones.

The company eventually engaged Lee Culff an experienced Lift Engineer, who joined Dave Ward, Alan Wood and Phil Jones in LTM's busy and expanding workshop.

The first apprentice is 17-year-old Phil Newton. "Phil wants to learn, he has a very positive temperament, a good brain and there's always a smile on his face," says Jones. Newton's apprenticeship in 'Electro & Mechanical Engineering' lasts three and a half years, and will be a valid qualification that he can use in other sectors of industry. He works at LTM's Wirral base four days

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USA - Tomcat USA Inc. has shipped a package of equipment to Las Vegas for the Four Wall Entertainment installation of a new entertainment lounge at the Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino.

"Tomcat worked with us to create a completely engineered truss solution that significantly lowered the installation cost," senior project manager of 4Wall West, Buddy Pope, explained. After working on the design for the unique system, it was dubbed the "Spider Grid" because of its appearance. It is made up of dozens of ladder trusses that intersect at various angles, creating a grid over the floor. At all of these intersections, the ladders are joined by a specially-designed universal hub. These hubs also serve as the pick-up points for the system. Brackets were made that will attach to the walls of the venue to terminate the runs of the ladders through the venue.

"

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UK - A.C. Lighting's Northern UK sales manager, Adam Beaumont, has been named Manfrotto Lighting Support Product Manager of the Year 2006.

The award recognises the sales and promotional achievements of the most active dealer for each Manfrotto division and was announced at the company's recent product managers annual meeting in Venice.

The annual meeting is a key opportunity for Manfrotto to meet face to face with its dealers to exchange feedback, review sales performance and market trends, and announce new products coming next year.

Vitec Photographic Div. regional sales manager (E.ME.A.I.) Fabio Prada, who presented the award, says: "Adam has proved to be particularly dedicated to the Manfrotto & Avenger brands and really got behind the launch of some of their key new products this year, such as the Avenger CrossPole, providing a level of dealer promotional support in

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USA - Chart-topping artists from across the recording industry made the 2006 Billboard Music Awards this December's "must see" event in Las Vegas. PRG built the massive stage and supplied the lighting for the show, which was televised live over the Fox network from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"Billboard's awards command attention throughout the music industry," said Jere Harris, chairman and founder of PRG. "They really went all out this year, and we were glad to help them set the stage for these exciting performers."

Designed by production designer Leroy Bennett and art director Anne Brahic, the show's stage measured approximately 160 feet wide by 80 feet deep. The structure, which was fabricated by PRG, was covered with inlaid laminate flooring. The stage also featured a custom-painted performance area and two lighted platforms covered wi

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France - Blackout, alongside ETC Audiovisuel, G-LEC and Lumison won the Most Creative Stand Awardat Heavent 2006. This award was judged by press, events and television professionals at the show that was held between 21 - 23 November, 2006 at the Hippodrome de Longchamp in Paris.

"At Heavent, all individual companies combined their resources to create a large amount of wow factor and enjoyed welcoming many visitors to the stand. All individual companies work together on a regular basis to supply the equipment and know how that supports some of the most creative events in the industry and we are delighted to receive industry recognition," says Dominic Peissel, Gerant at Blackout Paris.

(Chris Henry)

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Norway - Le Mark Group, leading producers of specialist floors we chosen by NRK of Norway to provide 1100sq.m of stage flooring for the recent Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Recognised as the largest annual Norwegian production, the programme will be shown in over 100 countries. Le Mark's 175 micron thick super high gloss black StudioTak was selected.

"StudioTak has an excellent pedigree for this type of production," says Donna Wilson, Le Mark's export project coordinator. "The Scandinavian market is showing strong growth for Le Mark's decorative and performance floors. Clients had the opportunity to see StudioTak in regular use this year as the same super high gloss black was used for the complete series of ITV's Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Take Away."

Wilson continues: "Having recently taken on a new position within Le Mark's Export Sales department, it w

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UK - SPS, one of the UK's largest live event companies, is extending into the IT rental market with the launch in January of its 'Event IT' division. In the build-up to the launch, the company has invested significant financial resource in the latest technology which it believes will enable it to compete aggressively against those currently leading the field.

To head up this new division SPS has appointed Robin Fell from Hamilton Rentals, where he was instrumental in helping develop the company to become the current leader of this sector. Fell will become head of Event IT and will responsible for devising and implementing a sales strategy that will meet the company's considerable sales target assigned for 2007.

Fell is highly well known within this sector, working for Mircorent before moving onto become PC/AV sales team leader at Hamilton Rental.

The new division has been se

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UK - Blackburn-based HSL has purchased a 16-way Kinesys automation system, including 15 1-tonne Liftket vari-speed motors, converted to work with the Kinesys kit and Elevation 1+ hoist controllers, which went straight out on the Snow Patrol pre-Xmas UK arena tour.

Lighting designer Dave Sherwin wanted to move some of his trusses, while video director Blue Leach's design was based on having five differently shaped moving high resolution video screens (supplied by XL Video), so HSL decided it was the right time to buy a system.

"We'd been looking into this for some time," says HSL's technical director Howard Dean. "We explored the options and reckoned that it's the best automation system on the market, so it was really just a question of 'when?'."

Kinesys, complete with its proprietary PC-based Vector software, seemed to be the most flexible and user-friend

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UK - Drapes specialist J&C Joel has completed the installation of a set of motorised acoustic drapes for the new Music School and Concert Hall at Millfield School in Street, Somerset. Millfield is one of the UK's most famous independent schools. Set in the fabulous undulating Somerset countryside overlooking Glastonbury Tor, it's renowned for the sporting achievements of many of its pupils.

The opening of the new Music School and Concert Hall demonstrates Millfield's ongoing commitment to the Arts, and incorporates a 350-seat concert venue, rehearsal areas for all their ensembles, six classrooms, 25 teaching/practice rooms, recording studios and specialist percussion rooms.

J&C Joel was consulted by main contractors Cowlin, who were working directly for DK Architects. The new main performance space has been designed to offer both acoustically correct music or drama performance

  1. SPS introduces Event IT
  2. The British Small Business Champions
  3. PRG supplies Las Vegas' newest concert venue
  4. Stage One at Mercedes-Benz World
  5. London's SmarT New Year
  6. Former De Boer MD joins Arena Group
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