Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

Although the show attracted fewer visitors than last year, following a quiet - and gloriously sunny - Sunday, numbers picked up again for Monday and Tuesday, and after an unusually busy final day the overall visitor attendance reached 11, 500 (subject to ABC audit). Despite anecdotal reports of reduced international turnout, the overseas attendance was in fact a robust 25% of the total footfall, compared with 26% in 2011. The overall response from exhibitors, however, was vintage PLASA - excellent quality visitors and good levels of business - plus a strong sense of the buzz returning to

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14 March 2016

In addition to the latest ideas from Penn Elcom, the newest products from Pro Audio Stash, Rackz and CLD Distribution all attracted interest over the four day show.

Penn Elcom chairman Roger Willems states, "It was a good opportunity to meet many of our existing customers from the UK as well as make some new contacts."

The integrated stand also highlighted Penn's quality metalworking and manufacturing capabilities in the UK, and how this and other synergies help fuel the development of innovative and cost-efficient product lines across the sister companies.

"Overall this enables us to offer a very 'joined-up' range of complimentary products," confirms Wille

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14 March 2016

Le Mark's technical flooring manager Dave Cartwright said, "The progress Le mark has made over the last few years is phenomenal. Originally supplying floors to professional TV & Film studios, Le Mark has steadily grown and developed its range into what has now become one of the UK's most trusted brands in the professional dance industry too.

"With the honour of being selected to provide the flooring for the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics, new installation contracts for some of the UK's largest dance venues and record levels of interest for our new Woodland Spring sprung floors

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14 March 2016

For over 30 years, MDG has created fog and haze generators for entertainment, industrial, firefighting and military customers. Based in Montreal in Canada, the company's philosophy is to develop and produce the best generators on the market.

"We chose ULA Group as our distributors because their degree of dedication to our industry matches MDG's own," says Martin Michaud, president & CEO of MDG. "Coupled with ULA's unsurpassed knowledge of the Australian market, we believe this to be a very exciting, effective combination."

ULA Group marked the new appointment by introducing the MDG fog generators during Entech Connect show in Melbourne (18 - 19 July 2012), where they received positive feedback from visitors.

The MDG machines are well respected and

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14 March 2016

"A tape with such diversity allows us to carry one roll for everything rather than a stock pile of hundreds, it's marvellously sticky and the perfect tape to carry when on tour" Says Richard Linford, associate producer & general manager for the tour.

Le Mark's Sharon Marshall adds, "I've grown up hearing David Essex songs, it's so strange to be supplying our products to a childhood icon. If you read this David - I'd love some tickets."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Triple E's managing director David Edelstein, who formed the company in 1984 to supply the entertainment industry with mechanical products to aid the assembly and construction of stage scenery, unveiled SDRIVE, a track mounted motor for moving stage curtains, on Monday 24 September.

And in a generous offer, Triple E presented the King's Theatre, which is relying on the kindness of volunteers and businesses to help restore it to famed architect Frank Matcham's original vision, with the motor. The theatre is now the first in the UK to have the system installed.

"SDRIVE is the result of demand from the industry and our distributors for a budget motor aimed at smaller

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14 March 2016

The month-long ballot will decide places on PLASA's European and North American Regional Boards, together with a single seat on its over-arching Governing Body.

The role of the Regional Boards is to represent the interests of members affiliated to those regions, ensuring that PLASA offers strong on the ground support to members. Both the North American and European Regional Boards are looking to fill a number of places for 2013.

For the European Regional Board, Martin Hawthorn of Hawthorn's has put his name forward for a second term as Treasurer, Chris Parry-Jones of Gallowglass and Mark Surtees (incumbent) of Outback Rigging have put their names forward to represent Production Services members, Gerry Francke of Creative Technology and Noreen O'Riordan of Entec So

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14 March 2016

The VIGIL voice alarm system was activated, triggering pre-recorded messages to inform and guide the crowds. The systems emergency and fire microphones were used to broadcast live information ensuring everyone was up-to-date with the situation and how they should react.

Dave Unsworth, Northern sales person for Baldwin Boxall, was at the event and, seated in the control room, had a full view of the unfolding exercise and reports, " I took part in a staged major disaster at the Etihad Stadium home of Manchester City FC and can report that the

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14 March 2016

The Academy took many enquiries for its Foundation Degree in Live Events Production, for which there are still places for this November. It also had a lot of interest from overseas companies wanting training delivered in their home country.

Said sales & business development manager Sara Gleadhall, "What was surprising this year was the number of enquiries we had from companies and professionals abroad who are desperate for us to take our training overseas.

"We are currently looking at developing packages of training in essential backstage skills and certificates to deliver in foreign countries."

The Academy launched a student competition to win a week's work experience on the set build of a major

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14 March 2016

Released amid celebrations at Prolight+Sound, Frankfurt in March, theFAN is a digital, fully DMX/RDM operated stand-alone unit. Its appearance at LDI 2012 will mark theFAN's first showing in the USA.

theFAN has a very low power consumption of only 100W so benefits from very economical running costs. Nor is it channel hungry: the velocity of its three-bladed rotor is controlled via DMX (1 channel) or RDM, or locally using a discreet 4-button controller with LSC panel on the base of the unit.

A surge-protected, universal switching power supply covers the full range of 100V - 240V, 50/60Hz ensuring theFAN can be used anywhere in the world at the flick of a switch.

Also on the LDI stand will be the latest version of MDG's revolutionary dual mode Digital Atmospheric Generator, T

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14 March 2016

Clancy has partnered with Niscon, Inc., creators of the Raynok Motion Control System, to develop the SceneControl 5000 Stage Automation Control System. SceneControl 5000 brings unprecedented capability and flexibility to Clancy's bestselling SceneControl brand.

SceneControl 5000 answers the call for a single common control platform across the multitude of stage machinery found in many venues. The SC5000 system offers multi-level cueing, sub-master control, free and locked groups, and unlimited numbers of axes in a system. There are no restrictions on the quantity of cues in a performance, o

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14 March 2016

TheatreCraft is open to anyone between the ages of 17 and 25 and provides a unique glimpse into the behind the scenes world of theatre - from stage management to wig-making, lighting to marketing and writing to designing.

PLASA Skills will be present at the event to give young people advice about getting the skills and experience they need to give them a head start towards an enjoyable career in theatre.

PLASA Members are welcome to promote their own work experience initiatives through the PLASA Skills stand. Anyone interested in this opportunity should email Michele Enright with details.

(Claire Beeson)

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14 March 2016

Stage Technologies provided control for the band's existing winch system including: 10 AU:tour control racks, a 60 axis system, plus new motor looms racks, desks and programming tools. Each pod in the system contains 4 point hoist winches each lifting a corner of the screen. Each is able to rotate to create multi-dimensional movement within the screens.

Stage

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14 March 2016

Triple E's Managing Director David Edelstein will unleash SDRIVE, a track mounted motor for moving stage curtains, for the first time outside of Britain at the annual LDI show on the Rose Brand booth number 1029, 19-21 October 2012 at Las Vegas Convention Centre.

The American launch follows a hugely successful UK premiere of SDRIVE at Portsmouth's magical King's Theatre in September.

"SDRIVE is the result of demand from the industry and our distributors for a budget motor aimed at smaller venues," says Edelstein. "It's easy to specify and easy to install, and is designed to motorise both straight and curved systems and will be available off the shelf."

It's thought the SDRIVE,

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14 March 2016

In order to celebrate the achievement the Total Structures LDI booth (number 126) will have a celebratory theme throughout the show and they will also be personally acknowledging the 'Top 21' customers who have helped them establish their market leading position during that time.

Making his LDI debut for Total Structures will be Eastern sales executive Don Halchak, who joined the company from Mountain Productions earlier this year. Halchak is based in Wilkes Barre, PA and supports all of Total Structure's north eastern customers as well as developing their growing sales of Columbus McKinnon and associated lifting products.

As well as exhibiting at the Las Vegas Convention Centre event Total Structures are also holding an outdoor str

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14 March 2016

The new slim-line rigger's tool pouch offers six inner pockets secured with a full width drawstring netting and hook & loop closure flap. Manufactured using extremely durable, high quality nylon, providing outstanding flexibility and durability.

The Rigger's Tool Pouch comes complete with three D-ring attachments for easy linking of accessories and a long-handle screwdriver opening on left side pocket.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

XLNT CyberHoist II is specifically designed for heavy-duty, world-wide touring and large-scale events. XLNT CyberHoist II allows a show designer to create precise, complex 2D and 3D movements at variable speed (1.5 ft/sec.), with multiple actuators in single, group or subgroup formations. Extra creative power and convenience are enabled by combining products within the XLNT CyberMotion family. Features include a compact all-in-one design including motion processor; world-wide multi-voltage power supply (200-440V (+/- 10%) / 50/60HZ), absolute positioning (0.1 mm), elevated duty cycle (60%) for fast lifting of heavy loads and network controlled E-stop and Dead Man's Handle without additional cabling.

The versatile XLNT C-

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14 March 2016

Comperes, comedian and F1 specialist Danny Hornigold partnered with car expert and BBC commentator Andrew Coley to ensure everyone was well informed and enjoyed the fun. Pro freestyle skateboarders Kilian Martin and Alfredo Urbon impressed the crowd dazzling with their skills on the Fun Fortwo, the world's first-ever tandem skateboard and foot-tapping artists Threepenny Bit and beatboxer champion Jack Hobbs AKA "Hobbit" added an eclectic soundtrack to keep the fun and light-hear

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14 March 2016

High density knuckle padding and finger guards to protect against impact, combined with micro-perforated inner fingers help to keep fingers cool even in the toughest of environments.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Having made a name for itself in its first year, the PLASA Focus series is committed to providing live production professionals that can't attend national shows with a chance to check out new technologies in their own backyard.

The events are the first chance for many entertainment tech communities to meet at a dedicated event for their area. Each event showcases the very latest pro audio, lighting, AV and stage technologies, much of the gear making its U.S debut, fresh from international launches.

CEO

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14 March 2016

Dirty Rigger's product manager Steve Marshall says, "The cold weather gloves were outstanding. This is the first time I have personally used them in such a cold and demanding condition and they did not disappoint. The Thinsulate 40gram lining gave an excellent combination of insulation and dexterity, allowing me to get a good feel for the activities we were undertaking.

"There was little impact felt in my hands from the cold, even though at times they were working in direct contact with the freezing snow."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Le Maitre's HazeMaster has been engineered to withstand the rigours of the road when on tour.

Le Maitre have taken all their experience from HazeMaster's predecessors, the renowned Stadium Hazer and the MVS Hazer, and designed a completely new machine with a host of new features and benefits. Le Maitre's acquired knowledge and original investments have enabled them to produce a much more competitively priced unit, despite using higher quality, longer lasting parts, says the company.

The combination of an industrial grade air-pump, a two-stage heating process and a microprocessor controller, produce an output so powerful that the HazeMaster can convert up to 500cc of fluid per hour. Despite the huge output, the high efficiency design results in the power consumption of the HazeMaster being just 800W - less than hal

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14 March 2016

Arena's TFS structure will become the primary venue for Londonderry, extending its venue capabilities and enabling the city to host the UK City of Culture for 2013, which will present a celebration of Londonderry's culture to local and international audiences through a series of high profile cultural events. Arena's semi-permanent venue that is being built now will remain on the specially cleared, former army base for the entire year.

Without an existing venue large enough to host the variety of events planned throughout the year, Arena was approached by the Department for Social Development and Ilex, the Strategic Investment Board and Central Procurement Directo

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14 March 2016

Mojo Barriers Australia officially opened doors on 2 October, and the operation is already in full swing for the start of the Australian event season. The main office and storage premises are based in Sydney and will house over 1,500m of stock, with additional barriers located across other major cities to allow for the most efficient and cost effective service.

Since the crowd safety product was first introduced to Australia in 2002, Mojo Barriers has firmly established a leading positioning the market, supplying events including Big Day Out, Soundwave and Future Music Festival via local partners. Now, in response to client demand, Mojo Barriers has b