UK - Pro Media Audio Video Europe, part of the Clair Global Brand Group, has rebranded as Clair Global Integration (CGI), effective immediately. Clair Global entered the European market in 2021, led by industry veteran Eddie Thomas. Keeping the audience experience at the forefront of its delivery in audio systems, network design, AV, network management, and IT comms and infrastructure, CGI in Europe will continue to ‘design and deliver exciting work across spaces that resonate and inspire, in-line with its US operation’. Over the past two years, Thomas and his team have helped to deliver major projects for music venues in London including work at the O2 Arena and Here, the capital’s new flagship live events venue, which is situated within the immersive entertainment district, Outernet. In the professional sports industry, the company has upgraded Burnley’
Taiwan - With offices in Taiwan and Australia, award-winning production house for film and television, Reno Studios, has created Taiwan’s latest pixel pitch virtual production facility. Opened at the end of last year, it is located at the longest-running Taiwanese movie studio, Central Motion Picture Corporation (CMPC). Helping bring clients’ stories to the screen is Brompton Technology LED processing. “In collaboration with partners, Reno Studios provides a one stop service for international shooting projects, with access to essential services such as scenery construction, camera rental, lighting post-production and sound processing,” says Peter Huang, general manager of Reno Studios. Huang knows that image quality is one of the most important elements for virtual production, with LED panels and LED processors fundamentally determining whether image deta
China - Christie has announced that its high-performance 3DLP and 1DLP laser projectors are illuminating a new night-time tourist attraction at the picturesque Jiuge-Shangui scenic area in Zhangjiajie, a prefecture-level city in Hunan Province. Inspired by stories in the Chu Ci poetry anthology by renowned ancient poet Qu Yuan, Jiuge-Shangui integrates the legends of Xiangxi with cultural heritage of the indigenous Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, as well as the natural beauty of Zhangjiajie to deliver a large-scale extravaganza. Live performances staged across the scenic area spanning over 5 square kilometres are lit by close to a dozen Crimson WU31, DWU2022-HS and DWU1612-HS laser projectors supplied and installed by Christie’s trusted partner, Jianye Display. “Jiuge-Shangui night-time spectacular is the first of its kind in the world and
UK - Full-service technical production partner, JLL, has acquired Scruffy Bear Pictures, an independent film company. The acquisition comes hot off the heels of the business’ recent merger announcement. As members of EVCOM, ICE-HUB, Essa, Isla and Albert, the acquisition will enable JLL to further underline commitments to deliver sustainable and by 2030, net zero carbon technical production services to all sectors of the television and events industries. By bringing the Scruffy Bear Pictures team into the JLL fold, their combined skills will ensure the full team can continue to support agencies, studios, and creative teams, as well as innovate and lead the way as the world of corporate events continues to evolve. Phil McMichael, group commercial director at JLL, comments: “The first three months of 2023 have been game-changing for the team here at JLL. The coming
UK - The Christie-sponsored National Film and Television School (NFTS) Most Promising Student Award was recently announced at NFTS’ annual graduate showcase, held at the BFI Southbank. Lisa Kenney, a student in the Directing Animation MA programme, won this year’s award. The showcase screenings took place from 27 February to 2 March, 2023, with Kenney winning the award and trophy for her inspiring work and attitude throughout the year. Robert Bradbrook, head of the Directing Animation MA programme, NFTS commented: “Lisa is a wonderful and caring student who understands that the process of making a film is just as important as the final animation. Not just her journey, but the students that work with her. She always goes out of her way to ensure that the needs of others come first, resulting in a supportive family environment that allows everyone to do their best
Germany – tvONE’s powerful CORIOmaster2 video processor has been installed at the heart of German AV distributor Kern & Stelly Medientechnik’s new showroom in Hamburg, driving a wide variety of displays throughout the space. When Hamburg-based Kern & Stelly moved into its new premises, the team took the opportunity to completely redesign their showroom to showcase AV technical possibilities and configure it for events. The tvONE CORIOmaster2 is now the central video management processor for large and small screens hung around the showroom, including an artwall installation with seven displays. The content ranges from digital signage and demonstration videos to marketing messages and partner information. “The CORIOmaster2 offers endless creative possibilities and helps to present the products of our display partners in an optimal way,” says Mario Mühr
Iceland – The popular Idol TV singing competition burst back onto Icelandic screens recently after a hiatus of more than 10 years, updating its staging and visuals with four LED screen elements which were all driven by Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers. The fifth season’s finale was broadcast live from Reykjavik as contestants battled it out in front of a live audience, judging panel and TV viewers at home. The stage was dominated by an upstage centre Absen PL2.9 LED screen at 2688x1680px, flanked by two LED side walls at 2688x1512px. An additional Absen PL3.9 lite LED floor at 3584x512px completed the video fest, enveloping the set. Icelandic TV technology solutions company Luxor served as production designers for the show, specifying the Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers for video designer Ingi Bekk’s creations. “We used two Boreal+ MK2 servers running as
UK/South Africa - Hall Technologies has expanded its presence and supply chains in EMEA via UK technical solutions distributors, Visualization, as well as Cine AV, in South Africa. Hall has announced a strategic distribution agreement whereby both will have full access to Hall’s range of products covering connectivity and UC. “We’re excited to add such a broad line of class leading products to our distribution portfolio,” states the managing director of CineAV, Tyron Ackerman. “Along with VueAV and our other sister companies, we believe that the market across the countries in which they are active will benefit from both the unique product lines and Hall Technologies' excellent customer services,” says Nick Pidgeon, Visualization’s managing director. Hall Technologies Hal Truax, VP of sales and marketing comments, “We are delighted to announce Vi
USA - Hall Technologies has appointed Steven Pedroza as western regional sales manager. Pedroza has a long AV career supporting projects across a wide range of applications on both the manufacturers and system integration side of the industry. “The West Coast is a key territory for Hall, and we could not be more pleased to have Steven on our team,” says VP of sales and marketing, Hal Truax. “He came highly recommended and is known for being very customer-focused and thorough. Those are key traits we look for on our team.” “I’m extremely excited to join the Hall Technologies team at such a pivotal time in the company’s history, as well as within the AV industry I love so very much. Hall is a perfect fit for me and where I want to be in the industry, working side-by-side with a talented like-minded team that truly wants to help others succeed via technology
UK - The Neutrik Group is exhibiting at this year’s Engineering Solutions Live. The event, taking place on 23 March at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire, encompasses a breadth of engineering design and manufacturing applications, as they relate to ‘fastening and joining’, ‘materials’ and ‘PCB’. The Neutrik Group develops, designs, manufactures and globally distributes innovative electrical and electronic interconnect products and systems, under the Neutrik, Contrik and Rean brands. The group’s product portfolio is used extensively throughout the AV entertainment and installation, media production and broadcast sectors, and in wider industrial applications. Within the portfolio of Neutrik product on display, the Fiberfox series of HMA fibre optic connector systems will be of major interest, bringing multimode fibre connectivity alive, wit
USA - The Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is famous for offering its customers world class entertainment and unforgettable moments. Hosting one of the largest New Year’s Eve parties in the whole of Las Vegas is therefore anything but a standard affair, the goal being to creatively outdo last year’s party each time anew. Julie Palmisano and Keith Floyd have been the creative masterminds of the technical team and have led the charge for many years on the complex production. This year, BC Video Services had the opportunity to support them in designing and executing the highly anticipated 2023 Caesars Entertainment New Year’s Eve party. Brian Crow was invited to the team in order to help them bring their latest creative vision to life, by adding his extensive knowledge and experience of media server technology to the mix. The collaboration led to
Europe - Brompton Technology has recently appointed Oliver Dier as its new technical sales manager. Dier, who has a wealth of experience working with professional AV systems such as camera systems for live events, film, and television, made his first appearance for the company at the ISE Show in Barcelona. Based in Germany, he will be reporting to Dries Vermeulen, Brompton's business development manager for Europe. "Given that Germany is our largest market in continental Europe, hiring someone in the region that speaks the same language seemed the most natural thing to do," says Vermeulen. "As technical sales manager, Oliver will be instrumental in developing and nurturing robust relationships with our customers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, plus other key areas, while also ensuring they are kept informed of the most recent advancements and developments in Brompton's in
UK - At first glance an inconspicuous cuboid venue, Lightroom presents a blank canvas set to host a varied programme of original creative content. The opening show DAVID HOCKNEY: BIGGER & CLOSER (not smaller and further away) is set to be the first in a series of exhibitions, created in collaboration with leading artists and innovators. The Hockney show features a specially created score written by American contemporary composer Nico Muhly and sound design by Olivier and Tony award-winning sound designer Gareth Fry. Lightroom’s sound system is supplied by Berlin-based pro audio company Holoplot’s revolutionary X1 Matrix Array and was installed by Creative Technology. Four and a half years in the making, Lightroom was conceived by award-winning design studio and production company, 59 Productions, and is a joint venture between them and London Theatre Com
Europe - Absen has announced the appointment of Vegard Børresen and Dawid Laskowski business development managers for the Nordic region and Poland respectively. Børresen brings extensive experience in sales and regional development to his role, most recently serving as business development director in the Nordic region for another LED brand. Laskowski brings with him 17+ years of experience in sales, marketing and regional management across the digital print and AV markets. “I am delighted to join Absen and be at the cutting edge of LED technology,” says Børresen, “Absen understand and respects that regional business development has cultural nuances. I am excited to bring my experience and market knowledge to Absen to help reach our goals in this territory.” Ruben Rengel, vice President of global business development comments, “We are deligh
UK - America’s Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace has landed in London, offering fun-seeking skaters an AV-rich, club-like experience. Billed as ‘the world’s best rink’, its West London location is decked out with 10 LED screens, five projectors and 200 Lucenti Tubes, all driven by Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers which were bought by the venue owners. With the original Los Angeles Flipper’s known as ‘Studio 54 on wheels’ due to its disco soundtrack and famous faces, and the more recent New York Rockerfeller Centre revival resetting the party tone, the London incarnation has big shoes to fill. The new two-storey, 34,000sq.ft space is able to welcome 2,500 people per day, and is set up as a live music venue and bar-restaurant in addition to the rink. Rigged around the main skating area are a number of screens, LED walls and projections, enhancing the vi
UK - Growth during the pandemic has left the video community wondering what virtual production will become in the future. Laura Frank wants the next generation to find out. Built on decades of technical production experience, Laura Frank’s book Real-Time Video Content for Virtual Production & Live Entertainment (Routledge publishing) is ‘an attempt to capture history in the making, while drawing a roadmap for those who are learning how real-time video technologies relate in a fast-moving industry’. “This textbook not only reinforces the path many chose to focus on during 2020, but also encourages the variety of the skills acquired for virtual production in other entertainment environments,” says the author. When pressed on who this textbook is for, Laura explains: “A student may find the topic of real-time creative video overwhelming and no
Armenia – The 20th anniversary edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest burst onto screens across the continent featuring a LED screen-laden stage, which displayed a diverse range of visuals driven by Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers. Held at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, the contest saw 16 countries send singing hopefuls aged between 10 and 15 to compete for the crown. Each act featured their own visual backdrops, with individual performers allowed to produce their own content under the ‘spin the magic’ theme. Dominating the impressive stage was a 36m wide and 6m high 11520x2304 pixel 11K LED screen, and the stage itself was made up of a 3200x3200 px LED floor. Flown above the main LED screen was a 4352x512 px LED ring screen, which appeared to emit content out into the audience via LED tubes rigged
UK - Peerless-AV has announced the dates for this year’s AV Showcase at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Back with earlier dates in the AV calendar – 16-17 May 2023 “Now in its third year, we’re pleased to announce our return to Lord’s and new May dates,” said Keith Dutch, managing director – EMEA, Peerless-AV. “Our event attracts professionals and decision-makers not only from the UK AV community but all across Europe; recognising the value of Peerless-AV’s strong partner relations and industry connections and ability to bring all the leading players from the audio, workplace technology, wireless, UC/VC, digital signage, interactive touch and signal management markets together, under one roof. This year we have over 30 leading brands, returning and new, to the exhibition floor and we will have some new features to reveal soon over the two-day schedule.” N
Ghana - Van Damme cables has announced that it has partnered with a new distributor in Ghana to supply its portfolio of products to a strong and varied customer base in West Africa. Audiovisual Systems is a well-established professional sales and integration company that designs, supplies, installs and maintains professional audio visual equipment. Its approach is simple and innovative, with the business providing a variety of training programmes and maintenance to support every installation. The new distribution relationship marks a significant step forward for Van Damme as it starts to ‘reach out to new geographies’. Adam Jafrabadi, export director at VDC comments, “We are really excited about this new collaboration. Van Damme is recognised globally for its innovation and reliability and has a broad range of products to meet customers’ every need and
UK - Midwich and its specialist LED division, PSCo, have announced they have been appointed as LG’s authorised service and repair centre for LED products, delivered through its service department, MiSupport. The enhanced partnership will see Midwich become the official service partner for in- and out-of-warranty repairs in the UK and Ireland, acting on behalf of LG Business Solutions. PSCo, part of the Midwich Group, is already the official distributor and accredited technical and service delivery partner for LG LED across the UK & Ireland. Michael Mclewee, UK & Ireland LED Sales Manager at LG, said, “We partnered with Midwich’s MiSupport because it has enabled us to widen our support coverage and will provide resellers with a clear process for LED product repairs. “As our authorised service centre, channel partners will receive the best pos
Singapore - Orchard Road has added another jewel to its crown in the form of the first and largest Puma flagship store, not just in Singapore, in the whole of Southeast Asia. Puma chose the Lumos LED display system, designed and developed by UK based Esprit Digital, who together with Singaporean integration specialist PAVE, installed Lumos throughout the flagship store. Puma is the latest in a growing list of retail brands to choose the Lumos system, amongst them Adidas, Armani, Harvey Nichols, Virgin and Westfield for their stores and screen networks. Colette Hilton, head of retail at Puma UK/IE comments, “The Singapore flagship project was a really important one for Puma, as it is our largest and highest profile location in Southeast Asia. As part of the overall project, we decided to make digital signage an integral part of our marketing strategy, not only to co
USA – Rapper Pitbull’s Can’t Stop Us Now tour has been zigzagging its way around the US with a backdrop of energetic visuals displayed on three vertical LED screens driven by Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers. Presented by Live Nation, the Cuban-American musician was joined by stars including Iggy Azalea on the tour, which visited states across America and played more than 50 dates. Florida-based YC3 Lighting Design stepped out again with Pitbull for the new tour, delivering creative direction, production design, and lighting and video design. “Pitbull is a great guy to work with, and he trusts us to create a great lighting and video show every time,” says YC3’s Yamil Charif, who has a longstanding working relationship with Pitbull. “Once I have the set list, the script, I start to create and plan the visual content. And when I have a solid idea of the
France - AuviTran has announced that their Audio ToolBox AVB card has received MILAN certification, the first for a bridge device. This ensures compatibility with other AVB/MILAN certified devices and allows users to easily bridge from AVB/MILAN to other audio protocols. Yves Ansade, AuviTran’s founder and CEO, explains “We’ve been offering AVB solutions for some time and we’re very proud to be part of the Avnu Alliance, and to have received MILAN certification. With many users needing to interface MILAN to other protocols, Dante or MADI for example, our Audio ToolBoxes have become a popular solution.” AuviTran’s Audio ToolBox card frames are available in three and seven slot versions and can be loaded with cards for multiple audio protocols. Available cards include AVB/MILAN, Dante/AES67, CobraNet, AES/EBU, EtherSound, ADAT, along with a variety of Analo
Germany - Huelva, Spain-based manufacturer of LED screens Alfalite has supplied its Modularpix Pro VP XR panels with ORIM technology to build a 120sq.m L-shaped LED wall in Plazamedia’s new Extended Reality (XR) studio, which has just been opened near Munich. Plazamedia has been the leading sports TV producer in the German-speaking region since 1976. Its new briX|woRk.studio, located in AGROB Medienpark in Ismaning near Munich, will offer new and diverse application possibilities for innovative and sustainable productions with a combination of XR, AR and VR for film and production companies, broadcasters, advertising companies and event and creative agencies. briX|woRk.studio is one of Germany’s most innovative studios. It combines real set architecture with virtual worlds via the 24m- wide and 5m-high LED wall and can be expanded into a 360° space through augmen
