Nexo - Main Banner - June 2024

General

Details
UK - A host of industry experts, including Tower of London Poppies theatre designer Tom Piper and Episodes actress Tamsin Greig, attended the 2015 Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance Graduate Exhibition and New Writing Season at the Bargehouse on London's South Bank from 10-14 June.

The exhibition, which attracted over 100 visitors, included work by upcoming graduates from the School of Design Management and Theatre Arts (DMTA), including Costume Production, Creative Lighting Control, Lighting Design, Performance Sound, Scenic Arts, Theatre Design and Stage Management.

In addition to the Graduate Exhibition, DMTA students collaborated with BA (Hons) Acting and BA (Hons) Actor Musicianship students to present the college's New Writing Season of three plays in association with The Bush Theatre, Theatre 503 and Theatre Ad Infinitum.

Professor Michael Earley,

Details
UK - When 25 industry companies came together at Sandown Park on 17th June to raise money for industry charity, Behind the Scenes UK, at their annual karting day, leading crewing company Showforce was only too happy to submit a team and lend their support. Other companies competing included: White Light, Stage Electrics, Wonder Works, Brilliant Stages, DiGiCo and Crewsaders.

The karting day saw 25 teams of up to 6 drivers race for 3 hours on an open air course with organisers promoting a competitive atmosphere of skulduggery, out-manoeuvring and general all out 'race to win' attitude. There was also a Formula One style pit stop challenge where the team quickest to change their tyres could claim bragging rights off the track as well as on it! With a BBQ and lots of opportunities to network with clients, catch up with old friends and take part in raffles and stalls to assist with

Nexo - Main Banner - June 2024

Details
UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd. is hosting a two-day charity cycle ride between its High Wycombe and Leeds sales offices on 18th - 19th July 2015, to raise money in remembrance of a beloved colleague, the late Kevin Fitz-Simons.

Kevin held an important senior role as Northern Lighting Sales Manager in AC-ET's Leeds office. He was an extremely well liked and respected colleague, and a larger than life character. During his diverse career spanning over 30 years, Kevin built up an incredible number of customer relationships and friendships. He sadly passed away on 31st December 2013, aged 53.

This event - known as the 'Fitz-Simons Challenge' - is being organised by Stuart Burdett, Technical Sales Executive for AC-ET's Video product division. It will raise funds for two great charities which would have met with Kevin's approval, and aims to secure a minimum of &p

Details
UK - This year's First Night Riders charity motorbike and classic car tour of British theatres, which raises money for The Theatrical Guild's (TTG) vital work, takes to the roads on Friday 3 July.

This year marks the sixth year that some of the theatre industry's biggest movers and shakers zoom together for a weekend aimed at raising awareness and much-needed funds to help TTG support Backstage and FOH staff in need. Established in 1891, TTG is dedicated to looking after theatre personnel who, due to a variety of circumstances need welfare advice, counselling, educational sponsorship and many other forms of help.

The charity has many supporters in the industry, including Dara O'Briain who is also a Trustee of The Theatres Trust.

Taking place from 3-6 July, this year's route starts in Scarborough and visits the Spa Theatre & Grand Hall and The Stephen Joseph Theatre. Over the

Details
UK - This year's First Night Riders charity motorbike and classic car tour of British theatres, which raises money for The Theatrical Guild's (TTG) vital work, takes to the roads on Friday 3rd July.

This year marks the sixth year that some of the theatre industry's biggest movers and shakers zoom together for a weekend aimed at raising awareness and much-needed funds to help TTG support Backstage and FOH staff in need. Established in 1891, TTG is dedicated to looking after theatre personnel who, due to a variety of circumstances need welfare advice, counselling, educational sponsorship and many other forms of help.

The charity has many supporters in the industry, including Dara O'Briain who is also a Trustee of The Theatres Trust.

Taking place between 3rd and 6th July, this year's route starts in Scarborough and visits the Spa Theatre & Grand Hall and The Stephen Joseph Thea

Details
Fair Pay - Apple Music reversed its payment policy, a day after the singer Taylor Swift said she was refusing to allow the company to stream her album 1989. In an open letter to Apple, Swift said she was withholding the record as she was unhappy with the three-month free trial offered to subscribers. Now Apple says it will pay artists for music streamed during trial periods. Swift had said the plan was "unfair", arguing Apple had the money to cover the cost. "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company. "We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."

Olympic Achievement - The International Olympic Committee will receive an award at IBC2015 for its work on conserving and managing its audiovisual archives. The awar

Details
France - Theatre Projects opened its new Paris office last Thursday 18 June at the Passage de Retz, the art gallery located at the entrance of Theatre Project new studios. Guests from the Parisian cultural and architectural scene attended.

The new studio in Le Marais District of Paris is also the base for two respected acoustic designers who have joined Theatre Projects Paris.

Seb Jouan Victoria and Chavez Thielemann will work with the rest of Theatre Projects' consultants on theatre design projects internationally. They will also provide standalone acoustic design services to architects designing sophisticated performance and entertainment spaces.

They are already working on several projects including the new Yves Saint-Laurent museum in Marrakech, the new Abu Dhabi District Lyric Theatre, the Weltmuseum in Vienna, The Casino de Paris and Folies Bergères in Paris, the next

Details
Middle East - When the latest Disney On Ice production Princesses & Heroes was brought to the Middle East by Sports & Entertainment Solutions FZ LLC this May and June, Showforce were on hand to provide the full spectrum of staffing solutions including stage crew, skilled technicians, logistical personnel, demonstrators, follow spot operators and event staff.

The first part of the tour took place at the Qatar National Convention Centre from 27-30 May before moving to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 10-13 June.

An experienced Showforce team of stage crew led by a crew manager assisted with all aspects of the production.

During show days almost one hundred of Showforce's event staff were on-hand to help front of house, from selling tickets and merchandising to VIP hostesses and ushers guiding guests to their seats.

Ali Haidary, founder & CEO of Sports & Entertainment

Details
UK - This year's ABTT Exhibition saw Lift Turn Move Ltd (LTM) introduce its new Entertainment Sales Manager, Alex Cowan to its Entertainment customers.

Alex has worked in the industry for 15-plus years, he previously worked for City Theatrical as European Sales Manager and James Thomas amongst others. He brings his considerable knowledge in this specialist area to LTM as well as a new outlook and plenty of enthusiasm.

Alex comments: "Having known John Jones and David King for a long time I was aware of the respect that they and LTM have in the industry, l didn't have to think twice when the opportunity arose to come and work with LTM. The first day everybody made me feel so welcome, and immediately made to feel part of the team. I am excited to work for a company where their customers are treated so well."

"It is a pleasure offering the range of hoist's that L

Details
China - Flexibility and reliability topped the list of requirements when systems supply and integration specialist EZPro International was engaged to design an advanced audio processing system for a popular indoor children's theme park in China's Heilongjiang Province. Located in Lesong Plaza in Harbin, Songsong Town was developed by Thinkwell Group and incorporates a host of attractions alongside relaxation areas, educational spaces, catering and entertainment.

A long-time Symetrix DSP user, EZPro was aware that products from the highly scalable SymNet range would be able to handle audio processing duties across two expansive floors. Taking advantage of the SymNet devices' ability to support robust, Audinate Dante media networking, the resulting design covers no fewer than 11 sound reinforcement zones and specific tasks including: performances on two compact stages; background

Details
UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians 2015 Theatre Awards took place on 24 June alongside the Stage Management Association's National Awards, after the first day of the ABTT Theatre Show in its new London home, Alexandra Palace.

The experienced jury for the ABTT Awards, comprising of working practitioners and industry peers, judged nominations meeting the entry criteria that had been previously submitted or which were brought to their attention on the day.

Commenting on the event, ABTT CEO Robin Townley said, "The Awards ceremony held in the Londesborough Room was a great event to round off the first day of the ABTT Theatre Show.

"Held at Alexandra Palace for the first time, the ABTT Theatre Show was very pleased to host the presentation of both the ABTT Theatre Awards and the SMA National Stage Management Awards.

"A great atmosphere in the Lon

Details
Off The Beach - Brian Wilson has cancelled his UK tour in September to focus on promoting a new movie about his life which has become an "overwhelming success". The former Beach Boy was due to play a series of shows in support of his current album No Pier Pressure. But due to the success of biopic Love And Mercy, starring Paul Dano and John Cusack, Wilson is postponing the tour to support the movie. He also announced next year will be his last ever tour in Europe: "I'm sorry I won't be able to make these shows this year, but I look forward to seeing all my fans in 2016 to help me celebrate 50 years of Pet Sounds. This will be my final European tour.

Thriller Tour - Thriller Live will embark on a UK tour in October, as the West End production of the show undergoes a creative overhaul. The London run of the Michael Jackson producti

Details
UK - Secret Cinema reveals that the first Secret Cinema X event, which took place on 28-29 June, hosted two special preview screenings of Asif Kapadia's documentary Amy, which will be released in cinemas 3 July 2015..

Secret Cinema X will bring to life cult classics and exclusive previews in extraordinary locations worldwide. Acting in partnership with Secret Cinema it will unite Secret Screenings and The Other Cinema, whilst creating a new distribution platform for film.

The sold out event brought Kapadia's Amy to life whilst honouring an extraordinary artist through transforming Camden's Koko into the Jazz nightclub Round Midnight, taken from Amy's favourite track by Thelonious Monk and inspired by the late singer's idols, music and collaborators. Director Asif Kapadia and Amy's manager Nick Shymansky joined forces on stage to honour this extraordinary occasion

Details
UK - The summer is finally here and to mark the fact Britannia Row Productions Training - now in its new home in Twickenham - is offering a specially discounted summer training package for all those wanting to pursue a career in live audio, and learn from the professionals.

Anyone who books now for the July Live Sound Basic 2-day PA Course and then also takes one of the two 15-week part-time courses beginning in September, will receive a discount from the September fees - effectively making the Basic Course free, the company says.

For full details and t&c's of the offer, contact Britannia Row Productions Training on 0208 893 4997 or email info@training.britanniarow.com.

(Lee Baldock)

Details
UK - The University of Derby's College of Engineering has partnered with Cloudbass Limited to launch a new undergraduate degree in Broadcast Engineering and Live Event Technology.

The University of Derby is the first UK University to partner with Cloudbass Limited.

Based in the East Midlands, outside broadcast specialist Cloudbass Limited provided filming facilities and crew for the 2012 London Olympics. Previous and current clients include the BBC, BBC Sport, Eurosport and Sky Sports.

The BSc (Hons) Broadcast Engineering and Live Event Technology will start in September 2016. The three year course will prepare aspiring engineers for a career in broadcast engineering and live event technology by teaching them broadcast and engineering techniques, and developing their knowledge of sound technology, analogue and digital electronics.

The course will be taught at the Universit

Details
UK - The renowned PLASA Professional Development Programme will once again bring global experts together to share their insight and experience at the 2015 PLASA Show, which takes place at London's ExCel from 4-6 October. The first tranche of seminar sessions has just been announced, featuring a wide range of fascinating and thought-provoking subjects.

One of the PLASA Show's new initiatives for 2015 is a sector-specific zoned layout, which will make navigation around the show easier than in previous years. The show's seminars feature a similarly zoned theme, with sector-specific stages hosting over 150 speakers throughout the three days, highlighting case studies and advice on Lighting, AV, Audio, Broadcast and Staging.

The first 16 sessions have subjects ranging from high profile productions and technical best practice

Details
The Glastonbury Effect - Lionel Richie says he has Glastonbury to thank for bagging his first number one album in the charts in more than two decades. The veteran saw The Definitive Collection By Lionel Richie & The Commodores hit the top spot. The album only reached number 10 when it was released back in 2003, but jumped up 103 places following his widely praised performance at Worthy Farm. It is the 66-year-old's first UK number one album since Back To Front 23 years ago. "I was overwhelmed performing at Glastonbury in front of all those people and for the fans to make the album number one is unbelievable," he said.

Live and Licking - The Grateful Dead have given what they say will be their last group performance in front of 70,000 fans, some in tears, in Chicago.The four surviving members of the band ended their 50-year run this weekend with thr

Details
Europe - One of the industry's brightest lights dimmed on Thursday, when Fulvio Cotogni, ETC's regional manager for Southern Europe and the Middle East, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.

A funeral for Cotogni was held on Saturday, where friends and family had the opportunity to share memories of him. ETC CEO Fred Foster gave a eulogy in which he noted, "I am incredibly honoured to have known Fulvio for a couple of decades, and to have been his colleague for much of that time. My wife, Susan, refers to Fulvio as an 'ancient soul', not because he was old, but because he had the wisdom and patience of the ages. It was in his eyes, it was in his rich voice and in his wry smile. Fulvio has taught us all more than we even realise."

Cotogni was known for his immense personality, sense of humour and infectious laugh. He began his career in lighting when he w

Details
UK - ShowTex, a worldwide leader in inventing, manufacturing, selling, and installing flame retardant curtain fabrics, tracks, and motion control systems is the newest Behind the Scenes Pledge-a-Product Partner. ShowTex has pledged a percentage of the profits from sales of the GiantMirror to support the charity.

GiantMirror is an innovative product that provides an easy to use, excellent quality, and versatile alternative to glass mirrors. The oversized lightweight mirrors with virtually invisible joints offer near perfect clarity and reflection. Use transparent GiantMirror to create hologram special effects and make objects appear and disappear.

Raf Peeters, project manager at ShowTex stated, "ShowTex believes our industry exists by the grace of a lot of hard working and passionate entertainment technology professionals. Without them our business would not be the same, s

Details
UK - The team at Daktronics have been determined to direct their power as a collective towards raising money for charity. The hard-wired crew will represent the company by taking part in the Morrisons Great Newham London Run, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Sunday, 19 July 2015.

The eleven-strong team is comprised of six Daktronics' UK employees and the support of five family members. The money they raise will be donated to Paul's Place (paulsplace.org.uk), a Bristol-based charity that supports and facilitates physically disabled adults.

The team is closely aligned with the site of the run, as the route takes in all the iconic London 2012 Olympic Games legacy venues, including the Lee Valley VeloPark into which Daktronics has installed four Daktronics LED video displays, each measuring 18.10sq.m , in preparation for the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

The disp

Details
Time Flies - Live Aid was staged 30 years ago yesterday. On 13 July 1985, 75 different acts performed live for about 170,000 people in London and Philadelphia. An estimated 1.5 billion people in 110 countries watched it via a live television stream from 13 satellites. More than 40 nations also held telethons for African famine relief during the broadcast.

In our current digital age, these numbers may seem quaint, but in 1985, there was no World Wide Web, no email, no live blogging and no Twitter. Most people still listened to music by listening to the radio or playing vinyl records and cassette tapes; compact discs only became widely available this same year.

The event was a spectacular success, though not without its problems. Satellite links between London and Philadelphia failed several times. But in an ultimate triumph of technology and good will, the event raised more tha

Details
UK - The Theatres Trust, the National Advisory Public Body for Theatres has announced the appointment of Claire Appleby as the Trust's new architecture adviser to provide expert advice on the architecture, design and heritage conservation of theatre buildings.

Claire will deliver high quality theatre building architecture, design and heritage conservation advice to theatre owners, operators and developers, members of the public, and local authorities. Her role involves advising on theatre-related capital redevelopments, refurbishments, restoration and rebuilding projects, providing one-to-one advice, and delivery of the Trust's Advisory Review with the advisory team.

As architecture adviser, Claire will also have a lead role in co-ordinating and advising on work to secure theatres at risk, in association with our Theatres Adviser.

Director Mhora Samuel, said, "I am deli

Details
Czech Republic - Backstage Academy's BA Visual Production students have triumphed on production for The Society of British Theatre Designers' Make/Believe showcase at the Prague Quadrennial, where they created an immersive environmental projection mapping of a room in the Clam-Gallasuv Palác and won the Special PQ Jury Award.

"This has been a great collaborative process with creative and technical dialogue between professional designers, students and projection mapping experts. We are seeing the work in a completely new way," remarked Make/Believe curator Kate Burnett.

The Special PQ Jury Award, judged by a team of top international directors and designers, recognises "the richness and diversity of an exhibition that shows high quality work from across the spectrum of contemporary performance design - in a variety of venues, and embracing space, light, media an

Details
USA - The Behind the Scenes Happy Hour, hosted by PLASA will go on sale to the public on 15 July, 2015. The biggest pre-LDI party of the year will take place on Thursday, 22 October, from 6pm-8pm at the Westgate Las Vegas. Tickets are $60 each and includes an open bar, hors d'oeuvres and music and all proceeds go to benefit the Behind the Scenes charity, the only industry charity that provides grants to ill or injured entertainment technician professionals. Following the success of the Behind the Scenes Happy Hour last year, tickets are expected to sell quickly.

Starting 15 July, tickets can be purchased online: http://behindthescenescharity.org/btshh. They can also be ordered through your LDI registration once available.

Current sponsors for the Behind the Scenes Happy Hour include: Altman Lighting (Executive), Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. (Platinum), Ultratec (Platinum), Hea

  1. Perfect Storm offers weather safety advice
  2. The Week in Lighting & Sound
  3. New responsive website for Stardraw.com
  4. Industry mourns Dave Cartwright
  5. PLASA Show reveals first details of seminar content for 2015
  6. Current RMS integrates with QB Online
Page 231 of 237
Robe - Large MPU
GLP - MPU - May-June 2024

Latest Issue. . .