UK - LED screen, drapes and special FX specialist S+H Technical Support supplied a full Pea-light starcloth wrap as specified by designer Patrick Doherty for the new Bigheads TV series, a Primal Media production for ITV, recorded in the George Lucas 2 studio at Elstree in Hertfordshire, UK.
The show, presented by Jason Manford, follows in the footsteps of popular series Its A Knock Out, a slightly bonkers comedy games show first broadcast in 1966 which ran until the 1990s, and legendary puppet show, Spitting Image, known for its razor sharp wit and political satire.
Patrick wanted a neat and interesting finish to the studio, so decided on the more modern application of a vintage starcloth effect.
S+H “were brilliant” he comments. The Devon based company has supplied soft goods including starcloths, pea-light drapes and special FX for many

Europe - The Weeknd embarked on the first phase of his Starboy Legend of the Fall world tour in February. The Canadian musician kicked off the 46 date tour in Sweden and will stop off in some of Europe's biggest cities. The tour supports his latest studio album Starboy which sees the singer collaborate with the likes of Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey and Kendrick Lamar.
The tour's production manager Robert DeCeglio brought rigging company THiNC Worldwide on board to handle the rigging elements of the tour. Head rigger Chris Wilson specified the BroadWeigh system which consists of 46 active BW-S325 load cells. He explained: “A significant portion of the Starboy tour system is suspended over the audience with a dynamic load. We knew very early that having the load cells and monitoring the loads daily was going to be very important to maintain the safety of the audience, band

UK - Kevin Thorborn has been promoted director of Mojo Barriers UK, following his role as UK manager for the past 17 years.
Having started at Mojo Barriers in 2000 Kevin has managed the provision of stage and crowd safety barriers to over 1,000 festivals, from their local Medway Castle Concerts to Glastonbury Festival. His diverse experience spans venues from student unions to the O2 Arena, supplying concerts and European tours, which this year have included Bruno Mars, film premieres, award shows such as the Brit Awards, major public and sporting events and he has even supplied police forces in riot situations.
Mojo Barriers CEO Alex Borger states: “We are delighted at Kevin’s progression since joining Mojo, particularly over the past two years when he has delivered consistently impressive results and expanded the UK business. I am sure this promotion to UK direct


World Fringe Day - Edinburgh Festival Fringe is uniting with other international arts festivals to launch World Fringe Day in July. The event, which will take place on 11 July, is supported by £100,000 from the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo70 fund. It will bring together more 200 different fringe festivals from around the world, according to its organisers.
The aim is to reflect on the collective power and worldwide reach of the fringe movement. Participants and audiences are invited to take part on the day "by sharing their love for all things fringe" on social media. Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "This is an incredible opportunity for fringe organisers, venues, participants and audiences to take part in a truly international celebration of creativity that will transcend national boundaries, demons

UK - Between the 15th - 19th August 2017, four very brave employees from Crewsaders will attempt to swim the English Channel to raise funds for Backup.
Kieren Stephens, Matt Tector, Jon Selwyn and Will Nutbeen will swim in a relay with each one of them taking one hour long stints in the water. The 21 mile wide channel is the busiest shipping lane in the world, but the team will also have to contend with very cold water, shoals of jellyfish and diesel fumes from the pilot vessel that will accompany them.
The team have collectively worked in the events industry for close to 40 years, and decided that it was time to give something back to the industry they love. They are currently undergoing a rigorous training regime to build strength, endurance, long distance swimming techniques and tolerance to the cold.
To find out more and to sponsor the team,

UK - Event professional Scott Rooney-Ashby has joined Hawthorn as account director to support the development of new and existing business for the company’s live event technical production service.
Formerly head of account management at mclcreate, Scott’s 20-year career has taken him through various roles from a technical project manager through to his current role as account director at Hawthorn. Clients he has worked with include: Royal Mail, JTI (Japan Tobacco International), RBS, Network Rail and the Olympic Delivery Authority.
Scott said: “I’m thrilled to have joined the Hawthorn team at such an exciting time for the company, which has seen eye-catching growth over recent years. It’s clear over the short time I’ve been with the business that I’ll be working with a team of talented, experienced and dedicated technical event professionals and I’m ve

Germany - J&C Joel demonstrated they were the ringleader of fabrics when they showcased their big top circus tent stand at Prolight + Sound Frankfurt.
The tradeshow stand was inspired by the Madagascar themed circus tent the company created at Motiongate Dubai, a theme park within Dubai Parks and Resorts.
As visitors rolled up to the stand they were transported to a circus complete with a red and blue Deko Molton big top, sand effect digitally printed Joelmat flooring, an 8m by 4m seamless canvas digitally printed with a big top tent and popcorn for everyone to enjoy.
People were also able to view an impressive black and silver Reefer String drape, a seamless projection screen with video content about the company’s recent work and a variety of tracks.
The company also continued their successful partnership with Backstage Academy which saw their stude

UK - The Broadsword Production Group has been awarded a contract by Royal Museums Greenwich as a production supplier. Based in the heart of Greenwich, the sites are suitable for large gala dinners and awards ceremonies, inspiring daytime conferencing, epic product launches and intimate private dining.
The five historic venues include the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House, the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the Peter Harrison Planetarium and Cutty Sark.
Broadsword has a flair for the theatrical and are thrilled that their crew are about to learn the ropes and produce live event experiences with “such versatile and luxurious backdrops”. They have an innovative Set Building Department and are excited about how they can put a new slant on event branding within the different spaces, with stage sets, custom theming, props and bespoke items.
The in-house

South Africa - Andrew Rodgers has joined South African based DWR Distribution. With his considerable experience in project management, technical skill and maintenance contracts, Andi will head the DWR Installation Department.
Born and raised in Liverpool, Andi did various maintenance and repair contracts at recording studios such as the Ezee Studio and prior to that the Pink Studio in the UK before moving to South Africa in 1990 where he was offered a maintenance positioned at Sun City’s Superbowl.
His colourful career has seen him working at Prosound in electronics design and maintenance, and he also did a stint or two as a freelancer in South East Asia where he worked on various projects including the project management for an audio recording studio for Taffix Solutions of Brunei.
“Andi has been a wonderful friend for close to 20 years now, where we often

China - Creative Technology (CT) has announced that with immediate effect Chris Burke will take on the role of managing director of Creative Technology in Shanghai. Chris will also continue as managing director of CT in Hong Kong and Singapore. This appointment now puts all of CT’s Asia Pacific Business under his control.
Chris has been with Creative Technology since 2009 and in that time, he has developed the necessary skills to effect the changes that will be needed to further develop the China business and expand CT’s operation in this region.
Chris replaces Simon Tibble who passed away suddenly at his home in Shanghai just over a week ago. Simon was a key part of the China business and a true industry veteran whose skills helped develop the business into what it is today. He will be missed by all.
Graham Andrews, president of Creative Technology North Ame


UK - Green Hippo has confirmed three new international distributors. These new members of the Green Hippo family, respectively covering Italy, New Zealand, and South Africa, extend the influence of Green Hippo’s video playback technology, including its award-winning Hippotizer range of media servers.
In Italy, Spotlight, the Milan-based distributor, will use its 50 years of design and production experience, to help see the Green Hippo gear at work in Italy’s celebrated collection of opera houses and theatres, as well as auditoriums, conference rooms, and TV studios.
Nicolo Oliva, partner and CEO of Spotlight, said, “It’s a short time since Spotlight have started the distribution of Green Hippo, and we’re already very fond of the brand. These media-servers are really powerful and easy to configure, and the new software interface of Hippotizer V4 is a st


Creative Strategy - Creative companies are becoming increasingly important to the UK's future economic success and should be at the heart of the government's new industrial strategy, a trade body says. The Creative Industries Federation says film-making, music, advertising and video games are all big export earners but are often overlooked by ministers. It says enterprise zones, tax breaks and access to finance could help firms.
The role of the UK's creative industries, which also includes theatre, architecture, broadcasting, fashion, museums, and galleries was recognised when the government unveiled its industrial strategy Green Paper in January for boosting the post-Brexit economy. The Creative Industries Federation says ministers need to "overhaul" their approach. The federation has unveiled a blueprint of policy recommendations for the creative industries which it


UK - East Anglia-based CEG Hire & Productions has recently moved to new premises, as well as relocating their rental operation from Norfolk to Cambridge. From 1 March, CEG started operating from their new base – allowing them to push forward with their long-term growth strategy.
CEG's director, Ben Bowles explains, “Since starting the business, we have continually looked to improve the service that we offer and one big way we can do that is by being situated conveniently for all of our customers.
“Our new location is five minutes from the M11 and 10 minutes from the A14. This will provide fantastic access to both London and the South, as well as the Midlands and the North. We will now be within 45 minutes of the North Circular and 90 minutes of Park Royal. Beyond the improved journey times, our new premises will have better access, facilities and, mos

Europe - The Claypaky Scenius Spot is being championed for its output, colour and optical quality by lighting designer Dan Williams who is using the fixture as the main lighting workhorse on British rockers Skunk Anansie's current European tour, Anarchytecture.
Lighting supplier for the tour, Buckinghamshire- based lighting design and rental outfit Siyan, recommended Dan the spot fixtures to work alongside the production's dominant LED video package, that includes both floor and flown LED screens.
"The main issue with working with such a strong video element is getting a fixture that is bright enough to stand out against the LED screens," says Dan. "The Scenius Spot has absolutely no problem with this."
To create the show's saturated colour pallets and punchy back and beam light Dan is utilising the fixtures advanced CMY and linear CTO colour systems.
"Eve

UK - J&C Joel, has announced a new sales structure. The changes come as the company looks to position itself for future growth.
Oliver Marns, previously the UK, Europe and Russia sales manager, has now been appointed to the newly created role of sales manager to head up creative sales and focus on key accounts within the business.
Marns has worked for the company for more than five years, and during this time has been involved in delivering several of the key creative projects the company has provided. His new role is designed to enhance J&C Joel’s existing offering to new and existing customers by giving them a dedicated person to deal with and ensure the firm offers innovative solutions whilst continuing to deliver on specification, budget and on time.
Marns said: “I am delighted to take on the new role and I am genuinely excited to work even closer

UK - How do you make Gaffer Tape a rock star? You take a breaking rock band called Star from Ivy plus a great range of Gaffer tape and link the two together and you get https://youtu.be/PcEMR5scOgc
The video was produced, filmed and edited by the St Ives Cambridgeshire based Le Mark team, in time to be showcased by Le Mark at the world largest trade show for music and entertainment products, ProLight + Sound held at the famous Music Messer Frankfurt.
Le Mark has combined a Brexit beating innovative marketing ‘first’, take an everyday consumable product and project it as ‘the’ No 1 rock & roll accessory. Magtape - the professional’s gaffer tape, has a backing track that is fully downloadable and is being played around both central & eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Promoting the product range and a new Br

UK - An online auction of production and broadcast equipment which brought the curtain down at Fountain Studios raised over £670,000.
The sale, organised by auctioneers Charterfields on behalf of Fountain Television, attracted worldwide interest with more than 450 bidders registering from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, USA, Italy and the Netherlands as well as the UK.
Among the range of sound, lighting and camera equipment, the Calrec Apollo 72 fader digital audio console item led to the highest winning bid in excess of £85,000.
Fountain Studios closed in December and is described as ‘the birthplace of TV talent shows’ after being home to some of the UK’s most popular programmes since the launch of ITV in 1955. They include TV classics such as On The Buses, Upstairs Downstairs and Opportunity Knocks to modern family favourit

UK - Currently playing at the Salisbury Playhouse, Echo’s End tells the story of a young couple in 1915 Wilshire who find themselves caught up in the turmoil of troubled times. It is written by award-winning playwright and novelist Barney Norris, directed by Alice Hamilton and features a lighting design by Howard Hudson. White Light was called upon to provide the equipment.
Echo’s End marks Howard’s fifth production at the Salisbury Playhouse. He comments, “Salisbury is a great venue and this is a brilliant new play that tells a story about that part of the world. The entire play is set outside on the Salisbury Plain, so one of the main requirements was to achieve a sense of natural light and the epic undulating scale of that area at different times of day.”
As with most of his designs, Howard had to work closely alongside the set design, which

Germany - Adamson Systems Engineering is now officially operating out of its recently expanded, 40,000 sq. ft. Canadian headquarters in Port Perry, ON. Full details were outlined at a press conference at ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt.
Driven by three years of rapid growth, the new expansion will allow Adamson to meet the increased demand of its growing sales network. While the new addition has been dedicated entirely to production and R&D, the original facility has also been revamped to shape the future of research, product development, and education.
Along with the architectural improvements, Adamson has also invested heavily in machinery and manufacturing technologies to guarantee efficient production of performance loudspeaker systems in Canada. These include new CNC routers, milling machines, and semi-automated production lines, all aimed at maintaining Adamson

UK - The Fifth Estate Ltd has announced the growth of the company, with the arrival of well-known entertainment technology editor and journalist, Lee Baldock, who joins the group of experienced marketing content producers and strategists. Baldock, who left Light & Sound International (LSi) magazine this spring, joins The Fifth Estate as senior account director.
Based in Sussex, Lee will work from the company's seaside office near Brighton. Working closely with creative director Sarah Rushton-Read, his focus will be on business development, alongside helping existing clients craft their brand stories for the variety of audiences and platforms that today's marketing communications need to reach.
Baldock's long career has seen him spend 22 years representing the entertainment technology industry working on leading B2B publication LSi, gaining experience under t

UK - To mark the launch of their highly anticipated new album Humanz, Gorillaz performed a secret one-off show at Printworks, London, and Mojo Barriers showed it’s not all about big tours and festivals by supplying its world-class stage barriers to this prestigious event, 24 March 2017.
The world’s most successful virtual band celebrated the release of their new studio album with a very special performance which saw Gorillaz play Humanz live for the first time in a ‘’triumphant comeback gig’’ (NME) supported by Telekom Electronic Beats.
As the Gorillaz live band took to the stage, Mojo Barriers ensured artist and audience safety, highlighting that a big artist launch in a small venue still needs detailed attention. Held at new London venue, Printworks, the show saw Gorillaz joined on stage by a stellar rollcall of talent including Del La Sou


Sgt. Pepper Promotion - The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 50 years ago this week – and it remains widely regarded as the best rock and roll album concept of all time. To mark the anniversary, the city of Liverpool is to host a huge cultural celebration, called Sgt. Pepper at 50: Heading for Home from Thursday 25 May to Friday 16 June. The council has invested £750,000 of National Lottery funding through its Ambition for Excellence scheme to fund the celebration. The events include:
When I’m 64 - A mass sing-along - broadcast live on radio - of 64 choirs from across the city and of all ages. With an inter-generational theme, the event will focus on what age really means to anyone who is between 14 and 64.
Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds - A light festival on an Olympic scale, with music and fireworks, in

UK - Blitz|GES has promoted two of its senior team - Carol Gibbs and Mark Watson - to newly created roles as the business plans for growth in 2017. The new structure underlines Blitz|GES’ key strengths and supports a robust pipeline for the year ahead.
Carol Gibbs takes on responsibility for the company’s growing venue portfolio in the newly created role of director of venues. Mark Watson is promoted to creative director with a brief to expand Blitz|GES’ strong reputation for high-quality design.
Blitz|GES is the preferred technical production partner to many of the UK’s major venues and recently won official status for the new Hall 1 at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre – due to open in 2018.
Gibbs will be working closely with the Blitz|GES teams at the venues to identify and capitalise on new business opportunities in the r


UK - VDC Trading has made a number of new appointments and implemented a re-structure of its London-based team. Designed to offer more streamlined services to clients in the UK and overseas, the new approach centres on customer experience.
Cain Cookson has been appointed to the role of senior relationship development manager, heading up the UK pro-active sales team. With over five years’ B2B sales experience, Cain combines commercial expertise with technical capability, having achieved a first--class honours degree in Audio and Music Technology from the University of the West of England.
Herpreet Kaur Sing has taken on the role of customer service manager, with responsibility for delivering the highest level of customer service to VDC Trading’s growing international client base. With more than three years’ experience in pro-audio sales, Herpreet is also a

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