General

Planning for the Future

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA Members can gain a competitive edge if they take advantage of PLASA’s pioneering industry research. The findings into the entertainment technology industry were launched by the Association at the recent PLASA Show, providing Members with the first available opportunity to gain in-depth market knowledge. At a time when the industry is facing an uncertain future, the research could prove vital to any company’s strategic planning.The first report, entitled ‘Establishing a Baseline’ is only available to PLASA Members and provides long-awaited reference material. The 147-page research report includes an overview of the global and UK markets and market-specific sections for the AV, lighting, pro audio and stage engineering markets. Each market is broken down into identifiable sectors with a definition of products and services within that area.

PLASA Members who

PLASA Elections

Details: 14 March 2016

The nominations for this year’s PLASA Executive Committee Elections are currently being collected, and voting forms will be distributed to PLASA members in mid-November.

PLASA Members were informed of the start of the nomination process in mid-October. Following the cut-off date for nominations on 15 November, members will have two weeks to submit their votes to PLASA. This year there are three vacancies for three-year seats, due to Diane Grant (DHA Lighting), Paul Hinkly (LMC Audio) and David Hopkins OBE (Audio Design Services) all reaching the end of their elected terms. There is also an additional one-year vacancy due to Paul Adams’ decision to stand down at the end of 2001. The final results will be announced on 3 December.

Corruption Investigation at Frankfurt Messe

Details: 14 March 2016

German media is reporting a large-scale investigation into corruption at the Frankfurt Messehalle, home of the Frankfurt MusikMesse and ProLight & Sound exhibitions. According to Die Welt, 25 people have already been arrested on charges of corruption. In one example quoted, an employee of the Messe allegedly received almost £60,000 in one cash payment. Die Welt reports that seven employees of the Messe and as many as 90 entrepreneurs from 20 companies based in the Frankfurt-am-Main region are being investigated as part of the ongoing case. It is thought that the scale of the corruption could equate to many millions of Deutschmarks.

New Face of Stardraw Sales

Details: 14 March 2016

Stardraw.com has appointed David Morrison as international sales manager. Morrison joins the well-known software provider with 20 years experience of senior sales roles with majormanufacturing companies in the PC and networking industry, including Compaq and Research Machines. Stardraw managing director David Snipp told us: "David's appointment is just part of our plan for continued growth. We wanted to find someone who could add real value for our existing channel partners, and who would also be able to manage significant OEM relationships in our existing entertainment markets and beyond. His experience in the broader spectrum of the telecomms and networking industries will be invaluable to our strategic plans for expansion." Snipp hinted that Stardraw's position within the audio, AV and lighting industries will be used as a springboard into larger markets. Morrison operates o

Manchester’s Legendary Boardwalk Club to be Sold

Details: 14 March 2016

The Boardwalk nightclub, where Oasis began their career, has been put up for sale. Built in 1876 as St Peter’s School, it opened as The Boardwalk club in 1986 and ran successfully for 13 years until August 1999.

The Boardwalk has witnessed the UK debuts of Primal Scream, Sonic Youth and Courtney Love’s band Hole. Big names such as Oasis, M People, Pulp, The Verve, Suede, Blur and the Stranglers have also appeared, along with DJs such as Paul Oakenfold, Todd Terry and Pete Tong and comics Steve Coogan and Peter Kay.

The basement rehearsal studios were as famous as the club. Acts who rehearsed at The Boardwalk included Terry Hall & Colourfield, Nico from the Velvet Underground, Simply Red, The Fall, James, The Railway Children, Manic Street Preachers, ACR and Happy Mondays. The Happy Mondays’ residence is immortalized in the new film about Factory and The Hacienda -

LDI 2001

Details: 14 March 2016

The 2001 LDI exhibition in Orlando ended yesterday after a successful three days which included a full and well-attended conference programme. At the LDI/ESTA Awards ceremony held at the Orange County Convention Center auditorium on Saturday evening, Jim Bornhorst of Vari-Lite was this year’s Wally Russell Award recipient. Amongst the product awards were the Omni Connector from Total Structures, Protec’s Smart Motion control system, Rosco’s ImagePro, Wybron’s Eclipse 2. Prizes for ‘Widgets’ went to Rosco, Lex Products and Lee Filters. High End Systems’ Catalyst picked up the Entertainment Lighting Product Award to add to the Award for Product Excellence it won at the recent PLASA Show. Best Audio Product was the Legend tri-purpose mixing desk from Midas.

Full details of the rest of the award winners will follow and a full report from LDI, inclu

Screen Specialist Joins Lighthouse

Details: 14 March 2016

Angelo Russo has joined giant screen manufacturer, Lighthouse, in its UK office as product marketing manager. Angelo had worked for nearly three years as marketing manager for Clipsal Vision, Australasia's largest supplier of Lighthouse screens, where he was involved in a host of prestigious projects including the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the Jade and Eden Park stadium installations in New Zealand and the Subiaco Stadium in Perth, as well international events such as the Hanover Expo.

Angelo brings with him a vast knowledge of Lighthouse screens and will be working alongside marketing support manager Sian Sparkes. Commented Lighthouse international sales and marketing director Graham Burgess: "Angelo's arrival brings an extra dimension to Lighthouse's UK-based team and we're delighted to have him on board."

JBL Appoints Chaikin

Details: 14 March 2016

JBL Professional has appointed industry veteran Peter Chaikin as director of marketing,recording & broadcast. Chaikin will take over marketing responsibility for the company's studio monitors, including the LSR line of powered monitors, as well as developing new products in the line.

Chaikin has held high-level product marketing and marketing managementpositions at Alesis and Yamaha, where he was instrumental in the success ofseveral digital recording and mixing products. He also has 15 years ofindependent recording engineering experience, working with dozens of nameacts including Quincy Jones, Patrice Rushen, George Duke, Michael Sembelloand Harvey Mason. Chaikin received RIAA Gold and Platinum Records and aGRAMMY nomination for "Best Engineered Recording."

Stagetec New Faces

Details: 14 March 2016

Following straight on from an incredibly successful PLASA and a stack of Autumn contracts, Stagetec has taken on several new staff to cope with its very healthy work load. Joining the Slough-based pro lighting and audio sales and installation team are Gillian Brades, Jason Walsh and Jonathan Coles. Brades is a qualified accountant, and joins Stagetec as financial controller, taking over the running of the accounts and the busy administration department.

Walsh joins the sales office where he'll be dealing with technical sales enquiries by telephone and internet. He has extensive experience working as a sound and lighting technician in theatre and conference. More recently, he handled technical sales for electronics giant Maplin. Jonathan 'Speedy' Coles is now working alongside Stagetec's Mick Cocker, promoting the high profile Compulite and LSC product ranges. He's recently returned to

Blitz Double Act

Details: 14 March 2016

Specialist AV company, Blitz communications, has appointed Martin Green and Martin Clowes as branch manager and operations manager respectively, to handle the running of its new Birmingham office.

The 'two Martins', who have already worked together as freelancers and project managers for seven years, have a wealth of industry experience. In his role as branch manager Martin Green will be helping to ensure that Blitz's clientele in the Midlands receive exactly the right solutions, whilst Martin Clowes, who is operations manager, will be supporting him in his efforts by maintaining smooth client relations.

Michael Breen, managing director of Blitz told us: "The Birmingham region is host to a whole gamut of AV opportunities due to the mix of venues and a healthy business environment. I am confident that our appointment of the two Martins with their technological expertise, custo

PSA to Assess Impact of 11 September

Details: 14 March 2016

In an effort to assess the effects of 11 September, the PSA are setting up a web-based questionnaire on their website. The survey will try to determine how much work and money has been lost, what area the respondent works in and asks for their predictions for the following year.

PSA member Nick Cooke told us: "There are a number of people in our industry across the UK and Europe who are suffering serious financial hardship as a result of the WTC/Pentagon attack. The cancellations were rolling in practically before the first tower collapsed. I've met several freelancers in the conference industry who have lost some major work as a result of this and then there's the question of what happens next year as the war continues."

EST Still Trucking

Details: 14 March 2016

Not content with dragging most of the aristocracy of rock all over the world, EST, probably the best known logistics experts in the industry, can still find time to get involved with other interesting and unusual projects. Currently, EST is touring with Walt Disney around most of the UK's major shopping Malls. Aficionados of Friday night's 'Later . . . with Jools Holland' might, if they were there, spot one of the well known purple and yellow trucks outside the BBC delivering and retrieving all of Jools equipment every Friday night with tireless regularity.

EST were also in the thick of things on 4 November when the World Premiere of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone took place at the Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square. EST trucked in screen support and barricades (by ESS and Mojo), presumably to keep thousands of screaming wannabe wizards back.

Forthcoming attractions for

Michael Garl Receives Swan Award

Details: 14 March 2016

At the recent LDI exhibition in Orlando, Florida, ESTA (the Entertainment Services and Technology Association) awarded the 2001 Eva Swan Award to Michael J. Garl, president of James Thomas Engineering, Inc. The Eva Swan Award is presented to a member who has put forth exceptional efforts in time, expertise and personal resources on behalf of ESTA; been instrumental in shaping and promoting the strategic direction of the Association; made major contributions to the realization of the mission, goals and objectives, and enhanced the value of membership for all.

The 2001 Award was presented by Wally Blount of Columbus McKinnon, who said: "The most important attribute this person has could be summed up in one word: willingness. His willingness to give his time for the betterment of the entertainment industry; his willingness to share his knowledge so that others may learn; his willingn

Cauldron of Flame

Details: 14 March 2016

On September 15, 2001, exactly a year since the start of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney’s Olympic Cauldron was re-kindled in its new, permanent home at Homebush Bay.

The cauldron was re-lit to beating drums and resounding cheers in The Overflow Park on Olympic Boulevard. The stainless steel bowl will stand as a permanent reminder of the success of the Games. The project was conceived and designed by Barry Webb, Iain Clark and Fiona McVicar of Barry Webb & Associates, with Show Technology’s architectural products manager Jonathan Ciddor assisting with the configuration, control and integration. Installer Beyond AV was responsible for the co-ordination, installation and programming of the lighting system.

The cauldron sits upon a concrete slab at ground level and beneath it is a large chamber, 5 metres deep, housing the lighting equipment, pumping and gas controls,

BassBox Pro/X.Over Pro

Details: 14 March 2016

BassBox Pro and X.Over Pro are a suite of programs designed to give the constructor a hassle-free method of constructing their own speaker cabinets.

BassBox Pro has a selection of seven cabinet styles with user-customizable parameters including dimensions, driver choice and vented or enclosed styles. A wide variety of drivers are available from including single, dual and three-way cone drivers and flat radiators. The BassBox software is aimed at the home/semi-professional constructor looking to build cabinets for the home hi-fi, small venue or car.

To this end the software has a section depicting typical home and car acoustics to help the constructor choose their design. X.Over Pro is a standalone crossover design program that is quite comprehensive and allows the user to design their own crossovers or modify examples. All parameters are calculated and response graphs updated as va

Ozin's Launch of Faith

Details: 14 March 2016

With 15 years' experience, principally in the professional audio industry, Aviva Ozin has finally fulfilled her life-long ambition and set up Faith Communications, a consultancy offering PR and marketing services.

After a long association with the Autograph group of companies, working for both the sales and the sound design and rental divisions, Aviva has an in-depth understanding of the industry. She has also worked in the recording sector, prior to a two-year break from the industry, as the communications manager of a humanitarian aid organisation. In her new role, Aviva continues her association with the Autograph group, which has become one of Faith Communications' first clients. The consultancy is also talking with several other pro audio-related businesses and has recently won a contract from a company operating in the leisure sector.

In addition to its PR and consultancy servi

Total Production Awards 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

The Total Production Awards are scheduled for January 30 2002 at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in London's Edgware Road. The Awards will acknowledge the achievements of leading individuals and rental companies in the fields of live sound, lighting, video, staging, rigging and other key disciplines. Three special commendations will round off the Gala: a Lifetime Contribution Award, a unique Best Live Event of All-Time Award and The Editor's Award - something which TP editor Mark Cunningham promises will yield a big surprise on the night. Nominations will be announced in the Winter issue of Total Production, published on December 21.

A voting form and table booking form will be included in the forthcoming November issue of Total Production; alternatively, PDF forms can be obtained by contacting Andy Lenthall at the address below.

<a href="http://www.plasa.org/standards">http://www.plasa.org/standards</a>

PLASA's First Online Forum

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA has gone live with its first web-based discussion forum - a technical discussion on the use of Chain Hoists, particularly the connectors used for their control circuits. Access to the forum is via the 'Forums' link in the Standards section of the PLASA Website, where users can register online. This first application of the forum is being overseen by PLASA's Technical Standards Officer Tim Cox, and further forums, both for the use of Standards groups and for the industry in general, will be introduced to the site over the coming months.

PLASA AGM: 14 June 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA has announced that the date for the 2002 Annual General Meeting is confirmed as Friday 14 June 2002. The venue will be chosen early in the New Year.

The format of the day will build on the success of last year, when the ‘break-out’ sessions proved lively and valuable opportunities for members to discuss important issues with representatives of the PLASA executive committee and head office staff.

PLASA’s managing director Matthew Griffiths comments: "The ‘break-out’ meetings we introduced last year proved very successful. They were extremely well received, and produced a great deal of valuable feedback. For our 2002 AGM, we are keen to build on this and increase the opportunity for this kind of exchange."

PLASA would like to encourage all members to put the date down in their diaries and make every effort to attend. If you’re in an

www.plasa.org launches its first online discussion forum

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA has gone live with its first web-based discussion forum - a technical discussion on the use of Chain Hoists, particularly the connectors used for their control circuits.

The forum can be accessed by following the ‘Forums’ link in the Standards section of the PLASA Website, and registering online. This first application of the forum is being overseen by PLASA’s Technical Standards Officer Tim Cox, and further forums, both for the use of Standards groups and for the industry in general, will be introduced to the site over the coming months.

PLASA Market Research: Gearing up for Phase 2

Details: 14 March 2016

In the new year, PLASA will embark on the second phase of its ground-breaking programme of Industry Research.The first phase, carried out during 2000, provided the first accurate estimate of the global value of the entertainment technology industry, at around £11 billion.

The PLASA Industry Research project continues in 2002 and will offer more key facts about the entertainment technology sector. It will also be possible to undertake significant analysis of industry trends, which will greatly increase the value of the research. All members will be contacted, either by telephone, e-mail or post and asked to complete a questionnaire about their company early next year.

The more members who take part in the research, the more value it will have; furthermore, only contributors receive a free overview of the research results. If you would like to receive a copy of the current overvie

New Technical Focus for 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

You’ll see a number of changes to L&SI over the coming months.Central to our plans for 2002 is the introduction of a regular technical section - Technical Focus - which will feature hands-on reviews of products, discuss technical issues, assess the latest standards and health & safety directives, review recent book releases and feature a readers’ Q&A section.

First subject in the hot-seat is digital signal processing. We’ll also be looking at the recent amendments to the Working Time Directive and BECTU’s campaign to secure paid annual leave for freelancers, together with the debate rumbling away about chain hoist connectors.

To oversee its development we have appointed a new technical editor, James Eade. James is a qualified mechanical and electrical engineer who has an extensive knowledge of the entertainment technology industry.If you have a question you&

Theatre Attendance Remains Strong

Details: 14 March 2016

The West End braced itself in the aftermath of the WTC/Pentagon attacks, fearing that with people less willing to travel, audience figures would simply dwindle away, and that some shows would be forced to close ahead of schedule.

However, if the recent results released by the Ambassador Theatre Group are a barometer for the rest of the West End, then the anticipated downsizing ain’t coming. Attendance figures for ATG venues across the UK show a 3% increase in the West End and a 12% increase in the regions. ATG’s managing director Howard Panter told L&SI: "People are not staying away from the theatre - attendance figures are up and some shows are playing to record houses." Executive director Rosemary Squire added: "Far from closing shows, we are opening even more shows. We are bringing a major musical - My One and Only - to the West End in the New Year, and a

Precision Devices’ Management Buy-Out

Details: 14 March 2016

L&SI has learned of further important changes from within the Harman Pro Audio camp. John McFarland and Mike Sowden of Precision Devices have negotiated a management buy-out, acquiring in the process both the company’s premises and brands.

McFarland and Sowden, who have spent the past three-and-a-half years managing the company’s operations in Redruth and Rotherham on behalf of Harman International Industries (HII), agreed the deal for the purchase of the Redruth site and brands in mid-October. The new company will be called Precision Audio Products Limited.

John McFarland told L&SI: "I believe that this move is the first step in an extremely positive future for the business, for our employees and our customers, and that our new-found independence will enable us to better develop the different arms of the business." McFarland will be taking the role of managing

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