General

Futurist Ltd goes into Liquidation, Futurist Projects Emerges

Details: 14 March 2016

Futurist Ltd, the West Yorkshire-based provider of lighting and sound equipment and services, went into liquidation in early June. The company, which was owned by a charitable trust, the Robert Luff Foundation Ltd, was managed by Michael Lister.

Michael Lister has told PLASA Media that he and his wife, Dawn, have purchased the 'assets and goodwill of Futurist Ltd'. Furthermore, an existing company, DML Corporation Ltd, which was owned by Michael Lister, has been re-named Futurist Projects Ltd, and Lister has told us that the "Futurist brand will continue to be marketed and promoted" through this company, which will be based at Trinity Business Park in Wakefield.

The creditors of Futurist Ltd included a number of well-known manufacturers and service providers in the industry, some of whom were subsequently hit by the loss of Lighting Technology at the end of June (see L&SI

PLASA’s 25th Birthday Party

Details: 14 March 2016

Sunday 8 September - 7.30pm till late . . .

This year the PLASA Show is celebrating its 25th year, and it’s something we’d like to share with as many exhibitors and visitors as possible. So, we’re hosting a PLASA Party on the evening of Sunday 8th September at 'The Bridge' (underneath London Bridge) - one of London’s newest venues, to which everyone is welcome. The all-inclusive tickets are just £50.00 (plus VAT) and include a champagne reception, buffet supper and all you can drink. Not to mention the chance to dance until late.

For further information call Mikaela Fenton-Jones on +44 (0)207 370 8207.

ESTA announces finalists for 2002 Awards

Details: 14 March 2016

In the USA, ESTA (the Entertainment Services & Technology Association) has announced that the finalists for the 2002 Dealers' Choice Customer Service Awards are: (1-6 employees category) Doug Fleenor Design, Johnson Systems, L.E. Nelson Sales Corp and Production Intercom; (7-25 employees category) City Theatrical, Dove Systems, Lighting & Electronics and SSRC; (25+ employees category) Apollo Design Technology, Electronic Theatre Controls, Lex Products and TMB.

The finalists for the 2002 Manufacturers' Choice Awards: (1-6 employees category) Baltimore Stage Lighting, Indianapolis Stage Sales & Rentals and Miami Stagecraft; (7-25 employees category) 4 Wall Entertainment, Grand Stage Company, LVH Entertainment Systems, Production Advantage, and StageLight; (25+ employees category) Barbizon, Stage Equipment & Lighting and Vincent Lighting Systems.

The Dealers' Choice Customer Service Awa

ESTA publications now sold by ANSI

Details: 14 March 2016

The American National Standards Institute is now offering electronic copies of ESTA's ANSI-approved standards and other technical publications for sale on-line. Ordering electronic copies on-line gives members of the entertainment industry almost instantaneous delivery of needed documents.

To order ESTA's standards and other technical documents from ANSI, simply go to the website shown below and then click on the pull-down menu under the instructions ‘Please select a standards category below.’ Select ‘ESTA: Entertainment Services and Technology Association’ from the list of standards developers, and then hit the ‘Go’ button. That will present a page listing all ESTA's publications available through ANSI, including ESTA's free publications.

Paper copies of ESTA's documents are available from ESTA Publications Orders, offered by the United States In

PLASA will take a Central Role at its forthcoming Show

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA, the Association, will feature at the heart of its own annual trade show in London next week.

The Association will have a major presence in the New Technology Gallery on the Top Deck, as part of the central feature area of the Show, which focuses on the products nominated for the PLASA Awards for Product Excellence.

PLASA ensures that the money raised from the awards is fed directly back to the industry by donating the proceeds to a number of charities allied to the markets it serves.

As part of this initiative, PLASA is once again sponsoring the first 15 applicants to complete the PLASA BTEC Award.

The General Theatre Technician course was first run as a pilot at Loughborough College in June 2000. Course development had been paid for via a European Social Fund grant, with the AETTI playing a major role in the course’s development and delivery. Following the delive

Variations on a Theme

Details: 14 March 2016

Following our numerous and varied pieces advising readers not to waste any time on e-mails from people who promise large sums of money in return for a safe place to store it, we now learn from a PLASA member that yet another sting has been added to the tail. It seems several PLASA members have had e-mails asking them to arrange letters of invite which the e-mailer can then present to a country’s VISA department, and once in, disappear.

If you’ve got any money to waste or time to spare, call us instead we’ll think of something to do with it.

Jubilee Revisited

Details: 14 March 2016

As soon as the August issue of L&SI hit the streets with its mammoth report on the Jubilee (the most comprehensive you’ll read thanks to the efforts of the entire L&SI team in tracking down the information and slotting it all together), it was inevitable that we’d have more people ringing us to tell us of their involvement. First came Pulsar, to tell us that the fixtures used front of stage on the Party at the Palace concerts were their own ChromaBank system. If you look closely at the picture to the right you’ll see the strip of ChromaBanks at the bottom of the picture providing the green accenting to the front of stage.

Then we had more input on the audio elements. Among those whose stress levels were noticeably higher round Jubilee time was Hand Held Audio’s Nick Bruce-Smith, who had the onerous task of organizing the incredibly intricate licensing arrangemen

LDI 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

Members of the PLASA team will be at the forthcoming LDI trade show. PLASA is taking a government-funded group to the Show, which takes place in Las Vegas from 18-20 October 2002.

Cricket Tales . . .

Details: 14 March 2016

This great sporting summer reached a new pinnacle when the fourth annual Hayden Laboratories Industry Cricket Challenge was fought out at Littlewick Green Cricket Club, Berkshire.

The event once again brought out the best from 22 dedicated, superfit sportspersons from across the industry. A change in format for this year meant that the usual round-robin tournament gave way to a 35 over each way match between two teams; representatives from PLASA/Clarion Events, under captain Mark Saunders of Clarion, took on the very best that the Lighting/Sound industry had to offer, under the captaincy of Lightfactor’s Paul DeVille.

The Lighting/Sound team got off to a convincing start, until their star all-rounder Charles Ward (DJ Magazine) was bowled by Clarion’s Stephen Ingram for a disappointing 6. From then on, with the exception of a few strong batting performances from the likes

Focus on Training

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA is currently researching all training within the industry in order to build a comprehensive database of training courses specific to this sector.

In addition to wider research, PLASA is also assessing the training offered by member companies. To this end, a questionnaire has recently been sent to members asking for details of training offered. If you have any questions contact Nicky Greet on 01323 410335 - you can also print out the form from the PLASA website - www.plasa.org/associationtraining/

Round Table Sessions Address Industry Issues

Details: 14 March 2016

L&SI is running two Round Table discussion sessions during next week’s PLASA Show (September 8-11, Earls Court 1, London) designed to address some of the most central issues in the industry.

The first session Freelance Rates - Due for Review? This discussion should prove to be a lively debate on the current levels of freelance rates, which over the years have shown a downward trend in real terms. With many rental companies naming their daily rates, how can those who actually do the work and keep said companies successful lobby for more money? Should there be a flat rate according to role? Who should take responsibility for change? Will rental houses come unstuck by causing their crews to form a union-style body, or should they take the lead and move things on themselves?

Chaired by L&SI technical editor James Eade, the panel will include Mark David-Gray of BECTU and freelancers

Buyers Found as Lighting Technology Group is Sold off Piecemeal

Details: 14 March 2016

Following the administration of the Lighting Technology Group in June, buyers have been found, as predicted, for a number of the Group’s assets.

The PAI Group has announced that it has acquired the rights and assets of Lighting Technology Projects (LTP). The new company will trade as before, under the name of LTP, and will be headed up by Terry Reeves, who managed the company prior to the appointment of the administrators PriceWaterhouseCoopers in early July this year.

The acquisition is a logical step for the PAI Group, which specializes in the creative design, supply, and installation of bespoke audio-video, lighting and sound for the leisure, retail, education, heritage, and sports industries, and consists of PA Installations (PAI), VS Installations (VSI) and PA Technologies (PAT). LTP is a respected name within the industry and its markets will complement those of the PAI G

Flood appeal assists Czech theatres

Details: 14 March 2016

Following the floods in Europe during August, PLASA Media has received the following appeal from the Association of Professional Theatres of the Czech Republic:

It is barely a week since disastrous floods invaded the ancient and beautiful cities of Bohemia and caused enormous damage. Another dark August (34 years after the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968) threatens to paralyse Czech culture and its most "live" offspring, the theatre. Theatres in Prague, Ústí nad Labem, Budweis (Ceské Budejovice) and Pilsen were flooded entirely or in part and their buildings, technical equipment, scenery and costumes badly or even fatally damaged. Prague's historical National Theatre, the famous Theatre on the Balustrades and others will have to reconstruct their equipment; the young and highly popular award-winning companies of the Theatre in Dlouhá Street and the Theatre Pod Palmo

Le Maitre Turns 25

Details: 14 March 2016

The PLASA Show’s 25th appearance this year coincides with the 25th anniversary of another well-known industry fixture - Le Maitre. The UK-based manufacturer, operating in the niche markets of pyrotechnics and smoke machines, has long been a leading innovator in the entertainment industry, and as the company celebrates its quarter century it is all set to hit the market once more with a piece of innovation which could revolutionize the way we put the haze into our lit environments.

Sales director Rick Wilson, very much the public face of Le Maitre, is as excited about the future as ever. An entrepreneur at heart, he is driven by the search for the next new thing, and PLASA 2002 will see an eagerly-anticipated prototype - code-named MaxiHaze - the result of three years of investment and development.

Le Maitre’s history of innovation is well documented. In pyrotechnics, Le M

Coemar UK Office

Details: 14 March 2016

L&SI was out and about in July and called in at the newly established UK offices of Coemar, based in Ashford, Kent. The new 6,000sq.ft office, warehouse and demonstration facility will incorporate a full inventory of stock and spares - as well as featuring the new product range from Coemar, which has been launched over the last 10 months. Pictured above is Coemar UK MD Ian Kirby (second left) with (from left to right) operations manager Julie Kirby, technical manager Chris Hale and Stacey Smith, office sales. Since our visit, it has been announced that Coemar UK will handle distribution of the Antari range of products in the UK (see separate news piece on page 14). Coemar UK can be contacted at Unit 4, KPC Business Centre, Canterbury Road, Ashford, Kent, TN24 0BP, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1233 636688.

New comfort initiative for visitors to PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA 2002 will be a much more comfortable show this year, thanks to a new R'n'R area in the Gallery, where visitors can have a 10 minutes massage to relieve those aching shoulders and tired feet!

The initiative is part of a fund-raising exercise by Light Relief: thanks to sponsor companies DHA Lighting, ETC, Forester Health, Harmer PR, Martin Professional, PLASA, Stage Electrics, Strand Light, Vari-Lite Europe and WWG, four trained masseurs will literally be dispensing light relief throughout the show. Each massage will cost £5 - but additional donations will be more than welcome! All the money raised goes straight to Light Relief, the industry charity that supports lighting designers with personal difficulties.

The Light Relief area can be found near the New Technology Gallery on the Top Deck.

Webb and Doyle introduce DiGiCo’s D5 Live at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

One of the most talked-about live music mixing consoles of recent months - the DiGiCo D5 Live - was launched at PLASA yesterday, with and Dave Webster and Bob Doyle making a special presentation to members of the press over an enjoyable Sunday roast. On stand D28, the D5 Live system is on demonstration in a fully working set-up with a digital multitrack concert recording sync’d to video.

Designed from the ground up to deliver high sonic purity and powerful, instantly accessible controllability, the D5 Live comprises the D5 Live console itself, a front-of-house Digirack containing A/D converters and I/Os, a matching stage Digirack and 100m of fibre optic cable. This is a complete, self contained system that does away with the need for a multicore, splitters, line drivers, dynamics processors and - optionally - an entire effects rack too. The D5 Live can even record live to multitr

Upbeat start for PLASA 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

The 2002 PLASA Show got off to a positive start yesterday as the industry congregated in Earls Court, London. With another bumper crop of new product innovations on show the PLASA Show is providing an unmissable opportunity to see and discuss the state of the art in entertainment, communications and presentation technology. Comment from exhibitors was upbeat - one first-time exhibitor told PLASA Media he had been overwhelmed by the attention his company had received on stand, and wished he had more staff to deal with enquiries.

O Sunday night, PLASA’s 25th anniversary party took place to round off a highly successful day on the show floor. The event - staged at The Bridge - was attended by over 500 exhibitors and visitors who participated in numerous side shows at the Party including a bucking bronco, sumo wrestling, boules and the highlight, a full-on seventies disco.

On the

Martin Audio & Synco Network announce W8L deal

Details: 14 March 2016

The Martin Audio stand at PLASA 2002 was the site for an important announcement yesterday, and the first appearance of the Synco W8L Line Array System by Martin Audio, a specially configured version of the Martin Audio W8L line array system which is exclusive to the Synco Europe Network. Fred Heuves, MD of Synco Europe, and David Bisset-Powell, MD of Martin Audio, announced the signing of the deal that will see Synco Network members equipped with the system.

The deal represents Martin Audio’s largest single European sale since the launch of the acclaimed W8L system in the spring of this year. The Synco W8L Line Array will be operated in parallel with the existing stocks of the network’s Renkus-Heinz Synco Touring System and proprietary Synco floor monitors. "The network has grown very fast in the five years since we launched it and reached over 1000 cabinets but still

Chameleon-Expotus alliance nets three Asian distributors

Details: 14 March 2016

Announced at the PLASA Show, Chameleon Audio has appointed the UK’s leading export company, Expotus, to source potential distributors for its products throughout Asia, and the alliance has already borne fruit, with three companies now handling the line.Total Solution, Singapore, Stagecraft International in the Philippines and Phoenix Audio & Lighting Technology, Hong Kong, are now official distributors of Chameleon amplification.

According to Chameleon MD, Paul Houlden, the decision to appoint Expotus was based on the company’s imposing track record of successfully marketing other UK brands overseas, particularly the Far East. Says Houlden: "Trying to break into the Asian market has been a particularly tough nut to crack. However, thanks to Expotus’ expertise, it’s already beginning to pay dividends for Chameleon."

Following a series of field trials,

Innovations in lighting unveiled at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

Visitors to the PLASA Show were able to see some of the latest innovations in lighting fixture technology. Across the show floor numerous product launches were rolled out . . .

Vari-Lite (F28) introduced the highest performance luminaires it has ever developed. The company unveiled its 1200W Series 3000 product line featuring the VL3000 Spot luminaire and the equally impressive VL3000 Wash luminaire. ETC (H8) has numerous new products, chief amongst them the Source Four MultiPAR which combines the optics and energy-savings of the acclaimed Source Four PAR (EA) with the functionality of the classic batten. New Zealand-based Selecon (H6) has unveiled three new products - the Pacific MSR Dowser which provides exact dimming of discharge light sources (MSR, MSD, CDM) used in the Pacific fixture; the Finelite II projector - a high resolution, large format, photographic i

Paul Gallo and Ken Williams appointed to Mackie board

Details: 14 March 2016

Mackie Designs Inc announced at midday at the PLASA Show today that Paul Gallo and Ken Williams have been appointed to the company’s board of directors. At the same time, Mackie announced the retirement of long-time outside directors C Marcus Sorensen and David M Tully. In the statement issued, Gregory W Riker, who earlier this month became the first outside chairman of Mackie’s board, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Paul Gallo and Ken Williams to Mackie’s board. Both Paul and Ken bring high energy, directly relevant industry experience and distinguished records of accomplishment to their new positions at our company. We expect them to contribute significantly to Mackie’s continued success as we implement our strategy for long-term growth."

Gallo began his career more than 30 years ago with the Recording Institute of America. In 1978 he co-founde

Sound developments at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

The PLASA Show at Earls Court is brimming with activity as it enters its third day. With increased visitor figures and a frenetic buzz on the show floor, many exhibitors at the show have reported to PLASA Media that the show has been extremely busy.

Monday saw a host of pro audio product introductions. Turbosound introduced a new raft of products, including the TQ-308SP, the latest addition to the Qlight range, plus a brand new range of passive loudspeaker systems, together with the LMS-D4, a new digital loudspeaker controller. New from JBL on the Arbiter stand, the AE (Application Engineered) Series, with 33 initial models in several formats and power ranges, designed for sound contractors. Tannoy introduced its new Ellipse 8, a fully time coherent, 3-way active system, the first in the new Wideband range for reference monitoring applications, plus new ceiling mon

Duff Appointed as CFO of High End Systems

Details: 14 March 2016

During the PLASA Show came the announcement from High End that it has appointed Peter Duff as chief financial officer (CFO) of High End Systems Inc. Duff has held a number of CFO positions with Pfizer and Hanson and lately the electronics company International Flex Technologies, and his appointment comes after a series of high profile changes at the company. Duff attended the Liverpool City Institute before graduating at Bradford University with a business degree. Following training with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in London and subsequent work as a Chartered Accountant he moved to Canada, where he became CFO of Pfizer Canada, transferring to the company’s corporate headquarters in New York in the mid-1980s. There then followed a 10-year stint with Hanson Plc and a number of CFO assignments. In 1999, Duff left Hanson to establish International Flex Technologies - an electronics company

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