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14 March 2016

In Caernarfon yesterday, Creative & Cultural Skills highlighted the actions from the Creative Blueprint which will develop skills in the workforce particularly amongst theatre and live music technicians. Research from the Creative Blueprint has shown that 87% of creative industries in Wales have no training budget yet 23% have skills gaps.

One measure to address this issue is the new Creative Apprenticeship, the first for the industry in Wales. The Creative Apprenticeship will open doors into the sector and help turn more Welsh talent into productive skills and jobs. 12 initial places will be offered to young people eager to enter the creative and cultural industr

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14 March 2016

Summit Steel will be keeping its name, logo and identity, continuing as an independent brand, focussed on the markets that it serves. The company will remain located at its base in the South East.

PRG CEO Jere Harris said, "We are delighted to add Summit Steel to PRG's portfolio of brands in the UK and Europe. A specialist rigging supplier of this strength and reputation will complement and enhance our existing brands in the region and our business globally. We are looking forward to working with Jon and his team to further broaden our group technical services offer to support every size of event."

Summit's managing direc

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14 March 2016

Raffle prizes have been donated by: Altman Rentals (ghostlight), Barbizon ($250 gift certificate), Field Template (SoftSymbols and Field Templates), Le Maitre Special Effects (Radiance Hazer), Live Design (Broadway Master Class), Nolan Engineering Services (Seminar by Shawn Nolan), Sapsis Rigging (Safety Seminar by Bill Sapsis), USITT (2010 Conference registration), Utah Shakespearean Festival (3 pair of theatre tickets), Vectorworks (Spotlight with Renderworks), and Vincent Lighting Systems ($250 gif

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14 March 2016

The ART-1024 comes with its own proprietary software that makes it simple to programme shows and scenes from a PC. Then, once lighting programmes have been created, they can easily be uploaded and triggered on the ART-1024's convenient touch-sensitive keypad.

Designed as a single-controller solution for all types of DMX lighting, the ART-1024's programming software includes built-in effects for multi-categories of fixtures: LEDs, moving lights and dimmers. It features 2 DMX universes, providing the capacity to control a total of 1,024 channels.

In addition to different types of fixtures, the ART-1024 can take comm

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14 March 2016

LD's such as Mike 'Sooty' Sutcliffe, Gurdip Mahal and Darryl Noad have been sourcing their luminaires from the Broadcast & Event division of production rental company, Panalux, headed by managing director Ed Pagett, and business development manager, Simon Roose.

Containing 90 Luxeon K2 high-power LEDs (30 x RGB), the Impression boasts a higher light yield than that of a conventional 575W discharge lamp. And with its rapid 660° of pan and 300° tilt, it is suitable for the television sector - particularly large location spectaculars and reality shows.

Additional advantages of durability, low energy, low heat dissipation, light weight and interchangeable lens are currentl

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14 March 2016

"The Control4 control platform is a comprehensive complement to the Denon, Marantz and Escient product lines," said Bert Kiggen, brand director of DMi. "This agreement is a further milestone in our objective of providing custom installers with best in class, end-to-end system integration solutions for whole home entertainment, and environmental and security control. We look forward to working with Control4 in extending our system integration offerings throughout the EMEA CI markets."

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14 March 2016

"I'm very excited to be part of the Wireless Solution team," says Schiefer, "The brand is well respected and has been involved in some very impressive installations worldwide. I am really particular about working with quality brands."

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

This latest report provides resources to assist in organisational development by comparing what other successful companies in the industry are doing to retain, develop and recruit staff. Simple processes such as the development of organizational charts, job descriptions and employee reviews, can promote the strengths of your employees, overall value and employee satisfaction.

"A good company can become great by using these strategies to find, develop and retain talented and dedicated staff," said Jodi Montgomery, NSCA senior director of

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14 March 2016

This event is limited in size and will be open to ESTA and USITT members only. Sessions will be hosted and co-produced by ETC. Attendees should have prior experience with automated luminaries and a general familiarity with lighting consoles (Eos experience is not necessary). In addition, they should have working knowledge of the DMX 512 communication protocol, fi

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14 March 2016

John Barton, NOEA general secretary said: "For many years Jan has supported the association and attended conventions and regional conferences. She is well known throughout the industry for her passion, commitment and good ideas and we are excited about her joining us to become involved in the future development of the association."

"I am delighted to have been elected as a council member. Having been in business for 21 years I feel that I can represent small /medium business in the outdoor event industry," said Booth. "We know that the next few years

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14 March 2016

There has been strong interest in the composition and it will go on a separate live tour later in the year. Neanderthal man existed side by side with early homo sapiens before becoming extinct some 30,000 years ago. Despite having a reputation for lacking intelligence, recent research suggests the Neanderthals were a lot more resourceful and innovative than was first thought. Thorne said: "Given that Neanderthal man's brain was about the same size as ours, and mu

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14 March 2016

"Born and brought up in Blackpool, Harry spent most of his working life in the sound industry, majoring as managing director for the Japanese-owned company TOA. It was Harry who introduced the "Golden Ears" awards for his best distributor - a most difficult decision as all his best distributors were his best friends! He took his top companies away on "conferences" to boring places like Majorca, Japan and other such locations. (I knew they were conferences because I saw pictures of them all at the bars!)

Harry was also Past President of The Blackpool Magic Circle. I think we all knew he was a "magician" with the tricks he played

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14 March 2016

PLASA's momentum is certainly growing: its membership base is expanding, its range of services is strengthening and its member networking events are increasing, making the AGM and Members Lunch an important event at which members can come together to discuss solutions and approaches to the current situation.

PLASA is highly active at an industry-level too: its political policy continues to give the entertainment and installation technology sectors a strong profile in Government circles and the organisation is about to announce the next stage in its skills strategy, focusing on the development of a portfolio of qualifications designed to enhance the skills-base of the sector.

It is also just a few months away from the la

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14 March 2016

His experience in the events and catering industry will stand him in good stead in his new role, say. He has control of the financial, legal, HR and IT areas and is helping to initiate the strategic direction for the company internationally. With new developments in China and the Middle East continuing to expand, Ben's international experience is invaluable as Global Infusion Group continues to grow from its current offices in the UK and US.The Global Infusion Group includes tour, production and location catering specialist Eat to the Beat, as well as Upbeat Event Design and e2b Logistics.

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

The claims in the news give the impression that Ofcom will make suitable alternative spectrum available UK-wide for the PMSE sector, and that compensation or 'funding' will be made available so that users of the spectrum do not have to bear the costs of replacing radio microphone equipment.

However, PLASA's technical resources manager Ron Bonner, a member of the BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) steering committee which is campaigning against Ofcom's proposed measures, says that we should remain very wary of Ofcom's plans. He told L&SI: "The recent headlines should be treate

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14 March 2016

Coldplay- international touring artists utilized the company's services twice in '08. Long-standing Eat to the Beat team member Heidi Varah, led the catering crew. Along with her were Darren Shead and Jesse Davies creating "delicious and inspired meals" daily.

These meals were complemented by the work of Pauline Austin and Sarah Money with salads and freshly made desserts. Rounding out the team on the front line, Jessie Collins and Peter Kostandelos looked after t

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14 March 2016

"We'd been following the development of the system for some time," explains James Ring, managing director of Pollard Productions, who reveals that they were eagerly awaiting the release of the latest K2 3D programming and visualizing platform, and had also seen Kinesys in action on several concert tours throughout Australia. "Kinesys came highly recommended by many of the touring riggers we know".

Pollards' system consists of eight 1 tonne Liftket and twelve 0.5 tonne Liftket double brake chain hoists with 20m of travel, 20 Kinesys Elevation 1+ variable speed hoist controllers, a 24 channel Kinesys Array PD-ES and two 6 channel Mini Array

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14 March 2016

MAC has been signed up by the German loudspeaker manufacturer CODA Audio to develop its export sales direction on a global basis, and assist CODA's owner Svetley Alexandrov in positioning his company to take best advantage of the international market.

Anderson comments: "We're delighted to be joining the CODA operation. This company is driven by highly credible technology and has a proven ability to produce the goods, from manufacturing operations entirely based in Europe.

"CODA Audio is a vertically-orientated company, producing all elements of the sound system - drivers, hardware, enclosure, even the inductors and electronics - and thus keeping extensive control of quality, There are very few com

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14 March 2016

"We didn't want to make a 'me too' RGB or RGBA product that didn't provide the kind of significant innovation in lighting we strive for," says ETC CEO Fred Foster. "With its exclusive x7 Color System, the Selador product line produces a far superior quality of colour and light to anything that we had seen before in LEDs. We also benefit from the brainpower of Selador LED experts Novella and Rob - great people who will join our ETC team."

The Selador x7 Color System finds its perfect counterpart in ETC's control products, says the company. ETC's marketing manager David Lincecum explains: "ETC brings to the table a unique capability to make the control of LED luminaires ea

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14 March 2016

Bucking the current economic trend, Solutions Group has invested in excess of £100,000 in creating what it believes to be the UK's first club-sized room for the demonstration predominantly of professional sound and lighting equipment, distributed to the trade through its specialist operating division Impact Products (Europe) Ltd.

As the events of the day went on to show, however, the versatile 100sq.m auditorium will offer a host of other applications to the Company and its customers.

With the room laid out as a retro-style Bistro, the congregated crowd was literally led down the red carpet for the official ribbon cutting by the Mayor of Northampton, councillor Brian Markham.

With staff dressed as 1920s gangsters

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14 March 2016

The event is organised by PLASA's Technical Resources manager Ron Bonner: "If you have ever wanted to drive your own car above the legal 70 MPH limit to see what it is capable of without being snapped by a Gatso - then this may be your big chance. The PLASA Technical Resources Office has reserved Silverstone for a day to hold a day of fun on the track. Included in the day is lunch and if you need it, tuition on how to drive your car in this environment. (Additional tuition fees apply)

"The day is provisionally booked for Friday June 26th 2009 - just a week after the British Grand Prix has been decided - and it is estimated that the full cost of the day and lunch will be in the region of £210

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14 March 2016

In a change to previous years, producers - eager to bolster viewing figures for the Oscar ceremony later this month - have chosen to cut back on song performances. But the British singer, nominated alongside American composer Thomas Newman, said songwriters "deserve a place in the ceremony as well". "The songwriters are a v

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14 March 2016

At a meeting on 13 February, representatives of the programme making and special events (PMSE) sector agreed their common position on Ofcom's latest proposals for the future of the 'Digital Dividend' spectrum. These stakeholders included equipment manufacturers, end users, rental users and trade associations.

Alan March, representing manufacturer Sennheiser, is a member of the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG), the sector's campaign group formed to represent the interests of PMSE users to Ofcom. He said it was "unfair, unreasonable and impractical" of Ofcom to expect the industry to move to "new spectrum which is undete

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14 March 2016

Paul Jordan, vice-president, production safety will be representing NBC Universal on the Council. "This is a great opportunity for NBC Universal to work closely with this Council and its diverse partners. We look forward to the work ahead," said Jordan.

ETCP chair, Tim Hansen commented: "The ETCP Council considers NBC Universal's involvement with the programme invaluable because they are truly a powerhouse in film, television and performing arts productions; their wide ranging experience will bring a unique perspective on safety to the table."

(Jim Evans)