USA - Arup's West Coast Theatre Consulting practice led by Robert Young,has moved operations to San Francisco.

To meet increasing demand for services in Northern California and to better serve West Coast clients, Robert Young will lead the theatre consulting group from Arup's San Francisco office.

He joins industry veterans Josh Cushner, Kurt Graffy and Larry Tedford to offer integrated acoustics, audiovisual and theatre consulting services. Recent projects include work for arts, education and corporate clients including the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, SF MOMA, and Idyllwild Arts.

A respected member of the theatre community with more than 20 years of experience, Young has led the theatre planning and technical systems design for some of the most acclaimed arts and academic buildings of the last decade.

(Jim Evans)

UK - PR Lighting has announced the promotion of one of its long-term employees to international assistant sales director.

Sasha Xiong joined the company eight years ago as sales manager, with responsibility for the Asia Pacific countries.

Commented international sales director, Ernie Armas, "We strive to build long term relationships not only with our customers but also our employees. It is just as important for us to mentor and develop the talent and skills of our sales force, as it is a key asset to everyone's success. I very much look forward to working with Sasha in her new role."

(Jim Evans)

South Africa - Proaudio, a leading supplier of professional audio and DJ products has been nominated as the new distributor for RCF in South Africa.

"We are immensely proud that RCF chose Proaudio todistribute its product in South Africa" says Proaudio CEO Joss Pack."RCF has pioneered many of the innovations now recognised and used in professional audio products, and the distribution network with Proaudio will continue to offer customers complete support and technical back up in South Africa.

We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship both with RCF and its loyal dealer base in South Africa."

Notable products for the South African market include the NXSeries, D-Line, TT Touring and Theatre as well as their Art Series - a multi-purpose active speaker range.

(Jim Evans)

Precis of Subject:

This session will discuss which methodologies are best suited to ensure that the mixes we hear before giving the "thumbs up" are appropriate to the various media, including radio, CDs, compressed music file web-outlets (i.e. iTunes and BandCamp). We promise that you will leave this one hour presentation with some fine food for thought, and the urge to get back to your rigs and to experiment!

Speaker(s):

Elliott Randall (Steely Dan; producer & musician), Wes Maebe (recording/mastering engineer), Andy Munro (acoustician, studio monitor design), and Dave Harries (studio designer - for Sir George Martin's Air Studios and Mark Knopfler's British Grove Studios)

presented by: APRS
Sunday 9 September, 12.30pm - 1.30pm

To book this session and check out other session in the programme,

If you want to grab a piece of Olympic memorabilia, make your way to the PLASA Bar from 6pm on Monday 10 September. Robe, who are having their own tenth birthday party this year are continuing to celebrate the popular 'Working With Winners' theme by hosting the auction of an Olympic torch during the PLASA Awards for Innovation. All the proceeds will be donated to Light Relief, the charity established to support, either practically or financially, those in the entertainment lighting industry who experience extreme hardship through no fault of their own - don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!

The torch, 800mm high with a stylish conical design and featuring an attractive shiny gold finish, will be on display on the Robe Stand Hall 1 F47 on Sunday and Monday of the exhibition for all to admire.

A professional auctioneer will be on hand to conduct the proceedings and help find

Web News - The long-running legal dispute between the producers of the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark and the show's director Julie Taymor has been tentatively settled, it has been announced.

After winding its way through the courts for almost a year, and with a trial date set for early 2013, the case, currently in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, was ordered terminated by Judge Katherine B. Forrest, with each side to pay its own legal costs.

However, any of the litigating parties has the option of reopening the matter with written notice to the court within the next 60 days. Specific terms of the settlement have not yet been disclosed.

Spider-Man had been plagued by numerous production problems since it opened, including cost overruns, injuries to performers, a continually extended preview period, and wide

Poland - A recent company restructure by the Polish manufacturer of Preceptor and Compactor (analogue Zener compressor/limiters) has resulted in the emergence of Gem Audio Labs, a new company/brand name that replaces the former Generic Audio.

The Wroclaw-based company first released its pure analogue, two-channel stereo/dual mono Preceptor during 2010. Nominated for several awards by industry publications, Preceptor was joined by a smaller sibling, Compactor, in 2011. All the company's products are assembled and calibrated by hand using the highest quality components, a factor that has led to rapid recognition of their sonic performance and build quality. The units are also equipped with classic user interfaces designed for intuitive and convenient operation. The series currently comprises the 3U Preceptor A and Preceptor T and the 2U Compactor.

In addition to re-branding, the

South Africa - A two day Protocol Training course was hosted at DWR Distribution in Strijdom Park, Randburg on 3 and 4 September.

This year, Nick Britz from DWR has taken Training under his wing and is running with sessions that will benefit technicians and interested parties in the industry.

The Protocol Training covers everything from the basic DMX 512, RMD, Artnet, Ethernet and Wireless Networking. It includes fault-finding techniques, addressing fixtures, monitoring units in the rig, configuring networks and the ins and outs of some of the most commonly used protocols.

September will be a busy time at DWR Distribution, and other courses include the Avolites Titan 6 Training on the 10 and 11 September and Robe Training on the 17 & 18 September.

(Jim Evans)

UK - At the end of an unrivalled summer of success, PLASA 2012 opens its doors for the very last time at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre on Sunday 9 September and with pre-registration figures already way ahead of last years, it's time to celebrate!

As PLASA announce a new home for the PLASA Show, the final event at Earls Court promises to be a glorious celebration of the industry's involvement in the Diamond Jubilee and London 2012 Olympics. The Olympics Uncovered sector of the Professional Development Programme is close to a sell-out and joining Backstage at the London 2012 Ceremonies will be Making it all Possible! presented by Riedel Communications; Landscape Video, a seminar from Tait dedicated to those transforming LED panels that turn stadiums into vast video screens and Scott Burges from Creative Technology delivering From a Wobbly House to the

Richard Vivian of Big Sky Acoustics has been added to the Art of Noise panel session at PLASA 2012.

Richard brings a down-to-earth, sensible and real-world attitude to the issues of creeping noise control regulations at urban concerts and festivals, the latest tools on the market which aim to allow engineers and promoters to monitor noise levels, and the methods that sound engineers employ to stay within the sound boundaries.

Richard has experience at lots of major festivals, as well as outside night clubs in Kensington at 3am! A superb addition to the panel, which already includes John Taylor (d&b audiotechnik), Jim Griffiths (Vanguardia Consulting) and Jacob Navne (SGAudio Aps)

To book this session and check out other session in the programme, please click here

UK - Entertainment industry training centre Backstage Academy has launched an exclusive PLASA competition for one lucky student to win a week's work experience at LS-Live, helping on the set build of a touring artist.

Sponsored by leading trade publication L&Si, the first prize will enable a young student to gain valuable experience at an internationally renowned set design and construction business, based at the LS-Live Studios in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. LS-Live has worked on stage shows of famous artists such as Kasabian, Jay-Z, Tinie Tempah and Robbie Williams, with many of them rehearsing in its arena-sized production rehearsal studio.

The second prize, sponsored by the UK's biggest distributor of Apple and Adobe products, Jigsaw Systems, is an iPod and a 50% voucher off any Short Course or Career Course at Backstage Academy. There are also 25 third prizes; 10% off vouc

UK - On Monday 10 September, in front of a packed audience at the PLASA Awards Ceremony at Earls Court John Meyer was announced as the winner of the 2012 Gottelier Award.

John Meyer is one of the original pioneers of the modern sound reinforcement industry. He began his career in 1967 by building a customised system for the Steve Miller Band, and from there he went on to develop loudspeaker systems for the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Grateful Dead. Since founding Meyer Sound Laboratories in 1979 with his wife Helen, Meyer has continued to research, experiment and develop sound technology ever since - building Meyer Sound into an iconic brand and a consistent world leader in the pro audio market. Meyer is a more than worthy winner of this highly prized accolade.

This prestigious award is named in honour of the late Tony Gottelier who was one of the industry's

UK - The PLASA Awards for Innovation, sponsored by AED Rent and Lighting&Sound, were presented at the PLASA Show in London yesterday evening, along with the announcement of the prestigious Gottelier Award.

During the show's opening two days, 47 products were judged 'live' in front of a crowd of show visitors and camera crew by an independent panel of expert judges who toured the show floor to view each product presentation.

John Meyer of iconic pro audio brand Meyer Sound was honoured with this year's Gottelier Award in recognition of his life as one of the pioneers of the modern sound reinforcement industry.

Eight Awards for Innovation were presented - including a final Gold Award for Innovation - along with a special Award for Sustainability.

Nominees are asked to demonstrate a new style of thinking, an improvement in technical practice, an aid to safety, energy-s

South Africa - DWR Distribution has added Angela Botha to its team. With her knowledge of the accounting software, Pastel, she will be assisting the accounts department and help with invoices and quotations.

Botha is a former Krugersdorp High School student and for the past three years worked at Filter Pure Mesh carrying out administrative duties and internal sales.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Author, educator, and industry veteran John Huntington has released Show Networks and Control Systems, the completely updated and revised edition of his industry standard reference text, which was previously titled Control Systems for Live Entertainment.

The book includes an in-depth examination of the control and networking technology used in lighting, lasers, sound, stage machinery, animatronics, special effects, and pyrotechnics used in concerts, theme parks, theatre, themed retail, cruise ships, museums, interactive performing arts, and special events.

"With the increasing impact and ubiquity of networking in our market, I felt a new edition with an expanded networking focus was important," comments Huntington. "So, I completely reorganised the content; checked, updated, and expanded the information; and added a lot more information. And,

The Netherlands - Kerkrade in the Netherlands is the home of ADJ Group's European headquarters and has now become a 'Center of Communication and Technology Exchange' for the company. Elation and AD Systems, as part of the ADJ Group portfolio, now benefits from the opening of a completely new-built facility. The Customer Care Center offers hands-on fixture tests, comprehensive fixture comparison possibilities and personal and competent Support Personnel accompanied with individual design and programming options. The Customer Care Center is open daily on weekdays and ADJ personnel will to do their outmost to turn your individual requests into reality, says the Group.

In addition to the new Customer Care Centre, the company has launched a set of themed seminar days. The PRO(theme)days are intended for those customers looking for the direct contact with the manufacturer, searching f

RSC Record - The Royal Shakespeare Company has reported its financial results for 2011/12 - the first year in its new Stratford-upon-Avon home. Its annual report reveals that the company has recorded a turnover of more than £50m for the first time ever.

Box office takings have more than doubled to £18.1m from £8.3m in 2010/11, when the company had reduced operations due to the refurbishment of the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres. Its audience almost doubled between the two seasons - up to 708,022 people in 2011/12. Percentage capacity remained static at 89%.

The results were reported at the RSC's annual general meeting in Stratford, which saw artistic director Michael Boyd and executive director Vikki Heywood hand over to Gregory Doran and Catherine Mallyon respectively.

NT in NYC - The National Theatre has announced that it is opening a New York

UK - Midas Consoles has presented live audio specialists Britannia Row with a special 'Pushing the Boundaries' award for its work on the Queen's Jubilee Concert earlier in the year.

Midas announced the gong during a pre-PLASA distributor's dinner and then later in the week on the Midas PLASA Stand during the European press launch of the PRO1 and VeniceU.

"The award was made in recognition of Britannia Row's design and application of the largest, most complex network of Midas consoles to date," explains brand manager Richard Ferriday. "The system was used on the hugely demanding Queen's Jubilee Concert where more than 250,000 people packed into The Mall, St. James's Park and at the Queen Victoria Memorial, to watch the stellar line up of bands, who performed in quick succession, as millions more watched around the world on TV."

"We are delighted to be

UK - PLASA 2012 saw a successful final chapter of the show's history at Earls Court, with high quality visitor attendance, a hugely popular Professional Development Programme and a vibrant out-of-hours social schedule - a fitting end to an era before the show begins anew at ExCel London in 2013.

Although the show attracted fewer visitors than last year, following a quiet - and gloriously sunny - Sunday, numbers picked up again for Monday and Tuesday, and after an unusually busy final day the overall visitor attendance reached 11, 500 (subject to ABC audit). Despite anecdotal reports of reduced international turnout, the overseas attendance was in fact a robust 25% of the total footfall, compared with 26% in 2011. The overall response from exhibitors, however, was vintage PLASA - excellent quality visitors and good levels of business - plus a strong sense of the buzz returning to

UK - Last week (10 September) representatives of the UK's entertainment industry met Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP. The roundtable meeting brought together representatives from the British TV, theatre and live music industries to discuss the challenges facing the industry's access to adequate radio spectrum in the future.

Lord Grade on behalf of the industry commented, "We appreciate the opportunity to meet the Minister and discuss issues affecting the future viability of our industry. Spectrum policy is an important and evolving area of the Government's work, and essential to the future of world-leading content production in the UK.

"It is good to see that the Government is listening to the concerns of the industry, and committing to an on-going dialogue."

Peter Roberts on behalf of BEIRG said, "The UK creative industries generate tens of billions of pou

UK - Flightcase and speaker cabinet solutions specialist Penn Elcom showed its latest ideas and technologies at PLASA 2012 for the first time with all key brands in the group based on a single booth.

In addition to the latest ideas from Penn Elcom, the newest products from Pro Audio Stash, Rackz and CLD Distribution all attracted interest over the four day show.

Penn Elcom chairman Roger Willems states, "It was a good opportunity to meet many of our existing customers from the UK as well as make some new contacts."

The integrated stand also highlighted Penn's quality metalworking and manufacturing capabilities in the UK, and how this and other synergies help fuel the development of innovative and cost-efficient product lines across the sister companies.

"Overall this enables us to offer a very 'joined-up' range of complimentary products," confirms Wille

Australia - MDG has confirmed the appointment of ULA Group as its new exclusive distributor for Australia.

For over 30 years, MDG has created fog and haze generators for entertainment, industrial, firefighting and military customers. Based in Montreal in Canada, the company's philosophy is to develop and produce the best generators on the market.

"We chose ULA Group as our distributors because their degree of dedication to our industry matches MDG's own," says Martin Michaud, president & CEO of MDG. "Coupled with ULA's unsurpassed knowledge of the Australian market, we believe this to be a very exciting, effective combination."

ULA Group marked the new appointment by introducing the MDG fog generators during Entech Connect show in Melbourne (18 - 19 July 2012), where they received positive feedback from visitors.

The MDG machines are well respected and

UK - Friday 14 September saw the inaugural PLASA Golf Day at the Drift Golf Club in Surrey, organised by PLASA with assistance from White Light and Delta Sound, the proceeds of the day went to Light Relief.

Teams were entered by companies throughout the events industry; manufacturers from the lighting and sound sides of the industry (Martin Professional & Meyer Sound) as well as rental & sales companies (White Light, Autograph & Delta Sound). The video industry was represented by a team from Creative Technology with the rigging fraternity represented by Unusual Rigging. Ted Moore from Stage Technologies was flying the flag for the automation sector. End users were also represented with teams from Ambassadors Theatre Group and the English National Opera.

Once the scores were added up, it was the Autograph team who was victorious and claimed first prize over Meyer Sound. The sec

UK / USA - The focus of Le Maitre Pyrotechnics and Special Effects on its US operation and its commitment to the North American market has now been further underlined by the recent appointment of a new global CEO - Rob Brenner - who will oversee both the UK and US companies. Brenner is based in the US and will also be President of Le Maitre USA LLC.

Brenner's background has been as a touring industry executive with over 25 years experience and has included producing tours for such stellar names as Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, Backstreet Boys & Britney Spears. His responsibilities in this role covered all things creative, organizational, logistical and financial, all terrific skill-sets that he now brings to Le Maitre.

Says Brenner: "I'm really looking forward to working with such a well established company. Maintaining excellent customer satisfaction will be a top p

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