Stagetec (UK) Ltd has completed a contract to design, supply and install a complete sound and lighting system for the new Chafford Hundred school campus in Grays. The split-level building is imaginatively designed by Nicholas Hare Architects, with a central lift and an impressive atrium. Built for the future, it combines the principles of energy saving with a flexible space for learning and recreation.

In the building’s central section are the halls, drama studio, dining areas, sports hall, public library and specialist facilities geared towards art, technology, music and science. The primary and secondary wings extend either side of these shared spaces, each with its own secure entrance. Stagetec’s design brief was to provide a simple-to-use system that offered the latest technology and was suitable for school productions and additionally, for when the space is used by th

Automated lighting and control products from High End Systems Inc and Flying Pig Systems will now be available from one source in Germany. Arcus GmbH, based in Paderborn, previously offered only the Wholehog line of consoles, but as a result of a recent agreement, it will now handle the complete line of HES/FPS products.

"We have established a very efficient, high quality and customer-oriented working relationship with Arcus over the past three years from which German users of Flying Pig products can benefit," says Claas Ernst, High End's sales manager for Central Europe. LMP Lichttechnik will remain a dealer of High End Systems products in Germany, and the award winning Catalyst System will be distributed through both existing and new sales channels.

The official announcement came during the current Frankfurt show. To mark the new partnership, the two companies offered vis

Leading entertainment lamp supplier MGC has added David Cartwright to its expanding international sales department. Cartwright brings with him over 16 years experience in the entertainment lighting industry, with a full and varied background from hire, design & production to sales & marketing, most recently as group marketing manager of the Lighting Technology Group. One of his first priorities will be to bring on board and develop new products and services to complement the existing range of lamps.

MGC managing director James Greig commented: "We are pleased to welcome Dave on board. His knowledge of lighting products and marketing will help us to consolidate and expand our position in the entertainment lighting sector."

MGC Lamps is a world leading specialist entertainment lighting dealer with a holding stock of over 750,000 lamps, sourced from all major European and Amer

Fifty mile an hour winds and driving rain didn’t deter the spectacular industrial light and visual show - Nightlights - that launched Imagine Belfast 2008 - the City’s bid to be the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Nightlights ran for a week and involved projections onto Goliath, one of the two giant cranes at the Harland & Wolff shipyard that dominate the Belfast skyline. It was produced by Production Services Ireland for the Imagine Belfast 2008 organization, with projection by E//T//C UK and lighting by Searchlight Ireland.

The idea of projecting onto the crane evolved as several circumstances fell into place. Imagine Belfast 2008 did an ‘ideas’ postcard mailing to everyone in the city which received an overwhelming response. Thousands of inspirational phrases and slogans reflecting people’s hopes and aspirations for the future of Belfast appeare

The charity event ‘Reaching out for Africa’, a gospel spectacular which took place at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday March 10, was literally ‘A day in the life of ‘ for the production and rental companies involved. Organized by Patti Boulaye to raise money for Support for Africa, a charity she founded to inform people of the terrible effect that AIDS and malaria are having in Sub-Saharan Africa, this one-off event had just a 24 hour schedule, from load-in to get-out.

Produced by Sir Michael Parker, the event was almost a rehearsal for The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, with which he will also be involved. The 3,000 strong choir, drawn from schools, churches and choirs across the UK, Europe and Africa, will go on to form part of the 5,000-strong Golden Jubilee Gospel Choir which will sing at Buckingham Palace in June.

Lighting the show on behalf of

A.C. Lighting has added another member to its High Wycombe team. Ron Knell joins the company as a senior account manager in the export sales department. Knell, who previously spent 19 years with Lighting Technology, will add a wealth of experience to A.C.'s export sales team.

(Ruth Rossington)

Yves Pepin, president and creative director of ECA2, and his team, are working on a night-time cultural visit of the archaeological site El Tajin, in the jungle of Veracruz state, eastern Mexico. Sound and light shows will be featured every night from 16 to 23 March 2002, with commentary in Spanish, English, French and Totonac. The total number of shows will be 14. El Tajin is recognised as the cultural birthplace of the Totonac people, the first American Indians encountered by the Spanish conquistador Cortés, in 1519. The site is vast and archaeologically rich, with most of its structures dating from 600-700 AD.

Spectators will be guided, over two hours, in a circular movement over the site, stopping at places to witness various aspects of Totonac culture. A notable feature of the visit will be its personal nature: according to rules set by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthro

RCI Custom has signed a significant development and maintenance contract with software provider Stardraw.com to create a new, web-based tool for the design and production of custom control and connection panels. PanelBuilder will be hosted on the RCI Custom website and allows registered users to design, specify and purchase custom panels.

Managing director of Stardraw, David Snipp, explained the background to the deal: "RCI had long been aware of the capabilities of applications like Stardraw Audio, but it was a trade show conversation that made them realise Stardraw.com could develop an affordable custom solution. PanelBuilder is based on proven techniques seen in Stardraw applications for years, but it exploits leading-edge software and internet technology."

PanelBuilder is resident on the web server and works from within a browser, so there’s nothing to download or

The Griven Kaleido MSD 575 lamped CYM colour changer has found itself an unusual use, internally lighting a two metre giant sphere which is one of the highlights at conceptual artist Keith Tyson’s solo show - Supercollider - which recently opened at the South London Gallery.

DMX control electronics designed and programmed by Chris Newman of Brighton-based Sensatech change the colour according to the temperature of internal heating and cooling elements (simulating the inner core of our evolving earth). The sphere and support came from South London based one-off specialist manufacturer Michael J Smith, also responsible for other exhibits at the show.

Commenting on the installation, Tony Kingsley of Griven’s UK distributor Ambient Lighting, told L&SI: "The opal perspex reflects the light to give an even coverage, helped of course by the wide angle output of the Kaleido.

At the recent Pro Light & Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, the leading lighting distributor Lightpower announced the launch of a new gel-string manufacturing service in Germany, which the company is operating under licence from Rosco, under the brand name ‘Major’. The service, which is the first of its kind in Germany, will provide gel-strings for all types and sizes of scroller, not just Rainbow (for whom Lightpower is exclusive worldwide distributor) and will also utilise gels from the ranges of both Lee Filters and Rosco.

(Lee Baldock)

S Club 7 have recently completed a UK arena tour. Considering it’s only a matter of months since their last outing, it’s to the band’s credit that they decided to create a whole new image for this tour. The impressive set, designed by Hattie Spice (no relation to the Girls) and co-ordinated by Charlie Kail, included not only a series of lifts and moving elements, but a massive over-audience catwalk. To rig the show, rigging contractors Summit Steel used 220m of James Thomas trussing, along with 55 CM Lodestar hoists. These were used to provide backdrop, side screen, tracking screen and catwalk support trussing, as well as cable bridges and hoists used during daily fit-up for the scenic elements.

Total Fabrications Ltd were called in to manufacture the catwalk deck and handrail to fit the truss structure supplied by Summit Steel. "The catwalk was suspended using 2

The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, north London, is the proud owner of a brand new sound and lighting system for its in-house theatre, installed by Live Business International. The massive teaching hospital has a 330-seat theatre deep within its bowels, which has been used over the years for student lectures, as well as plays and Student Union performances. The hospital’s Trustees wanted to make much more use of the theatre, but the ancient sound and lighting system, with no component less than 25 years old, was a major stumbling block.

Live Business won the tender for the contract to design and install a completely new sound and lighting system for the theatre in time for a pantomime run. Live Business International director Roland Hemming designed the installation, which besides being high quality, required a great deal of flexibility to cope with the very different types of

Data communications company Pathway Connectivity has announced the creation of a new industry partnership, the Pathport Alliance. The alliance is made up of major lighting control manufacturers that have undertaken to implement the Pathport Protocol in their products.

"This alliance extends the power and flexibility of Pathport to a variety of respected lighting control platforms. Users will be able to connect these controls directly to a Pathport network," explained Graham Likeness, Pathway’s vice-president of sales and marketing, "providing users with a system for patching, merging, prioritizing and distributing up to 64 universes of DMX."

The Pathport Alliance is currently comprised of Entertainment Technology, Flying Pig Systems, Interactive Technologies, High End Systems, MA Lighting and Pathway Connectivity. Launched at LDI 2000 in Las Vegas, Pathport

The A22 into London came to a standstill on the evening of 12 March when Ann Summers celebrated the opening of its brand new headquarters. RGA Production and Design produced the launch party and worked with Fourth Phase to light up the surrounding sky with stunning effects, searchlights, fireworks and projection.

As local dignitaries and celebrities arrived at the two-acre site, they were greeted by 40-feet high projected images of models from the latest Ann Summers lingerie catalogue. Added to this the whole building was floodlit in the company’s corporate colours. Fourth Phase supplied two Pani BP6 Gold projectors with PIGI digital slide changers for the images and Studio Duo City Colors up-lit the exterior walls. These were complemented by Martin Mac 500s projecting corporate logos whilst Mac 600s were used to colour the interior of the reception area.

Aside from Ann Summers

It’s been water, water everywhere recently for D J Willrich Ltd (DJW), as the Hampshire-based AV and multi-media specialists have recently completed work on the saltwater Bournemouth Oceanarium in Dorset and the freshwater Lakeside Aquarium at Newby Bridge on the shores of Lake Windermere.

Working within a deadline of just three weeks, DJW installed in the Bournemouth Oceanarium three Sony plasma displays, three touch screen quiz-based interactives and, with the help of strobe lighting and Bose speakers, the sound of a rainforest thunderstorm that automatically comes to life every 20 minutes.

Visitors to the Lake District are obviously used to it raining more frequently there since DJW’s thunderstorm sound simulation at the Lakeside Aquarium proved to be so popular that it now runs every three minutes! In addition to this, DJW has also installed two Sony plasma displays,

In less than six months since acquiring Italian lighting giants, Coemar SpA, Florida-based Coemar USA (formerly Tracoman) has radically streamlined production, marketing and distribution to make the company more competitive and efficient in its traditional markets.

Chief executive Gerard Cohen confirmed that while expansion of Coemar’s production facilities in Belarus will enable the company to bring commercial luminaires to market faster and more cost-competitively, the handover of administrative responsibility will provide more creative freedom for the company’s inventor, Bruno Dedoro, as head of Coemar’s R&D and production operations. "Over the past two decades, Coemar has designed groundbreaking products such as the Robot, NAT and CF series of luminaires, and this will continue. At the same time we are looking at ways of improving the global distribution netw

Erikson Pro has been named the new exclusive Compulite distributor for Canada. "Compulite gives users the tools that allow them to unleash their creative powers," commented Erikson Pro general manager, Christian Bouchard. "We are excited at the opportunity to develop the potential of this comprehensive line of products, which fills a vast range of lighting control needs. The distribution agreement is effective immediately.

(Lee Baldock)

ETC has further expanded its pan-European service, with the appointment of David Gray as field project manager for the Southern Region. Currently ETC's project manager, servicing major ETC projects on a global basis, Gray will commence in his new role on April 1st, 2002.

Based in Rome, David will be working with Fulvio Cotogni, ETC's manager for Southern Europe, providing on-site project support. Together, they will offer a complete service to the region, which includes the Middle East and Africa, complementing other similar ETC teams in Europe. Having worked for ETC since 1997, David has grown to be respected member of the industry. He joined ETC to develop the projects department and, together with Jeremy Roberts, has played an important role in establishing ETC as a major player in the global cruise and entertainment markets. During his four years at ETC, he has managed numerous lar

I-Vision supplied and co-ordinated the equipment for an eye-catching exterior architectural lighting scheme for the re-opening of the Walker Arts Gallery in Liverpool. The show was designed and produced by Liverpool City Council’s Cultural Events Officer and lighting designer Lee Forde.

The Gallery re-opened after a £4.3 million refurbishment, part of National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside’s (NMGM) first major capital project for the 21st century. The Victorian building façade which features central steps and an extruded section, is flanked by Grecian-style columns, and flat sections either side. The columns and two statues either side of the steps, were lit using 300W profile fixtures, and the flat, end sections of the building’s fascia were bathed in blue light from powerful Coemar Panorama 1800W cyc fixtures. Tight 4-way finger-beam fans of ‘Aircraft La

Stage Electrics’ business development manager Matt Lloyd has been chosen to take part in The Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race, which covers over 35,000 miles of gruelling ocean racing. It’s an 11-month sabbatical, commencing in October, that will take him to 16 stop-overs around the world. The crew will consist of 14 ‘amateur’ crew members, both men and women, accompanied by one professional skipper.

There are eight yachts competing, each sponsored by an individual city - Liverpool, Bristol, Glasgow, London, Jersey, Hong Kong and Cape Town. The Bristol Clipper which Matt is crewing won the Clipper 2000 Race, so she will be defending her title in this year’s race. David Whitehead, owner of Stage Electrics is fully supportive: "Matt has worked for Stage Electrics for over ten years and this is a fantastic opportunity for him. I am very supportive

ARRI recently awarded a portable lighting kit - consisting of the Junior range of Fresnel spotlights - to a lucky competition winner, after he entered a ‘business card’ draw on the company’s stand at the Video Forum Exhibition earlier this year.

Richard Hookings, a freelance lighting cameraman commented: "I was so surprised to actually win as I was dubious that these things are ever genuine. This kit will nicely complement my existing lighting kit, and being so compact, it will be ideal for situations when I’m working on my own and need to transport my kit around single-handedly." ARRI displayed two new kit formats at Video Forum - both suitable for 3-point lighting arrangements. The first contained two 650W Junior Fresnels and an 800W ARRIlite which offers flexibility and control, whilst the second contained two 300W Junior fresnels and a Junior 150W

Martin Professional introduced the Maxxyz lighting control system at last week’s SIB International exhibition in Rimini. One of the main product highlights of the exhibition, Maxxyz boasts a comprehensive range of cutting-edge features and attractive, modular design, with an intuitive operating system, easy programmability and customizable characteristics. The desk’s built-in 3D visualizer with real-time Preview mode gives full real-time preview of shows, allowing the user to create new ones without interrupting the running show. Maxxyz offers Ethernet capability (10/100 Mbit) for DMX universes and multiple console linking, remote access via a laptop/PC or Internet network, plus a link for automatic Internet updates, programming modification, service and support, and more.

Two complete Pentium III-based computer systems communicate with each other through COM+ technology. T

A group of exhibition design final year students from the Reinwardt Academie in Amsterdam recently enjoyed an informative visit to the London office of Sarner, audio visual, visitor attraction and design specialists. Frank van Oosterhout, faculty lecturer from the Academie (an institute which specializes in Museum Communication, Management, Registration and Conservation) was so impressed when he visited Sarner’s Lands End tourist centre installation in 1996 that he brought the students to the UK to meet the company behind the project.

Marije Kruize, one of the visiting students, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She commented: "We’ve all been inspired by Sarner’s individual approach to each project and would love to work for a company like that. The visit has helped us all get an insight into a company that delivers innovation and technology with bags full of pa

On Sunday 17 March, the World Wrestling Federation held its annual extravaganza, Wrestlemania X8. This year’s event was held at Toronto’s SkyDome in front of nearly 69,000 people live and millions via Pay-Per-View, setting several attendance records. The four-hour production featured title matches and live performances by Saliva and Drowning Pool.

As long-time lighting suppliers to the WWF, Bandit Lites and production designer Jason Robinson were called upon to make this year’s event bigger than anything the WWF had ever done before, and judging by the numbers involved, they succeeded: 12 semis full of lighting gear, 4,000,000W of power at 11,000 amps per leg, 450 moving lights, 700 Par 64s, three Flying Pig Whole Hog 2s with four Overdrives, an ETC Expression 3x, 216 motors, 204 pieces of 10ft A-type truss, five custom A-type circles ranging from 42ft in diameter to

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