Canada / UK - Cast's latest version of Wysiwyg, R20 offers more tools, smaller file sizes, improved images, broader compatibility, support for Windows Vista and more. The company says that with the compression in R20, every new file will start off up to 10 times smaller than in previous releases, which means faster loading time and the ability to email even complex Wysiwyg files to clients and team members.

R20 also features a range of new 'Merge Objects' tools, which include such actions as Subtraction (subtracting one object from another), Union (uniting two objects into one), and Intersection (the tricky operation of merging two objects and then deleting everything outside of their common area, or intersecting point). In wysiwyg, these new tools can be used with any object, 2D or 3D.

R20 also allows users to choose from a series of pre-defined line thicknesses (weights), an

USA - Elation has brought DMX control into the wireless realm with the introduction of the EWDMX system. Consisting of a transmitter and one or more receivers, the revolutionary wireless DMX control system completely eliminates the need for DMX cables at a range of up to 3,000 feet - more than half a mile, says the company.

The EWDMXT wireless transmitter easily connects to a DMX-512 controller via 3-pin or 5-pin XLR plugs. The transmitter sends all DMX data from the controller to the EWDMXR wireless receiver, which can be linked via XLR directly into the first light fixture in the DMX daisy chain. One EWDMXT transmitter can be used with up to 1,000 EWDMXR receivers, so user can easily expand or slim down their wireless DMX control systems to fit virtually any lighting setup.

"People are amazed at how reliably and flawlessly the EWDMX system operates when they see it in a

UK - Essential Lighting Group last week hosted the industry at its West London headquarters to demonstrate its recent investment in Barco MiTrix and MiStrip Scenic LED fixtures.

Tony 'Turbo' Hall transformed Essential's demonstration and preproduction suite in to a full-size event with creative use of MiTrix and MiStrip fixtures including a wave shaped ceiling piece, moving screens and reveal pieces, multilayered alcoves revealed and concealed though the semi-transparent scenic LED screens.

The event was very well attended with hundreds of lighting designers, production managers, trade customers and set designers getting the opportunity to see the equipment in action, and get a hands-on look at the components and how the system is constructed.

Essential Lighting recently became the world's first lighting rental company stocking Barco MiTrix and MiStrip Scenic LED fixtures. M

UK - A.C. Lighting has launched a promotion to "help venues get their atmosphere back" after the English smoking ban commences on 1 July 2007.

The company says: "Whilst the obvious health benefits of the ban can only be a good thing for entertainment venues' staff and customers, the downside of the ban is that smoke from cigarettes provided an ideal natural haze to enhance venues' dancefloor and stage lighting effects".

To mark this change in the law, A.C. Lighting is offering the pro-level Jem ZR24/7 Hazer and club-level Martin Magnum Hazer machines with four 2.5L bottles of Pro Haze fluid at special low prices for a strictly limited period.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Anolis LED fixtures have been specified and installed on the exterior facades of the newly opened Casino at Leicester Square, London.

The 55,000sq.ft, Paul Steelman (PSDG) interior designed venue is owned and operated by London Clubs Management (LCM) a wholly owned subsidiary of the largest gaming company in the world, Harrahs. Burrows Cave International (BCI) continued their relationship with LCM by handling the interpretation and realisation of PSDG interior design scheme from their London offices.

TMC were asked to provide an exterior lighting scheme that would come alive with colour and anticipation, generate interest and excitement among passers by and ensure that the world class venue stood out in one of London's busiest thoroughfares. They asked Robe UK's Bill Jones to collaborate in devising a lighting scheme to meet the client's requirements.

TMC's Martin Tarpy

France - For the third time, tarm Showlaser from Bochum, Germany, staged an open-air laser performance for the European Space Agency's The Night Of The Astronautsin Paris.

Following up on the preceding events held in Cologne and Barcelona, the background chosen this time was the Paris skyline. The Trocadero Gardens in front of the Eiffel Tower provided an impressive setting. After a live link to the International Space Station (ISS) and a roundtable discussion with former astronauts, a 40-minute, multimedia spectacle followed. Altogether, eight, time-code-controlled, full-color lasers interfaced to a fiberoptic-linked, central, computer network were installed in the grounds.

tarm General Manager, Ralf Lottig, noted: "Fortunately, the days of elaborate water-cooling systems and three-phase, electrical cabling as thick as a man's arm are over. Even though all of our

UK - Avolites lighting consoles once again proved a popular choice at Glastonbury. A total of 21 Avo consoles and 20 Avo Art2000 racks were used site-wide at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Music & Dance.

At Jazz World, an Avolites Diamond 4 took centre stage, supplied by Essex-based DPL, who were enjoying their first year as a Glasto supplier. This controlled 18 Robe ColorSpot 1200E AT moving lights, 22 pieces of the new Martin Professional Stage Bar 54 LED battens, over 150 PARs, 8 cell Molefeys and a Hippotizer digital media server driving 24 square metres of ChromaQ ColorWeb LED screen configured in six columns.

Dimming was also Avolites ART 2000 including a new rack purchased by DPL for their busy summer schedule.

The Jazz World rig was designed by Darren Parker and Pete Watts, and the console was programmed by Watts and operated by him plus DPL crew membe

Australia - Enttec has launched the new RDS range of RDM/DMX splitters. The release consists of the RDS4 - a 1-in, 4-out standalone/truss mount splitter, and the RDS8 - a 1-in, 8-out rackmount splitter. Both splitters are fully compatible with standard DMX equipment, as well as offering support for RDM enabled consoles and fixtures, and have isolation up to 1500v between every input and output port.

RDM allows bidirectional communication between control equipment, such as consoles and software, and RDM enabled fixtures, such as moving lights and LED fixtures. Standard DMX splitters will not allow RDM equipment to function correctly, as they do not allow for messages to be passed back from fixtures to console.

The RDS Splitters pass all RDM information back and forth between the console and fixtures, allowing RDM features such as remote addressing, reporting of lamp hours etc t

UK - PSL's music division is helping Faithless to deliver an integrated lighting and video stage show during this summer's big festivals.

The design debuted in London's Hyde Park, where Faithless was one of the headline acts at the O2 Wireless Festival. Lighting director Jvan Morandi has conceived a visually stunning backdrop for the show, which has been realised by PSL's Pod Bluman and team, using the latest high-resolution projectors from Christie, bought by PSL especially for this event and other summer/autumn touring commitments.

Morandi's design was based around 18 8ft x 6ft rear-projection screens, split into a 6 x 3 matrix. He specified 40,000 ANSI lumens to front-project onto each block of six displays, a brightness quotient dictated by the fact that Faithless go on-stage around 8.30pm when there is still high ambient light.

Pod Bluman introduced Morandi to the new C

UK - Southwest production company, Fearless Audio, employed an Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing system for one of the stages at the Glastonbury festival. Fearless was contracted to manage audio on the G stage, part of the growing Dance Area of the festival,which also comprised the East and West Coast stages, Dance Lounge, and Pussy Parlure.

Having road-tested the system on other productions, Fearless installed an iDR10 DSP rack onstage with iLive-144 FOH control surface, managing a total of 34 DJ acts over the three-day event. G Stage acts included The Plumps DJ's, Rennie Pilgrem & MC Chickaboo, Adam Freeland, Andy C, Adam F, Shpongle, Freq Nasty, Scotch Egg Band (Drumize), and Atomic Hooligan & Jay Cunning.

"Despite the terrible weather conditions, iLive performed flawlessly - it's a fantastic system," commented Fearless Audio owner, Kevin Allen. "It made loa

Spain - The long-established and multi-award winning Space Club Ibiza has recently installed the first VisualDMX lighting control software system on the party island. The system is being used for controlling a 24 x 5 LED matrix positioned above the DJ booth and LED lighting, from AVR, around the main venue of the club. A touch screen with the VisualTouch software was also installed for direct access to VisualDMX.

Pedro Comesana, production manager responsible for all audio, video and lighting systems at Space Club Ibiza, states, "We wanted to create different areas inside the main room. Each bar has its own personality and we wanted to keep them all independent, as well as the different parts of the bars. We also have a matrix behind the DJ booth that we want to control, together with the bars and the ambient lighting."

Comesana continues, "Following on from ear

USA - Bandit Lites is currently working with Grammy award-winning alternative rock band, Deftones. The summer tour includes dates across the US, wrapping up in Canada. Deftones have already made their way through Mexico, South America, Japan, Australia and Europe this year, supporting their most recent album, Saturday Night Wrist.

Lighting designer Anthony 'Geddy' Korddjaka chose to use ACL's, PAR 64s, four Lite Moles, two Lite Inline Moles, Martin MAC 500s, AC Color Blocks, Coemar Par Lite LEDs, Pixeline 4' 1044s and Martin Atomic 3000 strobes and scrollers. Lighting was controlled by a Compulite Vector Red.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Rental Company Richard Martin Lighting has invested in 2K versions of the Moving High Ground, manufactured by Italian based company Novalight.

The 2K's are similar in design to the traditional Moving High Ground that was released only a few years ago. However, it has a black casing (as opposed to the original grey) and the increase from 1.2 Kilo Watts to 2 Kilo Watts is what makes this light different, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

USA - High End Systems has launched its newest automated luminaire, the Showgun. This, say HES, is a larger than normal automated light that can project images, change and mix dichroic colours, and switch from hard-edge to soft-edge, all within a compact system. Adding an extra bit of flash is the LED Tracking System, which forms a circle around the lens, says the company.

Showgun's's main output uses a 2000W short arc metal halide lamp, designed as a joint venture between Philips and High End Systems. The new MSR 2000SA Gold lamp uses a fast-fit socket design that allows for a more compact reflector combination. Combining the high-performance lamp, advanced reflector and revolutionary optical design, Showgun produces more than 100,000 lumens of output.

The LED Tracking System is a homogenously mixed RGB LED circular array, which allows the user to either match the colour of t

USA - Studio 54 was the favourite nightspot of A-list jetsetters like Andy Warhol, Brooke Shields, Donald Trump and Mick Jagger back in the '70s. So when a mega-bash was held in tribute to the legendary New York disco recently, the party's organisers wanted the visual effects to be as mind-blowing and "trippy" as the decade of the club's heyday.

Jack Kelly of Eye Dialogue was approached by theatrical lighting designer Eric Wink to light up the event, which was called the Studio 50 Party and held in Charlotte, NC at the city's Grand Central venue. "Eric thought I would bring the psychedelic element to the design," said Kelly.

Kelly put together a package of lighting consisting mainly of American DJ and Elation Professional effects. He set the mood with two ADJ Fantasy 250s, a 250-watt discharge unit that creates 3D textured-glass-gobo patterns, projec

UK - BBC Radio One's Big Weekend (Moor Park, Preston) featured some of the best known names in the business. Not just on stage, but behind the lighting desks.

Lighting designer Paul Normandale and Lite Alternative took the helm this year, controlling an impressive ship. Scissor Sisters, Groove Armada and Razorlight were just a few of the acts to take to the stage. And hanging above them were some of Martin's latest models, including the MAC TW1 and two new LED fixtures - Stagebar 54 and the light curtain, LC 2140.

Normandale was the lighting designer for the entire event and put together a striking design for the three stages. His major challenge was to create a design that would look good live, but would also be clean enough for broadcast, as the whole weekend was televised in HD quality.

Another challenge was ensuring the stage design was flexible enough for the many guest

Czech republic - Robe moving lights were in action in the main Scenofest Hall of the Prague Quadrennial 2007 - the International Competitive Exhibition of Scenography and Theatre Architecture.

This is organised by OISTAT - the International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians - and is the world's largest scenographic exhibition. The event took over three halls of the Prague Industrial Palace at the Exhibition Grounds to the north of the city.

Scenofest featured two main performance spaces. The first was the 18m high Tower of Babel, built from scaffolding and steel and conceived by Sean Crowley, head of design at the UK's Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Technical design of the Tower was by PQ's technical director Ian Evans, head of technical studies at the RWCMD.

Crowley, Evans and Jean Guy Le Cat also designed the other main performance sp

UK - Stage Electrics supplied and installed set, lighting and generator power for the Nokia Rock Up & Play structure at the 2007 Donington Park Download Festival, formerly known as Monsters of Rock, working for The Dobson White Partnership.

The Nokia Rock Up & Play set-up features a stage which is open to everyone who wishes to perform. Anyone can turn up as individuals or bands and play on their own or with the house band - with predictably mixed results. The stage also attracts the more 'non musical types' who enter the air guitar competition with a signed 'air guitar' as first prize, there is also a DJ for late night moshing.

Scenic elements supplied by Stage Electrics included the main bar, DJ bar, performance stage, Q & A stage and graphics walling. The company also provided download units and phone display pods.

This year, the teams worked to demanding ti

UK - ChamSys has announced that ID Electronic has become exclusive distributors of Magic Consoles and MagicQ Wings for Iceland.

"ChamSys continues its substantial growth and is delighted to be able to welcome another distributor to the ever-increasing network from around the World," says a company spokesman. This is an exciting time for ChamSys with the appointment of several new distributors about to be announced and confirms the growing popularity of the MagicQ range."

(Jim Evans)

Germany - 2007 sees German smoke machine manufacturer Look Solutions celebrating its tenth anniversary, selling its fog and haze generators to professionals worldwide.

Instigated by Kirsten Eicher and operating from an office and small workshop storing and dispatching a small product range, Look Solutions soon found it necessary to move into its own large premises in Ronnenberg. Now, with distributors in 31 countries and a subsidiary in the US, Look Solutions is a truly global company.

"Our product range is very different from the small beginnings of ten years ago," explains Eicher. "We now produce machines which will cover all aspects of the market from the Viper range of fog generators to the Unique 2 hazer with its quick warm up time, the adjustable output and the very low fluid consumption.

"We have machines for specialised uses like the massive 9kW-g

UK - Robe ColorSpot 2500E ATs are one of the moving light brands specified by LD Patrick Woodroffe for the current Genesis Turn It On Again world tour.

The tour features a show-stopping stage design by Stufish (Mark Fisher) based on the shape of a conch shell, with a spectacular, gently asymmetric 55m wide, 3000sq.m Barco MiTrix screen forming its backdrop. At the rear of the screen are seven curved metal 'ribs' of varying heights up to 28m.

Thirty-three of the 50 Robe fixtures are attached to these seven ribs, with the balance of 17 ColorSpot 2500E ATs sited on the floor, upstage of the band's performance platform, and providing a powerful back-lighting source.

The towers were a starting point for Woodroffe's initial lighting design. The idea was that they would encompass the stage architecture, and that lights mounted on special pods rode up and down the ribs to cha

UK - Central Theatre Supplies is hosting a Selecon Lighting Trade Show on 19 July. The event will be staged between 10am and 4.30pm at the College Theatre, City College, The Butts, Coventry, CV1 3GD.

This free event will gives attendees the chance to see the latest products from Selecon including the new improved Acclaim range, Rama Fresnel and the Performer range of follow spots including the RUA. There will be a series of demonstrations of the Selecon range as well as hands-on opportunities.

Sebastian Barnes from the Midland Arts Centre says, "The day is designed to coincide with a meeting of the, Midlands Technical Forum. Visitors and new members would be most welcome."

(Jim Evans)

Dubai - Production Technology LLC (Protec), the region's leading event production company, made history in the United Arab of Emirates when it staged the Dubai-leg of Shakira's Oral Fixation Tour, branded as the biggest concert ever in the region and promoted by the locally-based Mirage Promotions.

The concert at the Dubai Autodrome was witnessed by a crowd of 25,000. The Protec team, headed by Rick Wade, provided and installed the show's set-up.

Shakira's tour lighting designer, specified his preferred lighting including, 43 Clay Paky Alpha Wash 575, 10 Clay Paky Alpha Wash 1200 and 213 Par Cans which was used to light up the 20mx40m stage. In addition, they brought with them 28 Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 1200 as part of their touring equipment. All of these were controlled by one GrandMA lighting console running the show entirely to time code.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Introducing an extensive new range of products from a variety of international companies including Arc LED, Geni and Neoneon, Batmink will also show its own brand LED and generic light fittings at PLASA 2007.

Featured new products on the stand will include the Geni Visage LED Video Floor Module. This new stage and club lighting product can reproduce stunning motion effects as well as real time video driven through PC DVI, at a fraction of previous costs, says the company.

Also new this year are the Geni OBY5 Professional Profile Moving Head - a fully equipped, premium quality HMI575 13 channel DMX profile moving head; the Geni OBY600 Professional Wash Moving Head - a precise, quiet and smooth HMI575 15 channel DMX wash moving head designed for professional stage and production use and the Geni LED Power Blinder, controlled by DMX 512 or stand alone audio animation.

(Jim

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