"We had a very tight timescale," explains Martin Green from AEG, owner and operator of The O2. "We were staging this series of events as part of the very high profile opening of The 02 in what is essentially a new building. Not only that, but it was organised in a matter of weeks, so we needed a fast, quality response and a very reactive one as we came to know our new venue more."
"As a result of the merger of SEGL and SRC, the group now has
When not in use, the unit appears to be just another huge 34ft trailer, but at the push of a button, it unfolds Transformers-style to reveal a professional stage. The complete sound and lighting rig is set up in minutes. Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil observed: "The stage is an awesome portable stage with top notch sound and lights. I look forward to playing on it again."
All power for the stage comes from a built-in generator, and with a sound system designed for an audience of 10,000, power constraints were a prime consideration when the lighting system was planned. Designers found a solutio
Gearhouse Power is headed by Antony Sackstein, who initially worked for Gearhouse managing director Ofer Lapid as a freelance lighting technician at Lighting Unlimited in 1992, moving to a permanent position in the company in 1995.
The new company is able to offer clients a comprehensive range of power generators with a range of 300, 200 and 100 KVA generators on hand.
All generators have their own trailers so each may be used as a separate unit for individual events. All of the machines can be integrated and they are all cam-locked and power locked, which reduces the set-up time required on site, a great advanta
The stage for the show was designed and built by JSA - the recognised Russian leader in this field. "We are very happy with the interaction with JSA and we hope for successful continuation of this cooperation in the future," said a spokesman for the band.
Last year, the Russian company built a stage and provided production-functions at a Metallica concert in Estonia with 80.000 spectators.
"We have been involved in this business for more than 10 years now," says JSA president Alexander Strizhak. "We have built up a growing client list and service many of the major touring productions that come to Russia."
(Jim Evans)
Maltbury provided a Scenic Revolve comprising three 8ftx4ft panels mounted on a rotating frame. These panels are arranged so that three different 8ftx8ft faces can be shown to the audience - a total of almost 200sq.ft of flattage.
The boards can be painted, have things stuck to them or projected onto them. They can also be removed. Each panel can then be taken down and the frame folded up for easy storage or transport.
The scenic revolve is designed for drama, dance and musicals but can equally be used for conferences, exhibitions or any information display, says Maltbury.
• Plymouth Music Zone is a music education facility in Devonport. Once a de
The V-Lock connection consists of three parts, the integral locking feature, secure locking connector and sturdy release button. The integral locking feature mates with the secure locking connector forming an unbreakable bond and ensures that no unintentional disengagement occurs.
By using the Volex V-Lock you are able to switch from hard wiring to LED technology, says the company. Says a company spokesman: "Volex understands that every event is unique, therefore we have made our products diverse to match all of your power source needs. We are happy to consult our customers on which of our many products are best suited for their business."
See Volex at PLASA07 - stand A51.
(Jim E
Pandemonium Productions' MD, Simon Garrett collaborated with Brunel University's event manager, Liz Thomas, from the outset. Garrett appointed Malcolm Birkett as production manager. Together they managed their team of preferred suppliers to tackle the challenge of transforming the Athletics Centre into a ceremonial auditorium environment, which complied with current DDA regulations.
Working with appointed set designer, Ian Fogden of IFD Design, Pandemonium configured a set that was sympathetic to the simplicity of the hall.
Custom built by Centre Stage, the modular stage boasted a curved fr
In 2005, Maltbury exhibited at the PALME show in Dubai. DUCTAC project managers met MD Philip Sparkes and a flexible package of Metrodeck was agreed for seating tiers in the studio space.
This equipment enables a range of layouts to be built so that the space can respond to the needs of future shows. The theatre and arts complex opened in 2006 and now runs a busy schedule of drama, dance and musical performances.
Gulf neighbours Doha College in Qatar managed a whirlwind purchase in February this year. New head of Drama Paul McCracken ordered a Maltbury Playhouse Staging Kit and within a month it was in Doha supporting a pr
Stage Technologies was responsible for overseeing the entire rigging installation at the tabernacle, working with Jacobsen Construction, McLaren Engineering Group, Pook, Diemont & Ohl Inc, Tomcat Truss, Conductix and AMC Fabrication.
Fourteen BigTow390 winches were installed to control lighting trusses and speaker clusters. BigTow290 winches were also installed to automate seven large chandeliers. This allows the chandeliers to be lowered to a safe working height to be maintained and cleaned.
Three BigTow200 winches are used to car
One of the fastest growing lighting and rigging rental companies in the UK, HSL services a host of entertainment sectors including theatre, live events, concert tours, festivals, television productions, corporate presentations and special events of all types. The last 12 months has seen an increase in activity in every market sector for HSL, the company reports.
HSL has large stocks of all the latest lighting technology - including moving lights, LED light so
Summit has already taken on Kate Smith as a dedicated administrator for all the O2 business, and will shortly announce the appointment of a new project manager. Summit's Jon Bray comments, "Obviously we're delighted with this result and appreciate all the hard teamwork that's gone into achieving it. We look forward to working with a venue of this calibre."
Summit will be responsible for the provision of all rigging services within the O2.
Stage One's technical director Jim Tinsley comments, "We had just three weeks to install 35 axes of aeriel automation, but are very proud of the fact that Q-Motion has advanced to a point whereby we could deliver the show requirements within such a tight timescale and with few problems."
(Jim Evans)
Stageco was specifically asked to improve the event's sightlines for both the audience and television cameras. The company came up with a novel solution. They sited the front of house mixing positions in low profile structures to the left and right of the auditorium, with lighting desk stage right and sound desk stage left.
The stage itself was a Stageco Boogdak roof system, which created a 18.6m x 14m performance area as well as height ab
Highlighted at PLASA 07 are two newly launched hoist control products - Smart 8 and Sentinel - along with other innovations including Kinesys' K2 control software.
The Smart 8 expands on Kinesys' existing Power 8 product and offers full positioning facilities built into a standard hoist controller. Smart 8 allows fixed speed encoded hoists to be programmed and controlled from a single unit, offering cost savings over the traditional approach of a
LV6 and LV12 controllers are configured in multiples of three channels of control and power mixed on two or four Ceep (Socapex19-style) connectors, to match the widely-adopted standard established by Out Board's former CM Series controllers.
LV8 provides two sets of four-channels of control and power on separate male and female Ceep connectors respectively. New LV4 and DV4 units deliver four-channels each of low voltage or direct control via rear panel C-Form connectors.
Also on show will be the Savant fully-automated PAT and Cable Testing systems with database logging, including single-user
The event safety specialists were an integral part of the tour planning, working with Genesis's production manager, Wob Roberts, to draw up risk assessments and safety policies. They ensured that tour personnel adhered to the required standards and informed all international promoters of the safety information required by local authorities.
Two TESS safety officers, Jake Piper and Mike Herbert, were attached to the tour. "Although they acted as safety 'police' to a certain extent, they spent most of their time with the crew advising and helping them to work in a safe manner," said TESS director Simon James.
Perhaps the most dramatic off-stage moment of the tour was when lightnin
Arena Structures has an impressive track record at UK golfing tournaments and this year alone will have supplied over 500,000sq.m of structures to the major UK golf events, from Wentworth to Loch Lomond to Celtic Manor.
Bespoke structures range from luxurious double decker hospitality suites used by corporate sponsors such as BMW and HSBC and VIP lounges,to more functional spaces such as press centres. Ron Smith, Arena Structure's projects director said: "We are delighted to be able to continue our relationship with The R&A and look forward to offering the highest standard of service at The Ope
A Tomcat Representative will discuss the basics of truss theory, use and design. The workshop will emphasise safety and usage. Demonstrations of load scenarios and truss inspection will also be featured.
(Jim Evans)
Easily assembled by a single person, each platform and riser are fastened together using an internal locking system and each platform can bear weight up to 185 lbs./sq.ft (900 KGS/sq.m).
Disassembly and storage are equally convenient. IntelliStage systems are available in kits with an optional compact storage flight case featuring integrated casters.
Platforms and risers are also available on an individual basis. Optional upgrade accessories like storage carts for larger systems and stage skirts are also available.
(Jim Evans)
With the hoists hanging over 130ft up in the grid, their movement is barely audible even during complete silence, rare when a show is being rigged. The view is obscured from most positions in the Hall, including the main control area, by an aluminium skin cladding the grid. Frost therefore sought "a tried-and-tested, foolproof system with all the safety features that wo
Extensive temporary seating galleries are erected around the castle's Esplanade for the tattoo's spectators and, since 1991, advantage has also been taken to use the facilities for live concerts. 2007 saw two Castle Concerts taking place, Blondie with Echo and the Bunnymen on 13 July, followed by Pink two days later.
Star Events provided a 50ft SAM Stage with two fully enclosed, wheeled PA wings for the shows and, in a venue which combines very tight clearances with an ever-present horde of tourists, the Star Events crew were provided with a unique set of challenges.
"The Esplanade is su
Harlequin Liberty sprung panels already in use at the theatre had proved popular with dancers, so the solution was to build them into a new mobile wagon, retained by a special system allowing them to be stored vertically in the fly tower, but also ensuring that they perform exactly as intended when horizontal on the stage floor.
See Harlequin at PLASA on stand D73.
(Jim Evans)
The whole venue had a 'Game-on' theme, which was designed and produced by marketing agency, George P Johnson. BT sales staff were in a blacked-out and immersive environment whereby each of the halls had the quality of an interactive game.
For the main presentation, a Musion 'Pepper's Ghost' screen was used to allow inter-play between live action, video and graphics and was visible to all areas of the auditorium. Blackout was responsible for rigging the 20 x 10m
"Vivien is a most powerful, comprehensive software design tool available to meeting and event professionals, enabling users to produce a picture today of tomorrow's event," says a spokesman for Cast. "In this workshop at PLASA, you will learn how to create 2D room layouts, amazing virtual views, and spectacular, 3D photorealistic renderings for use in your eye-popping presentations." Using Vivien's Wizards and tools, attendees will quickly and easily design seating and table arrangements, pipe and drape, and video projection."
In the more advanced intermediate workshop, attendees will get a comprehensive look at inserting library items, applying textures, importing objects from third party programmes like AutoCAD and Google Sk
