Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

The 63rd Fringe, which ended on Monday night, was the first with new chief executive Kath Mainland at the helm. She said, "Even in tough economic conditions, festivals chime with people in a way few other events manage to. Over the past three-and-a-half weeks I have seen some amazing work, sometimes perfectly trivial and enormously entertaining, sometimes incredibly challenging and often hugely moving. I have been blown away by the creative energy, artistic vision and drive of the people taking part, from performers and director

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14 March 2016

Readers of Lighting&Sound International's digital edition, which has been available worldwide for the past two years, will be familiar with the freely accessible online format.

This is the first time the PLASA Show Guide has been available prior to the show, and will allow those planning on visiting PLASA09 ample opportunity to browse the exhibitors' detailed information and plan their visit in detail. The PLASA09 Guide includes full listings for all exhibitors, with a quick reference A-Z listing and floorplans to make planning your visit as straightforward as possible.

In addition to this, the Guide also features advanced information

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14 March 2016

The ShowTex Mesh Fabric Profile is a solution for attaching no-sew netting to ceiling truss. Sprinkler ceilings can be created by simply attaching the profile to truss, stretching any kind of mesh fabric over the steel profile's integrated pins, and closing the sliding cover. The pins allow for one-step fabric adjustment and the attractive cover makes it unnecessary to finish fabric edges. The Mesh Fabric Profile comes standard in black with a length of 2m long and can be easily attached to truss constructions with specially designed profile clips.

The new profile is only one of the many new ShowTex products to be presented at PLASA09.

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14 March 2016

Bedford Modern students regularly take part in an extensive programme of concerts, plays and exhibitions. Highlights this year were Romeo and Juliet and a choral concert of Mozart's Requiem. These ambitious productions demand complex and varied sets, which is why Nick Parker's original objectives for staging were flexibility and strength. After meeting with a representative from Maltbury Staging's sales team it was decided that the Ambideck system would be the answer.

A short time later Bedford Modern School accepted delivery of a package of Ambideck which met their strict deadline with a

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14 March 2016

Showcasing mostly the same material as the 2008 tour, Madonna added some new numbers, a standout moment being a tribute to Michael Jackson, with one of her dancers performing the Moonwalk in full Jacko regalia.

The largest screens were controlled by XLNT's InMotion3D software running on a CyberHoist FPS Full Production System with dual Apple MacPros, in the hands of senior programmer and project manager Martin Hoop or his deputy Erik Gielen. The action began with a giant video cube that opened the show displaying a replica of

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14 March 2016

There will be more for visitors to see, as more new exhibitors have signed up for the show at Earls Court, bringing the total of new and returning exhibitors to over 50. The education and learning programme has also been expanded with two audio-related masterclasses from previous Gottelier Award winners, Tony Andrews of Funktion One and John Stadius of Soundtracs/DiGiCo.

Another new addition to the Show is the Supply2.gov.uk Lounge, a central feature area giving exhibitors and visitors the chance to get advice from Supply2.gov.uk - the portal which helps SMEs gain access to public sector contract opportunities, typically worth up to £100,000.

Anoth

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14 March 2016

The winch is used during the tour to fly dancers above the stage, then used for the encore to fly all five members of Boyzone to the 'B' stage and then back to the main stage.

Paul Jordan, director of Hoist UK comments, "The winch is a custom version of our popular range of pilewind winches and in its fully built condition it has ten rope drums spanning over seven metres. It is manufactured in modules housed in one metre custom sections of 52cm truss with each module containing two rope drums.

Tony Dickson, fellow director of Hoist UK adds, "Each of the drum modules are then linked using a drive shaft to the next module, and then to a central module containing the geared motor assembly. The winch is capable

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14 March 2016

Manchester Central is one of the UK's most iconic and popular venues and the redevelopment has centred on creating new and extended foyer areas to the iconic Grade ll listed Central Hall. The redevelopment is allied to infrastructure improvements to provide further cohesion to the venue's facilities, adding value to clients and to the venue's appeal as one of the UK's major convention and exhibition complexes. Key to the Central Hall space development was the implementation of infrastructure in-house to facilitate the staging of conference and gala functions.

The rigging package, which wa

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14 March 2016

The company goes on to say that CRMX Nova offers "the same robustness as cables, but with the convenience, flexibility and low installation costs of wireless".

According to LumenRadio, key innovations and advantages in CRMX Nova include Automated Cognitive Coexistence, which ensures the signal is not disturbed by, nor disturbs, other wireless systems; Fidelity - ensuring the DMX frame output is always identical to the frame input; ErrorCorrection, in which advanced algorithms recreate corrupt or lost radio packets, w

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14 March 2016

Eric Porter, experienced independent rigger, trainer, adviser and committee member for the PLASA National Rigging Certificate, led the course. A.C. Rigging staff were on hand to assist him.

The comprehensive two-day training programme adopted an established Litec course. Topics included Regulations and Risk Assessment, Standards and Guidance, PPE Systems for Working at Height, Ropes and Knots, Inspection and Records.

Sean Pagel, project manager for Production Services Ireland, commented: "I found it a very useful and informative course. The content was very thorough and there was plenty to learn, as it was geared for people of all levels of experience. To be learn

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14 March 2016

The 57 cases in the latest order were to house Clay Paky's Alpha 300 and new 700 range of Spot, Wash and Beam moving light fixtures - both the 300 and 700 fixtures fit into the same case.

The Tour Grade trunks each house two luminaires and provide storage space for the removable hook clamps. The latest set of cases featured modifications to include a larger allowance for the bracket of the Alpha 700s.

The Arpege cases were made from 12mm birch plywood, with a high pressure laminate bonded exterior in a smart black finish. They also feature heavy-duty casters rated up to 180Kg, more than double the rating of the standard ones.

The project was handled for 5 Star by Andy Harford, who explai

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14 March 2016

The system is equally useful for both international and UK customers, who can visualise with ease each of the seven Triple E tracks that are sold on an individual parts basis. Simply select the shape or effect that best matches your facility, and an animated movie then demonstrates your chosen effect. Once you know the effect you want, fill in the details of size, preferred suspension type and drive where used, and the Quote Tool will quickly and obligingly compile your shopping list, plus give the total cost in pounds sterling.

The new site gives details of all Triple E products, including the other track systems, Chaintrack and Chainbeam, Variable Acoustic ban

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14 March 2016

As demonstrated at PLASA09, the XMOS Ethernet AVB solution consists of XCore event-driven processors, open source AVB software, application notes, prototyping board schematics, gerber files and documentation with general availability planned for Q4 2009. XMOS AVB systems are programmed in C using freely available development tools, providing unmatched design flexibility.

XMOS provides a cost-effective way for designers to implement Ethernet AVB with professional levels of quality of service. Applications that are enabled with XMOS AVB products range from consumer audio equipment such as home theatr

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14 March 2016

For the first time, the Proms finale was screened via satellite to cinemas on every continent of the world. The BBC said the two-month classical music festival had been the most successful yet with a 32% increase in under-16s attending. Proms director Roger Wright said the event had included "outstanding and inspiring music-making".

Goodnight Vienna - The tribute conce

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14 March 2016

Receiving its worldwide launch at PLASA09 (13-16 September, Earls Court), SANE (Synchronous Audio Network plus Ethernet), is a new digital audio networking protocol using ring network topology: it claims to offer the first fully-synchronous Cat5 network solution for streaming uninterrupted media in real time.

This new low cost and high efficiency system, based on proven Optocore technology, has evolved from the German company's new AD/DA X6R and V3R converters launched earlier this year; these offer split AES-EBU ports, sample rate conversion up to 192kHz, and five different card options.

SANE offers a unique solution, the company says: it transports recognise

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14 March 2016

The unobtrusive iDMX7 can be mounted virtually unnoticed in a ceiling or room corner and operated with the infrared remote from distances of up to 32.8ft. The only thing visible to the eye is the little 'red eye' of the infrared sensor.

Designed for entertainment venues, special events and architectural applications, the iDMX7 can control up to 512 DMX channels. It can record and playback programmes from any universal DMX-512 controller, such as Elation's Show Designer or Compu DMX control software. The iDMX7's memory can store up to seven minutes of 512 continuously-changing channels - or an even longer time frame if fewer than 512 channels are used.

With its a

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14 March 2016

In addition to all the regular products, there is also information about four new products: LitePro520 - the heavy duty truss line giving an unrivalled combination of load capacity and versatility; MidiStage Climbing Roof - the 8m x 6m stage roof ideal for outdoor productions of medium audience size; MaxiStage Climbing Roof - the 10m x 8m stage roof also available as a 12m x 10m combination, and MegaStage Climbing Roof - uses either LitePro520 or 520Pro trussing system, the 14mx10m or 16mx12m combinations are designed specifically to cater for larger event productions.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Since 2001, Sensation's 35,000-per-night crowd has followed an all-white dress code, originally a tribute by organiser Duncan Sutterheim to his late brother Miles, who was given an all-white funeral in 2000. The tradition has continued, and this year's human snowscape was reflected in specially commissioned white aerial décor, props and lighting effects.

The aerial pieces were animated, along with video screens and lighting pods, by a 58-motor XLNT CyberHoist motion control system, controlled by a complex four-zoned Ethernet system using XLNT Advanced Technologies

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14 March 2016

The ninth annual Tech Track 100 league table was published in The Sunday Times on 20 September 2009. It ranks Britain's fastest-growing privately-owned technology companies, based on sales growth over the latest three years, from 2005-2008, or 2006-2009. Growth among these companies ranged from 38% pa to 189% pa, with sales typically between £5m and £30m.

Stage Technologies, founded in 1995 by managing director Mark Ager and operations director John Hastie, has grown its sales 55% a year from £4.2m in 2005 to £15.5m in 2008, according to The Times. In 2009 it received the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2009 in the categor

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14 March 2016

The show, set in 1959 in the city of New York, is a mix of swing music, acrobatics and dancing. It transports the audience back in time to the 'Rat Pack' era. Three large roller projection screen systems are used in the show. At the left and right side of the stage, Gerriets installed two Tube top roller screen systems, each equipped with a 36ft (11m) wide x 26ft (8m) high Opera white front projection surface. In the centre of the stage, Gerriets installed a 39ft (12m) wide bottom roller Megascreen projection screen system. Here the carbon tube rolls up and down with the screen surface. When unrolled the screen is fully open and the carbon tube is

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14 March 2016

The lift is designed for those requiring a quick set-up for their line array. The PA is loaded directly on to the forks of the lift, cranked up and in a matter of minutes the system is suspended from the lift and ready to play. The lift has a transport weight/height of just 95kg/1.7m so is easy to transport.

The TL-A220 incorporates the ALS (Auto Lock Security) a system patented by VMB 12 years ago, and now a standard in most of its lifts. The ALS automatically locks the lift in place, releases all the pressure from the cable and guarantees the load will not fall.

Says VMB: "With any other conventional frontal load lift the further along the forks the load is placed the

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14 March 2016

"NCsoft really wanted the launch of Aion to make an impact and this was certainly achieved," said Simon Wood, sales and marketing director, Stage One. He continued, "by integrating fantasy elements of the game into the set and bringing two of the games characters to life, including the flying of them using Qtrack, our fly track system, we were able to engage the public in the story and deliver a real theatrical punch."

Each part of the vivid set, created by Mike Woodage, was designed to reflect the fantasy world in which

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14 March 2016

The show will feature the latest industry technology and exhibits from leading lighting and sound suppliers. Avolites, Doughty, ETC, Le Maitre, Lee, MA Lighting, Martin, Panasonic, Pulsar, RCF, RSS by Roland, Rosco, Philips Selecon, Yamaha and Zero 88 will be exhibiting their latest products, offering demonstrations and providing product advice.

Stage Electrics will be exhibiting and demonstrating a wealth of new products including: LED screens, QMAXZ QME700P moving lights, Prolyte truss, Arkaos A-Series Media Servers, Flamejettt and the Altair WBS200 Wireless Intercom System. Throughout the day website demonstrations

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14 March 2016

They were keen to create "a unique live experience for their fans" and, for the first time, contracted Stageco to design, manufacture and install the Viva La Vida touring stage.

Development began at the end of 2008. Project director Hedwig de Meyer led in-depth consultation between Stageco's in-house design and CAD engineers and the band's management and production teams. An extensive creative process followed to finalise a design led staging solution, following the concept of a giant eyelid, which was practical and safe to tour.

The