UK - Abbey Road Studios' new Studio 52 is "wired for perfect sound", boasting all-Van Damme cables and connectors, supplied by VDC Trading. The install follows hard on the heels of an all-Van Damme cabling refit at Abbey Road's Studio 2.

The former production room has been transformed into a studio and is home to Abbey Road's newly purchased SSL Duality SE console. The studio has been created in line with all of the studio spaces at Abbey Road to fully accommodate the recently launched Abbey Road Online Mixing service.

Along with the Duality, Studio 52 is equipped with a Pro Tools 10 Native HD system with extensive plug-ins, a selection of classic analogue outboard gear and B&W and ADAM monitoring. The studio selected Van Damme cables and connectors, distributed exclusively by VDC Trading, to provide reliable connectivity and high quality signal transmission.

Van D

UK - Recent developments and expansion at LS-Live have seen the company invest in a new website.

Over the past year, LS-Live has grown to become a one-stop-shop resource for the staging and rehearsal needs of any event, with the largest stock of staging equipment in the UK and an expanded rehearsal facility.

"The re-design of our online portal reflects the various services and capabilities that our company offers to the world of live event production and entertainment," said general manager Ben Brooks.

The website, www.ls-live.com, allows visitors to easily navigate between the four main areas of the business: Studio; Staging Structures; Set Construction; and Equipment Rental.

"Following the sale of aluminium truss manufacturing brand Litestructures to Dutch company Prolyte last year, and the subsequent re-branding of our studio and staging rental business f

USA - PLASA Focus: Austin welcomes a raft of new exhibitors as the two-day event expands its floor plan yet again. The new style of regional event, to be held 22-23 February 22-23, 2012 at the Renaissance Austin, Texas, has doubled its footprint in the past week, with over 25 companies committed to taking part and as many applications being processed.

Joining confirmed exhibitors ETC, Barbizon, Philips Color Kinetics, Doug Fleenor Design, Strong Entertainment Lighting, Chauvet, A.C.T Lighting, Global Design Solutions, CommuniLux Productions, GLP German Light Products, Daktronics Rigging, Total Structures, Arri, Rosco, Rose Brand, Robe, High End Systems, Secoa and Clay Paky, amongst others, are new exhibitors; Elation, White Light, LSC, James Thomas Engineering, Creative Stage Lighting, Inlight Gobos, Mainstage Theatrical Supply, Martin Professional and TMB.

PLASA Focus' much t

UK - Trans-Sport Ltd, based in Retford, Nottinghamshire, has been providing custom solutions for customers since they were established in 1990. Now 21 years on and despite the recession they are looking to the future of the business and have been investing heavily in the future of the company.

What started out as an agricultural & mining engineering company, soon became established as a player in the entertainment market when Bill Morris (now of CTV - Outside Broadcasts) asked the MD Shaun Cope if they could manufacture some in-pocket cameras for the World Snooker Championships. The custom cameras were made, and Trans-Sport was born. Roll forward to today and now they work in all aspects of live TV transmissions and televised sports including Darts, Poker and Snooker for both BSkyB and The BBC.

Now working globally in the TV and live media events industries, the decision was m

UK - Blackout provided rigging and draping for the spectacular 2011 MTV EMA held in Belfast on 6 November.

MTV EMA's spectacular set (designed by Es Devlin), transformed Belfast's Odyssey Arena with a complex combination of curved scenery at both ends and technical production equipment. Every inch of the venue was utilised to achieve the combined requirements of the live show and television producers for the broadcast to over 600m MTV homes around the world.

Blackout director Kevin Monks has worked with the MTV EMA producers all over Europe since 1998. And comments, "The MTV EMA is always a spectacular show and a technically complicated one to achieve. This year we were working to a very tight build schedule, which the brilliant MTV EMA event manager Maggie Mouzakitis delivered with calm assurance - and there were a lot of (crazy) creative ideas for us to accommodate with

UK - Harting's's Han Modular series connector inserts allow event installers to create high-density connectivity and cabling solutions with total signal-handling flexibility - including audio, video, communications, data and power - through different rugged IP 65/67 hoods and housings suitable for harsh handling conditions.

Multiple contact style modules can be mixed to suit particular needs. Multi-pin modules can support analogue and digital audio transfer, while multi-way coaxial modules can handle CCTV, SDI, HD-SDI and 3G-SDI video. A full range of power modules allows current handling from a few amperes to 200 A.

RJ45 data modules allow Ca.5 10/100 Mbit/s, Cat 6e 1 Gbit/s or Cat 6E 10 Gbit/s Ethernet transfer via Harting patch leads. Signal security between power and data lines can be ensured where necessary through EMC screening options or by the use of SC fibre-optic mod

Spain - Stageco supplied a bespoke stage for a special one off performance in Madrid by Coldplay to promote their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto.

The British band performed at the famous Spanish bull ring, Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid on 26 October 2011. The performance was filmed by Anton Corbijn and streamed live on You Tube, where it was viewed by millions worldwide.

The band performed on a specially crafted circular 25m by 17m Stageco stage which was adjoined to an 'X' shaped catwalk to imitate the 'X' symbol from the new album - giving a special touch to the design.

Stageco also provided four single PA/Spot towers and a custom designed, transparent bandroof, which complimented the stunning backdrop of the venue and protected the artists from unpredictable weather conditions.

Stageco director Hedwig De Meyer started the 12 day project on 18 October an

UK - Showsec provided a 15 strong management consultancy team to oversee all elements of the complex security operations surrounding the 2011 MTV EMA in Belfast.

A who's who of pop music came to Belfast to celebrate the best of the past year in a glittering awards show that will be seen by more than 600m MTV homes around the world through the global TV network. Eleven live performances and a host of international stars took pride of place in Belfast's Odyssey Arena, as EMA gongs were scooped by performers including Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. Across town, Irish favourites Snow Patrol and US singer songwriter Jason Derulo played to 15,000 fans on an outdoor stage at Belfast's City Hall, while - the Red Hot Chili Peppers rocked a third stage at Ulster Hall.

Showsec Director Simon Battersby was the 2011 MTV EMA director of security. He says, "We have

Australia - Following the recent appointment of John Reid as general manager, ESS Australia is rebranding the staging component of its business to Tribal Staging.

With over 30 years' experience worldwide and boasting a client list that includes leading players in the music and entertainment industry, Tribal Staging will continue to be one of Australia's

premier supplier of Outdoor Stages, PA Towers, Screen Supports, FOH Towers, Signage Towers, and Decking Systems to the music and entertainment industry.

Providing safe stages is Tribal Staging's priority and every structure with no discrimination on size or height has a design certification and site signoff by an independent certified structural engineer and certified to Australian standards, says the company.

With regular scheduling of maintenance conducted, Tribal Staging consistently supplies structures that are tested a

UK Staging specialists Stageco installed the curved performance stages for the 2011 MTV EMA in Belfast's Odyssey Arena, 6 November 2011.

Stageco applied its broadcast awards experience to provide the decking substructure for the MTV EMA curved stages, presenter platforms and camera platforms. Project manager Martin Beckers, along with a team of three Stageco supervisors, were based in Northern Ireland for 10 days to ensure the tight load-in and load-out schedules for the three trucks of equipment were adhered to.

This meant scheduling split 24 hour shifts at the outset, whilst also accommodating the ever-changing requirements of the show's producers throughout the event and in line with artist requests.

International project director Dirk De Decker worked closely with 2011 MTV EMA production manager Maggie Mouzakitis and designer Es Devlin in advance to plan the performance

UK - PLASA is hosting an informal get together on Thursday 8 December for all manufacturing members. The aim is to have an open discussion on the key areas of exporting and product copying/IP and to create an opportunity for manufacturers to share ideas and experiences.

James Gordon of DiGiCo will chair the meeting and introduce a number of members who will outline their own experiences, before things move to an open discussion to see how members can share information and how PLASA can provide practical support.

The meeting, which is free to attend, will take place in the Roberts Building at University College London from 4pm-7pm, followed, by Christmas drinks at a nearby pub.

If you'd like to attend or want further information, please e-mail feedback@plasa.org

(Claire Beeson)

The Netherlands - Prolyte Group has just launched a new initiative - Prolyte Campus which aims to support customers and users.

Keeping customers and users up-to-date with product information and in-depth knowledge of how to best apply Prolyte products always has been a vital part of the Prolyte Group philosophy, says the company. In order to create awareness on the safe use of Prolyte products, Prolyte Campus brings together all elements in a complete programme of learning activities.

"Transferring knowledge and creating a dialogue with technicians worldwide is one of the goals for creating the Prolyte Campus - finding their needs and sharing experiences is a valuable base for creating solutions that work and help you grow your business," says Prolyte. "Creating the awareness that safe working practices are key to responsible ownership is another."

The Pr

UK - Millions of people across the UK observed a two-minute silence tomark Armistice Day, 11 November 2011.

Star Events Group was once again in Trafalgar Square, this time for The Royal British Legion - which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The 11m mobile stage featured musical performances by singing trio The Soldiers and readings by Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens, before the two-minute silence.

The mobile stage built in under three hours ensured production had the maximum time available for the overnight load-in the day before with the added advantage of being off site within two hours after the event.

Project manager, Charles Ellery of Capital Productions said, "it was great to have such an experienced supplier on Trafalgar square, it really helped me out as a first timer at the site, we'll certainly be coming to Star Events again for a stage."

(Ji

UK - Unusual Rigging is enjoying a busy winter season, with both new West End productions and UK tours, including Oliver! which opens on 10 December at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Following the company's involvement in the show's record-breaking West End run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Unusual is providing 30 motors and rigging for lifting the FOH and stage lighting and scenic trusses for the 11 venue tour, which is booking until March 2013.

Unusual is also supplying lighting trusses on the current UK tours of White Christmas, South Pacific, Dirty Dancing and We Will Rock You, and looking forward to starting work on the new touring production of The Phantom of the Opera. Premiering at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in March next year, the Phantom tour will require some 80 chain hoists, putting the total out on hire from Unu

UK - MTV considered bids from a number of cities before settling Belfast for its annual awards show. Star Events Group provided a VerTech 2015CPL stage system for live performances from local super group Snow Patrol.

The stage type and access features, specified by Duchess Iredale on behalf of MTV Europe, were built over the main gates of Belfast's iconic City Hall facing the main shopping thoroughfare of Donegal Place.

The gates and railings formed integral parts of the completed structure with the stage height set to allow smooth passage of rolling risers between the main gate posts. The construction took place over four days which meant minimal disruption to traffic despite the delivery of some 100t of equipment and use of an 80t crane to assemble the stage.

Ancillary structures including a multilevel front of house and follow spot tower, with an essential cable bridge ac

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET)'s specialist rigging division has provided a bespoke Prolyte trussing grid solution for Studio Three at Milton House on the campus of the University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

Studio Three is a charismatic Grade II listed space within a former Methodist Church that is now part of The Milton Building, home to the University's Drama, Theatre & Performance department. It is a new area used for training students in lighting and sound on the University's new BA Honours degree course in technical theatre.

AC-ET was one of several companies invited to tender for the project by David Wainwright, senior technician and manager of resources for drama, theatre & performance, having previously supplied equipment to the University.

The Studio Three grid project was co-ordinated for A.C. Rigging by Adam Beaumont, and utilises over 90 custo

USA - Registration is now open for Focus: Tech, the live event production workshop running alongside PLASA Focus: Austin 2012, at the Renaissance Austin, on February 19-22 2012.

The 4 day hands-on workshop offers a limited number of aspiring lighting designers, sound engineers, and video designers the chance to design and run a live concert, which will be performed in front of Austin's entertainment technology community, at PLASA's first North American regional event.

Beginners and professionals at the early stages of their careers are invited to take part in the event, which will see industry experts Richard Cadena, Brad Schiller, Chad Yeary, and Damon Lang pass on their tips and tricks for success to Texas' new talent, with prizes for the best designs.

Eminent production manager Ola Melzig, who's accolades include the Eurovision Song Contest, will be production-managing th

UK - Blitz is sponsoring the UK Event Awards, to be held at Wembley Stadium tonight (30 November). The awards are now in their second year and aim to recognise and reward the very best event organisers, industry suppliers and event marketers in Britain.

On the night, guests will also try and break the Guinness World Record for The World's Longest Relay Cheers!

Blitz is supplying all the event technology including sound and lighting, G-LEC LED wall, and ViewLite modular set system complete with custom graphics panels.

Munir Samji, Chairman at Blitz, commented, "As one of the UK's leading Staging and AV Rental Companies, we feel that recognising and celebrating excellence in our industry is important and we are proud to be sponsoring the UK Events Awards. It looks set to be a great and fun-filled evening."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Flightcase and audio speaker solutions specialist Penn-Elcom announces that Bristol based rack aficionados Rackz is to join the Penn Elcom Group, "bringing a wealth of experience in the field of 19 inch rack mounting design, construction and installation to the equation". Rackz is headed up by Dave Roberts, designer, innovator, engineer and musician.

Rackz will continue to operate exactly as is in its current set up, with Roberts at the helm and all staff staying onboard. They will service their own clients in addition to expanding Penn's current range of racking products and working on a host of new Penn racking-based projects.

Penn-Elcom has expanded its business steadily and specifically over the last two years, strengthening and consolidating its already robust activities in flightcase components and pro-audio peripherals.

Rackz and Penn Elcom have been wo

UK - J&C Joel played a major role in the refurbishment of 10 lecture theatres at the University of Manchester, the UK's largest university, installing 71 motorised acoustic / blackout banners within buildings in the university's city centre campus.

The units were designed to be discreet while effectively reducing sound reverberation and the amount of daylight entering the rooms. The units' protective housing was manufactured to be as small as possible and is powder coated, along with the fabric side guides, to match the walls of the lecture theatres.

The roller banners are operated via a single-phase tubular motor unit located within a ball raced roller that holds the fabric in place. The motor unit has built in travel limits and the system is operated using a simple hand held control.

The key to the units is the bonded wool serge fabric used. The client requested a fabric t

UK - The Theatres Trust, The National Advisory Public Body for Theatres, has announced its sixth annual conference, 'Delivering Sustainable Theatres' - on the challenge of achieving the triple bottom line.

Taking place on 12 June 2012 at Stratford Circus, next to the Olympic Park in East London, the Conference will explore how theatre buildings are managing their building's resources and addressing their future sustainability. The Conference takes place the day before the ABTT Theatre Show, allowing attendees and sponsors to take full advantage of these two London events.

The Conference will address the question of 'Delivering Sustainable Theatres' looking at how theatres are addressing the sustainability agenda in these rapidly changing times, and how they are providing a catalyst for social and economic recovery in the communities they serve. Conference speakers, sponsors an

China - Nike has just rolled out a new ad campaign in China that called on people to run, even at night in an attempt to challenge Chinese people, especially from big cities, to put on their running shoes.

As part of the campaign, Nike hosted Lunar Runs a 10 kilometre race, in three cities across China - Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou with the famous TV tower, the tallest building in the city, as the backdrop to the Guangzhou event.

Two full loaded trucks and a core crew from Star Orbit China which is a fully registered WFOE (Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise) made the 30 hour trip from its base in Shanghai to provide a 15m Orbit stage which hosted stage based activities for the 15,000 participants featuring live music, race winners and a few celebrities to jog a few memories that running is a fun activity that can be also done at night.

Jo Xie, Star's general manager

UK - The UK government has more than doubled the budget available for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies - from £40m to £81m.

The increase, which was announced in the latest London 2012 quarterly economic report by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), comes from the £9.3bn public purse, which is in theory meant for building, infrastructure and security, while the ceremonies is paid for from the privately-raised funds of the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games - money raised from the IOC, ticket sales and sponsorship.

In the DCMS report, Hugh Robertson MP, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, says: "The ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a unique opportunity to portray a positive image of the UK to a huge potential global audience - an estimated 1 billion people watched the openi

UK - With effect from Monday 21 November 2011 Independent Studio Services has moved to larger premises at: Low Green, Nowton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP29 5ND (Tel: 01284 765066).

The move has come about to facilitate the increased demand for the company's services of design, supply and installation of complete stage engineering mechanical facilities.

Under the leadership of MD Simon Caldwell, Independent Studio Services brings many years of experience providing mechanical and electrical engineering solutions to the performing arts industry, from initial design and planning, right through to the supply of hardware, and full installation.

Independent Studio Services also provides project management services on full stage equipment installations, interfacing with clients and contractors to ensure the most efficient, timely and safe execution of a project.

"Independent

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