Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

For the past five years, Blackout has rigged the renowned bauble decorations which are famously hung from the glass roofs of the market's two main isles within Covent Garden. The decorations, produced and managed by production company Sculptivate, were redesigned for Christmas 2015 and the traditional baubles were replaced with over 40 large stems of mistletoes. There are two sizes of mistletoe, the smaller is 2.5m and weighs 90kg, the larger is 3.5m and weighs 110kg, along with 60kg mirror balls. In addition, the mistletoes are decorated with nearly 700 glowing berries, which transform each sprig of mistletoe into an impressive hanging chandelier.

Over 320m of garlands unite the chandeliers and

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14 March 2016

The new piece of kit replaces two existing saws and will be used to cut all of the company's aluminium extrusion. With the saw cutting faster and to an unbeatable quality, Mark Chorley, design engineer at Doughty explains that it's purchases such as this that help Doughty to stay competitive within the market place.

"This new CNC makes a huge difference to the production of all our items. The speed at which it cuts means we are able to increase our output, thereby meeting customer demand with minimum delay between order and shipping time. Customers will receive a top quality item produced with unbeatable precision and an extremely clean finish."

Doughty has invested h

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14 March 2016

Thought provoking speakers include Grant Anderson, the Scottish Lighting Designer, in collaboration with lighting, AV and sound specialists Black Light who designed the popular Botanic Nights - 2015, a unique night-time experience. Grant Anderson explains how the light installation evoked an emotive reaction from the audience.

Anderson comments: "In Scotland, it's often said that you can experience four seasons in one day. Visitors to Botanics Lights have been able to experience four seasons in just one night. It made perfect sense to me to combine nature and light with seasonal changes as the three are inextri

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14 March 2016

Hawthorn and Doughty have enjoyed a long standing working relationship for several years. So when Dave Slater, Hawthorn's head of hire was presented with a brief by the tour's lighting designer Andy Liddle, he knew the system would provide the flexibility required to fulfil the lighting rig requirements.

He said, "The initial brief for Doughty was to supply their Modular Rigging System. We needed a product that would not only deliver fantastic lighting and video design, but would also adapt to meet the needs of different venues and stage heights. What's great about the Modular Rigging System is that we can use the

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14 March 2016

The Event Safety Alliance provides relevant and practical learning opportunities to event industry professionals. Clair Global, TAIT Towers, Rock Lititz, and guests, such as, Load Cell Rental, are all trailblazers in the live entertainment industry. To have them collaborating and innovating under the roof of Rock Lititz Studio in Lititz, PA is unprecedented. It is also exactly why Rock Lititz was created.

"We at Clair Global are looking forward to welcoming The 2015 ESA Safety Summit to Rock Lititz. Safety is first and foremost in our training program as well as our daily operations. To set aside several days to examine best practices and evaluate resources is an investment in our employees, clients and

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14 March 2016

"The initial plan was to have Unusual Rigging supply us with 125 motors for our production rehearsals in LH2, but as I've found from working with these guys in the past, once they're involved, it's hard to imagine doing any of the tour without them. And so we enlisted the team to do the entire show - all the rigging for the staging, scenery lighting, staging and sound. They also provided all the rigging services - the pre-production rigging plots for all the venues as well as all the liaising with the venues and structural engineers."

The brief given to Matt by Ric Lipson on behalf of Stufis

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14 March 2016

A decade ago, the church had installed video projection screens, so the faces of the pastor and other celebrants would be very visible to everyone seated in the hall. The church also projects song and hymn lyrics on the screens, a feature that significantly increases the congregants' participation in the service.

A stage filled with musicians and a choir feels grandly spiritual, an effect that appeals to many people attending - but a deep

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14 March 2016

These ASGB-built power generators use the tried and tested combination of Cummins QSL9G-3 engines and Mecc Alte ECO40 alternators together with an array of continuous improvements over previous builds of this model. The major improvements have been in the way the handed inter-cooler and radiator are connected to the engine, with simplified water pipe routes and connections, making the regular servicing items even more accessible than before. Improvements were also made to the exhaust routing. Pipework has now been designed and drawn up on CAD models, enabling accurate manufacture and easing the assembly proce

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14 March 2016

Suzanne Boothby, Cosmonauts Exhibition delivery manager said, "We brought Unusual Rigging on board at an early stage as the spacecraft and equipment on display are unique. We wanted the reassurance that Unusual bring with their understanding of both our objects and the limitations of the museum."

Unusual's Robin Elias flew out to Moscow to advise on the safest way to ensure the exhibits made their way to London unscathed. "Remember, these are huge spacecraft that play a massive part in space history. We can't just load them into the back of a lorry and hope for the best. We also had to consider just how we

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14 March 2016

Visitor highlights include the chance to discover new and exciting products from over 60 brands in professional audio, AV, lighting, staging and rigging not to mention two days of free seminars and live demos. Industry leaders exhibiting at the show will include both manufacturers and distributors including big names such as Robe, RCF, Chauvet, Elation, Avolites, ETC, TMB and many more.

The recent announcement from VisitScotland shows intent to grow the events market in Scotland. The investment in a new ten-year 'collaborative strategy' to develop Scotland's 3.5 billion events

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14 March 2016

It offers recommendations for steps to be taken to prevent falls by anyone (e.g., performers, technicians, politicians) on parade floats, movable stages, and similar moving platforms. Fall protection is needed, but this protection needs to be provided in a way that preserves the artistic intent of the moving float or platform. This document is being written to provide guidance on how to accomplish these two aims.

The draft standard is available now through 1 February 2016. On 2 February the review is over, and the links to the draft standard will disappear from the website.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

"API is committed to growing our presence throughout the Asia Pacific region. With large format consoles in Japan's largest scoring stages, along with our popular 1608 consoles in use from Jakarta to Seoul and on to Mumbai, Davwinder's experience will give us a bold head start in strengthening our distribution network and establishing new relationships throughout the region," says Dan Zimbelman, API's director of sales.

Sheena explains, "I've made a full circle in my career, from running world-class recording studios to working with some of

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14 March 2016

Stage Technologies has supplied winches for four automated floor tracks which are used throughout the show to track on and off, a huge variety of trucks, furniture and props for every scene in the show.

The production also incorporates the 200m2 steel show deck and track system designed and built by Delstar Engineering for the initial run in 2014-2015. For the show's run at the Dominion Theatre, Stage Technologies were tasked with creating a much more complex series of automation effects than had been used previously at the Theatre Royal Plymouth & Bord Gais Theatre in Dublin.

Ted Moore the director

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14 March 2016

The business will offer a complete suite of flexible freight forwarding services including airfreight, sea freight, land transport, removals and project cargo for fairs and events. The newly launched company has already secured contracts with theme parks, set construction companies and global brands.

The new business will be spearheaded by Anthony Miles, who brings more than 17 years' of event logistical experience to his role as managing director of the start-up. He has lead onsite logistic management services for international fairs and events worldwide including the 2012 London Olympic Games, Arabian Travel Market, CEBIT and Paperworld.

Commenting on the launch, Ian Spendlove, chief executive and founder of the Spendlove Gro

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14 March 2016

After the government approval of 59 group standards for Trailblazer apprenticeships earlier this year, the 'Live Event Rigger' working group lead the way in further developing the initiative to help more youngsters embark on careers in the live events industry. Employers who have supported the standard of the Live Event Rigger have been designing the apprenticeship over the past year.

The National Rigging Advisory Group's (NRAG) working subgroup, comprised of key industry representatives including PLASA and Blackout, helped design the assessment process to meet relevant business needs in terms of knowledge, skills and behaviours. NRAG agreed the range of assessment methods, grading a

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14 March 2016

As of groundbreaking, the facility is at 75% occupancy with nine companies committed as tenants, two of which are relocating their headquarters to Lititz.

"Joining the Rock Lititz Campus is a natural move for us. Atomic has enjoyed a 20-year relationship with industry giants Clair Global and TAIT in our hometown of Lititz. Now we'll have the opportunity to collaborate in more ways, while starting new relationships with entertainment companies moving into the area." said Daniel McPhillips, Preside

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14 March 2016

Installation of the panels, which are estimated to produce 4000kW hours of energy a month, began earlier this year with an initial 98.5sq.m of panelling. Work has recently been completed to install the final 100sq.m.

Julian Chiverton, sales director at Doughty explained: "It's vital that manufacturers like us are doing everything within our power to become more eco-aware and eco-friendly. With initiatives like SiPA being set up to help businesses achieve their environmental goals and with support from the government, companies are running out of excuses for not doing their bit."

The move is an economical one as well as environmental - production at Doughty's factory is thriving and

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14 March 2016

The certification has been designed by the The National Rigging Advisory Group (NRAG), with contributions from NRAG members including Harry Box from UK Rigging, Mark Armstrong from RTM Rigging, Paul Riddiford, PLASA's NRC manager and Unusual Rigging's Robin Elias. It is being offered to those working in the entertainment industry - in lighting, sound, video and scenery - who are often called upon to undertake rigging work, and to carry out lifting operations, without possessing the relevant qualification.

Robin explained, "The one-day assessment consists of; practical exercises in marking out, a practical assessment of a rigging related task leading up to and including carrying out a lifting operation, an hour long ex

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14 March 2016

This event has been designed to cover the operation and implementation of Kinesys equipment and will showcase a broad range of products that will appeal to individuals and companies involved in the increasingly popular discipline of automation / motion control.

The invitation is open to lighting and show designers, automation operators, rental suppliers and rigging service providers - anyone with an interest in this dynamic element of modern show production.

The training workshop will provide structured learning in the theory, progr

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14 March 2016

Prior to Tait, Kempf spent fifteen years as the Director of Design and Senior Engineer for PRG Scenic Technologies, developing hundreds of corporate and Broadway projects including Lion King, Wicked, Spiderman, and Book of Mormon. Kempf spent six years as an IATSE stagehand and studio mechanic working in feature films including Silence of the Lambs and Shawshank Redemption. Kempf has been awarded 20 US patents, built two Olympics, and also ran away with the circus. He holds degrees in Scenic Design and Entertainment Engineering from Carnegie Mellon a

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14 March 2016

"I am very happy to see that, after 10 years, over 90% of the original certified technicians have chosen to renew again. This shows a huge commitment to the industry, and confidence in the programme." said Tim Hansen, ETCP council chair.

ETCP currently has a total of 2,141 certified technicians, with 29 people who hold all three certifications: Rigger - Arena, Rigger - Theatre and Entertainment Electrician

ETCP would like to c

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14 March 2016

Thousands of dedicated fans flocked to London to celebrate the latest instalment in the Star Wars franchise, where Stormtroopers and Jedi knights joined the cast and celebrities for the biggest premiere of the year.

Utopium illuminated Nelson's Column, transforming it into a giant light sabre. Utopium provided 24 Clay Paky Mythos, three MDG One atmosphere machines, four Studio Due City-Color LEDs and two Studio Due City-Beams to create the spectacle.

In Leicester Square, the cast and crew were joined by celebrity guests as the area was transformed into a space-themed venue. Utopium installed 120 tonnes of ballast to stabilise the 26 masts supporting 175m of 52cm ST header truss, from wh

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14 March 2016

Arena Seating installed 7,586 tiered temporary seats at Olympia - 5,191 were public Tip-up seats and the remaining 2,405 were upholstered Instyle VIP seats.

Within the venue, Arena Seating also installed press and competitor interview platforms home to the world's sports journalists for the week, follow spot platforms facilitating illuminations throughout equine performances, judge platforms offering a clear view of the indoor arena and hospitality platform supports.

Indoor arena entrance doors, jump stores, presentation areas, video screen supports, a bridged logo platform and ménage surface retaining walls were also supplied by Arena.

Arena Seating project ma

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14 March 2016

Chris Brain, Blackout's project director oversaw a pre-rig before the set at London's Three Mills Studios was built, then worked closely with HG Event Production's Harry Guthrie and the lighting team installing the TV lighting over a three-week period.

The Blackout team were called upon to install 90 CM Lodestar motors, 600m of truss and 150m of pipe, and black wool serge drapes to mask the dressing room.

Chris explained, "The show was the first of its type, being shot live from numerous stages in the studio. This was such a special project to work on and we are proud to have been contracted to provide the truss, rigging and drapes on such a world-renowned live musical p