USA - Located outside Philadelphia, PA, Sesame Place is a theme park and water park based entirely on the Sesame Street TV series. It is one of 12 theme parks operated in the US by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
One of the main attractions, popular for hosting a variety of shows, including meet and greets with the characters, is Abby’s Paradise Theatre.
It is here that system integrators Illuminated Integration - based across the State in Harrisburg - recently installed a Martin Audio CDD solution to meet the request for a comprehensive upgrade to the theatre’s aging PA that was failing to meet the requirements for either coverage, output or clarity. At the same time, Sesame Place asked the integrators to carry out an assessment of the audio in other event spaces and theatres, as well as a parade route.
At Abby’s Paradise Theatre the client required a solution that would not only provide uniform sound coverage throughout the 850-seat, clam-shaped auditorium, but also support future park integration and immersive sound elements. The installation itself was not without its challenges, as the venue is situated outside, under a covered metal roof with metal bleachers, and a ‘Lazy River’ and waterfall running immediately behind it.
Although the integrators are independent when it comes to product specification, Cody Toms, Illuminated Integration’s audio / video systems creative, knew that CDD had all the attributes to counter any obstacles. “We love how good Martin Audio boxes sound and the fact that the sound remains consistent
USA - Since he signed with Warner Music Nashville in 2021, Wyoming native Ian Munsick’s star has risen rapidly. He’s earned more than 100m global streams and been named one of Spotify’s inaugural Hot Country Artists to Watch.
This year, his rapid rise is reflected in his tour itinerary, which has taken him from a western honky-tonk bar one night to opening for Morgan Wallen in a stadium the next before headlining his own arena shows. You can also see that narrative written in how his tour sound has evolved. Beginning this year, Munsick’s sound team was bolstered by the addition of a dedicated monitor engineer, after they transitioned to a pair of DiGiCo Quantum225 consoles, supplied by Clair Global.
Seth Hewson was Munsick’s initial front-of-house engineer when the artist’s burgeoning career was still using what Hewson describes as a “Clair ‘band-in-a-box’” with a 32-input mixer and Shure PSM 1000 in-ears packaged together. “Ian and the band mixed their own ears using the app on their iPhones, with no monitor engineer,” he recalls. “I worked with Clair Global on the Quantum225 spec and we introduced the consoles at rehearsals back in March of this year. I was there when Ian first transitioned to the DiGiCos, which was also the first time he hired a monitor engineer.”
That monitor engineer was Graig Clinton, who since July has moved to mixing FOH, with Greg Roberts coming aboard as the newest monitor engineer. There was now a complete mix team, both on Quantum225 desks, just as Munsick’s career was ready to shift into o
USA - Antonio Herrera Pérez, better known to the world as Mexican music superstar Junior H has released eight studio albums, four of which have reached the Top Ten on the Billboard charts.
Junior H’s talents are on full display on his current Sad Boys USA tour. Supporting his passionate blend of music is a lively and dynamic light show by Arturo Sanchez. Working for JCA PRO, its CEO Ignacio (nacho) Zamudio, and his son Josh Estrada, along with lighting tech Luis Fernando Marins, Sanchez has created a show that reflects the inspired style and stage presence of his gifted client.
Like the music of Junior H, the stage production is bold and engaging with immersive 3D video walls accented by bright colourful lighting. Contributing to the latter are over 100 Chauvet Professional fixtures. Included in this group are 24 Color Strike M motorised strobe/blinders, 24 Maverick MK2 Washes, 12 Maverick MK3 Washes, and 12 Rogue RH1 Hybrids, 24 Rogue R3 Beams, and a number of COLORado PXL Bar 8 units.
Creating a powerful impression on audiences, the production design features a towering rig that reaches 60ft high in arenas and 50ft at amphitheatres. Three large LED video walls dominate the stages backdrop. Reflecting the storytelling quality that is so essential to Junior H’s Corridos Tumbados music, the videos display narrative images tinged with hip-hop flair.
Accenting this imagery and adding to it vivacious quality is the intense colourful light from the rig’s Chauvet Professional fixtures, which are located between and above the walls. At times,
Denmark - The historic Østre Gasværk Theatre in Copenhagen is the first theatre in the world to secure the rights to produce, conceptualise and perform Another Brick in The Walls - Part 5 as a piece of musical theatre. Based on the Pink Floyd double album of 1979 - which is still the third largest grossing album in the US, almost 45 years after its release - Another Brick in The Wall, Part 5 is an extension of the three original album tracks - Part 1, 2, 3 - and Part 4 that was enacted as an opera in Montreal in 2017.
Having premiered to great acclaim in Copenhagen on Friday 22 September 2023, the new Danish staging is an ambitious one with a large cast of singers, dancers, musicians and aerial artists. The production will also be staged in Musikhuset Aarhus, with a premiere slated for 5 January 2024.
Lighting designer, Jeppe Lawaetz, chose 24 Ayrton Huracán LT and eight Ayrton Diablo as major lighting components in this highly technical production which includes eight programable winches for flying aerial artists, four lifts, a full surround setup, a full tracking system of all performers and musicians on stage, 121 lighting fixtures and a projection setup of 27 12,000 ansi-lumen projectors that create a 180° projection surface.
Built as a gasometer in 1881 before being repurposed as a theatre in 1979, the circular Østre Gasværk Theatre has a large cavernous interior 46m in diameter with a fly height of 11m and seating capacity of 814.
The Theatre’s internal space forms a significant part of the set for
UK - LED display brand Absen has been chosen by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) as the LED display partner at Lord’s Cricket Ground to provide high performance screens as part of an extensive refurbishment spanning five years, at the historic St John’s Wood cricket venue.
As part of its ongoing £200m ground development programme, Lord’s, ‘The Home of Cricket’, owned by Members of MCC, is not only striving to provide its members and visitors with modern stands and exceptional facilities, but also to improve the overall match day experience for stand spectators throughout the season.
As a result of these efforts, MCC selected Absen to initially provide two new outdoor screens, situated within the main playing field. After being impressed with the first implementation, MCC asked Absen to continue the ongoing partnership, by providing a larger third screen as part of the second development stage. The quality and position of the screens, located in three opposing ground locations ensures spectators have a clear, uninterrupted view, wherever they’re seated and whatever the weather. To assist with the installation, Absen subsequently selected Ashleigh Signs as the systems integration partner for the project.
“We were delighted to have been chosen for the ongoing partnership as part of the monumental redevelopment of Lord’s Cricket Ground. Our innovative products are perfectly suited for the environment and will, without doubt, add to the exceptional match day experience the venue. We’re looking towards the future and what other innovative
France - As previously announced, Robe Lighting s.r.o. has now acquired lighting and digital media control brand Avolites.
In line with other Robe subsidiaries, Robe Lighting France will now co-ordinate sales and technical support for the Avolites brand throughout the French territory, starting from 13 November.
Bruno Garros, general manager of Robe Lighting France, commented: "Firstly I’d like to thank the teams at previous Avolites distributor Algam for their professionalism throughout the transition period.
“Going forward, this is a fantastic opportunity for us to work with a truly iconic lighting and control brand with a reputation for quality, ingenuity and accessibility, and this level of vertical development has always been part of Robe France’s overall strategy since its establishment in 2015."
He added: "Similar to the Robe and Anolis product lines, the highest levels of support and service will be provided to current and future Avolites users, specifiers, and clients together with the introduction of new expertise."
The first significant engagement for Robe France with Avolites will be at the JTSE expo, which marks the official launch of this new chapter for the French subsidiary.
UK - Rycote is set to partner with the University of Southampton. This partnership is an extension of the vision of the late John Gozzard, the original founder of Rycote, who left a substantial donation in his will to pave the way for opportunities in audio engineering. Rycote, honouring Gozzard's legacy, aims to foster a diverse community of new talents in sound engineering through this collaborative initiative.
Gozzard, recognising the university's long-standing reputation of excellence in acoustics, aimed to invest in new generations to foster innovation and attract a diverse community of budding audio engineers. His legacy lives on through this collaboration, which has already seen the university renovate its anechoic chamber, providing students with state-of-the-art facilities for their studies and research.
The facility, used almost daily by students, researchers, and consultancy clients, is a testament to the university's commitment to providing high-quality, practical resources for its students. The chamber plays a crucial role in various measurements and research, which covers a vast range of applications, from identifying noisy components on trains to measuring the frequency response of loudspeakers and microphones.
Simon Beesley, sales & business development director at Rycote, comments: "Our collaboration with the University of Southampton aims to support students as well as opening the door to new game-changers in the industry. This partnership bridges the gap between academia and our industry, allowing us to see the real-world impa
UK - Production Futures exists to create opportunities for young people to learn, train, network and develop real careers in production across every area of the live event, music, touring, theatre, TV, broadcast and film industries. The organisation runs a series of On Tour events throughout the year, where young visitors from all over the UK are able to directly connect with representatives of its brand partners to learn more about and explore employment opportunities in the industry.
Its next event will take place at Fly By Nite (FBN) Studios in Redditch on 9 February 2024.
Set to attract a wide range of young people from across the West Midlands, this free of charge event will promote employability, transferable skills, diversity, free training, networking, and will present more paid work opportunities than ever before to newcomers across the live event and broadcast production industry.
Manufacturers, supply and production companies, venues and distributors will be present at the event. Representatives of each will be available to provide advice, information and insights, and discuss specific job and training opportunities.
As well as manufacturers and suppliers, Production Futures also enjoys strong and productive relationships with a range of organisations, initiatives, education partners and associations, connecting employment and training opportunities to a diverse pool of talent, who will also have representatives available to answer questions and offer support.
Production Futures CEO Hannah Eakins comments: “Our On Tour eve
South Africa - Playing a dual role as a lighting designer and programmer for shows such as Idols, The Voice, RMB Starlight Classics and countless others, South African Andre Siebrits recently acquired an Ultimate Ears UE Comm, specifically the Ultimate Ears 11 Pro model, from DWR Distribution. The decision has been pivotal for him, particularly considering his concern for the long-term health of his ears.
Andre first became curious about Ultimate Ears Comm in 2017, starting the conversation with many people including Jaco Beukes from DWR. UE Comm is the result of a collaboration between UE and In-House Sound with features like noise-isolating in-ear monitors with a purpose-built microphone, guaranteeing crystal-clear communication in any production environment.
“Ultimate Ears are reputed for their outstanding sound quality, at least that's what I'd heard, even though I'd never tried a pair due to the units being custom in-ear moulds,” Andrew Siebrits describes. “My main goal was to use them to enhance my programming experience, allowing me to focus on my work rather than being bombarded by loud music in the venue, often with the same song on constant repeat as I tried to take notes.
“Cheaper headphones tend to underperform, and wireless ones come with higher latency issues. Additionally, the matter of hearing protection was a significant concern. When you work on concerts or live shows, you are in an environment designed for the audience to withstand loud volumes for a maximum of two hours a day. However, we frequently h
UK - ISCVE’s successful Get Ahead event was held last week at the prestigious Rose Shure Experience Centre in London. The event was simultaneously broadcast live online to pre-registered attendees.
Featuring three presentations from industry experts, this year’s Get Ahead event provided valuable insights into the latest technologies. Attendees, including both members and non-members, enjoyed three presentations and lunch providing ample opportunities to catch up and chat.
The first presentation, titled The Challenge of Intelligibility in VA, was delivered by Pawel Zakrzeswski from Ambient System. Dr. Peter Mapp presented the second talk, titled Assistive Listening Systems - Access to Intelligible Audio is a Right, Not a Privilege. Greg Madge concluded the event with his presentation titled Surviving the Death of the High Street.
The feedback from attendees was “overwhelmingly positive”, with participants enjoying the informative seminars and the opportunity to network.
Hungary - Robe moving lights were used in three major locations for the massive 2023 St. Stephen's Day celebrations in Budapest, a public holiday celebrating the foundation of the Hungarian state more than 1000 years ago, which this year attracted over 1.5m spectators to the banks of the Danube watch the main large format projection and drone show.
Multiple events were staged throughout the country’s vibrant and beautiful capital city on the day, with technical production - lighting sound, visuals, staging - for the 2023 event co-ordinated and delivered by the Visual Europe Group (VEG), working with 12 sub-companies.
The three main areas in which Robe fixtures were used were the riverside Road Movie Live concert stage with an all-action line up of top Hungarian artists running over three days of the holiday weekend; The Parliament Building, where Robe Fortes supported projections mapped onto the building’s impressive façade, and on the Elisabeth Bridge where more Robe Fortes were utilised to throw beams, colour and texturing from the bridge, across the water onto the riverbanks.
For Road Movie Live, a 20m-wide concert stage was erected at Műegyetem Rakpart with capacity for 15,000 people who enjoyed a line up including Tankcsapda, the Bagossy Brothers Company and Tamás Horváth.
The lighting production design was created by a tVEG team, explained account director Kristof Nagy, who created a scheme to provide “the best visual experience for all of the bands” who played during daylight and after dark.
Sixteen Robe BMFL Spots, 3
USA/Europe - Ireland-based lighting and production designer Steven Douglas selected Claypaky Volero Wave fixtures and the Panify solution for Hozier’s Unreal Unearth tour, whose North American leg wrapped this month.
The bluesy rocker’s 27-date schedule kicked off in September in support of his new EP Eat Your Young and upcoming album Unreal Unearth. The tour moves to Europe and the UK for the rest of the year with more dates to follow in 2024.
Douglas took on his current role with Hozier for the artist’s previous album cycle. He was given a lot of creative latitude with the new show although Hozier was “heavily involved in how it looks since he’s quite artistic himself”, says Douglas. The album’s theme is based around Dante’s nine circles of Hell, he notes, which the show references. “We knew we wanted a moment in the show where we invert the entire stage and go underground so we have an automated truss holding inverted trees flying in from the roof and the grass above us in addition to video content.”
Douglas has used Claypaky fixtures for years, especially Sharpys and Super Sharpys. When he was in the US last year George Masek, Claypaky’s strategic marketing manager for North America, demo’d Volero Wave for him in a field test. An LED bar with original and innovative features, Volero Wave is made up of a system of eight independent moving bodies. The eight separate heads are each independently capable of moving on a 220º tilt and facilitating three-dimensional and volumetric projections never seen bef
USA - As part of the Behind the Scenes (BTS) Mental Health Initiative, BTS and LDI are bringing the Wellness Lounge to LDI 2023, (3-5 December) in Las Vegas. The Wellness Lounge offers attendees a safe space to learn about mental and physical health through daily presentations, activities, and one-on-one consultations.
Each morning will start with Cup of Coffee Yoga where no experience, equipment, or special attire is required for a brief yoga practice with ETC’s VP of marketing, David Lincecum. Immediately following, participants can sample the benefits of breathing and meditation with University of Tennessee lighting professor and licensed meditation instructor Kenton Yeager.
In the afternoons, all attendees are invited to experience short presentations by industry colleagues on a range of topics that can improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Eddie Raymond will explain the importance of sleep in his talks on the Biology of Sleep and the Effects of Sleep Deprivation in the Entertainment Industry.
Luther Bell and Molly Michelman will provide a Layperson’s Guide to Eating Healthier on the Road
Steven Michelman will provide an Introduction to Mental Health First Aid and Lori Rubinstein will provide an overview of tools and resources offered through the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative
In addition, BTS is offering NARCAN overdose prevention training classes on through the There is No Hero In Heroin Foundation. The training covers basic harm reduction principles, basic harm reduction t
UK - Linea Research has announced its technical partnership with PMC Speakers. This exciting collaboration took effect this month, marking a significant milestone for both companies.
Linea Research, recipient of the prestigious King's Award for Innovation, has a rich history of engineering audio solutions. Their commitment to excellence in design, engineering, and manufacturing has earned them a well-deserved reputation for delivering high-power amplification and DSP systems of quality and performance.
PMC Speakers is globally renowned for its premium studio monitors and reference speakers. With a history dating back to 1991, PMC products are relied upon by top studios, recording engineers, and artists worldwide.
Oliver Thomas, commercial director at PMC Speakers, states, "We are excited to join forces with Linea Research, a company that shares our commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio technology. This collaboration will undoubtedly benefit professionals across the audio industry."
Martin Hildred, sales manager for Linea Research, adds, "Our partnership with PMC Speakers is a testament to Linea Research's dedication to delivering superior audio solutions. We look forward to combining our expertise to redefine the audio experience."
USA - The Orange Amplification festive tradition of granting Christmas wishes launches this week. For the 2023 giveaway, “expect the biggest and best prize range ever and it's free to enter!” says the company.
For many years it has been the custom to place an orange in Christmas stockings because they were considered a rare treat and the juicy segments could easily be shared. In keeping with tradition, Orange Amps would like to share its products with their many followers and put an Orange in the bottom of Christmas stockings across the globe.
Anyone can make a wish, however big or small, by commenting with their preferred Orange product on any wish granted themed post on any Orange Amps social media platforms - Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube - using the hashtag #orangewishgranted. You can also enter the competition via the form on the Orange Amps website.
Entrants can state their wishes on any #orangewishgranted post. Entries close at 8.00am GMT on the 23 December 2023. Winners will be announced daily from the 12-23 December on orangeamps.com/.
Orange Amps will grant more than hundred Christmas Wishes with a prize value in excess of $25,000. Up for grabs are amplifiers, guitars, speaker cabinets, pedals, merchandise, headphones and new for 2023 the Orange BOX’s. All shipping and customs charges will be covered by the company.
“To me Christmas is a time of giving and sharing,’ said Cliff Cooper, CEO and founder of Orange Amplification. “I have fond memories of finding an orange at the bottom of my Christmas stocking.”
USA - Clair Global has announced Cohesion’s transformation from loudspeaker series to fully supported product development and manufacturing organisation within the greater Clair Global Group.
Cohesion was originally launched as a private brand available exclusively through Clair’s rental division, but based on its ‘overwhelming success and subsequent market demand’, Cohesion is now also available to exclusive installations worldwide.
Cohesion is already trusted by some of the world’s most successful touring artists, including more than half of Pollstar's top-50 grossing artists in 2022, and 2023 is on track to produce similar results. Front of house engineers and system engineers globally have praised Cohesion for its performance, efficiency, and reliability, and now venues beyond live touring and festival stages will benefit from the same industry-leading sound.
“We are investing in the people, product development, and resources needed to support this venture,” said Troy Clair, president and CEO of the Clair Global Group. “We see this as an opportunity to build comprehensive, connected solutions that go beyond designing and manufacturing loudspeakers. I’m thrilled by what’s happening today, and I’m even more optimistic about what’s to come.”
Designed and assembled at its headquarters in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Cohesion is prioritising workflow optimisation and a broadened ecosystem bolstered by a dedicated team of experts. The launch includes products never seen before, with more in development, that will expand and en
Europe - Obsidian Control Systems recently conducted back-to-back training sessions at its European headquarters in Kerkrade, aimed at training its European distributors on the specifics of the intuitive Onyx lighting control platform. The sessions were specifically designed to springboard an Obsidian awareness campaign starting with a programme to Train the Trainers.
Koy Neminathan, Elation director of business development, who helped lead the sessions, commented, “Nothing is perfect until you have mastered it, and that is why we are investing our resources into educating our network of distributors and resellers. In turn, they will be available to train those who want to learn more about the ONYX software. These sessions have been received positively by those who attended our first course and this is just the start.”
Obsidian partners across the world are being offered the Train the Trainer sessions alongside Obsidian’s current three-day Onyx course, which also includes an in-depth look at the Netron line of data distribution products. Participants complete a programme in which learning techniques are explained and practical tests are delivered with the aim of equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively train others in the powerful features that lay within the easy-to-learn platform.
Nineteen attendees from nine countries were the first to participate in the Train the Trainer sessions with more planned in the coming weeks. “The ultimate goal is to create a knowledgeable team of trainers around the globe who c
Europe - Shure and Ingram Micro, a prominent technology and supply chain services provider, have announced a new strategic relationship aimed at enhancing Unified Communications (UC) solutions across the UK, Germany, Spain, and Poland.
The alliance will focus on distributing Shure’s award-winning Stem Ecosystem, addressing the burgeoning demand for high-quality audio in meeting, training, and classroom spaces. The Stem Ecosystem is designed for situations that require straightforward, deployable audio solutions for daily conferencing needs. Now, Ingram Micro resellers will be able to enjoy a consistent and effective audio experience with Shure’s Stem Ecosystem devices.
"Developing a closer business relationship with IT channels is a key priority for Shure," said Bob Farahar, senior market development manager, UC and IT channels, Western Europe at Shure. "Ingram Micro not only has a strong relationship in the IT sector but also deep expertise and knowledge. We believe Stem Ecosystem will be a valuable addition to Ingram Micro’s portfolio while helping Shure reach new markets.”
Richard Tricklebank, global partner engagement, EMEA, unified communications & collaboration, Ingram Micro, added: "We are thrilled to include Shure in our product portfolio. As workspaces evolve and the need for high-quality, reliable audio becomes increasingly important, Shure’s cutting-edge technology will offer a total solution for our reseller customers."
Ingram Micro's influential role in IT channels offers Shure an opportunity for broader market pene
Spain - High-tech innovation in Europe and Latin America is paving the way for unprecedented collaboration and commerce between the two vibrant regions. ISE 2024 will be exploring these opportunities in a summit on 30-31 January 2024.
The European / Latin American AV Summit (ELAS), supported by ACCIO-Catalonia Trade & Investment, promises to ‘unite government representatives, thought leaders, and industry giants to foster understanding, strengthen connections, and ignite innovation across continents’.
Integrated Systems Events managing director, Mike Blackman, says: “ELAS 2024 represents the epitome of cross-continental collaboration, offering a platform for technology pioneers from Europe and Latin America to exchange ideas and foster innovative partnerships. We are proud to host key speakers to address the inaugural summit, including Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona and Javi López, co-president of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly.”
The ELAS 2024 speaker line-up also includes Martin Saul, CEO ICAP Global, chairman of the AVIXA board of directors; Paco Guzman, META AI; Federico Bausone, executive director, Crestron Latin America; Christina De Bono, founder and president, SAVe Sustainability; and Sean Wargo, vice president, market intelligence, AVIXA alongside top government Latin American and European Union representatives.
Summit chair Mateu Hernández, director of Internationalization at Casa Batlló, says: “Join us as we embark on this remarkable journey that transcends borders, showcasing the potential for
Latin America - tvONE has announced its partnership with Vitech US as a distributor for tvONE brands in Latin America. Vitech US will cover key Latin American countries as well as the Caribbean and Mexico.
Vitech US has established a solid reputation for delivering quality products, integrated solutions, distribution, transportation coordination, financing, and outstanding support to its channel partners since its inception in 1997.
Green Hippo will now be available to customers in select countries in Latin America, thanks to Vitech US's extensive network and expertise in channel distribution. This move will provide Latin American customers with direct access to Green Hippo’s award-winning Hippotizer media servers, enabling creative media manipulation and 3D mapping solutions for a wide range of applications, from live events to fixed installations.
"Vitech US has a strong track-record in channel management and distribution for ProAV technology products, making them an ideal partner for tvONE in Latin America," says Vince Schuster, vice president of sales, Americas, tvONE. "We are confident that this collaboration will not only expand our presence but also provide customers in these regions with exceptional service and support."
UK - EM Acoustics recently held a week-long demo event at their factory nestled amongst the scenic Surrey landscapes. The event, which took place in late October, focused on the launch of EM’s new R5 loudspeaker and was also a celebration of the brand’s 21st anniversary.
“We have the facilities here at the factory to host people and give them a first-hand feel for the capabilities of our products,” explains Mike Wheeler, operations director at EM Acoustics. “The launch of the latest addition to our Reference Series was a catalyst for organising the event, and we’re incredibly pleased with the number of visitors we’ve welcomed, some of whom travelled internationally to be here.”
Each day of the event was split into morning and afternoon sessions, with attendees invited to enjoy a full demonstration not only of the full Reference Series but also the rest of the range in a newly uprated, permanent demo environment. Following the listening session, which was accompanied by talks from EM Acoustics’ technical director Ed Kinsella, full factory tours were offered.
“We are unusually transparent about our operations and we’re able to show the care and attention to detail that goes into every component produced here at the factory without any restraint or secrecy” reflects Greg Clarke, brand manager at EM Acoustics. “We manufacture everything under one rather large roof, so we’re able to walk visitors through every step of the production process, from woodworking through to the paint workshop and the final assembly on the producti
Island Life - Plans for a new film and television studio on the Isle of Wight are still live a year after they were announced, the council has insisted. Medina Studios unveiled proposals to construct the complex on the banks of the Medina River, East Cowes, in November 2022. The council said designs were being worked up but no planning application has yet been put forward. It said the US writers' strike had affected demand for UK studio space.
Medina Studios said last year the facility would have four sound stages totalling 70,000sq.ft and be the island's "first screen-based media hub". Production workshops, offices and other related facilities could also be built, creating nearly 1,000 jobs. It added it would benefit from "copious amounts of filming locations on its doorstep" on the island.
Festival Funding - Edinburgh’s annual arts festivals will receive more than £630,000 of funding from the Scottish government as part of an ongoing initiative to support their “strategic development”. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Edinburgh International Festival, Imaginate Children’s Festival and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival will receive £75,000 each.
Scotland’s culture minister Christina McKelvie said the money demonstrated the Scottish government’s “commitment to investing in arts and culture” and would benefit “communities right across the city”. The money, which will be distributed by Creative Scotland, is a continuation of a five-year scheme – now ended – called the Platforms for Creative Excell
The Netherlands - ROE Visual has teamed up with the Netherlands Film Academy to support students in pioneering a ground-breaking approach to film production. By providing an advanced LED screen solution, ROE Visual has enabled the creation of The x-project, an ultra-short graduation film that marks a significant leap in how films are produced and takes the film academy's curriculum to new heights.
The x-project, a creation of the Netherlands Film Academy graduating students, stands out for its focus on production design and visual effects. It offers a remarkable opportunity to explore animation, world-building in virtual reality, and other innovative narrative forms and technologies. This ambitious project is the first for the film academy, introducing students to cutting-edge techniques increasingly prevalent in the industry.
In a departure from traditional filmmaking, the project utilises a large LED screen rather than the traditional green screen, a method that was pioneered in The Mandalorian. This advanced LED screen, combined with In-Camera VFX (ICVFX) technology, enables the virtual world to be seamlessly integrated into the camera's view, creating an immersive and highly realistic movie reality for the entire production crew.
ROE Visual's contribution to this project includes supplying the BP2V2 LED panels, renowned for their excellence and used in many successful film productions worldwide. By partnering with the Netherlands Film Academy, ROE Visual demonstrates its commitment to fostering innovation in the film industr
UK - Reclaim Audio has officially launched its new website. The new site highlights the concept behind Reclaim Audio while also providing a platform for the world to meet its award-winning product range.
The website explains Reclaim Audio’s two-pronged approach to creating environmentally friendly loudspeakers. “First, we have partnered with a string of talented craftspeople and responsible local businesses to ensure that every loudspeaker component comes from within a 200-mile radius of the factory. The innovative ‘Where Is Your Loudspeaker From?’ section on the website highlights the local businesses within a 200-mile radius, each contributing to the eco-friendly creation of the loudspeakers.
“Secondly, where we can, we use materials that are destined for landfill, scrap or incineration. The loudspeaker housings are reclaimed wood from film and TV sets, museum exhibits, and live events, ensuring a new life for the wood as a loudspeaker cabinet. This process meets the highest audio standards while championing environmental responsibility.
“The bracketry that will attach the loudspeakers to the wall are made from offcuts destined for the scrapheap. The wadding we use inside our point source loudspeakers is also recycled, having formerly been exhibition carpets and even the packaging that they are sent out in is end of life fibres that have been turned into compostable packing material as they can’t be recycled any more.”
The new site also features a dedicated product page for each of the three point source loudspeakers that th