USA - USITT - the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc. has accepted a permanent seat on ESTA’s new Certification Council. The Certification Council is the governing body which will manage the development and implementation of a new industry-wide certification programme for entertainment technology technicians.
USITT president Bruce Brockman has appointed Dennis Dorn, USITT vice-president for commissions and professor of theatre technology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as USITT’s representative to the Council. He has also appointed Joe Aldridge, USITT vice-president for special operations, professor and technical director at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and a trustee for IATSE Local 720-Nevada Resort Association’s Training Trust as their alternate member of the Council.
President Brockman commented: "USITT strongly endorses this project. Certification in key areas of the performing arts industry will not only ensure employers of qualified and well trained technicians, it will also provide those working in the performing arts an important professional credential. For our members who work in education as well as those who work professionally in the industry, certification will be a significant issue, and USITT is pleased to be playing a part in the development of this project."
Upon his appointment Dorn said: "I am delighted to represent USITT as a partner in the effort by ESTA members to assure that stage technicians will be well versed in the new technologies and long-time safe practices required
UK - BBC Training & Development announced yesterday a move that will make a major contribution to safety training in the broadcast industry. The BBC Production Safety Course CD-ROM is now available for freelances to purchase at a nominal cost. The well-established course was previously available under licence, so only companies with several people to train could afford it, unless they were on a BBC contract. This new development remedies this, and since it is available for just £34 (plus VAT), it means that smaller companies, and the 87,000 freelances working in the industry can access vital health and safety training information.
The BBC, together with other major broadcasters, now demands that all contracted staff must demonstrate safety competency. However, with freelancers making up almost 44% of the industry's workforce, and few able to find the time or money to train, ensuring they develop the safety knowledge they need, is fast becoming a vital issue for the industry.
The CD-ROM contains approximately one day's core production safety training. This ranges from an introduction to safety, a guide to risk assessment, responsibilities for safety in production and planned assignments, through to the safety issues in radio and television studios, the safety considerations when working on planes, boats and automobiles, locations and short notice newsgathering assignments. The CD-ROM features a variety of interactive case studies based on actual productions. To fit into a freelancer's working pattern, it can be completed in one sitting or can be covered over a n
UK - After seven years at Metier, Duncan Sones has announced his intention to stand down from the post of chief executive to work in a freelance capacity in education, training and regeneration projects.
Matthew Griffiths, chief executive of PLASA and also the Chair of Metier commented: "On behalf of the Board I’d like to express my thanks to Duncan for his achievements since his arrival in May 1996. During this time he has overseen considerable changes in Metier's fortunes and has been instrumental in raising the annual turnover of the organization from £250,000 to £1.5m. We believe that Duncan has been instrumental in bringing £10m to the sector - a large proportion of this has been invested in partnership projects helping to support the viability of around 35 other organizations."
Metier has made the successful transition from a National Training Organization into a much more practically-based agency delivering innovative programmes of work in the areas of education, skills and employability. Sones will continue to work with Metier over the next 12 months drawing on his knowledge of funding sources and partnership development. The organization has a strong team of managers and skilled staff: this team will be supplemented by two new appointments - that of an executive director and an equality projects director.
Griffiths continued: "Metier will have an important role to play in developing the delivery infrastructure for training for many years to come. Clearly the landscape will change with the arrival of the Sector Skills Council for
UK - The funeral of Keith Ferguson, the former general manager of the Production Services Association (PSA), will be held this Saturday 7 June, at 11.20am at Putney Vale Crematorium, Stag Lane, London SW15. Ferguson, who also served as a trustee of the PSA’s Welfare & Benevolent Fund, died in his sleep during the night of Friday 23 May. He was 56. Freddie Nyathela of the South African Roadies Association (SARA), who worked closely with Ferguson, described him as "a gentle giant - a man with a soft heart and vision."
He leaves a son, Guy, and a daughter, Meredith. The family has requested that flowers be sent from family members only, while anyone wishing to contribute should send a donation to the family’s chosen charity, Diabetes UK, c/o the Funeral Directors at: Fred K W. Paine, 24 Old London Road, Kingston, Surrey, KT2 6QG.
Following the service, a Memorial Gathering will be held on a riverboat journey to Hampton Court and back. The boat will leave at 1.00pm from Turk’s Boatyard in Kingston. All are welcome to attend the service and gathering, but if anyone should be unable to attend the service, they can still board the boat from 12.45pm.
(Lee Baldock)
Members can now access over 60 factsheets, through the member-only area of the PLASA website, covering a diverse range of business issues.
The factsheets come under four main headings
Legal
Employment
TAX
VAT
and include Security in the Workplace, Business Contracts, Absence Control, Data Protection, Long-Term Sickness Absence and Unwanted Faxes and Phone Calls.
PLASA’s Business Support Helpline provides the factsheets as a complementary service to the advice and assistance they already provide to members over the telephone. Members can use the free telephone service to obtain further information or guidance on any of the topics outlined. The information within the factsheets is updated on a regular basis to reflect best business working practices and changes in legislation.
PLASA members can gain access to this new resource by using their current username and password at
Joining as Full EU members are German company Amptown Cases GmbH (Tel: +49 4064 21410). Established in 1978 the company manufactures flight cases.
Joining as a corporate members are Hong Kong-based International Optics Ltd (Tel: +852 2304 7200), linked to British Optical Ltd, a manufacturer of projection and moulded optics for over 25 years, and Brown Box AV Ltd of Reading (Tel: +44 (0)118 970 8395), linked with Atmospheric Ltd, and set up to distribute audio and lighting solutions to AV dealers throughout the UK and Europe.
Anne Valentino (Tel: +1 201 530 9250) of New Jersey, USA, joins as an individual member. Valentino works as a consultant on product development, marketing and public relations for companies in the entertainment technology market.
To join, call us now on +44 1323 410335 or e-mail
Discounted packages will reduce member company travel expenses
The new PLASA Travel Service has been established in partnership with Kuoni Trade Fairs, a travel specialist with 30 years’ experience in providing travel services to trade shows and events worldwide.
No matter what level of travel you or your staff do during a year, the Kuoni service will prove highly beneficial. It covers just about every travel requirement, and includes flights (and upgrades where required), group and private transfers, ferry and Eurotunnel travel, accommodation, local hospitality assistance and pre-booked entrance tickets to events and trade shows.
The main benefit to PLASA members will come from the significant buying power of the Kuoni organization, which will translate into prices that are competitive and a range of services that can remain flexible and individual-friendly. In looking for a partner to work with on its travel service, PLASA has chosen well, for Kuoni has been voted the UK’s best long haul operator for 21 years running.
Additionally Kuoni, like PLASA, has close working relationships with key government departments such as Trade Partners UK and the Department of Trade and Industry, and has a good understanding of the needs and concerns of Association members travelling to busy trade events.
PLASA members using the PLASA Travel Service will automatically receive a 5% discount. Anyone interested should call Anne Angel at PLASA for the contact details and reference code or e-mail
UK - Keith Ferguson, who served as the general manager of the PSA for many years and was a trustee of the PSA Welfare & Benevolent Fund, died on Friday 23 May. No date for the funeral has yet been set, but details will be made available as soon as we have them.
(Ruth Rossington)
Members of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) are about to get the benefit of a major new service which will immediately save them money. On behalf of its members, PLASA has negotiated highly competitive terms for those members who process debit and credit card payments. This latest service is offered through Lloyds TSB Cardnet and will give members significant reductions on all their major credit and debit card transactions.
Details of the rates offered are outlined in the table below, and demonstrate that even those companies which handle relatively small amounts will immediately see a benefit. (Switch and Visa Debit cards are charged at 20 pence per transaction).
Users of the scheme will also have the advantage of additional security, at no extra cost, provided by the Card Verification Number Scheme (CV2) and Address Verification Scheme (AVS) - designed to combat the rising fraud now emerging on transactions where the buyer is not present. (See page 6 of the March issue of Lighting&Sound International for more on this worrying trend or visit www.plasa.org/media/lsi). CV2 is a unique code, found on the card’s signature strip, which has to be quoted prior
Moving to Cardnet is as simple as making a phone call and those members who act now can take advantage of a heavily discounted joining fee of £30, saving over £200 on the normal joining fee of £250. This fee is completely waived for existing card acceptors.
PLASA members who wish to join should call Lloyds TSB Cardnet direct on 0870 90
Germany - Lightpower’s Open Days in April were an ideal opportunity for those who attended to learn more about the range of products distributed by the company, and also participate in an exchange of ideas and experience, as part of an extensive seminar programme which featured many influential German designers. The event also marked 25 years for the company, which was founded in 1978 under the name Effektlicht- und Bühnengestaltung Proppe & Hövelkröger GbR, before changing to Lightpower in 1987.
More than 1,000 visitors from across the lighting industry visited the Heinz Nixdorf Museum in Paderborn, to participate in the three-day event, the central theme of which was technology and design. To this end, there was a wide array of equipment on show from companies such as Pulsar, Rosco, MA Lighting, Vari-Lite, Osram, Philips, GE, Rainbow, ETC, Clay Paky, Spotlight and Doughty, not to mention an impressive display covering the history of theatre and luminaire technology (collated from over 15 private collections), including an original DLD 6502 - the forerunner to the Wholehog desk.
Respected lighting designers and leading experts such as Günter Jäckle, Rolf Derrer, Uwe Behns, Antonius Quodt, Joshua Alemany, Michael Schmidt, Ulrich Kunkel, Michael Lück, Günther Schaidt, Christopher Pfeil, Gunter Hecker und Wilfried Kresiment, held seminars on their current projects.
In an exclusive event arranged by Lightpower for visitors to the Open Days, and as part of the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations, British blues legend Stan Webb performed at Paderborn
UK - With all the less than positive speculation surrounding the industry in the last year or so, it was good to discover that Leisuretec Distribution are as active as ever and looking optimistically to the future.
The company was founded by Mike Henden in Luton in 1990, and having grown consistently year on year, moved to its existing address in Leighton Buzzard in1995, since when the premises have literally trebled in size. The expansion has come from diversity: the company stocks and distributes an extensive range of products catering for many different market applications from pro audio, retail, studio, conference, stage and lighting, to education, pubs and clubs. The stock is vast, and the main emphasis of the business is on customer care and commitment to detail - complemented by experienced staff from a range of backgrounds.
Henden is understandably proud of his company’s achievements, the latest of which has been a major upgrade of facilities, including a significantly expanded warehouse. In the last two years over £500,000 has been reinvested - not just in an office and warehouse refurbishment, but also in the whole company infrastructure - including the IT and communications systems. This may have seemed a daunting commitment given the tough year that much of the industry experienced in 2002, but Leisuretec was able to self-finance the expansion and still achieve significant growth.
On entering the building, one’s first impression is of how calm and relaxed everything and everyone is, a mood reflected in the modern décor of the offices, boardro
UK - The Laban is offering its first dance Summer School in its new home, from 14-25 July 2003. Students can train intensively for two weeks with leading dance practitioners in state-of-the-art facilities. The variety of courses on offer makes the programme ideal for those who want to refresh their skills and keep up-to-date or for those considering professional dance training. Guest artists and teachers include the Transitions Dance Company, Linda Hartley, Wendy Houstoun, Benji Reid and Ben Wright.
(Jane Cockburn)
Denmark - Statements of faith in the future of the lighting industry don’t come any bigger than Martin Professional’s new ‘Happy Factory’ - a major new production facility for the company, two years in the planning, which has put the Danish manufacturer more firmly on the map than it has ever been in its entire history.
Located in Frederikshavn, in the northern part of Denmark, the facility stands out in the relatively flat landscape around the Knivholt area of the town - it’s an impressive exhibition window for Martin products, particularly its architectural lighting ranges, which are a relatively new, but fast-expanding, part of the Martin business. Its design owes something to the industry it serves - the support infrastructure features 455 tons of roof truss - influenced, no doubt, by the touring and performance systems Martin works with every day of the year. Its lighting likewise: 70 Exterior 600s, 140 Exterior 200s and 24 MAC 2000 Performance spots, controlled by a LightJockey system, provide both internal and external illumination of the building.
The Happy Factory’s genesis was probably inevitable: it became clear that the plant at Saltebakken in Frederikshavn had become too small to keep pace with the company’s ambitious growth strategy, so teams of technicians and engineers were assembled and handed the task of addressing the problem. Over eight months they considered all the possible solutions, a number of concepts were then evaluated and an analysis of future products and market conditions were fed in to the algorit
USA - The Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) has announced that the draft American National Standard BSR E1.7, Entertainment Technology - Recommended Practice for the Design and Use of Manual Systems for Flying Performers, is available for public review until 29 July 2003.
The draft standard describes recommended practices for lifting and transporting performers to create the illusion of flying or levitation in theatrical performances. Anyone that has an interest in flying effects with live performers is invited to review it and offer comments. Public review and comment is being sought so that the draft standard may reflect the consensus of informed opinion in the industry.
The standard is a project of the Rigging Working Group, part of the ANSI-accredited standards committee E1, Safety and Compatibility of Entertainment Technical Equipment and Practices. ESTA is the secretariat for accredited standards committee E1, and provides administrative support to the committee. Membership in the working group is open to all who are affected by standards-making in the area of trusses and rigging in entertainment venues, and who are willing to actively participate in the group's projects.
A copy of BSR E1.7 can be obtained from the ESTA website at http://www.esta.org/tsp, or by writing to: Technical Standards Manager, ESTA, 875 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1005, New York, NY 10001.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) has accepted a permanent seat on ESTA’s new Certification Council - the governing body which will manage the development and implementation of a new industry-wide certification program for entertainment technology technicians. The key areas of electrical skills and rigging skills have been identified for initial development in the ESTA Personnel Certification Program.
IATSE president Thomas C. Short has appointed Anthony DePaulo, eleventh vice-president of the General Executive Board and Business Agent of Local 1, and Brian Lawlor, co-director of the Stagecraft Division as their representatives to the Council. "Both Mr. DePaulo and Mr. Lawlor have first-hand experience and knowledge of those skills that will be certified in this program. Knowing that the IA will have a guiding impact on this certification program will continue to assure that our members will remain the most highly skilled in the business while working in a well thought out, safe work environment," commented Short.
ESTA President Mike Wood commented: "It is essential for the success of this program that it has strong representation from the labour unions and we are delighted that IATSE has accepted this leading role on the Certification Council. Their input and support will be invaluable."
The ESTA Certification Council will represent the diversity of the industry. Members will include key leaders in entertainment business, labor, facilities, associations, and academia. ESTA is in the process of exte
UK / Russia - As members of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) will be aware, PLASA has been approached by IIR Exhibitions to work on a project that will see the launch of a trade show in Moscow, Russia in April 2004. In order to assess interest in the project, PLASA and IIR Exhibitions are staging an Open Day on Wednesday 21 May at One Whitehall Place, London SW1.
The Open Day will include presentations from a number of key speakers including representatives from PLASA, the DTI and IIR Exhibitions. The presentations will focus specifically on doing business in Russia, emphasizing changes in the business culture, the types of assistance that can be accessed, the pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities available. The event will be a half-day session starting at 11.00am and concluding at 1.15pm with a buffet lunch to follow.
All interested parties are invited to attend the Open Day - should you wish to do so please confirm your attendance by contacting Helen Willis at the PLASA office (details below).
(Lee Baldock)
PLASA members are about to get the benefit of a major new service which will immediately save them money. On behalf of its members, PLASA has negotiated highly competitive terms for those members who process debit and credit card payments. This latest service is offered through Lloyds TSB Cardnet and will give members significant reductions on all their major credit and debit card transactions.
Details of the rates offered are outlined in the table below, and demonstrate that even those companies which handle relatively small amounts will immediately see a benefit. (Switch and Visa Debit cards are charged at 20 pence per transaction).
Users of the scheme will also have the advantage of additional security, at no extra cost, provided by the Card Verification Number Scheme (CV2) and Address Verification Scheme (AVS) - designed to combat the rising fraud now emerging on transactions where the buyer is not present. (See page 6 of our March issue for more on this worrying trend or visit www.plasa.org/media/lsi). CV2 is a unique code, found on the card’s signature strip, which has to be quoted prior to purchase, whilst AVS matches address details to provide an additional verification check.
The rates quoted below are for transactions processed and authorized through online electronic terminals. (These can be obtained for £15.74 plus VAT per month).
Moving to Cardnet is as simple as making a phone call and those members who act now can take advantage of a heaviliy discounted joining fee of £30, saving over £200 on the normal joining fee of £250. This fee is
Joining as Full EU members are Swedish company Swefog Technology Group AB (Tel: +46 590 12250). Swefog has been manufacturing smoke and haze generators for use as special effects within theatres, concerts, clubs, TV productions, film productions, showrooms and exhibitions since 1997.
Joining as Corporate members are Coemar UK Ltd (Tel: +44 (0)1233 636 688). Linked with renowned lighting manufacturer Coemar spa, the company supplies Coemar lighting, Antari smoke effects, Pixeon LED technology and Hungaroflash Strobe systems.
Also joining as Corporate members are Lighting Technology Projects Ltd (Tel: +44 (0)1554 740 500). Part of the PA Installations Group, LTP will operate out of Wellingborough and will specialize in architectural lighting and the heritage market.
There are also two new Individual Associate Members joining the PLASA ranks this month: Claire Dickinson (Tel: +44 (0)20 8693 1181) is the theatre manager at James Allen Girls School in East Dulwich, while Richard Soper (Tel: +44 (0)20 8372 1525) is a full-time freelance front-of-house sound engineer.
UK - Trade Partners UK has appointed an export promoter to work with the music industry to help develop its export potential in overseas markets. Bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the music industry, Phil Patterson took up the post with Trade Partners UK on 23 April 2003 following an open competition. He has been seconded until 1 October 2004 from the Association of Independent Music (AIM).
His long-term experience will prove invaluable: after graduating from Newcastle-upon-Tyne College of Art and Design, Patterson worked initially as a musician and DJ and then for a number of record companies including Chrysalis, Pye, RCA and Polydor in promotion and public relations. In the mid 1980s, he moved into international marketing with Chrysalis and eventually became Director of EMI Music UK in 1992. He told us: "I am delighted to be offered this position and believe that with the full support of the various trade associations, in particular, we can make a difference. This is a wonderful opportunity for our industry to work with government, allowing us to understand how they and Trade Partners UK can assist the British music industry to develop its business internationally."
(Ruth Rossington)
UK - More new members have signed up for Association services.
Joining as Full members are London-based Kinesys Projects (Tel: +44 (0)20 8704 0603), a manufacturer of control equipment for motors, hydraulics and pneumatics, and also power distribution equipment; DMC Ltd of Slough (Tel: +44 (0)1628 667124), a long-established provider of CDs for DJs. The company is also the official UK music merchandiser for Technics; Burnley-based Rubber Box (Tel: +44 (0)1282 830965), is a supplier of rubber distribution boxes, cable reels and handlamps; London-based Live Business International (Tel: +44 (0)20 7801 1732), a specialist sound, lighting and AV installer and consultancy.
Joining as Full EU members are Italian company Coemar Spa (Tel: +39 0376 775 21) a veteran of the lighting business and a pioneer of intelligent lighting; Behringer Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH of Germany (Tel: +49 2154 920 60), designer and manufacturer of audio technology, sound reinforcement and DJ products with more than 1,500 employees in 20 countries. Also based in Germany is Klingenthaler Musikelektronik GmbH (Tel: +49 37467 558 23), a well-established designer and developer of loudspeakers and amplifiers.
Joining as an Individual Associate Member is Bob Chapman (Tel: +44 (0)7900 918391), a specialist in the hire of lighting and audio systems for the conference and exhibition sectors.
UK - Friday 6 June: Coombe Abbey, Coventry
This year, PLASA has put together an impressive business event designed to address its Members’ professional needs. Built around the Asociation’s AGM, the day will feature a series of workshops which will give Members access to expert advice, information, ideas and research, thereby arming them with information that they can use in the day-to-day running of their businesses.
The two anchor sessions will see specialists provide members with valuable advice on business issues: Keen to be Lean? will reflect on the current trends in Lean Manufacturing - a technique already implemented by some PLASA Members - and the ways in which manufacturers can effectively reduce costs. Effective Marketing for Tough Times will look at what marketing can do in terms of improving your bottom line, identifying ways in which companies can better market themselves and their skills.
Running parallel to these sessions will be the PLASA Discussion Forum - an informal round-table style meeting which will focus debate on issues currently affecting Members, and include contributions from Trevor Wilkinson of Business Diagnostics, who will outline PLASA’s recent industry research and reveal how trends can influence business planning, and David Eggleton of the DTI who will provide the government angle on how the DTI works with businesses to drive UK productivity and competitiveness.
Designed to put Members in touch with others from the PLASA business community, the event will offer plenty of time for networking, not least
USA - The ESTA Board of Directors has voted unanimously to approve a detailed business plan to establish a personnel certification programme for entertainment technology technicians provided the required funds can be raised. Two key areas have been identified for initial development - electrical skills and rigging skills. In addition, a curriculum-based certificate programme will be created to address essential skills which comprise a fundamental body of knowledge needed to work in the entertainment industry.
The business plan for the programme has been developed under the guidance of a professional certification consultant using detailed research and extensive market surveys. In order to implement this business plan, the Board has defined the administrative structure needed to establish and run the programme, including the management skills that are essential to the governing body. A Certification Council will be appointed by the Board of Directors as soon as possible, and ESTA will reach out to other industry associations to aid them in this important industry-wide effort. In addition, individual members, selected for their specific skills and talents will be appointed.
The direction and charter of the new Certification Council is substantially different from that of the original Certification Program Committee. The Council will be charged with a variety of duties including fundraising, financial management, marketing and public relations.
(Ruth Rossington)
UK - UK Steel have welcomed the preliminary ruling by a WTO disputes panel that the tariffs imposed by the USA last year on steel imports contravene WTO rules. The news will also be welcomed by those in this industry who export steel-based products to the US.
Ian Rodgers, deputy director commented: "This confirms what we said from the start - that there was no legal justification for the US government to impose these measures at a time when steel imports had been falling consistently for three years. The WTO rules are quite clear - such measures can only be taken in response to a current increase in imports."
Responding to the possibility that the US government might appeal the ruling, Rodgers said: "This was such a cut-and-dried case from the start, it would make most sense for the US government to end the tariffs immediately, rather than suffer the humiliation of a second defeat. In any case, it is debatable whether the US steel industry has had much benefit from the measures, as the main impact has been to allow NAFTA producers and developing countries to fill the gaps left by the exclusion of traditional suppliers such as the EU. At the same time, US consumers have had to pay more for specific types of steel that are only available in sufficient quantities from those traditional sources."
UK Steel, a division of the Engineering Employers’ Federation, represents 95% of UK steel production and many downstream processors. Formerly known as UK Steel Association it merged with the EEF in summer 2002.
(Ruth Rossington)
UK - Projectionist Pod Bluman has recently set up Pod Projects Ltd - a company specializing in large-format projection work.
Bluman is an experienced projection designer: he started his career with Labyrinth, a company which specialized in ‘Guerilla-style’ projections, probably the most famous of which was the image of a naked Gail Porter projected on to the Houses of Parliament in London. He went on to work on numerous projects, including projections onto Buckingham Palace, MI6 and the Tate Gallery, as well as being involved in the River of Light project for the Millennium celebrations in Liverpool.
In the last two years he has been the video crew chief for a number of large projects, including the Vodaphone Ball 2002, the New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Millennium Dome and the launch event for the Birmingham Bullring. More recently, he has taken on the production of some events, completing a number of high profile projects, including the anti-war images that were projected on to the Houses of Parliament, projections onto Sizewell B Nuclear power station for Greenpeace and the projection work outside Madame Tussauds for GMTV’s 10 year anniversary party.
Pod Projects Ltd, 65 Coppetts Road, London, N10 1JH. Tel: +44 (0)208 374 8400