The Netherlands - After proving the OCA control architecture in the field on global tours and major music festivals, the OCA Alliance is promoting the OCA message to the wider market.

At and around ISE 2015, several of the large number of OCA member companies exhibiting at the show participated in various activities to promote OCA. These included a presentation to members of the press, to carry the OCA vision of a common remote control standard to the AV industry, as well as presentations to AV consultants and system integrators. Meetings with numerous manufacturers also helped move forward the process of making the OCA vision reality.

OCA Alliance member companies Yamaha Commercal Audio, TC Group and Salzbrenner Stagetec, joined d&b audiotechnik in presenting the current status and future vision of Open Control Architecture, as these relate to the AV Installation and Systems

WhatsOn Winners - Miss Saigon has dominated this year's WhatsOnStage awards, winning nine trophies including best West End show. The record haul follows the musical's return to the West End last year, 25 years after it premiered in London. Former Doctor Who co-stars David Tennant and Billie Piper won best actor and best actress in a play. Tennant for Richard II and Piper for Great Britain. The awards, focusing predominantly on London theatre, are voted for entirely by members of the public.

The new production of Miss Saigon won nine of its 12 nominations, including best actor and actress in a musical, best direction, best choreography and best musical revival. The musical, set during the Vietnam War and based on the opera Madame Butterfly, opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre last May.

Lee Hall's adaptation of the 1998 film

USA - PRG has announced the passing of Board Member and award-winning theatrical producer, Joseph P. Harris. As a producer and general manager, Mr. Harris had been associated with over 200 Broadway productions. He died peacefully at home in Greenwich, CT on Wednesday 11 February at the age of 87.

Mr. Harris was born in Manhattan on July 2, 1927 and moved to Queens during his childhood. He graduated from Forest Hills High School and was drafted into the Army. After returning home from serving as part of the occupation forces under General MacArthur in Japan, he started his theatrical career as the assistant general manager on Finian's Rainbow, in 1948, working alongside his father, the general manager, Charles Harris.

During his 54-year Broadway career, Mr. Harris crossed paths with many artists, including the legendary Bob Fosse, producing Fosse's Chicago and the

UK - Presteigne Broadcast Hire has appointed Neil Coles as its sales manager. A sales professional, he has a solid history in the studios and post production industries, so clearly understands the challenges and opportunities facing Presteigne's clients today.

Working for the past three years as a business development consultant, largely with clients in the broadcast and media sector, he has also driven sales at post house Prime Focus in London, fixed-rig specialist Roll to Record, and Pinewood Studios Group where he was primarily responsible for the light entertainment television studios at Teddington.

"Production companies and their facilities are under tremendous pressure at the moment," said Coles. "On one side they need to produce more content on ever-tighter budgets and with ever-increasing audience expectations. And on the other, there is a continuous str

USA - Production Resource Group LLC, (PRG) one of the world's leading providers of entertainment and event technology solutions, has announced that it is combining several business units to create the PRG Music Group. This new division will be under the leadership of Mickey Curbishley, CEO PRG Music, and will focus on providing integrated video and lighting solutions for tours, festivals, and concert events around the world.

"We are bringing together leading industry veterans, technology experts, and the operational know-how of PRG Concert Touring, PRG Nocturne, and Chaos Visual Productions into a single integrated organisation," says Curbishley. "The PRG Music Group is and will be the 'go-to' production resource for our clients. The goal is simple-we want to make it as easy as possible to do business with PRG."

In addition to integrating the three teams, P

UK - Northern Stage Services Ltd, the specialist lighting, sound and stage solutions provider, has completed the acquisition of the business of Lancelyn Lighting and Lancelyn Theatre Supplies.

Northern Stage Services Ltd, whose client list includes the RIBA award-winning Liverpool Everyman Theatre, Brio Leisure and Manchester Communications Academy, acquired the business on 16 February 2015, enhancing its overall offering to be UK-wide spanning the theatrical, architectural and construction sectors.

Northern Stage Services Ltd managing director, Patrick Colin, comments: "Lancelyn has a long history in both Oxford and The Wirral and its customers very much value the service given by its skilled design, manufacturing and installation teams.

"Similarly, Northern Stage Services has built up a solid reputation within the industry through our ability to work on larger, m

Fighting Talk - Foo Fighters have revealed they will be the headline act on the first day of Glastonbury Festival. The US rockers announced the news after they were named best international band at the NME Awards. In a recorded video message, frontman Dave Grohl told music fans at Brixton Academy, south London, they were returning to the UK to play Glastonbury. They are the first major act announced for this year's event. Foo Fighters will headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday, Glastonbury's website confirmed, making their first appearance at the Somerset festival since 1998. Lionel Richie was the first 2015 performer to be announced in November. He will make his debut in the Sunday teatime slot on the Pyramid stage.

Festival Move - T in the Park will be on a new site this year and the headliners will be Kasabian. Avicii will make his debut at the festival when he closes t

South Africa - For the fourth year, MJ Event Gear provided the full technical for Product of the Year 2015 held on 5 February 2015 in Johannesburg. Product of the Year is claimed to be the world's largest consumer-voted award for product innovation and currently operates in 40 countries with the purpose of guiding consumers to the best products in their market and to reward manufacturers for quality and innovation.

The South African Awards were hosted at Summer Place, a graceful venue in the heart of Hyde Park, Gauteng. Working closely with their client, Edith Venter of Edith Unlimited, MJ were given full creativity rights to provide lighting for the outdoor area comprising of an exquisite garden, swimming pool, and Bedouin tent, and more importantly, for the prestigious awards ceremony.

Lighting designer Olebogeng Boinamo from MJ created an upbeat show on an Avolites Tiger To

UK - Northern Light Stage & Technical Services has announced the successful management buyout of its hire department with the formation of NL Productions Ltd.

Intended to capitalise on the growing order book of the last two years and under the leadership of managing director Phil O'Halloran, the new business will operate as a unique alliance with the hire department of Northern Lights' sister company Stage Electrics.

Phil O'Halloran commented: "Our local knowledge and capabilities within our specific market area coupled with the backing of an alliance relationship with Stage Electrics provides an ideal combination to drive continued growth and deliver value for customers that will be a benefit to all parties."

Providing technical expertise, design and equipment NL Productions offers lighting, sound, AV, staging, rigging and power distribution to events across Scotl

UK - The sixth School Theatre Support Group (STSG) conference took place in February 2015 at the Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Cheltenham. The event was attended by technicians, managers and teachers from school theatres and drama departments around the country.

Workshop sessions on a range of relevant technical topics were provided by AC Entertainment Technologies, Stage Electrics and White Light, alongside displays from GDS and iStudio Projects. Charcoalblue Theatre Consultants also provided sponsorship.

This year's conference marked the tenth year of STSG as an organisation, having grown from an informal group of like-minded individuals, to now being affiliated with the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT). This important link gives wider recognition to theatre work within schools, as well as encouraging the development of the next generation of theatre pro

UK - Star Events rounded off a successful re-brand launch event at the Event Production Show by signing a service partner contract with sports specialist Footwise UK, under its Brazilian Minds in Fusion banner.

The deal provides Star Events with high-level representation and experience in Brazil and gives Minds in Fusion access to Star's lauded logistical and technical abiolities, and equipment, ahead of the Rio Olympics in 2016.Minds in Fusion produced the official Promotional Plan for the 2014 World Cup on behalf of the Brazilian Government. Football legend Cafu, Brazil's most capped player, is the company's global ambassador and Minds has worked with his foundation in Sao Paulo since 1999.

Roger Barrett, Star Events' special projects director, and Dominic Barrett-Evans, founding partner at Minds in Fusion, negotiated heads of terms on a UKTI trade mission to Rio at the end

UK - Alchemea College is celebrating the recent success of several of its former students at this year's BRIT Awards, Grammy Awards, MPG Awards...and on the charts.

Jimmy Napes (aka James Napier, Class of 2004) was both songwriter and producer whose work contributed to Sam Smith's BRIT Award nods for British Breakthrough Act and British Global Success, as well as nominations for British Album and British Single. Other Alchemea alumni represented at the BRITs include Steve Sedgwick (Class of 2002), house engineer for British Male Solo Artist nominee Damon Albarn, and Robbie Nelson (Class of 2001) who engineered Morning Phase by International Male Solo Artist nominee Beck.

Earlier this month at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, Napes' work was also acknowledged as Smith took home the prestigious prizes for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, as well as winning Best New Artist

USA - ANSI E1.19 - 2015, Recommended Practice for the Use of Class A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) Intended for Personnel Protection in the Entertainment Industry, and ANSI E1.23 - 2010 (R2015), Entertainment Technology - Design and Execution of Theatrical Fog Effects, were approved by the ANSI Board of Standards Review on 10 and 13 February respectively. They are now published and are available for free at http://tsp.plasa.org/freestandards. The free download is made possible by the sponsorship of Prosight Specialty Insurance. They also may be purchased from ANSI's eStandards Store (http://webstore.ansi.org/) for $15.00 each.

ANSI E1.19 is intended to offer guidance in accordance with existing applicable standards on how to select, install, use and maintain ground fault protection devices in the entertainment industry to protect persons from shock and persons and pr

UK - Le Maitre Ltd is sponsoring fireman Scott Butler on his intrepid Journey To Elbrus challenge in what will hopefully gain him a place in the Guinness Book Of World Records.

In June this year Scott will be cycling 1800 miles across Europe then rowing solo 750 miles across the Black Sea. If that wasn't enough of a challenge he will then climb Mount Elbrus in Russia, the highest peak in Europe. Scott will be raising money for three charities - Firefighters Charity, The MS Society and Facing Africa.

Scott, a firefighter with the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service has a history of challenging himself. He has run marathons and adventure races, cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End, driven the Nurburgring and also written a book. This will be his first ever attempt at a world record. Sponsorship details are available at www.journeytoelbrus.com.

(Jim Evans)

Italy - The show Illusion, with several Salamanders from Le Maitre entertained visitors at the Rainbow MagicLand in Valmontone close to Rome throughout the summer 2014.

The attraction combines music, fantasy and projection. With hundreds of lights installed on the fountains and special effects enhancing the show, Illusion had nine dancers interacting with the fountains and the projections.

One of the world's leading companies for aquatic shows and an internationally renowned video designer participated in the realisation of this show.

Mr. Bonsanti, technical representative at MagicLand, commented, "The show went on two to three times a night for a duration of 25-30 minutes and could accommodate 300 people. Thanks to a series of effects, the organisers were able to create true illusions with pirate and jungle themes.

"The stage on the water with the castle built o

UK - Martin Manufacturing UK has been crowned champion of skills investment at the Semta Skills Awards 2015. Martin Manufacturing UK, which employs 48 people in Louth and makes a range of smoke boxes for the entertainments' industry, won the SME Investment in Skills category, sponsored by Pera Training.

They were presented with the award at a gala dinner in London's Park Plaza, Riverbank at an event hosted by TV presenter Michael Underwood and where Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Energy, Matthew Hancock, gave the keynote address.

Jason Andrews, general manager of Martin Manufacturing, said: "Skills are important to our business - competing in the international marketplace we need to stay ahead of the game so we need the most skilled workforce we can muster.

"Some of our employees have worked for us for over 20 years and we need to ensure their knowl

UK - Another year has flown by, and it's time to start nominations for the Technical Theatre Awards 2015.

The nomination period is now open on the new website - head to www.technicaltheatreawards.com now to put your colleagues forward.

Says the organisation, "We have a great year planned ahead, including streamlining the voting process and bringing together a committee of industry leaders to finalise our shortlists.

"We are also heading to Europe for Stage|Set|Scenery, as well as our annual visits to PLASA Focus and the ABTT Trade Show.

"Our awards ceremony will be taking place on 5 October 2015, and all our nominees and sponsors will be invited to join us as we announce this year's winners.

To make all this possible we are putting together a bigger team than ever. We are currently looking for more sponsors to support our awards, including some brand new a

UK - The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has confirmed the quality and standards of provision at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance following its review in November 2014.

A team of QAA reviewers visited Rose Bruford College and judged that its academic standards, the quality and enhancement of its student learning opportunities, and the quality of information about its learning opportunities all meet UK expectations.

The review identified a number of examples of good practice. These include the excellent arrangements for students to engage in professional practice, and the support given to staff in developing reflection and scholarship in their academic practice.

The review also highlighted the development and integration of learning technologies within the curriculum.

The review made a recommendation for improvement: for the College to imp

World Music - De La Soul will be the headline act at this year's Womad, the festival's organisers have announced. Other highlights at the world music festival will include Tinariwen and folk music band Bellowhead. Festival director, Chris Smith said: "I'm really excited about De La Soul, hip hop is a big thing for Womad." Last year the event sold out for the first time since it relocated from Reading in 2007 to Charlton Park near Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

Hearing Health - People should listen to music for no more than one hour a day to protect their hearing, the World Health Organization suggests. It says 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of permanently damaging their hearing by listening to "too much, too loudly". It said audio players, concerts and bars were posing a "serious threat". WHO figures show 43m people aged 12-35 hav

UK - PLASA's Technical Resources Office would like to remind LSiOnline readers that the European RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest for 2015 will take place from 22-24 April, in the UK, at Gatwick Manor, London Road at Lowfield Heath, just south of Gatwick Airport.

The Developers Conference provides a European forum for manufacturers, designers, consultants and prospective users; and aims to ensure that the adoption of these new standards achieves desired levels of interoperability and reliability.

Conference sessions will cover the understanding, implementation and use of the published E1.20 and E1.37 RDM standards. Other projects in the current PLASA Technical Standards Program such as 'E1.33: RDMnet' and the various E1.37-X extensions will also feature.

The 'Plugfest' is a hands-on opportunity for product developers to try out their hardware and code implemen

The Netherlands - At ISE 2015, software providers Stardraw.com logged a record number of visits to the stand, extremely healthy sales and to cap it all, Stardraw Design 7.1 was voted a winner in the InAVation Awards in the category of Most InAVative Integration Tool. The Stardraw Design 7 suite of design and documentation tools has already been bestowed with a Commercial Integrator BEST award in the Project Management & Design/Web software category and a Highly Commended from InAVate.

Commenting on this latest award, CEO Rob Robinson said, "It's always extremely gratifying to receive recognition from our peers in the industry, but this award is particularly special, for three important reasons. First, the category of Integration Tool was a very broad one, encompassing all sorts of product types from other innovative software to some very novel and interesting hardware produ

Germany - In the installation and event technology sectors, one often has to cover long distances. Thanks to the Cardinal DVM-HDBT extender systems from Sommer Cable, customers don't need to accept any compromises regarding image and audio quality.

"With our flexible signal management and extender systems of the Cardinal DVM series customers will benefit from a stable HDMI signal transmission over max. distances of 100m. Uncompressed content can therefore be distributed using only a single cable. And this with just a regular network cable," says Peter Rieck, key account & distribution manager at Sommer Cable.

The newly launched latest generation of Cadinal DVM devices can handle a "HighSpeed HDMI with Ethernet" signal which supports the current 4Kx2K, 1080p, 3D, ARC, HDCP, 7.1CH, Home-Cinema-TrueHD as well as DTS-HD standards, thus safeguarding a long-term

UK - ABTT training co-ordinator Geoffrey Joyce, who through his creation of the ABTT Bronze Award has been instrumental in forging the career paths of many of today's working theatre technicians, was honoured at the Creative & Cultural Skills Awards 2015.

By winning The Theatre Skills Award from amongst a very strong short list, Geoff was honoured in recognition of the debt the technical theatre sector owes to him as a theatre practitioner and trainer. Through his personal conviction and resolve Geoff has established a relevant, accessible and vocational training provision for young people wishing to commence careers in technical theatre.

A facilitator and training programme leader for the ABTT, the introductory training courses Geoff has devised distil a suite of vocational skills, to provide the essential grounding that ensures a new entrant to technical theatre will be safe

UK - PSCo is holding a 'personal preview event' from 16-27 March for rental partners, system integrators and consultants to visit the PSCo Assessment Centre, to experience the latest in display screen technology.

A new development is the installation of a new DigitalMedia control system from Crestron, to deliver seamless support for all demonstrations. Catering for all trade needs, the space features five individual zones, displaying an impressive selection of solutions - and is currently the only place in the UK for the industry to compare such technologies in an independent environment, says the company.

Stuart Holmes of PSCo explains, "This destination will give visitors a true insight into the breadth of technologies on offer. The five zones within the centre give our clients a clear understanding of the whole range of products and support services we offer to our cha

Latest Issue. . .

Save
Cookies user preferences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline
Advertisement
If you accept, the ads on the page will be adapted to your preferences.
Google Ad
Accept
Decline