USA - ETC is making changes to its executive staff, announcing new titles and roles for two of the current-vice presidents. Well-known industry veteran Steve Terry will now assume the leadership of the company's global R&D department. Terry's current executive title and role within ETC's service operations will be expanded to vice-president of research and development and professional services.
Terry, who has been with ETC since the summer of 2001, has been a highly respected authority in the industry for over 25 years, and a major visionary force behind some of most significant technical advances in the field, including the development of industry-wide control protocols. In addition to driving the development of DMX512, he helped start the ESTA Technical Standards program and is the current co-chair of the Control-Protocols Working Group that is developing ACN and RDM.
A tireless proponent of innovation, Terry will bring his strong executive and field experience to ETC R&D, working to further integrate ETC's product-development efforts with the demands of the marketplace that he knows so well. ETC CEO Fred Foster said: "Steve's intuition on products is unmatched. More than 20 years ago when we began our relationship with him as our customer, he was something like a virtual VP, driving our R&D program from afar with his insights."
Previous to his recent role as ETC's VP of professional services, Terry was president of the Fourth Phase Systems Group. He was also a partner in Production Arts and principal throughout its transition into PRG/Fourth Phas
Canada - For the team of lighting designer Jean Renaud and his associate designer/programmer, Vincent Colbert, two televised music award shows provided a natural opportunity to put a Super WYG 5000 channel system through its paces, as they lit both the 2004 East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs) and the Juno Awards, Canada's version of the Grammys.
Halifax, Canada-based Tour Tech East supplied both the Super WYG system for the ECMAs and technician Roy Mombourquette, who also served as the ECMA's crew chief. "The producers of the ECMA's were amazed when we were able to show them the actual camera shots!" says Mombourquette. "With the aid of WYSIWYG, we were able to demonstrate how many people would have obstructed views because of television cameras or other unforeseen obstacles."
This year's ECMAs were particularly challenging for the lighting department with six different stages, twelve musical numbers, over 150 moving lights and an extremely tight schedule. Colbert spent six days programming just the songs and house looks so that the limited amount of time in the arena could be spent fine-tuning and lighting the awards portion of the show. "It paid off big time since I ended up with over 300 cues," Colbert says, "and the only touch ups I had to make were those that I had noted while programming." Renaud adds: "I was really surprised by the results, once the rig was at trim, we could see some looks right away from what Colbert had programmed. The producers and I were extremely impressed."
The level of technical suppor
UK - The lease on Central London's legendary Hippodrome - made famous in the 1980's by Peter Stringfellow - has been extended by 12 months to new incumbents, following the departure of previous operators, Luminar Leisure, last September. As a result, a consortium headed by Chinawhite director, Jeremy Hartley and Leicester Square Association chairman, Steve Bowen, have taken on the lease, and earmarked a £750,000 development budget, with a large percentage going on lighting.
A contract worth £150,000 has been awarded to Ian Kirby's Coemar UK for the supply of a large consignment of Coemar moving head dancefloor and mid-air beam effects plus Hungaroflash strobes, James Thomas Engineering LED battens and ShowCAD computer control.
Replacing the majestic satellites - the mainstay of the club's dynamic lightshows through the '80s - the fixtures have been purchased and installed by Paul Craig's Brighton-based Showtec and leased on a 12-month basis to the operators. The lighting will complement a versatile entertainment programme, including trapeze and aerial artists, operating within a burlesque interior created by Argent Design, and intended to return the venue to its water circus origins of 1900.
Designed in conjunction with Hippodrome technical consultant, Derek Chalmers, the new lighting effects will be used predominantly to highlight the new VIP Room (formerly the Star Bar) and the Mezzanine Area. The fixtures include 13 Coemar iSpot 575s, six iWash 575s, eight iSpot 150s and two NAT 2500MM heads - with more to follow. LED has also supplied 10 Hungaroflash 5k
USA - Color Kinetics Incorporated (CKI) has announced that it has been issued two new US patents. U.S. patent number 6,720,745 is a utility patent covering a 'Data Delivery Track'. The patent relates to an LED lighting system where the lighting control signals are communicated through a light track. This facilitates designs and installations that call for intelligent LED illumination in a traditional track lighting scheme. The data used to control the LED-based lights on the track may be communicated through the track itself.
US patent number 6,717,376 is a utility patent covering 'Automotive Information Systems' that, in part, relates to colour-controllable automotive lighting systems. This includes the application of LEDs in colour and dimmer-controlled systems used to customize the look and feel of a vehicle, as well as feedback-controlled lighting systems that tailor the lighting conditions based on information from sensors.
(Lee Baldock)
Portugal - Cast Software recently announced that, for the first time, the forthcoming Rock in Rio festival - one of the world's major rock festivals - will be pre-programmed using the company's software, WYSIWYG Perform. This year the organizers expect over 500,000 people to attend the festival, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal from 28-30 May and from 4-6 June. Bright Preproductions in Germany has been hired to provide the WYSIWYG services for this occasion.
Bright is a member of the WYSIWYG Certified Service Providers program and they will supply services and WYSIWYG Perform Systems to do the on-site pre-programming for the show. Totalling more than 4,000 channels, they will offer a full simulation of the automated rig for the Palco Mundo which consists of approx 100 moving lights hung on nine moving trusses, giving the LDs of the headlining acts the ability to perfectly pre-cue their show during daytime or night time hours, allowing them a creative and time freedom that they are normally unable to achieve.
Lighting designer Peter Gasper and lighting director Danny Nolan said that they wanted to have a WYSIWYG pre-programming suite onsite, in order to give the LDs the possibility to get the maximum out of the rig.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Robe UK has supplied eight Robe ColorSpot and four ColorWash 250 moving lights for an upgrade to the house installation in the main auditorium at the renowned Scala, Kings Cross - London's alternative venue for live music clubs, film and food. The lights were specified by the popular venue's technical manager, Christian Smith, and supplied via Bristol-based Utopium Lighting in a deal co-ordinated by Robe UK's Stuart Fenwick.
A recent increase in the Scala's live music schedule made the upgrade necessary, to keep pace with the need to supply a versatile and effective house rig for the vast array of artists appearing. Smith approached Utopium's Angus Chinn to discus the best options, and after comparing several brands, Robe fixtures won the day in terms of features and cost-effectiveness.
Smith, an LD and programmer in his own right, had also used the Robes before on other projects, including programming the rigs at the McKenzie Group's Glasgow and Liverpool Academy venues, and at Cox's Yard club in Stratford-on Avon. This hands-on knowledge of their capabilities and reliability further cemented his decision to buy Robe.
"The new lights have made a massive difference to the shows we can create, and the facilities we can offer to visiting LDs," says Smith. They are also a vital ingredient to the regular club nights, with promoters no longer having to bring in additional effects as the Robes can be used for branding as well as building an exciting atmosphere. The Robes and the existing generic lights are all run off an Avolites Azure console.
(Lee
Germany - Lumileds Lighting has announced the formation of the Luxeon Lighting Network, a certification, training and technical support programme designed to assist lighting specifiers to bring the benefits of solid-state lighting to their clients. The programme will give specifiers access to a pool of lighting manufacturers and other suppliers with proven expertise in engineering and fabricating LED-based luminaires.
The benefit to designers, architects and other specifiers who work with certified network members is the assurance that they will receive luminaires capable of delivering the desired lighting effects as well as reliable long-term performance. The benefit to luminaire manufacturers and related solution providers is the ability to guarantee performance to specifiers and end users through a clearly defined set of design and development requirements, making it possible to take full advantage of an LED lighting market which is expected to generate more than $5 billion in worldwide revenues by 2007.
Keith Scott, market development manager with Lumileds Lighting: "Our Luxeon Lighting Network bridges that gap by establishing a group of certified luminaire manufacturers that specifiers can call to produce predictably performing LED lighting solutions tailored to client needs."
Encompassing two certification categories reflecting the needs of different segments of the lighting community, which are; Certified Luxeon Luminaire Manufacturer - a programme for manufacturers administered by Lumileds certifying that members are qualified to design, devel
USA - Capitalizing on the growing demand for IGBT dimming and the tremendous success of recently introduced products, Dallas-based Entertainment Technology (a division of the Genlyte Thomas Group LLC, owner of Vari-Lite) is aggressively expanding its distribution chain and reports that it is currently in the process of completing distribution networks in Asia, Europe and Latin America. At the same time, the company has also expanded its presence in Canada, appointing a dedicated regional sales manager for that area.
"We are taking advantage of the tremendous advantages silent dimming offers our customers, and are introducing IGBT technology into new areas," said Bob Schacherl, Entertainment Technology's vice-president of sales. "Other manufacturers are only now beginning to realize the advantages of silent dimming and are struggling to enter the market. Entertainment Technology is far and away the leader in the field. We're 12 years ahead of the rest of the industry."
Schacherl and regional sales manager Jim Crooks have met with dealers throughout Europe. Regional sales manager Jaime Friedstadt has begun the same process in Latin America, as has J.R. Chai in Asia. John Bilyk has recently been appointed Entertainment Technology regional sales manager for Canada. Bilyk, Chai and Friedstadt will also retain their roles as regional sales managers for Vari-Lite in each of their respective territories. By taking advantage of resources and relationships shared with sister-company Vari-Lite, Entertainment Technology believes it will be able to quickl
UK - When the acclaimed lighting designer Willie Williams was asked to contribute to a major new series of exhibitions to celebrate 150 years of Christian charity BibleLands' ministry in the Middle East, he turned to Fourth Phase London to supply the lighting rig.
Featuring contemporary interpretations on the theme Presence - Images of Christ for the Third Millennium, events are taking place in six cathedrals throughout Britain, with Williams' piece, Vigil, on display at Canterbury over the Easter period.
At Canterbury the exhibition featured two contrasting pieces of art. Antony Gormley's sculpture Rise, rests in the Trinity Chapel in the place where Thomas Becket's bones lay in a shrine until it was destroyed during the Reformation, while Williams' newly commissioned light installation went on display from dusk on Palm Sunday, 4 April 2004.
Using a selection of equipment from Fourth Phase, including 96 ETC Source Four 10º and 8 HID 10º, Williams' design saw the Bell Harry Tower, nave, altar and central crossing flooding with purple light in the week running up to Easter, transforming into rays of gold at a moving midnight mass ceremony on Easter Sunday.
Curator of Presence, Meryl Doney, explained: "Looking for an artist who would be able to create something very dramatic at Canterbury, I immediately turned to Willie Williams. His brief was to interpret the meaning of 'Presence' and to incorporate that meaning with Easter week. Using inspiration from the Easter Eve service where fire is brought into the darkened church to signify that Christ is risen
USA - Thommy Hall of Barbizon Phoenix describes the outdoor lighting system at the city's new America West Arena as "the ultimate mega-rig of all time." Integral components of the "mega-rig" are 16 Vari*Lite automated lighting fixtures - eight VL3000 Spot luminaires and eight VL1000Arc units.
The luminaires are located outside the arena in the Paseo, a 400ft x 65ft area where visitors gather before and after events. A perforated steel canopy above the area serves as a projection surface: four 12ft x 9ft glass kiosks suspended 10ft off the ground each house two VL3000 Spot luminaires, two VL1000 fixtures and a video projection system. Each kiosk also has its own enclosed three-ton air conditioning unit. Barbizon provided the Vari*Lite automated fixtures to Genesis Audio Systems for the project.
Jim Jorgensen, owner of Genesis Audio Systems, was originally brought in as a vendor to provide materials, and was later asked to act as consultant and project manager. Jorgensen then sold the architect and designers on the technology and function for the area. "The planners wanted the area to be more entertainment focused," Jorgensen explained. "They wanted to give it sort of a sports bar look, and wanted it to have a dynamic feel, not just become a giant Lava Lamp."
"I went with the Vari*Lite fixtures because I think they are the best moving fixtures on the market," Jorgensen continued. "The combination of zoom and gobo wheels made it the right choice for this application."
The biggest challenge of the projec
Australia - Enttec's latest product, the Datagate, is essentially a DMX Splitter, a DMX Merger, and a DMX-to-Ethernet node in one package. It has an Ethernet port, which acts as an input or an output, as well as eight 1500V opto-isolated DMX ports, any of which can be configured as an input or an output. This allows the Datagate to be configured to distribute up to eight DMX Universes from its Ethernet input, or to take a common application, accept four Universes via Ethernet and distribute each to two optically isolated DMX outputs.
The Datagate can also accept standard DMX inputs and merge or copy them to the other 5-pin DMX outputs, or the Ethernet port. Merging can be configured as HTP for LTP, and the configuration can vary from port to port. Some of the other features of the Datagate are easy wireless DMX links (using third party wireless LAN access points), opto-isolation between DMX ports, it is ArtNet compliant and RDM (talkback) ready, it is available in three models to ensure you only pay for the features you require and upgrade when you really need to.
All merging, and conversion processing is handled by a proprietary logic chip, thus guaranteeing that the DMX output from the Datagate does not slow down whatever the situation. The Datagate can be configured through the user interface or via the web using any Internet browser. The internal web page also offers statistical information enabling remote configuring, monitoring of refresh rates and data values.
(Lee Baldock)
Germany - The Fun Company, a new Germany-based venture aimed at bringing new show control solutoions to the market, launched its E.GO show control system at the recent Frankfurt ProLight&Sound exhibition. The E.GO system offers control of lights, video and sound in professional theatrical or event environments, and follows a fully modular concept which allows the user to add and combine any number of modules to one console.
In addition, each module can work as a stand-alone unit, so it can function as a full desk on its own. There are three modules available, each being tailored towards a specific use: the Designer module for direct access, the Performer for playing back complex shows and the Fader module for flexible device mixing.
Technologies such as the easy to use ColorTarget and the ShowDrive make the E.GO show control system one of the most versatile and easy to use systems on the market today, say The Fun Company. The system is also the first one ever to be built for and around ACN (Advanced Control Network).
(Lee Baldock)
The Netherlands - Dutch dimming manufacturer IES has led the way in sine wave Ethernet-networked dimming systems in Europe with several recent major projects having high-capacity Ethernet networks for dimming, automated lighting, effects and dimmer status reporting. The company says it saw an obvious requirement for a dedicated product range of Ethernet nodes tailored to the needs of a new generation of lighting network, and in response has introduced the iNode.
The new iNode is a small, self-contained unit which operates with power-over-LAN and can be located anywhere within the lighting rig using Cat 5 cable or wi-fi. The range comprises iNode2 in cable, 19" rack-mounting or wi-fi versions with Ethernet in and 2 DMX-in and 2 DMX-out and iNode4 (Ethernet in and either 4 DMX-in or 4 DMX-out). The innovative design, which also includes a merge function, may also be integrated into IES's distributed and installed dimming ranges, offering limitless possibilities when the full implications of distributed sine wave dimming, comprehensive real-time status reporting, and wi-fi are considered. Such advanced systems have been working with great success at Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam and the National Theatre in London since last year.
All iNodes are ACN ready, operate at up to 10,000 updates per second depending on desk speed and may be used with either Artnet, AVAB or ACN protocols. Up to 320 compressed universes can be managed by iNode, which is also available as an optional integrated feature in IES's range of sine wave distributed dimming products and the Matr
USA - Foam Masters and Snow Masters, one of the leaders in manufacturing, sales, and rentals of "fun products" for parties, nightclubs, shows and entertainers, now offers its latest foam generating machine: The Foam Cannon X-Stream. Combining the results of thousands of test hours, Foam Masters has developed a sleek, high-powered foam-maker that teams with a precisely formulated solution to create fluffy, dry foam that builds up walls of foam at any event.
Resting on mobile casters, the Foam Cannon X-Stream is versatile and easy to operate. The cannon can be angled up and down to shoot up to 480 cubic feet of foam per minute from 10 - 25ft distance. The self-contained foam cannon has a 25-gallon reservoir; a pumping system and a one touch control (On/Off Switch).
The foam generated by the Foam Cannon X-Stream is biodegradable, hypoallergenic, non-toxic, fire retardant, stain free and contains no harmful chemicals.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
USA - Color Kinetics Incorporated (CKI) and HoMedics has announced a strategic patent licensing agreement through which HoMedics will develop and market a new line of intelligent LED-based color light products designed for sensory therapy. The innovative Color Cube product line was recently unveiled at the International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago, Ill., and will be sold via HoMedics' major consumer distribution channels.
The new Color Cube products feature illumination panels, which display colour and light and react to sound, producing varying light patterns for mood-enhancing benefits. "This is an exciting agreement for Color Kinetics that extends our reach in the market for LED-based consumer products," said Bill Sims, president and chief operating officer of Color Kinetics. "We're pleased to work with HoMedics, whose expertize in sensory therapy products will help reach an entirely new consumer audience for intelligent solid-state lighting technologies."
"HoMedics is pleased to have licensed Color Kinetics' technologies, which we believe will provide HoMedics with a substantial competitive advantage in this field. We are committed to introducing new and revolutionary products that promote health and personal wellness," said Ron Ferber, president and co-owner of HoMedics. "Once again, HoMedics is launching products with advanced proprietary technologies and considers this relationship with Color Kinetics a critical differentiator in the development of our groundbreaking colour therapy product line. Our strategic relati
UK - The Haunch of Venison is one of Salisbury's oldest pubs and features small intimate dining areas amongst oak beams and winding stairwells. Owner Rupert Willcocks wanted to enhance the ambiance within the building's unique structure, adding to the overall dining experience for his guests.
As part of the electrical refurbishment led by electrical consultant Kevin Flynn, Zero 88 supplied a ChilliNet control system to the historic tavern. Six Chilli 410's and three 5 Button Brass control panels were used throughout the three levels of public space including the bar, separate drinking areas and the dining rooms. The system allows for the levels of each space to be individually controlled, with preset scenes easily accessed by staff using the push button control panels.
Willcocks explained: "In a restaurant environment it is essential to maintain an appropriate ambience whatever the time of day. Since we have refurbished our dining areas we have doubled our turnover, and I have no doubt that the ChilliNet controlled lighting system has contributed enormously to this."
The Haunch of Venison pub and restaurant, dates from the 14th century and has a colourful past including acting as a brothel in the 1700's and has its own selection of ghosts! Between 11pm and midnight a grey lady ghost is often seen from the window overlooking the graveyard of St Thomas' Church. It was also here that a cheating card player had his hand amputated and his agitated ghost has often been seen.
All Zero 88 products were purchased through Stagecraft, Salisbury.
(Sarah Ru
USA - High End Systems (HES) New York has relocated its office to a new suite number within the same building, and with the move, has increased its technical support. Joe Haller joins the automated lighting manufacturer as a fixture specialist for HES legacy products and the new digital product line of Catalyst and DL1. Haller worked for the past five years at High Output in Boston, where he was the electronics department manager.
Haller comments: "While at High Output, I became knowledgeable about High End Systems products for a range of projects from the in-house production rentals to theatrical tours. I wanted to get out of the rental game and always wanted to get into the manufacturing side. High End Systems lights are the first I ever worked on and programmed. I'm happy to be here and excited about the direction of the company. It's also good to see an air of excitement within the company. That sold me on coming here to High End."
Haller teams up with Cory FitzGerald, the fixture specialist focusing on Catalyst, DL1 and Wholehog III, at the New York office. The new address is: High End Systems New York,311 W. 43rd St., Suite 604, New York, NY 10036, USA. Phone and fax numbers remain the same at +1 212-957-6840 and +1 212-957-4466 respectively.
(Lee Baldock)
Ireland - On 19 February, Pink, the bad girl of pop, made a dramatic entrance onto the stage at the Point Theatre Dublin as she was lowered smoothly to the stage in a rusty steel bird cage (pictured right). Pink opened her show with the hit song There You Go, telling the 8,000 strong crowd that the evening was to be an 'illusion of music'. . .
Brilliant Stages were approached by production manager Rich Barr to work on the Mark Fisher design for the European leg of Pink's world tour. The company supplied two 'smart' hoists - to lower the cage to the stage - preferred for their ability to ramp up and down from a soft start to produce a smooth descent. The set pieces include two exaggerated speaker stacks mounted to an upstage raised walkway, accessed via two open-tread aluminium staircases on stage left and right.
The 64 speaker cones, constructed from fibreglass, are up to 3ft in diameter and fixed to touring flats that form a stepped 'wall of sound', the whole fascia distressed to achieve a "general muck, soot and pigeon-shit" effect.Pink hit the UK for her arena tour in early March. With LSD providing the lighting equipment (as well as all the rigging and truss for the lighting, set and video elements), XL Video supplying the video hardware via Blink TV, Audio Rent of Switzerland supplying the sound and Tait Towers and Brilliant Stages providing staging and soft goods, the tour promised to be quite a spectacle.
Video
Video plays a major part in this visual, high-energy show, directed by Jamie King. Live video director Deb Collins worked clo
Italy - Eros Ramazzotti is one of Italy's top exports music-wise: the Roman singer/songwriter is in fact currently globetrotting with his high-tech World Tour, performing hits and tracks from '9', his latest BMG album, to packed crowds throughout Europe - from Moscow to Lisbon - then over to South and Central America, before coming back for a summer leg in European open-air sports arenas.
Producers Clear Channel Entertainment Italia called in Canadian set Designers Serge Denoncourt and Francis LaPorte and LD Alain Lortié who, along with production manager Giorgio Ioan and musical director Claudio Giudetti, came up with a world-class multimedia spectacle. Ioan says: "Eros decided he wanted a complete change and the show really is different - with a great deal of work going into the actual concept, the lighting, sound and video."
Ioan went to Canada and met the design team, whose members' work has included Cirque du Soleil and Peter Gabriel and, instead of a traditional stage with platforms and moving lights, the set represents an uneven road, with lop-sided telegraph poles and lamp-posts, and a huge collapsed billboard that's in fact a Barco DL7 LED screen, all reflecting the unstable worldwide situation.
Video plays a key role in the show. A seven-strong team from STS Communication, led by Emiliano Napoli have feeds from 12 cameras at their disposal (including track-mounted, pole and micro units) in a full-blown stage-side video suite, consisting of a digital mixer and frame synchronizers plus a playback rack with DVC, Betacam, DVD and M-PEG2 units.<
UK - Experienced industry executive, Garry Broadbent, has been confirmed as the new MD of CRS Ltd and Powerent. Broadbent will take the reigns at two of the Longville Group's specialist equipment rental companies after a complete restructure by the new board which was appointed at the end of last year. CRS is one of the country's leading climate control hire specialists and Powerent provides power and generator solutions.
Broadbent was one of the original founders of CRS in 1995 and moved with the company, becoming sales director, when the Longville Group acquired it in 1999. Broadbent not only has a background in sales but also mechanical engineering, which is crucial in what is a technical, installation and solution driven market.
Broadbent said: "The restructure at Longville has created a great opportunity for our businesses to focus on their own unique strengths and customer base. We are excited at the opportunities which lie ahead, the teams at CRS and Powerent are ready to rise to the challenge."
The appointment follows a complete restructure of the Longville Group which is now operating as three separate businesses giving greater focus to its individual equipment specialities.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - The Coliseum, home to the English National Opera, was in the final stages of its £41m refurbishment when I visited in early February. Having experienced hideous delays resulting in both the cancellation of Nixon in China and the advertised first night of Rheingold, ENO tentatively opened its doors on 27 February with the first part of Wagner's pioneering tetralogy, The Ring Cycle. Whilst the opening show received mixed reviews the interior itself procured gasps of admiration from FOH staff and punters alike.
Originally a variety house designed by the renowned architect Frank Matcham, the Coliseum has been home to the English National Opera since 1968. This restoration is the first major programme of repair since it opened in 1904: the venue has undergone several face-lifts in the past, some of which have eradicated many of the theatre's beautiful original features.
Responsible for implementing the theatre's restoration was The Arts Team @ RHWL Architects. Intricate details have now been reinstated and the original colour scheme of imperial purple, Italian reds and shades of gold and cream have been brought back to life.
Working alongside the Arts Team was Yorkshire-based theatre drapery manufacturer J&C Joel, providing all the drapes in the auditorium, Coliseum room, rehearsal space and Royal retiring room. The company manufactured and installed everything from the ornate tympanum, with its intricate embellishments and golden eagle, to the front-of-house tabs, drapes and pelmets for the boxes, decorative windows and doors around the auditorium.
With the
France - Early spring in Paris and the 22nd SIEL show opened its doors to what the organizers claimed were 25,893 visitors. Essentially a national show attracting a largely French audience, SIEL is unsurprisingly dominated by French Distributors. There were few international manufacturers exhibiting independently and those that were hailed mainly from the European mainland.
There was a very relaxed feel to the show with practically everyone stopping for a long lunch at around 1pm (how civilized!). This year the show was divided into two distinct areas with entertainment lighting and sound exhibitors on the upper floor and the rather livelier and more colourful nightlife and events show on the ground.
Siel was attended by many of the usual suspects along with a few interesting new faces showcasing some fascinating and innovative products. LED technology at last seems to be establishing its own identity in the entertainment lighting industry and is now being integrated into new products in considerably more imaginative ways than previously. Output colours have taken on more attractive and subtle hues, applications are becoming increasingly creative and costs are slowly starting to come down.
New products launched at Siel included the Rosco effects projector with DMX capabilities. By utilizing a combination of two (out of a choice of 20) Rosco image glasses to generate effects such as rain, fire and running water, this fixture is a very economical alternative to a full-spec moving light.
Robert Juliat introduced its new DMX analyser, which acts as a DMX reforme
UK - Firework display specialist Rocket Pyrotechnics has announced the acquisition of fireworks display company SWPF. Paul Franklin, MD of Rocket Pyrotechnics said: "Due to Rocket's rapid growth and success, we have been looking for other fireworks companies to acquire as part of our expansion plans. We were particularly interested in SWPF as its infrastructure could easily be integrated into Rocket's and we felt that John Kennet, (MD of SWPF), would be a great attribute to our team."
Rocket's forte is fireworks displays choreographed to live music, where as SWPF's forte is fireworks displays choreographed to pre-recorded music, using the Fire One firing systems. This combination makes Rocket a powerful player in the pyro-musical field. Kennet and his team will also strengthen Rocket's indoor and special effects department, which provides indoor pyrotechnics, confetti blasting and flame effects across the UK and Ireland. Kennet also brings with him the popular Ignite! pyro trapeze performance that is currently touring the UK, with plans for an Irish tour next year.
Rocket Pyrotechnics in Ireland (headed by Donal Macmahon) continues to thrive and now provides the majority of the fireworks displays in the Republic of Ireland. Rocket continue to work with many prestigious clients such as Edinburgh, Canterbury and Dublin City, Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, U2, Robbie Williams, the Imperial War Museum, Lakeside Shopping Centre and John Lewis at Bluewater.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UAE - The Middle East is an exciting market for lighting, sound, AV and systems integration providers. For example, the UAE is slated to invest $28billion in new architecturally-driven projects over the next five years. Across the Middle East region, research has indicated that the sound and lighting industry will be worth $2billion per year within five years.
This huge level of investment aims to open up massive new income streams to these previously oil-dependent states, with tourism and leisure on the grandest of scales being the big earner of the future. All good news for suppliers and installers of entertainment, presentation and communication systems.
Against this background, IIR Exhibitions has put the Pro Audio & Light Middle East - PALME - exhibition firmly on the international trade show calendar after just two events. This year's show, which took place in February, attracted over 5,200 trade visitors and demonstrated high levels of both visitor and exhibitor satisfaction. IIR's research showed that 52% of visitors expected to do business with a new supplier while at the show . . .
Le Mark returned to PALME with the aim of appointing stock-holding distributors of its products in the region. Stuart Gibbons said: "PALME gave us the opportunity to meet two quality companies with strong individual positions with the UAE." The company appointed Access All Areas as a stockist of its consumable tape range, and also agreed a stocking distributorship with IBS Decor, builders of stage and conference sets.
Swiss company VXCO Lighting Systems was on