High Wycombe-based AC Lighting has announced availability of the new grandMA ultra-light console from MA Lighitng. Previewed in London at the PLASA Show in September and fully launched at LDI in Orlando, the grandMA ultra-light is suitable for concert lighting, touring productions, trade fairs and exhibitions, as well as theatre, TV and studio use. The compact console provides 1,024 control channels (2 DMX lines), a full-colour TFT touch-screen, 10 manual executor faders, 10 executor buttons, four encoders and a multifunction trackball. The console features software compatibility with the grandMA, grandMA light consoles and the grandMA replay unit, permitting transfer and playback of show-files created on any members of the grandMA family.
Also available is the grandMA off-line editor software, which behaves like a real console, displaying show data and programmes exactly as experienced on the grandMA. Shows may be edited and created using the software. It is also possible to connect to the consoles via Ethernet, permitting programming and remote control from a distant location. Therefore, the grandMA offline-editor can be utilized as an ideal designer remote or programming aid for use with the grandMA replay unit. The grandMA off-line editor software may be downloaded free of charge from the MA Lighting website below:
130 SGM scanners and moving head fixtures have been specified for 'Torno Sabato . . . la lotteria', the top rating Saturday night programme produced by leading Italian broadcasting company RAI TV. The show, which started in September and runs through to January 2002, is seen each Saturday by a record 10 million audience, and attracts a host of international guests (these have included Cher and Jamiroquai). The show is broadcast from different locations across Italy and to meet these exacting requirements, RAI TV called on the expertise of Global Service, led by Pierantonio Faccenda and coordinated by Maurizio Corradi, to deliver the sound and lighting elements. Global Service opted for SGM fixtures for each recording, including Giotto Series Moving Heads and Victory Series Scanners.
Three years in the waiting, the technical crew of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre finally have the new luminaire upgrade they have been waiting for since 1998. Over the past two months Selecon has supplied its largest order to a single client of over 700 luminaires, including Pacific 5.5-13, 12-28, 23-50 and 90 degree units and both Arena and 1200 High Performance Fresnels and PCs.
Supplied by The Production Shop, Selecon’s Queensland dealer, the decision to choose Selecon luminaires came after months of extensive tests held at the Centre under the exacting eye of lighting manager David Schultz and his crew. Tim Kennard, at that time of the Production Shop, arranged the numerous sample units and provided the technical back up. In a move away from their established inventory, QPAC are now using Zoom profiles front-of-house in preference to fixed angle units.
Proel has unveiled a brand new series of high quality, low cost rack and display stands, designed for studio and live applications, as well as use by retailers and others. Called the Metal System, the heart of the range is the KRPRO series, which includes over a dozen variations of solid steel equipment racks, some models with castors, some with stacking capability - offering just about any configuration that might required for studio or live sound applications. Also part of the Metal System are new drum stools, music and lighting stands, a tilt-adjustable stand for combos and monitor amps and the 'Expo' series of innovative all-metal guitar, keyboards and audio equipment display stands intended for retailers and manufacturers.
Creative Staging was recently selected to provide the video projection, audio and lighting design and supply to the Nike exhibition - 'Nike - A Design for Movement' - working alongside exhibition designers Tonkin Architects, and the computer graphics and video producer at the Design Museum.
The project involved four 'zones', coming together at the centre, each having its own theme with a separate video and audio sound track. Periodically, the four videos would synchronize to form 270-degree 'wrap-around' computer graphics with lighting effects. As visitors moved from zone to zone, the soundtrack changed automatically to synchronize with the video material and exhibits in that area without the headphone wearer having to adjust or change units in any way. This was achieved through the use of infra-red headsets with video and audio material run from synchronized DVD players controlled by a Creative Staging system.
Creative Staging is part of the Myriad Group of AV, broadcast and communications companies.
Home Shopping Europe Ltd went live to air at 1.00pm on 7 October from its UK home at Park Street Studios, Frogmore. Managing director Christian Unterseer hosted the launch a mere nine months after the company had acquired the site. This is Home Shopping Europe's most recently completed studio complex, expanding upon facilities in Germany, Italy and Belgium to provide extensive European coverage.
DeSisti Lighting played a major role in fully equipping the studio and supplying the lighting control system. The 316sq.m studio is fitted with a matrix grid which allows for the luminaries to be positioned anywhere as required. Hanging from the grid on adjustable length drop arms are 1 and 2kW Leonardo spotlights, 2.5 and 5kW Botticelli softlights and Giotto cyclorama top lights, all pole operated.
The lighting control is a sophisticated system from ETC, combining an Express 250 memory control board, integrated with a Unison architectural scene review system. This allows, via the control board, the set up of numerous plots for each of the five sets, which are then loaded to the architectural unit. In addition to timed, or recall at will options, this allows the luminaires assigned to that plot to be controlled either as a group or individually, whilst allowing override back to the control board.
The studio is equipped with a mix of dimmed and direct outlets with DMX. Digital dimming (ETC Sensor) looks after the 16A and 32A supplies and the dimmers are located with the DMX splitters. All of this was installed by DeSisti in just one-month, working closely with Sassoon Cohen, di
Compulite has introduced the new Rave lighting control console, designed to make previously unavailable features affordable to light jockeys, DJs, hire-companies, trade shows and other live applications. Rave can control up to 100 channels, 40 moving lights and 20 extras (DMX-controlled devices) through one, integral DMX512 standard output.
Enhanced Playback operation and fixture manipulation features makes Rave into a leading tool in its market - from Clubs and Discotheque to small venues - wherever enhanced live operation is needed, Rave is the answer. Rave includes an intuitive patching wizard with menus to provide fast and easy setup of the system. The three band integral equalizer enables perfect sound-to-light synchronization.
Rave also includes a powerful yet easy-to-use Effects Editor, with bundled generic effects package, for quickly creating various movement effects on any fixture's parameter. Sync'ing the Rave with other devices is straightforward thanks to varied protocols support such as MIDI, SMPTE, and DMX-in. The Ethernet support of the Rave allows users to distribute the DMX512 output, as well as connect to simulation software such as CompuCAD and WYSIWYG. In addition, the Rave PC offline editor (runs under Windows) allows a show to be programmed or edited without the console.
The new LightCorder from Martin Professional is a small and handy DMX recorder that allows you to record and playback any DMX 512 output. With the LightCorder there is no need for expensive on-site controllers for playback purposes. The convenient built-in scheduler allows recorded shows to be played back at any given time or date, or even have the show loop up to 255 times or loop continuously. Playback can be easily set up in the Scheduler directly on the LightCorder's LCD display or uploaded via the RS-232 connection to any computer and then saved into the LightCorder.
A handy Windows Scheduler for easy set-up and maintenance of light shows includes a complete show calendar for easy organization. The Scheduler can be used to program a light show to start at any given time or date. Three multi-function custom faders on board the LightCorder can be assigned to any controllable attribute to allow direct access to dimmer, colour, strobe or other function. A memory card is included with 8Mb of memory allowing from six minutes to three hours of recording time (expandable to 64Mb). Total recording time depends on the desired refresh rate and number of DMX channels used. (i.e. full speed refresh at 40Hz @ 512 channels = six minutes; 10Hz @ 64 channels = over three hours). The LightCorder can be remote-controlled via RS-232 and DMX-in. The easy user interface includes a built-in DMX viewer/tester and clear blue/white LCD display. The LightCorder can even be used as a handy and inexpensive back-up to a main lighting console.
Seeing is Believing, the lighting design consultancy based at Knutsford in the North West of the UK, has just completed four major contracts for Cisco Systems. The events, all produced by Project Worldwide of London, comprised an internal event in Paris and an external event - Networkers - in Copenhagen. Each event was in two parts - a conference and a party.
Seeing is Believing was contracted to provide the lighting, rigging and drapery for all four events.
The parties with the theme of 'The Stadium' and 'New Dimension' were for over 3,000 people and staged in the Grand Arch, La Defense, Paris and The Forum in Copenhagen. A large amount of intelligent (principally Martin MACs) and generic lighting, trussing and rigging was used, and in keeping with Seeing is Believing's policy of finding and using local suppliers, all equipment for Copenhagen was sourced locally. The company has recently provided an estimate to a major exhibition contractor to provide personnel and equipment around the globe for a major airline.
Stagetec - the Slough-based lighting sales and installation specialists - are seizing the opportunity to offer anyone interested in stage and studio lighting the chance to attend an Academy Day at White Light North in Halifax on Thursday 24 January.
Taking advantage of the usual lull in activity during the first month of the year, the event is free, and attendees can learn about the latest products from both Compulite and LSC - for which Stagetec is the UK distributor. Compulite products will include the new RAVE lighting control desk - a low-cost compact console, the SparkTOP 'desk in a box' solution, the CompuDIM2000 series of dimmer racks, the CompuCAD 3D lighting design and rendering software package and theCompuCALL system - which converts DTMF telephone tones to DMX and MIDI.
From LSC, the MAXIM range of control desks will be demonstrated, as will iPRO/UK - a UK version of LSC's well-established 12-channel digital dimming system and its ePRO Dimmers. For more information, contact Jack Thompson at White Light North at the e-mail address below.
King of its habitat, the T-Rex is the aggressive new companion to Martin Professional's other well-known predator, the Raptor. The T-Rex deploys a unique quad-angled mirror to create a salvo of effects with 48 sharp, dynamic light beams, changing colour and direction to the beat of the music. A combined colour/gobo wheel offers 11 solid colors, four multi-colours and four white, along with a full arsenal of 19 gobo patterns. The T-Rex houses a bright 250W halogen lamp with a long 500-hour lamp life.
Western Australia's Burswood International Resort Casino has undergone a major upgrade of its Resort facilities. The project is the biggest redevelopment of the Resort since its inception in December 1985, and involves the creation of additional floor space across three major areas of the Resort complex. The key components of the redevelopment project cover an International Food Emporium; a Cabaret Nightclub, Spinners Café & Sports Bar and a Grand Ballroom.
The atrium area of the resort has also been refurbished with the addition of commercial retail areas. As the atrium is housed under a large glass dome, the resort management were concerned about heat gain and light glare in the area. Architects Silver Thomas Hanley decided to address this problem by hanging large perforated reinforced PVC sails internally over the atrium, providing heat and sun control to the lower areas of the atrium.
From the beginning of the design process, Silver Thomas Hanley were aware that the sails would make an ideal canvas for coloured light. "As the sails are of a significant size the idea of colouring them or using them to project logos on was immediately obvious," says Hanley. Lighting consultant Kevin Harris of Pro Design was commissioned to design and implement the sail lighting. Essential to the project were six Martin Exterior 600 fixtures used to light the lower level sails. Two Exterior 600s are fixed to a pillar in the lounge, two mounted on the concierge baggage storage area and two more are mounted over the cocktail bar. "They come on each evening at a predeterm
ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association, has announced that the following draft American National Standards are available for review.
BSR E1.16, Entertainment Technology - Configuration Standard for Metal-Halide Ballast Power Cables. This identifies which pin on the ballast to power cord connector shall be used for the non-current-carrying grounding connector. Many manufacturers use the same connector when a detachable power cord is provided, but do not necessarily use the same pin for the grounding connection. This can lead to serious problems when users connect the power cords intended for one manufacturer's product to another manufacturer's ballast. This draft standard is an effort to regularize the grounding pin designation.
BSR E1.5, Entertainment Technology - Theatrical Fog Made With Aqueous Solutions Of Di- And Trihydric Alcohols. These theatrical fogs and mists are often used as visual effects or to enhance lighting effects in live performances such as dramatic productions, musicals, and popular music concerts, and are commonly called 'glycol fogs'. This draft American National Standard describes the composition of glycol fogs that are not likely to be harmful to otherwise healthy performers, technicians, or audience members of normal working age.
Copies of the above drafts may be obtained from the ESTA website (see below) or by requesting a copy from ESTA's Technical Standards Manager via mail, fax, or e-mail. Comments on the document should be received at the ESTA office before 17:00 Eastern Time on 12 February 2002. Comment
At a meeting of Martin Professional's board held in Aarhus, Denmark on 18 November, the final go-ahead was given to the construction of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for the production of automated lighting. Construction of the new 12,000sq.m factory is to begin over the next few weeks, with completion expected by the end of the summer 2002. Total investment in the project will be approximately US$20 million.
The new facility, to be located in the city of Frederikshavn in northern Denmark, will be geared toward the production of Martin's most high-tech products. Upon completion of the new facility Martin will effectively double its production capacity for the manufacture of automated lighting. Martin's current production facility, also located in Frederikshavn, will continue operation.
The latest production techniques will be utilized in an innovative, state-of-the-art environment, which will include a fully-automated warehouse for raw materials and semi-manufactured goods. Utilizing highly efficient production methods and procedures, the industry’s most modern manufacturing plant will also further increase Martin's speed to market. Additionally, the new building will boast an exterior façade and design that is promised to be an architectural marvel in its own right.
Award-winning British company Mad Manufacturing Ltd is now fully operational in the USA.Mad Manufacturing Inc operates out of Texas, with Ryan Krebs, who previously worked for High End Systems, taking up his position as vice-president of operations. Ryan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience of the lighting industry. Working from his Texas offices he will offer advise and guidance to the MAD dealer network. The MAD Inc warehouse is stocked with the full product range all ready for distribution throughout the Americas. This will soon include the all new EVL Pro Lighting range as seen at LDI 2001.For full information contact Ryan Krebs on +1 512 341 7093 or visit the web-site:
White Light Sales ha supplied the first production units of the new Ice Fog low-smoke generator from MDG to the English National Ballet (ENB) and to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). The ENB has been closely involved with the development of the new machine, having tested a pre-production version on their production of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall in London last year. Dave Richardson, the ENB's chief electrician, was very impressed that a single machine could generate low-lying smoke that would carry along the full length of the Albert Hall. He and his team did, however, return a list of suggestions to the manufacturer, these including simpler set-up, easier fluid refilling and lower running noise.
They were impressed enough, though, to order machines of their own - and, having taken delivery of the first production units in the UK, they are impressed that their suggestions have been taken on-board, being particularly pleased with the units’ low running noise. The output is also more robust than before, MDG having developed a new fluid which achieves greater chill pickup as it passes through the Ice Fog's chiller chamber.
Following this, the RSC has purchased two Ice Fogs for their new Christmas production of Alice in Wonderland at the Barbican Theatre. The RSC's lighting team were also impressed by the Ice Fog's high output and low noise. As well as supplying the Ice Fogs, White Light's sister company, The Service Company is the approved service centre for MDG fog generators in the UK, providing full technical training and backup for the ful
Veteran country music icon Garth Brooks is back on the road for three very special shows to coincide with the release of his new album Scarecrow. The Bandit system was once again designed by Dave Butzler with the help of Bob Peterson. Hanging from the almost 1,000 feet of truss will be over 400 Martin MAC series fixtures (61 MAC 250s, 54 MAC 300s, 58 MAC 500s, 162 MAC 600s and 72 MAC 2000s), and all will be controlled by four Wholehog 2s, three with expansion wings. Garth will once again utilize the exclusive Bandit Lites MotoData time and position based motor control system, to deliver stunning truss movement. Other equipment in use for the huge show will include 36 3k Syncrolites, 28 Martin Professional Pro 400s, 10 Lycian followspots and eight Anytronics Deathstar strobes.
The first spectacular show aired live on CBS television on 14 November from The Forum in Los Angeles. The second show takes place on 21 November from the deck of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier in Norfolk, Virginia, and the third from South Padre Island, Texas on 28 November, with both remaining shows will also air live on CBS. The five semis of lightinggear were prepped and tested to Bandit Standard in a remarkably short period of time and truly displayed to the resolve and attention to detail that Bandit is known for worldwide.
ARRI (GB) has announced the recruitment of Adrian Bottomley as general manager, lighting sales. Adrian has experience in industrial sales and marketing, having latterly worked for a division of IMI as UK marketing manager, and prior to that in a similar capacity with ADT Fire & Security - an industry he served in for 15 years. "During the short time that I have spent with ARRI GB, I have already witnessed many testimonials referring to the enviable quality of the ARRI product range and the personal efforts of the lighting sales team in assisting their customers," he commented. "I am therefore looking forward to working closely with both our customers and business partners to build on this platform. In the demanding environment in which we all work I believe our goal must be to achieve world class levels of customer service performance."
OpTex Ltd has appointed Tony Covell as senior business manager, Rental Division. Covell's great in-depth knowledge of the rental business both in the UK and worldwide together with his experience and contacts, will be of great importance to the planned growth of the OpTex Rental Division. Ron Collins, CEO of OpTex, said of the announcement: "My colleagues and I are delighted Tony has decided to join us. I've known Tony for many years and highly value his integrity. I am sure he will be a valuable asset to our company."
Tony Covell who has spent his whole career working within television and film and was the founder and former CEO of VFG plc, stated he was very pleased to be joining such a "well run" and well established business such as OpTex with its far reaching plans to increase its presence in the UK and World market. The rental of leading manufacturers' equipment, together with OpTex's own acclaimed optical products, will be high on the OpTex Rental agenda in 2002.
Expanding its presence in Germany, ETC has appointed a new dealer for the country. Effective from 1 December 2001, Despar GmbH will also be an ETC Authorised Service Centre, providing a round the clock service support to users of ETC's products in Germany.
Despar will distribute all of ETC's products, including Sensor and Unison dimming and the popular Expression and Obsession consoles, as well as ETCNet2, ETC's Ethernet network system. However, Lightpower Showtechnik GmbH will remain the exclusive distributor for ETC Source Fours and will also continue to distribute the full ETC product range. As a specialist in projects and installations, Despar has long been eager to include ETC's products in its stock. The company oversaw the first German installation of the Obsession in the State Opera in Hannover and has installed ETC equipment in various projects in Germany and abroad, including the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. ETC is also working with the company Arcus GmbH with the distribution of WYSIWYG products in Germany. Arcus will remain the exclusive distributor for WYSIWYG.
The Production Services Association (PSA) is arranging a series of informal get-togethers around the country to enable its members to share stories and network with others in the industry. The first of these regional meetings will be held at Vari-Lite’s Greenford premises on Tuesday 11th December at 7.00pm. Those attending will have a chance to view the company’s facilities and see how it is tackling the challenges of 2002. The evening will also feature a demonstration of Vari-Lite’s new lighting systems in the demo room.
Anyone interested in attending should contact Keith Owen on 0121 693 7109 or e-mail keith@psa.org.uk.
Coemar has launched the CF7WashZoomX, a new unit which complements the already popular CF7HEX. The new 700W MSR unit continues the Coemar tradition of using carbon fibre in the construction of the body and, alongside now standard features from Coemar such as high output and crisp definition, uses a powerful zoom lens system and a range of filters to alter the beam output from maximum intensity to maximum evenness to maximum diffusion. Alongside the zoom capability, which can produce beams as narrow as 9° and as wide as 54° with the diffusion lens, and as wide as 80° with the prismatic lens - Coemar's rich CMY colour mix system is included with a single dichroic colour wheel and colour correction filters.
Also new from Coemar, the new iCyc250 and ColourCyc250 LX are designed for applications requiring compact, intelligent colour wash facilities and are both constructed utilising the latest VO ABS material and features a unique system of four snap-on lenses which can be quickly changed to alter the beam configuration as required. Utilising the MSD/HSD 250 series of lamps, the iCyc also features full CMY colour mixing and full on-board dimming, whilst the ColourCyc utilises a colour wheel with replaceable dichroic colours.
Finally, the Panorama range has been increased with the addition of the Panorama Cyc250 and the Panorama Cyc250C. These compact, outdoor colour wash units are IP44-rated and utilize the MSD/HSD 250 series of lamps. Both units are constructed from the latest VO ABS material and features a unique system of four snap-on lenses which can be quickly change
Mad Manufacturing Ltd (formerly Mad Lighting) has expanded its sales operation with the appointment of UK sales manager Ralph Stockley. Ralph's principal role will be to maintain and develop the company's growing client base in the retail and architectural sectors, a market already well established due to the success of Mad's Image Marketing Projector. With his many years of sales experience, Stockley will also service Mad's established UK dealer network alongside sales director David Linger.
The StratoSphere is a 60ft tall by 50ft wide inflatable dome with two airlock systems for entrance and exits. It has been designed to be a projection sphere capable of holding 300+ VIP guests and offer excellent projections of video, lighting and laser images inside a unique 360° environment. It is also possible to use the projection surfaces as a giant video screen as the surface of the sphere is specially designed for this medium, we have projected both on the inside and on the outside of the StratoSphere with equally impressive results and couple with the quick erection time of the sphere, Laser Magic feel that this system will attract users from many areas of our industry.
Its first showing was for a large event celebrating 20 years of King Fahad's reign in Saudi Arabia, where it was mounted on a barge in the sea. Inside the StratoSphere, Laser Magic installed high power video and lighting systems to create a living surface, and then coupled to this the new IREOS multi-coloured searchlights as well as their new stock of Comar NAT 2.5kW luminaires to create a unique atmosphere.
Laser Magic currently has one StratoSphere system, with a second StratoSphere due for delivery towards the end of the year. Further details are available from the Laser Magic website.