UK - PLASA is running an industry-wide survey on sustainability. The association aims to understand how and if companies across the entertainment technology sector are tackling the important issue of sustainability and carbon reduction.
The survey was launched during the Member Business Forum on Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, which took place in London on 18 January 2024. However, the survey is now open to the wider industry until 29 March, in partnership with #WeMakeEvents, LSi, LIVE and PEARLE.
Even though there are no current legal requirements in the UK to implement such plans, PLASA recognises the importance of sustainability across the industry and the need for support. Therefore, the association is now conducting research to understand the current position of the industry. The data will help to inform the activities of the association, as well as future industry collaborative initiatives and membership support.
Bryan Raven, director of strategic projects for d&b Solutions and joint vice-chair for the PLASA Carbon Reduction to Net Zero steering group, says: “Sustainability is not something any company can deal with alone – suppliers, customers, freelancers and audiences need to work together. It’s not about competitive advantages; it’s about doing what is right. As an industry we need to lead the way and work together to minimise the carbon impact of ‘making events’.”
Nicky Greet, director of membership, skills and technical for PLASA, adds: “The drive for carbon reduction will impact everyone in our industry. W
Qatar - On 12 January 2024, Qatar hosted the opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup at the 88,000-capacity Lusail Stadium, the largest stadium in the Middle East. The ceremony comprised a full-size stage in midfield with a set featuring sand dunes, colourful costumes, and visuals around a central motif of giant mirrored petals.
Simultaneously broadcast internationally across the Middle East, Asia and Australasia, the 21-minute visual extravaganza, Mirrors, The Lost Chapter from the Book of Kelileh Wa Demneh, was ‘a triumph of theatrical story-telling’. It was struck in just 27 minutes by 700 stage hands, in choreography as coordinated as the performers who preceded them, before the first match of the tournament kicked off.
“It was like Superbowl on steroids,” says lighting designer, Roland Greil who, brought in by design and production agency, Sila Sveta, used over 450 Ayrton fixtures as the majority - and main key lighting workhorses - of his design.
“Our aim from the beginning was to create a very theatrical theme and lighting design in keeping with the cinematic approach taken by producers, Katara Studios,” explains Greil. “The show was a hugely complex, spectacular, yet very theatrical piece with a detailed story line and glorious costumes. We needed a rig that could support the beautiful story on stage and create magical looks for 80% of the time, but also to have additional fire power to create some big looks for the remaining 20% for the live broadcast, and to reflect the joy and enthusiasm for the game of football within
USA - The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) approved a change in its regulation that now permits operation of Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) in the United States.
WMAS is an advanced wireless microphone technology designed to meet the challenges of highly demanding live performance and studio applications. Compared to conventional wireless microphone systems, WMAS offers higher spectral efficiency – the ability to transmit more audio channels within a limited block of radio frequency (RF) spectrum – as well as greater interference protection to other wireless services that share the same spectrum.
In her statement during the Open Commission Meeting, chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel pointed out, “Unless you’re in video and audio production, the odds are you haven’t thought much about wireless microphones. But they’re everywhere. […] So when a new technology comes along with the potential to improve the efficiency of wireless microphone operations, we’re going to take a second look. That’s why a few years ago we issued a rulemaking to explore this new type of technology known as Multichannel Wireless Audio Systems or WMAS. […] they can significantly improve the efficiency of wireless microphone operations […] that’s a spectrum win-win.”
Sennheiser started development of its WMAS over 10 years ago. In August 2018, Sennheiser filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the FCC requesting a modification in the bandwidth limit specified for wireless microphones by the Commission. At that time, Sennheiser demonstrated a pr
UK - Bluesound Professional has appointed Sound Technology, a Midwich Group company, to grow the brand’s reach in the UK and Ireland. The appointment takes effect immediately.
“We are very proud to represent Bluesound Professional as its unique endpoint streaming solutions are cutting edge for this industry,” says Alison Charters, business manager, Sound Technology. “The versatility of the solutions it offers will help our network of integrators grow their businesses by creating new revenue streams while also cutting costs.”
“Sound Technology have such deep roots in the commercial A/V sector with an excellent network of experienced integrators,” adds Graeme Harrison, vice-president and general manager of Bluesound Professional. “We look forward to seeing the kinds of interesting and novel installations that our products will be used in.”
UK - In its 11th year, the Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS) winner’s presentation for Excellence in Sound for a Feature Film 2024 took place at The Rosewood Hotel, with The Zone of Interest receiving the award.
Johnnie Burn AMPS, Tarn Willers AMPS, Mateusz Stasiak and Simon Carroll were present to receive their AMPS trophies from AMPS chair Andrew Wilson, in the company of AMPS members including award group leader and three-time Academy Award nominee Graham Hartstone. James Ogden was unable to attend but will be sent his award.
AMPS’ annual awards recognise multiple facets of the sound industry; alongside supervising crew members, AMPS honours key 1st assistant sound/boom operators and supervising dialogue/ADR editors. AMPS recognises the assistants in the team as well as the HoDs, with Mateusz, Simon and James receiving trophies and being named as winners in their annual awards.
"We are deeply honoured to receive the AMPS Film Sound Award,” said Johnnie Burn. “This accolade is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication that we, along with our incredible team of Brendan Feeney, Simon Carroll, Max Behrens, and everyone at Wave Studios, pour into every project. I feel so grateful to work with Jonathan Glazer on such extraordinary projects. It truly is beyond a privilege to see our commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound in cinema being recognized by my peers."
Tarn Willers added: "Collaborating with Jonathan Glazer, and Johnnie, was an enriching experience. The work was incredibly challenging but
USA - Ayrton has announced the appointment of Scott Kinnebrew to the role of global install manager as part of Ayrton’s Global Installs team, with immediate effect. Kinnebrew, who is based in the US, has extensive experience, working with industry-leading brands.
“In my new role I’ll be helping others find the right products for environments such as amusement parks, arenas, cruise ships, theatres, stadiums, and other locations and venues,” says Kinnebrew. “Illuminating such locations brings a different challenge from the rental and staging world. Shows can run 24 hours a day, have very limited time for support, and be a challenge from a design standpoint, be it fixture access or placement. Ayrton brings a level of product offering second to none which meets those challenges, and I'm proud to represent the company and the innovation that the brand brings to the global marketplace.”
“We are very excited to welcome Scott to the Ayrton team,” says Paul (PJ) Johnson, Ayrton’s global install director. “His magnetic personality and wealth of skills and experience will be a great addition to the team.”
USA - Low trim heights, limited hang points, the lack of house lights - these challenges seem to be present when lighting an event at any big ballroom. They certainly were at the Gatlinburg Convention centre when Andrew Dingman set out to light the Clayton King Ministries’ Crossroad Winter Conference this January.
Dingman comments, “The room and rigging will always be the biggest challenge when designing a show like this in a venue like this. But as is true in every case, there are always ways to overcome challenges.”
In this three-day conference, Dingman met the challenge presented by the relative lack of overhead space by modifying his plans. “Originally, I wanted to do another LED Banner above my mid stage LX truss, but was unavailable due to trim,” he explained. “Flying my MS LX truss to max trim allowed me to get bigger looks and more beam throw. A lot of those position were over the heads of the audience which helped create depth and height.”
Dingman also created a deeper sense of immersion on the ballroom’s stage by artfully blending ‘IMAG Torms’ with a collection of 24 Chauvet Professional Color STRIKE M fixtures, which like the rest of his rig, was supplied by StageWorx AV.
“Part of my design was to have video content on three vertical structures we call ‘IMAG Torms,’” he said. “All the content had to be custom made to fit, but it was well worth the trouble, compared to what we would have had if we did a typical 16:9 wall.”
Dingman blended this video backdrop with his Color STRIKE M fixtures. “T
USA - The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular returned for its bi-coastal celebration of positivity and spreading the Gospel with a lighting system provided by Bandit Lites. This year’s line-up included Crowder, two-time 2024 Grammy-award winner Lecrae, CAIN, Katy Nichole, Seventh Day Slumber, Newsong and more.
“Each year I lean towards putting most of my budget into the flown rig,” said longtime production manager Jerry Holcomb. “The tour usually has artists that bring some sort of ground package, so I leave room for that. Additionally, I have to be conscience of truck space and set up time. Winter Jam doors are early compared to most tours considering we have up to 10 artists and speakers each night; so, a rig that is efficient enough to fit into a truck and a half yet still look big enough for an arena is my goal.”
Holcomb sought Bandit client rep Allen Deneau’s recommendation on fixtures to compete with the large LED surface that takes up the entirety of the upstage. His answer? HES SolaPix 37.
“I’ve been real happy with their output and performance so far,” said Holcomb. “They also suggested using the BMFL Wash Beam for its output.”
Winter Jam also required a large quantity of fixtures to line out the thrust and B Stage area. Bandit supplied Elation CuePix WW2 blinders, which connected the looks of the WW2s that are flown in each truss section.
In total, Bandit Lites provided 240ft of Tyler Truss and eight Ladder Towers as well as nearly 200 fixtures including Chauvet Color STRIKE M, Elation CuePix WW2, HES SolaPix a
UK - Event management solutions company OctoCue has launched a user-intuitive cloud-based event management app, DeckTrack, enabling event professionals to monitor and manage conference presentations in real-time.
Focusing on three key pillars, DeckTrack delivers ‘a comprehensive solution’ to the market that helps prevent and mitigate presentation issues, by providing full control for event professionals. The app not only offers full visibility of presentations and enables monitoring anywhere with an internet connection, but its ease of adoption and deployment is exceptional. Its simple cloud-based monitoring functionality eliminates the need for expensive on-site networking, making it an incredibly cost-effective option.
“We’re thrilled to announce that DeckTrack is now available for the market,” says Paul Williams, director at OctoCue. “OctoCue developed DeckTrack with the user experience at the forefront of the design and we wanted the app to help increase user confidence in executing professional events, by enabling the events team to see on one central dashboard what is being presented across every show machine. Adding remote monitoring functionality to track presentation file versions remotely, also helps to identify and manage errors before they reach the screen.”
Williams says that to date, alternative solutions have been typically full-service and expensive, adding costs to event budgets and potentially also increasing the number of tasks on already complex project plans. DeckTrack addresses this by effectively supporting even
Size Matters - The UK's largest indoor arena will open its doors for the first time with a headline act performed by Peter Kay. The Bolton comedian will perform at the opening night of the new 23,500-seater Co-op Live venue in Manchester on 23 April. Liam Gallagher, Take That, Pearl Jam and Olivia Rodrigo are also set to separately perform at the £350m arena.
Co-op general manager Gary Roden said Kay was the "perfect" opening act who "embodies what this city is about". The new venue, set to open opposite Manchester City's Etihad stadium, features a "unique bowl design" that would bring fans "closer to the artist than at other arenas of equivalent size", a spokesman for the Co-op said. The arena is set to surpass the Manchester Arena and O2 Arena in size to become the UK's largest indoor arena.
Get Back - Sir Paul McCartney has been reunited with the bass guitar he used on Beatles hits including Love Me Do and She Loves You, 51 years after it was stolen from the back of a van in London. The Höfner bass was found in a family's attic in Sussex thanks to a search by a project called the Lost Bass.
A spokesperson for the former Beatle said he was "incredibly grateful" for its return. Following an appeal for information by the Lost Bass search project, a family living in a terraced house in Sussex contacted the team remembering they had an old bass guitar in their attic.
On the Road - Chicago will embark on a UK tour in the autumn this year, visiting locations including the Theatre Royal Newcastle and Manc
France - The newly inaugurated LDLC Arena in Lyon, boasting a 16,000 capacity, is a prominent addition to France's event venues as the largest indoor arena outside Paris. In a city already known for its vibrant fusion of history, culture, and innovation, this new, Populous-designed venue symbolises the ambitious objective of the local government to offer a versatile space that can host large crowds for electrifying sports events and major concerts.
LDLC Arena will serve as home to Lyon-Villeurbanne’s ASVEL basketball team while accommodating large-scale tournaments, exhibitions, and national and international tours. The venue opened in November with a concert from Lyon-born celebrity and comedian Florence Foresti, and it has already hosted concerts from the likes of The Arctic Monkeys.
Given the stated mission of offering diverse events under one spectacular roof, the LDLC team turned to Marseille-based integration company Snef to design and install a professional concert-grade audio system capable of reinforcing any imaginable content. Snef has a solid history of successful collaboration on similar projects, including the professional sound system installed in Marseille’s multi-purpose Stade Vélodrome. At LDLC Arena, Snef was tasked with providing flexible yet uniform coverage, throughout the audience for any sport or entertainment. In addition, the sound system needed to be compact and adaptable to different arena layouts as the form and capacity of the space changed depending on the event.
"This project was a real adventure for Lyon,” exp
USA - Although a procession of major stars like Fall Out Boy, 30 Seconds To Mars, The Last Dinner Party, Bush, The 1975, and Sum41 graced the Honda Centre stage, the lighting rig for this year’s iHeartRadio ALTer EGO concert, which is traditionally held at the Kia Forum in LA, was smaller than it was in recent years.
The size of the rig, notwithstanding, the design team was given the mission of making the overall production for the nationally televised event, look bigger than previous shows.
“We wanted to make the show seem larger this year,” said Dierson of The Activity. “Yet, there’s no bravado when I tell you that this was literally the smallest lighting rig that I’ve been a part of in the past 20 or so years.”
Describing this challenge as “a blessed reality”, Dierson explained how it sharpened his creative visions. “It’s good to be forced to get more out of less,” he said. “That may be sort of an age old saying, but it’s also the truth. There’s certainly an ease that comes with a challenge where you can throw more gear at something. However, when you’re forced to accomplish more without that ability, your design talents are truly challenged - and that’s a nice thing to be forced to hone every now and then.”
Among the fixtures that helped Dierson accomplish this goal at iHeart ALTer EGO were 20 Maverick MK3 Washes, 16 Color Strike M strobe-washes in 30-channel mode, and 18 COLORado 2 Solos in SSP mode 9-channel. These Chauvet Professional fixtures, like the rest of the lighting rig in this Diversified Pr
USA - Eastern Lighting Design has completed the lighting design and installation for the new Chicago-based studio of the sports podcast Numbers on the Board, hosted by Kenny Beecham and produced by Omaha Productions.
The project involved 11 Prolights ArcShine M18FC fixtures, transforming a standard office space into a dynamic, visually engaging broadcast studio. Numbers on the Board combines in-depth NBA analysis with lively discussions, creating an accessible and engaging atmosphere for its audience. The design aim was to cultivate a studio environment that supports high-quality broadcast requirements while ensuring the space is optimally lit for video production.
The Eastern Lighting Design team addressed this challenge by integrating Prolights ArcShine M18FC fixtures, renowned for their versatility and high-quality output. "The ArcShine M18FCs enabled us to realise a studio environment that is both visually compelling and conducive to the engaging discussions characteristic of Numbers on the Board,” remarked the design team.
The fixtures' placement was optimised to enhance the set's aesthetic elements and ensure that focus remains on the hosts and their dialogues. The Prolights ArcShine M18FC fixtures provided the necessary luminance to accentuate the studio's features with white light, maintaining the visual integrity of the broadcast and contributing to the podcast's warm, inviting atmosphere.
This implementation not only aligns with the podcast's content strategy but also elevates the visual experience for view
USA - Just before Christmas, Two Cities Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina moved into a new worship centre where modern production equipment enhances the in-person and broadcast experience for a congregation of some 2,500 people who attend three Sunday services.
SES Integration in Mocksville, North Carolina consulted on the design of the new building and, with the support of its SES Production division, suggested a complement of Ayrton Levante, Diablo and Zonda 9 wash lights for the rig. ACT Entertainment is the exclusive distributor of Ayrton lighting in North America.
Seven-year-old Two Cities Church has undergone rapid growth, quickly expanding beyond the capacity of its previous locations. The move to a purpose-built worship centre on 13 acres in downtown Winston-Salem afforded the opportunity to create an all-new production environment to engage congregants attending services in person and those watching livestreamed broadcasts on YouTube.
“SES designed and implemented the complete production system: full AV and lighting, the acoustic treatment and house lighting for the worship centre,” says Michael Brammer, a partner in Special Event Services (SES) and a member of Two Cities Church himself. “The goal was to serve the church well as a tool to expand the ministry and to create a space that the city of Winston-Salem would be proud to have to host other events.”
During the past two years SES has made a substantial investment in Ayrton fixtures for its inventory. “We have just about all of the Ayrton product line,” Brammer
Australia - The ASP4816-HE compact console has been chosen for JMC Academy in Melbourne, the final of the three antipodean JMC education facilities to upgrade to the Audient mixing desk.
Studio/facilities manager, Marcus Hernan explains the setup: “We have five studios on campus as well as numerous smaller production suites and edit labs. Each studio follows the curriculum from small bedroom style production suites with all-in-one interfaces in trimester one, to the ASP4816-HE in tri two, control surface in tri three and a larger format console in tri four onwards.”
Originally a studio lecturer at JMC Academy, Marcus has worked with them for over a decade. He continues: “Our Audient is housed in the trimester two studio as the formal introduction to analogue studio workflow. It is the centrepiece of a studio comprising a ProTools rig with an assortment of outboard gear tailored toward the demonstration and application of the basics of studio operation and recording.”
He describes how certain features of the small format analogue recording console have been helping to inspire students. “Personally, I am a big fan of the bus comp and mix processing options. They are cool additions that you generally don’t see on a lot of other (console) options. The EQ circuit is also very easy to get good results with. For our students in particular, it is great to see the excitement when they get those results so early on, often when they are quite timid with regard to real world processing, especially on the way in.”
Mainly used by audio engin
UK - Specialist lighting controls manufacturer, Pharos Architectural Controls, has joined the Q-SYS Technology Partner Programme. This programme enables software and hardware technology partners to create market-ready solutions that integrate seamlessly with Q-SYS, a cloud-manageable audio, video and control platform.
As part of the programme, key products from the Pharos range have been verified and endorsed by Q-SYS, following plugin integration with a Q-SYS Ready badge.
Pharos Designer and Pharos Expert will integrate with Q-SYS to provide integration with its ‘architainment’ and show control system for advanced installation through Q-SYS and Expert’s DMX control.
Pharos Designer is the company’s original, award-winning range, which now boasts a wide range of controllers to suit any DMX, eDMX and DALI lighting project, as well as comprehensive show control capabilities and free software that enables users to design and build installations as they wish. Pharos Expert enables the ultimate in dynamic architectural lighting with its practical, straightforward control solution, centred around a single, reliable controller.
Bas Hoksbergen, commercial director at Pharos, says: “Our inclusion in the Q-SYS Ecosystem is the next stage in the development of our products to ensure customers have the best possible experience in their integration capabilities. We are excited to announce this partnership and look forward to seeing our customers make amazing projects.”
“We are proud to have Pharos join our program and work collaborativ
UK - Area Four Industries UK has appointed Theresa Gibson to the newly created role of head of marketing.
After four years as head of marketing for Robe Lighting UK, she brings extensive experience across the sector.
This new appointment represents ‘a strategic pillar’ for the business as Area Four Industries approaches its 30-year anniversary, providing a pivotal support function to the UK sales team, working closely with HQ in Czech Republic, and its major global manufacturing divisions, international colleagues and extensive brand portfolio.
Area Four Industries UK’s managing director, Glen Brown says: “I am excited to welcome Theresa Gibson to the A4iUK team. Her wealth of marketing experience and passion for exceptional service levels, synergies and connections within our core industries will help steer the business into its next chapter. Theresa will collaborate closely with all business units both in the UK and overseas and we are all looking forward to working alongside her as she develops this exciting key function of A4iUK’s future vision.”
Gibson adds: “I am delighted to join Area Four Industries UK - a company with a strong product portfolio, working with some of the biggest names and organisations in the industry and beyond. Their ethos of delivering world-leading brands, standout solutions and excellent customer service aligns perfectly with my own passion and drive for the entertainment and production industry while aligning the formulation of our marketing plans.
“I’m look forward to connecting with man
UK - As lighting controls specialist Pharos Architectural Controls moves into its 20th year in 2024, the manufacturer is launching a campaign in recognition of key people and projects that have played a significant part on its journey.
The 20 Years of Pharos campaign will spotlight 10 lighting professionals and 10 projects that have shaped the success of the company over the two decades since its establishment.
Pharos Architectural Controls was founded in 2004 as part of the Carallon group, as an independently owned specialist in dynamic lighting control systems.
All Pharos products are designed and manufactured in-house, including each product’s industrial design, the electronics, and the final assembly. By keeping control of the entire design and manufacturing process, Pharos prides itself on maintaining the highest possible standards in quality assurance. All Pharos products are backed by a five-year warranty and supported by an experienced technical team.
The most prevalent solution provided by Pharos is its flagship LPC (Lighting Playback Controller), a compact solid-state lighting controller originally designed for theme parks - bringing together the ideal blend of lighting control and show control in a neat package, while being rugged enough to be bolted onto a rollercoaster.
However, what really makes Pharos products special is the bespoke software that runs on them. For many, the software is the beating heart of any Pharos solution, providing users with a vast array of possibilities when designing their lighting projects.
UK - Reading & Leeds Festival is to debut a new outdoor stage, The Chevron, at this year’s events. The festival attracts 240,000 visitors combined across both sites over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Reading & Leeds will now feature an additional 40,000-capacity open-air venue, including the world’s first floating video canopy made up of hundreds of thousands of programmable LED lights that appear to be hovering in the air. The mesh is 90% transparent so festival-goers can dance under the open sky into the night.
“The bespoke structure, exclusive to Reading & Leeds, promises an immersive atmosphere and incredible programming, raising the bar for dance music and hip-hop fans and artists alike, raising the bar for dance music and hip-hop fans and artists alike,” said a statement.
Positioned in the main arena of both festival sites, The Chevron also signals the return of the single main stage. Since 2021, Reading & Leeds has featured two main stages instead of one to allow for six rotating headline acts. The set-up with six headliners will continue in 2024 but on one main stage across each of the sites.
“The stage's construction represents a feat of engineering, as the LEDs will appear to be hovering in the air. The canopy will bathe the audience dynamic light and the mesh is 90% transparent, so fans can dance under the open sky into the early hours. Featuring the biggest acts, bespoke creative visuals, cutting-edge tech and a world-class sound system, the Chevron is a must-visit festival experience you can’t have a
USA - InfoComm 2024, the largest trade show focused on pro AV in North America, set for 8-14 June at the Las Vegas Convention Centre has officially opened registration.
“InfoComm 2024 is the destination to bring together the pro AV industry - from manufacturers to integrators, dealers to end-users - to connect with each other, learn about the latest trends, and explore the newest technology,” said David Labuskes, chief executive officer of AVIXA, producer of InfoComm. “In a continuously evolving industry in a forever-evolving world, it’s critical for industry professionals to keep learning and challenging the status quo to bring forth solutions that make a difference.”
“We are excited to open registration for InfoComm 2024 and eagerly await the return to Las Vegas, a city that epitomises the heartbeat of the pro AV industry, pulsating with technology innovations at every turn. InfoComm is the hub of technological innovation and boundless possibilities igniting inspiration and exploration,” said Rochelle Richardson, CEM, senior vice president of expositions and events, AVIXA. “We can’t wait for the industry to experience the June show where we have curated a robust programme and an array of surprises that promise a memorable experience for all.”
InfoComm 2024 is sponsored by strategic show partner Crestron and supporting show partner Shure Incorporated. Registration is available at www.infocommshow.org
UK - Located in the heart of Chelsea, Cadogan Hall is an historic 950-seater concert hall, presenting a wide range of events and performances, from classical music to jazz to musical theatre. Its acoustics and luxurious surroundings make it the first choice for some of the UK’s top orchestras, including the Hall’s resident orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, as well as a favourite London destination for international touring orchestras.
It recently decided to upgrade its lighting set-up, in order to become more energy efficient as well as offer performances more options and flexibility. As such, they approached White Light (WL), a d&b solutions company, who oversaw this significant investment.
The upgrade of the existing rig was driven by the venue’s head of production, James Tapping. He explains: “Previously we had a ‘concert rig’ of ETC Source Four Pars and Source Four Profiles to provide an open white wash for classical concerts. Also in need of replacing were six legacy Stage Profile SVs which had been in place since the opening of the Hall nearly 20 years ago! (The other 12 Stage Profile SVs we had had previously been replaced with 11 Robe DL7S and 9 JB A12s a few years ago).
“For us, whilst the Source Four Pars and Profiles were bright, they also used a lot of energy and produced a lot of heat. Similarly, the Stage Profiles were simply approaching end-of-life and needed replacing. Alongside the energy efficient gains from LED fixtures, these new units would significantly reduce the number of times the rig had to be flown in t
Europe - Absen has strategically bolstered its European team with the addition of four individuals. Joining the team are:
Darren Jackson, UK business development manager, AbsenLive: Bringing 14 years of management and business development experience, Jackson will spearhead AbsenLive, a dedicated brand category catering to the high-end rental & staging and virtual production/XR stage segments. His expertise will be instrumental in shaping Absen's strategy and capitalising on the evolving LED display market.
River Harper-Boyce, marketing specialist: River's proven marketing and event expertise, honed during her successful tenure with Absen's long-standing partner PSCO, aligns with Absen's commitment to enhancing brand visibility through effective communication strategies.
Max Hedayat, strategic business development manager, DACH region: A seasoned sales and strategic business development professional with 20 years in the Pro AV industry, Max strengthens Absen's position in the key DACH region of the European market.
Shine Philip, technical manager, DACH region: Shine's technical knowledge and experience will contribute significantly to the development and implementation of cutting-edge LED display solutions, ensuring Absen maintains its high-quality standards across the board.
“We are thrilled to welcome these four talented individuals to our European team," says Ruben Rengel, vice-president of global business development. "Their skills and expertise will be instrumental in shaping our future. These appointments underscore our c
France - Elation and French distributor Best Audio & Lighting provided lighting for the final of this year’s CQLP (C'est Qui Le Patron) lighting design competition in France. A demanding competition that showcases lighting designer talent, this was the first time the competition was held outdoors, this year at the Collégiale Notre-Dame de Mantes-la-Jolie outside of Paris.
Using the grandeur of the medieval church’ s architecture as a centrepiece, lighting design teams produced light shows that combined quality, creativity and technique. Following an elimination tournament round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, two teams advanced to the grand finale 20 January. There, the two teams had 40 Proteus Maximus LED profile moving heads, 24 Proteus Excalibur sky beam moving heads, and 40 Paladin Panel floodlights at their disposal to awe judges as well as an enthusiastic crowd of onlookers.
As CQLP is a non-profit organisation, the Elation lighting fixtures were generously provided for the final by Best Audio & Lighting.
Thomas Béra and Adrien Alibert of the winning Blue Cicada team expressed their enthusiasm for the lighting rig. “The kit offered by Best Audio & Lighting and Elation during the CQLP 2024 championship was just crazy! The Proteus Maximus, which were used to light the facade and the central stained-glass window, are superb machines with many graphic possibilities. The Paladins are sufficiently powerful for lighting a facade. And the highlight of the show is the machine that we really loved: the Proteus Excalibur. The
Australia - Hosted at The Hordern Pavilion in the heart of Sydney, last year’s B&T Awards revolved around the theme ‘Embrace the Extra-Ordinary’, with 40 categories presented during the night. Collaborating with their client, The Misfits Media Co., for whom Audio Visual Events (AVE) has been the preferred production partner for five years, a sophisticated LED structure powered by Brompton Technology’s Tessera LED processors was orchestrated.
“Before the B&T Awards, we assisted The Misfits team with their internal B&T & Travel Weekly programmes and agency event work,” explains Paul Keating, director at AVE. “The brief for this year’s event, encompassing the client's mood board, event styling, and content, featured dark backgrounds and vibrant colours. This was a perfect fit for utilising LED, allowing for deep, dark colours and contrasting vibrant ones to pop. Given the one-day build, show and strike, we needed an LED control system that allowed for flexible multiple LED canvases with a quick and easy setup and programme.”
Working as a cohesive team, including Eric Spencer (senior account manager), Dan Quinn (technical project manager), Dylan Hovey (technical director), and Brenton Dine (vision specialist), the AVE team closely collaborated with The Misfits Media Co.’s senior producer, Lachlan Russel, and project manager, Romy Bradbridge, to bring the project to life.
“We built a central LED screen, 12m wide by 4m high, flanked by two vertical pillars, each measuring 1.5m wide by 3m high. This gave us a total of