Air Freight Price Fixing - Are You Eligible For Compensation?
The Air Cargo Class Action
The law firm of Maurice Blackburn Cashman, is conducting a price-fixing class action in the Federal Court of Australia against seven major international airlines including Qantas, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, JAL and British Airways, in relation to the provision of international air freight services over the last seven years. 
This class action follows on from investigations by competition authorities in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.  It involves three surcharges imposed by the airlines over this period, namely:

1. Fuel surcharges attributed to higher fuel costs;
2. Security surcharges attributed to additional security measures following the September 11 attacks; and 
3. War-risk surcharges attributed to increased insurance costs associated with the war in Iraq.

It is claimed that those surcharges were used as a mechanism to increase prices by secret arrangements between the various airlines and that they were not connected with increased internal costs of operations as represented by the airlines. 
The objective of this legal action is to recover the inflated prices paid over the last seven years by businesses that have used international air freight services to transport goods to and from Australia.
Class actions were issued last year in relation to this cartel in both the US and Canada. In the US class action, a settlement has been reached with one of the airlines, Lufthansa, for $85m being compensation for the group of direct purchasers of airfreight services. The remaining claim against the other airlines in the US is estimated to be worth in excess of $1b.
Who are the group members in this class action?
All businesses or individuals who paid more than $20,000 over the last seven years for international air freight services are the group members in this proceeding and eligible to participate in this claim. If you fit this description, you are a group member in this proceeding unless you opt out by filing a relevant notice with the Court. 
Simon Weeks, Client Relations Manager at Maurice Blackburn Cashman, would like to speak to anyone that may be affected by this class action and would like to register their interest. The registration of interest will allow them to keep everyone informed of any developments in this proceeding, but does not obligate anyone to pay any legal costs. Download a Registration of interest form here.
More information is available from their web site http://www.mbc.aus.net
Contact: Simon Weeks,
Client Relations Manager
Maurice Blackburn Cashman Pty Limited
Level 10, 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel  03 9605 2769 Fax 03 9258 9610
sweeks@mbc.aus.net

ENTTEC opens US office
ENTTEC has announced the opening of its US sales office. Based in Brooklyn, NY and run by Jeremy Kumin, the sales office will support the growing network of ENTTEC dealers in the US.
Kumin, a veteran lighting designer and programmer, has been using and dealing the ENTTEC products through his company, Tri-Luminary, for some time now. He has worked in theatre, dance, fashion, video, film, special events, and retail store lighting, as well as consulting on new theatres and renovation projects.
ENTTEC reports healthy growth in the last few years. "This US office is just the next step in our growth plan and supporting our sales network in the US is very important to us," says Nicolas Moreau, ENTTEC's founder. "With a string of new high tech products about to be launched this will be a big year for ENTTEC and its partners."
The Sales office will be fully supported by the existing ENTTEC distribution centre in Maryland, which stocks the entire product line.
www.enttec.com

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) off and running in 2007


With the start of the academic year behind them, WAAPA lighting students entered into the first production cycle full steam ahead. With four shows opening just three weeks into the year, students need to be on their toes and ready for the challenges ahead.
The Amphitheatre was host to Boy Overboard an Australian drama dealing with immigrations issues. Lighting Designer Ursula Andanich put together a rig based around NSP Par64’s. The sunny Perth weather meant that the Global Truss system, that WAAPA owns, was assembled in 42-degree heat. After that the crew voted to split shift, starting work at 06.30 and staying out of the heat. Gear included an ETC Express, 36 x Par64 (NSP and MFL), 6 x Harmony 22/40, 4 x Selecon 16/32.
The Enright Theatre (black box studio space) was host to The Cherry Orchard. First time Lighting Designer Gareth Simmonds utilised a mixture of old (#23) and new fixtures to bring warmth and a dream like quality to the production. Gear included an ETC Express, 16 x Prelude 16/32, 16 x #23, 16 x #223, 12 x #123, 6 x #803
4 x #813, 4 x #814, 5 x 300w Mini Floods and 6 x #137.
The New Theatre was host to Once on this Island the musical. Lighting Designer Blake Garner was effective in getting hold of all the latest lighting technology at WAAPA to give this production a cutting edge lighting statement. Gear included a Jands T2 Vista, 8 x Robe 575AT Colour Spot, 4 x Robe 575AT Colour Wash, 2 x Selecon MSR Pacific 12/28, 12 x Selecon Pacific 23/50, 8 x Selecon Pacific 12/28, 6 x 26º Source4, 6 x 36º Source4, 1 x Atomic Strobe, 10 Selecon Axial 18/34, 14 x Acclaim Zoomspot 18/34, 12 x Source4 Par MFL, 16 Selecon Compact 6,  12 x Selecon 1200w Fresnels, 1 x Buxie Robert Juliat Follow Spot and finally 1 x Unique Hazer.
The Geoff Gibbs Theatre was host to The Country Wife a restoration comedy set in modern London. The set of three walls and a revolving spiral staircase challenged lighting Designer Peter Rubie. Gear included a Strand 520i, 14 x Selecon Pacific 23/50, 24 x Selecon Pacific 12/28, 1 x Selecon Pacific 90º, 1 x Selecon Pacific45/75, 6 x 29º Source4, 12 x Strand SL 23/50,  15 x Strand Harmony 22/40,  24 x Source4 Par MFL, 6 x 2K Arena Fresnels, 8x Selecon 1200w Fresnels, 25 x Harmony F, 4 x Trackspots, 2 x UV canon, and finally 1 x Buxie Robert Juliat Follow Spot.
www.waapa.ecu.edu.au

ArKaos livens WA event scene
ArKaos VJ not only satisfies the demands of the fussiest of VJ’s, it also provides installation and event personnel the ability to create and control live visual performances with amazing ease.
ArKaos offers the ability to work with their own image and movie files along with loads of different effect types and sequences to make a great live performance. ArKaos VJ DMX allows you to assign visuals, camera inputs, effect parameters, etc. to the sliders and buttons of a DMX console and have full control over your visuals and effects from the console.
One company that has found ArKaos to be an exciting new tool for their productions and thus be able to offer that little extra something to their clients, is Lux of Perth.
“We have been using ArKaos to great effect on recent shows,” commented Dave Trapp, managing director of Lux. “In particular projecting a “fragmented” image onto flats and using ArKaos with a “mask” to allow light to only project onto the flats and hence avoid lighting the backdrop.”
Although Lux is essentially a lighting production company they’ve moved into video projection over the last twelve months as much for scenic elements as for video content delivery.
“We’ve also used the mask to generate a circle video image for projection onto circle truss screens,” said Dave. “After a brief stint of using key board hot keys to trigger ArKaos we moved onto the simple DMX control mode but of late we’re using a MA Lighting grandMA which is where the advantages of ArKaos are truly realised!
“We’ve just received the new 3.6 version of ArKaos so we are looking forward to using the image blending for ultra wide screen projections. And we can’t wait for the new pixel-mapping to be released here so that we can run aesthetic video content through our 100 tube Showtech Pro Shop LED tube wall!"
The photo shows how ArKaos was used to inject a Bridget Riley inspired pattern onto the set of a pop art themed event that Lux did for the PMH Foundation.
www.showtech.com.au

The Production Shop on the move
The Production Shop is one of Queensland's leading suppliers of equipment to film and televison, theatre, clubs and schools. Their aim is to provide the highest quality of goods, together with reliable, efficient service and advice at all times.
The Production Shop has just moved into swanky new premises less than 500 metres from their last address which was resumed by the Brisbane City Council to allow for room for an emmission stack for Brisbane's new under the river tunnel.
The new address is 55 Wellington Rd, East Brisbane. The phone number and fax remain the same but a new logo has been created.
www.productionshop.com.au

LSC establishes a new brand
This years Pro Light & Sound Tradeshow in Frankfurt promises to be LSC’s biggest and best. In fact what they have in store is so top secret all they would release is this teaser advertisement.
A close source tells us that they have an exciting new product to release. “It has legs, it’s powerful, it’s built well, and more importantly it’s want you’ve been asking for”.
Along side the new product release, will be the full LSC catalogue including: the maXim™ control consoles with built in Capture Visualisation Software allowing the user to fully integrate with their programming, and the complete range of Dimming and Power Distribution products.
You can check out all of LSC’s products online by visiting www.lsclighting.com.au .
The team from LSC looks forward to meeting you at Pro Light & Sound Frankfurt, Hall 9, Walkway A, Stand 71 from 28th -31st March 2007.
And remember you should be afraid of the dark!
www.lsclighting.com.au

Stolen Hog 3 lighting desk
Matt's Party Hire, a Melbourne based lighting production company, had its WholeHog 3 lighting console stolen on Sunday night from an event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. The venue had security staff on, but they did not see the thief. The associated DP-2000 was not stolen, so it appears the theives did not know the gear. "They probably assumed it was just a really cool laptop" Matthew Griffiths (MPH Production Coordinator) said.
Any information on the console's whereabouts should be reported to the St Kilda Police, to ALIA (Australian Lighting Industry Association), or direct to Matt's Party Hire (03) 9416 4799. The serial number for the console is 61 FA 292 027.

LSC hits the high-notes with Opera Australia
When it was time for Opera Australia to take the plunge and purchase a Wireless Solutions W-DMX system, they straight away turned to LSC Lighting Systems. Opera Australia regularly runs shows on a revolving stage which is a perfect application for a W-DMX system. This reliable, compact and easy-to-use wireless DMX512 solution has quietly revolutionised Opera Australia’s technical department, opening up shows to a new era in data transmission.
“In the past we’ve had data supplied through slip rings which was rather unreliable,” explained Colin Alexander, Head of Lighting Opera Australia. “Now we just have power supply to the slip rings and supply the data using radio DMX. We’re finding the W-DMX system brilliant with absolutely no problems at all. It’s very straightforward: turn the power on, two units sync them up and away they go. We power them down every day when the revolver is disconnected, power them back up and it hasn’t blinked once.
Opera Australia has a W-DMX system operating in Melbourne, linking to several moving lights, the system has been a life-saver encountering no problems.
The great thing about W-DMX is that it saves time and money, allowing point-to-point and point-to-multi point installations. Any fixtures that understand the DMX protocol, like moving lights and dimmers can be operated with W-DMX, while retaining the same speed and accuracy as cable transmission. Best of all there are no settings to be made to the system for it’s operation, it is plug’n’play in its truest form.
Photo: Jono Perry, Senior Lighting Supervisor Opera Australia, and Colin Alexander, Head of Lighting Opera Australia, with the W-DMX on the Sweeney Todd set.
www.lsclighting.com.au

Brisbane Concert Lighting expand with Studio Due and Martin
Brisbane Concert Lighting continues to expand their hire inventory recently adding four Studio Due CityColors floods and six Martin MAC250 Wash moving heads.
“The CityColors are ideal for lighting large trees, buildings and sign-age and if you need bright colours on something outdoors, this is the machine for the job,” commented Sam Walter, Hire Department Manager at BCL. “Their light output and colour mixing is excellent. In fact the colour mixing is the smoothest we’ve seen in this type of fixture. The fact that they’re waterproof is great; you can leave them on overnight outdoors and not worry about them at all.”
Sam is equally impressed by the MAC250 Washes especially their weight, their size and their output.
“It’s the most amount of output we’ve ever seen from a fixture of that size!”
Both fixtures made an impressive outing at the Garden City Carols 2006 held at the Mt Gravatt Show Grounds. The CityColors were placed behind an army camouflage net painted white and used as a backdrop, great for outdoors as the wind blows through it. Whilst the CityColors supplied a wash of colour to the back of the stage, the six Martin MAC250 Washes were placed onstage in front of the cloth from where they could shoot up columns of light and colour.
www.showtech.com.au

Theatrelight announces hearing date
Theatrelight has announced that a date has now been set in September 2007 by the High Court of NZ for a defended hearing of Theatrelight's case against Charlie Zheng, once a director and general manager of Theatrelight NZ. Charlie Zheng is now the manager of "Tai Li Lighting" of Zhuhai.
Theatrelight is suing Charlie Zheng for losses of US$3 million suffered by Theatrelight in New Zealand in the period 1994 to 2002, when he was dismissed from the board of Theatrelight. The company says "this sum does not include losses in China due to difficulties with our one-time joint venture partners, estimated conservatively in excess of US$10 million, including the loss of all rights and equity in Theatrelight's joint venture 'Zhuhai Tai Li Theatrelight', the theft of all Theatrelight designs and intellectual property up to 2002, and the loss of all rights in China of Theatrelight's original TL trademark, now registered to Tai Li Lighting".
www.theatrelight.co.nz

Lighthouse Distribution to distribute ChamSys
ChamSys Ltd have announced that they have appointed Lighthouse Distribution as the exclusive distributor for Australia and New Zealand. Lighthouse Distribution is part of the Dynamic Hills SVL group and has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland and Brisbane.
Hills SVL -Sound, Vision and Lighting is the one of the largest distributors in the industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Backed by a $950m Australian icon, Hills Industries Limited, Hills SVL offers a complete distribution package.
Hills Sound, Vision and Lighting currently consists of a number of entities which turnover close to $50m worth of product annually. These entities focus on various market segments such as pro audio, public address and the fast growing audio visual markets.
The Hills SVL Lighting entity, Lighthouse Distribution, is the exclusive distributor of Clay Paky, DTS, Optikinetics and now, ChamSys. The national sales manager of Lighthouse is Paul Owen who has over 20 years' experience in entertainment and architectural lighting. Owen surveyed the lighting console market extensively and approached ChamSys who he felt offered the most progressive console on the market.
He says: "ChamSys offers access to the most flexible live, touring and theatre console available. All parameters can be changed live; faders can be configured in many ways, palettes played back at the touch of a button.
"ChamSys' MagicQ is ideally suited for theatrical use, with a comprehensive theatre tracking mode, split cross fading, inhibit masters and individual timing on any parameter. The ease of use, Linux operating system and connectivity enables the MagicQ range to be introduced into our market with brilliant features, reliability and affordability," he concludes.
www.lighthousedistribution.com.au

New Look for PLASA07
PLASA Events Ltd, the new wholly-owned events division of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), today reveals the first details of the PLASA07 Show at Earls Court - including a spacious new layout that extends the show over one floor into both Earls Court 1 and Earls Court 2.
A host of key innovations, many based on extensive exhibitor and visitor research, are designed to build on the show's reputation as the premier international new product showcase and PLASA Events anticipates a record number of new product launches this September.
The most radical development is the new show floor layout, which sees PLASA07 transformed into a two-hall, single-level show by expanding into the adjacent Earls Court 2. Essentially, this exciting re-draw will secure premium exhibition space for the future growth and expansion of the show, whilst addressing industry and exhibitor demands.
The show design team is making full use of Earls Court 2 to invest in an array of new facilities for visitors and exhibitors, including business meeting, presentation and general seating areas, a wireless internet zone, VIP hospitality suite and a dedicated media centre with extensive facilities.
Earls Court 2 will also give the show a fast-track entrance on Brompton Road, dedicated to pre-registered visitors, PLASA Platinum Club members, media and VIPs. On-the-day registration desks remain at the Earls Court 1 (Warwick Road) end, but accommodated in a more streamlined area inside the hall. With pre-registrations expected to be an all-time record, the fast-track entrance is set to prove highly popular.
More new features for Earls Court 2 include an expanded ESTA Pavilion, hands-on workshop areas, and a new PLASA Theatre which will host a series of Masterclasses, presented by some of the entertainment industry's leading names.
The Innovation Gallery - host to many of the new products being launched at the show - will become a specially designed feature of the walkway between Earls Court 1 and Earls Court 2, while the popular Central Bar remains right at the heart of the show, this year hosted by the PLASA organisation.
An established networking hub, the Central Bar and Meeting Lounge will once again double-up as the After Show Bar, remaining open until 8pm on the first three evenings, giving exhibitors and visitors time to relax and socialise after the show closes.
"We've spent a lot of time talking to exhibitors and visitors in planning the first show under PLASA Events' management," comments Director of Events Nicola Rowland. "We're seizing this unique opportunity to move the show forward and confirm its status as the ultimate entertainment technology business environment."
With PLASA07 firmly established as the core event, PLASA Events are also working on the blueprint for an exciting new range of satellite events, the first of which will take place later this year. Full details of this new industry-led event will be announced shortly.
PLASA07 SHOW CONTACT:
Nicola Rowland, Director of Events, PLASA Events Ltd
PLASA Events Ltd, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Rd, London SW5 9TA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7370 8662
Fax: +44 (0)20 7370 8660
Email: nicky.rowland@plasa.org
Web: www.plasashow.com

Purchasing Clipsal 463 piggy-back plugs - an update
Although Clipsal management has not yet developed a standard format letter for purchasing the 463 series socket adaptor plugs, ALIA has arranged for an interim approval system for members who deal through electrical wholesalers.
When attempting to purchase your next OEM pack of 100 unassembled 463SUAxx Plug Adaptors, advise your wholesaler that ALIA has made arrangements with Clipsal's Product Management Department for member companies to be supplied with these plugs for construction and maintenance purposes. Show them your ALIA badge to prove your bona fides.
The wholesaler will need to accompany their order to Clipsal with a written note to this effect.
If you fill in the template note below and give it to your wholesaler to pass on to Clipsal, all should go smoothly.
Template note for wholesalers:
This order of Clipsal 463SUAxx Plug Adaptors (Unassembled) is for direct supply to . . . . . . . . . . . ., a member of the Australasian Lighting Industry Association (ALIA), solely for the construction and maintenance of lighting equipment.
Supply to ALIA members for these purposes has been approved by arrangement with the Clipsal Product Management office.

HES Sells Technobeam Manufacturing Rights to Strong
High End Systems Inc. and Strong Entertainment Lighting have completed a sales transaction that will enable Strong to manufacture and sell Technobeam®, the industry’s popular moving mirror luminaire, which HES released to the industry in 1998. Since that time, Technobeam (a Richard Belliveau design) became an industry staple used in a variety of applications in all market segments. Under terms of the agreement, Strong purchased all rights to Technobeam including all tooling and product trademarks. In addition, Strong has sublicensed all intellectual property associated with Technobeam.
Strong expects to reintroduce the product early this spring and continue using the Technobeam brand name.
States John Wilmers, CEO of Ballantyne of Omaha, Strong’s parent company, “This will be the same Technobeam that the industry has come to appreciate over the past eight years. It will be manufactured using the identical parts and tooling that High End used, making this one of the most reliable lighting instruments in the industry.”
HES CEO Frank Gordon says, “In the past eight years, we have shipped more than 10,000 units and rarely experienced service issues. It truly has been a work horse for the industry.”
Wilmers further comments, “The reliability and quality of Technobeam makes this a consistent product with our overall offering. We have always been focused on products that are backed by best-in-class service and support people and practices.”
Strong expects to be shipping and selling Technobeam in the next 60 days. HES operations personnel will work with Strong employees during the pilot build of the product. For information on product sales, visit the website at www.strong-lighting.com.

Staging Connections to buy out Bytecraft Entertainment?
The following report appeared in The Australian newspaper:
Tattersall's has entered into discussions with event services group Staging Connections for the sale of its entertainment services business, Bytecraft Entertainment.
Tattersall's yesterday said the talks were at an early stage but it was vague about content, saying only that they involved "potential opportunities between the two companies, including discussions relating to Tattersall's Bytecraft Entertainment business".
Staging Connections Group in a separate statement said only that it was aware of market rumours relating to its interest in Bytecraft Entertainment.
Bytecraft Entertainment is the lighting and effects services arm of Bytecraft, which also runs an ATM and poker machine repair and maintenance business, known as Bytecart Systems.
Staging is a listed entertainment services company.
Tattersall's bought out the minority interests in Bytecraft in 2005 for a total investment reportedly worth $39 million. It paid $12.9 million for a 75 per cent interest in the entertainment business, according to its last annual report.
Tattersall's said no final proposal had been made by either party. It is understood discussions are at due diligence stage.
The announcement comes less than a month after Tattersall's and its partner Macquarie Bank won shareholder approval for its pound stg. 142.3 million ($358 million) takeover of British gaming company Talarius.
Tattersall's rose 1c to $4.01 and Staging was up 4.5c to $1.41.

PLASA Backs National Skills Academy
PLASA joins industry alliance backing world-class Academy for offstage and technical skills.
Plans for a National Skills Academy for the creative and cultural industries have been boosted with the addition of more influential supporters. PLASA - the Professional Lighting and Sound Association - is the latest organisation to join the unprecedented alliance of employers and industry bodies backing the project.
The Academy is designed to address shortages in offstage and technical skills for live music and the performing arts. Detailed plans being prepared by Creative & Cultural Skills, the employer-led Sector Skills Council, will be submitted to the government in April 2007.
"PLASA's support is hugely significant," says Tom Bewick, chief executive of Creative and Cultural Skills. "Its wide membership of leading specialists in professional audio, lighting, staging, rigging, communications and related disciplines fully understands what skills are needed in the real world. That input is going to be crucial in making sure the National Skills Academy delivers industry-specified training to the very highest international standards."
PLASA will also lead a drive to raise capital and in-kind support from its members for development of the National Skills Academy. £3million of the estimated £10million start-up costs have to be raised by industry with the balance provided by the government on final approval of the project plans.
Matthew Griffiths, chief executive of PLASA, commented: "The appeal of the National Skills Academy is that it gives employers control of the training. What skills are taught, how and where. This aligns to one of PLASA's core objectives, namely to provide assessment and vocational qualifications through industry consensus. The shortage of skilled, experienced and qualified technical staff is holding back the growth and development of our industry and this is an unparalleled opportunity to ensure we have the right people in years to come."
Since the launch of the project in October 2006, the list of prestigious supporters for the Academy has also been joined by Denis Desmond's MCD Promotions, the International Live Music Forum and the Production Services Association. Others behind the project include: Royal Opera House, EMI Group, Academy Music Group, the Arts Council of England, the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Live Music Forum, Live Nation and English National Opera.
www.plasa.org

Vectortasks Launches Training Podcasts
Nemetschek North America announced today that Dan Jansenson and Pat Stanford, who provide VectorWorks training through Vectortasks(tm), have launched a new VectorWorks-related audio podcast series, the PodCAD Podcast.
The PodCAD Podcast is currently an audio-only program that focuses on the world of VectorWorks. Engineer Stanford and architect Jansenson, Vectortasks partners, host the podcasts. Through a combination of news, how-to segments, interviews, and panel discussions, each podcast covers part of the broad spectrum of VectorWorks tasks, activities, new developments, and tips and techniques. New programs will be available every 10 to 14 days.
The PodCAD Podcast is available at no cost via iTunes by searching the iTunes store for PodCAD or through the program's web site at: www.podcad.tv
"We recognize the podcast as another convenient avenue of information and instruction for VectorWorks users and have been working on episodes of the PodCAD Podcast for some time," says Stanford. "Now that we have a small inventory available, we're ready to share them with the broader community of VectorWorks users," says Stanford.
"The PodCAD Podcast is an extension of the VectorWorks support we provide through Vectortasks training seminars," says Jansenson. "We would love comments from our listeners on the quality of the podcast, as well as suggestions for future topics."
Stanford is an engineer and president of consulting firm Coviana (www.coviana.com). He is also leader of the Los Angeles VectorWorks Users Group. Jansenson is principal of Daniel Jansenson Architect (www.danjansenson.com). He has authored the RenderWorks Recipe Book.
Both also provide task- and tool-based VectorWorks training through their Vectortasks training classes
www.vectortasks.com

Continuing supply of Clipsal 463 piggy-back plugs
Recent discussions with Clipsal / Gerrard Industries headquarters reveal that there has been a tightening of the distribution process for the widely used 463 piggy-back plug, to reduce the company's legal liabilities.
There has been no change in the regulations regarding this plug. The total ban remains on the sale of any piggy-back type plug other than permanently incorporated into an item of equipment. What has changed is that Clipsal are now monitoring sales more closely and more rigidly enforcing the requirement for purchasers to prove their bona fides as legitimate users of the plugs for manufacturing and maintenance purposes.
Some sections of the Clipsal distribution network have required this level of enforcement for some time, whilst others have only recently been brought up to this level.
ALIA are in discussions with Clipsal to ascertain the precise wording of the statement that their legal department requires to prove the legitimacy of each purchase of the plug. ALIA corporate members who require the 463 plug for their operations will have access to this document when it becomes available, early in the new year.
(Source: ALIA News Team, 22 December)

Stolen gear Sydney
Jason Fripp has recently had some lighting equipment stolen out of his mums garage in Parramatta and he would really appreciate readers keeping an eye out.
The equipment was stolen morning of the 20th Dec.
6 x Brand: Proel, Model: PLML575E Moving Head Washlights. They each had a roadcase with wheels with 'Proel Made in PRC' stenciled on the sides. There are only 14 in the country.
1 x Brand: Lightwave Research, Model: Nebula 1200 Diffusion Hazer. It was in its original cardboard box. There are less than 6 of these units in the country.
1 x Roadcase packer with wheels. Stenciled on it was 'Jason Fripp, 12 x Weilands'
Inside the packer was: 8 x 15-30 meter 10 pole wieland extension cables.
Unfortunately they were not insured but Jason is prepared to pay a reward if the equipment is found and returned.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call Jason on 0412 592 941.

Coemar De Sisti celebrates 15 years
Coemar De Sisti Australia is celebrating 15 years in the architectural and entertainment lighting industry with a move to larger premises in the Melbourne suburb of Thomastown.
The company has been quietly building a formidable reputation in the local and international arena with several high-profile projects under its belt. Locally, they've been involved in the refurbishment of Channel 9 Sydney's Studio 1, the turnkey outfitting of the Channel 7 Melbourne Broadcast Centre, supplying a range of equipment for Foxtel's new Sydney studios and lighting the mast at 120 Collins Street in Melbourne. Much of the work follows on from the internationally prominent lighting of the Sydney Opera House during the Sydney Olympics. The company has also been involved internationally with huge projects such as the Hong Kong Harbour, working in collaboration with one of Australia's most successful operators in the Asia Pacific region, LaserVision.
CDA's MD Peter Kemp says: "Turnover has grown significantly over the years. But it's not all one way traffic. Customers, nowadays, are very discerning; lighting designers are well-informed of what products are out there. They all demand value for money. I believe we offer customers not only top quality products, we provide absolute dedication to ensuring the job is done right. We do not compromise on quality and we make sure that after-sales support is maintained to the highest standard."
Commenting about the company, Channel 7's lighting supervisor, Robert Coia, who was heavily involved in the Channel 7 Melbourne Broadcast Centre, commented: "Coemar De Sisti Australia has provided tireless support for Channel 7. Their experience in this industry is invaluable."
The company's new premises combine an open-plan administration and sales area on the lower floor of the building, with a new showroom and offices for visiting consultants and designers on the first floor. Increased floor space for warehousing and service rounds off the new building. Staff numbers have grown along with floor space, with additional sales and support staff joining the company as well as new logistics staff to accommodate increased sales.
After almost 40 years in the business, having started way back when a Patten 23 was the big thing in lighting, Kemp has seen many changes. "It's been a great industry to be involved in. Just when you think you've seen it all, something new comes along and you just have to say, "Isn't that cool!" I think I'll be around a little longer . . . can't wait to see what someone will think of next!"
www.cdaust.com.au

Entertainment Installations add Pro Shop Honeycombs to hire stock
Central Coast based Entertainment Installations has added eight Pro Shop LED Honeycomb RGB-LED Hi Power Floodlights to their hire stock.
“We first used them on a corporate gig where the client wanted some multi-coloured wall washing effects,” said Neale Mace, managing director of Entertainment Installations. “Normally the client would use a much larger, bulkier fixture to wash a wall but when they saw the Honeycombs, with their small weight, compact size and low power consumption they immediately wanted them.”
After such a favourable response from his corporate clients, Neale decided to place six of his Honeycombs on a tour; Leo Sayer designed and operated by Bryce Mace.
Neale commented that Bryce has done a great job on Leo’s shows and at the tender, young age of 19 he’s already been out on national tours as the LD for many acts including The Screaming Jets, Alex Lloyd, Lee Kernaghan and now Leo Sayer.
“Their light weight, the fact that they don’t require dimmer channels and their small power needs all make them ideal for touring,” he said. “The amount of light you get out of such a small, easily rigged package is amazing. They’re certainly more than just eye candy providing good colour illumination too.”
Four of the Honeycombs are placed on the rear truss whilst the other two are situated on the winch ups in a vertical position. Bryce uses the Honeycombs as a special effect as well as for block colour, strobing and chasing effects.
“It looked really good and we’re really happy with the product,” stated Neale. “I don’t think these eight fixtures will be the last that we buy!”
Also in the Leo Sayer rig were four Martin MAC700s and four MAC250 washes. Speaking of MACs, Neale has also recently purchased four more MAC Entours bringing his MAC family up to an impressive forty-eight fixtures. The new Entours made their debut on a recent Evermore gig.
www.showtech.com.au

Brisbane Powerhouse upgrades with grandMA
An initiative of Brisbane City Council, Brisbane Powerhouse exposes and celebrates the diversity of contemporary arts in Brisbane and connects it to the rest of the country and the world.
A substantial upgrade of the lighting equipment within this venue has begun with the purchase of a MA Lighting grandMA console. In the near future the venue will also order a quantity of moving head fixtures, a move that was taken into consideration when choosing the new lighting control console.
“We had a look at all the latest consoles on the market from the major suppliers and the grandMA was clearly the best choice,” said Toby Hill, Senior Technician at the Powerhouse. “We had to consider not only the moving lights but other technologies that we may use in the future such as LEDs and media servers. Of all the consoles that we looked at the stability of the grandMA was the best; it didn’t crash and it was very easy to get out of any trouble we may have put ourselves into.”
Toby is particularly impressed by the user-friendliness of the grandMA console.
“For lack of a better term, I really like the way it ‘thinks’, he said. “Everything is very fluid with this console, all very logical. It’s not a confusing syntax at all. Before I’d mostly used a Hog and the venue housed an ETC Express console so the grandMA is a big leap forward.”
Brisbane Powerhouse employs numerous lighting operators for its abundant events and so it was important to have a console that was quick and easy to navigate. Whilst some operators, such as Toby and his head electrician, are high calibre lighting operators many of the casual staff are not very familiar with high-end consoles.
“With the grandMA you can log different users into the console and give them the access to only the features you want them to access and that’s fantastic,” explained Toby. “I really like the way you can customise your groups and set-up screens to suit your personal tastes; the way you like to see a show laid out before you. For events that are community-style the ability for their operator to be able to drive the console with only a channel fader mode and to be able to lay the console out simply so that they can understand it is a great benefit. You can lock them out of all the intricate features and they can easily plot their show without much support from us. You don’t have to spend hours looking over their shoulders making sure they press the right buttons.”
Situated in the main theatre the grandMA will handle a wide variety of events including musicals, theatre, jazz festivals, cabaret, rock shows and also a fair amount of corporate functions.
www.showtech.com.au

Updated news on Showtech courses
There will be no further courses for 2006, Courses will begin again in 2007, with dates still to be advised.
For any course enquiries, or registrations of interest, please email courses@showtechaustralia.com.au, so as we can put you on our database and keep you informed on updates, course dates and costs.
Showtech have also introduced and conducted a new course Safe Working at Heights Awareness training.
This course is designed for anyone accessing heights or supervising access at heights, including follow spot operators, lighting technicians, av technicians, loaders, production managers, etc.
Showtech offer federal competency courses in:
Dogging
Basic Rigging
Intermediate Rigging
Fork lift
Elevated work platform (boom lifts & scissor lift)s
On successfully passing these courses you will gain a federal workcover certificate of competency or "licence" recognised by workcover *conditions do apply
Showtech also offer non-federal courses:
Introduction to rigging for technicians and performers
Advanced rigging for technicians and performers
Basic Occupational health and safety
Basic fly system operation

Specific courses can be designed to suit your, theatre, venue, company,
circus etc
Certificate of entertainment technical skills
Safe Working at heights Awareness training
On successfully passing these courses you will gain a certificate of competency (which shows a duty of care to further education, these courses are not
recognized as a federal workcover competency) *conditions do apply
Stay tuned for further updates or contact courses@showtechaustralia.com.au

Bytecraft Buys Kinesys Automation System
Leading Australian lighting rental and production company Bytecraft has invested in a 10 channel Kinesys Elevation 1+ automation system. The system consists of 10 Elevation 1+ controllers, 10 1-tonne Liftket chain hoists, an Array PD-ES distribution module and Kinesys' proprietary Vector software.
Bytecraft's technical manager Darren Irving explains that they first became aware of the Kinesys system - one of the most popular, flexible and powerful movement systems on the market - after it was highly recommended by crews and rental companies both locally and overseas. "It's now also being specified on numerous shows, so getting one over here was a really logical step," he concludes.
Apart from the word-of-mouth recommendations, the functionality, ease of operation and competitive pricing all combined to swing the decision Kinesys' way, says the company.
The fact that the system is so straightforward to use, that the Elevation 1+ can be configured for different hoists and beam trolleys, and that the system can be driven manually with the Rigger 8 hand-held remote controller impressed Irving. He also likes the intuitive interface of Vector and its multiple playbacks, which are great for complicated moves. He adds that the accuracy and level of control over the motors "puts fixed speed systems to shame!"
The deal was set up via Dave Weatherhead of Kinesys, who says: "It's great to have Bytecraft join the list of companies now using Kinesys products, especially as their decision was based, in part, on great testimonials from existing clients and crew."
Kinesys also supplied a copy of the software prior to the shipment, allowing Bytecraft to learn and familiarise themselves with the system ahead of time, which was extremely useful.
The new system's first tour was the Dixie Chicks, where it was specified by LD Alex Reardon. Even with a very tight delivery date, the new kit arrived on time, ensuring that crew chief Michael Webber could thoroughly acquaint himself with the system and test all the components, leaving Reardon to concentrate on the programming. Five rear trusses were flown into different positions and levels throughout the show.
The fact that Reardon had the continuity of sourcing Kinesys systems locally for the UK, US and Australian legs of the tour not only cut any re-programming time required, but also eliminated intercontinental shipping costs.
The Bytecraft system is now out on Kylie's Showgirl Homecoming tour (LD Vince Foster).
Source L&SI Online www.lsionline.co.uk
www.bytecraftentertainment.com

Vista T4 for Total Event Services
Total Event Services in Darwin have purchased a Jands Vista T4 the flagship lighting console in the Vista range.
“The Vista is the latest in lighting technology and Jands has always been good to us in the past,” said Mike Longmire, TES’ production manager when asked why they chose the Vista T4. “It has amazingly fast programming and the time-line programming seems to really click in for us lighting designers. We’ve had a few people use it for the first time and they were getting things programmed far more quickly than I think they would on comparable consoles. It also has a really superior effects generator.”
Mike is quick to point out that the company is keen to support a local manufacturer that has serviced them well in the past.
Total Event Services has just acquired WYSIWYG and the ability to seamlessly network it with the Vista is a definite advantage.
“To be able to visualise between WYSIWYG and Vista is great, and real time control of WYSIWYG via the Vista is also fantastic for preprogramming shows,” added Mike,
It just goes to prove that the Vista T4 is quite simply the most sophisticated, powerful and easy-to-use lighting console available today.
Photo: a delighted Colin West, TES’ managing director, with his new Vista T4
www.jands.com.au

Entertainment Installations purchase more Martin MAC700s
To fill their clients growing demands for more lighting Entertainment Installations have purchased more Martin MAC700 profile fixtures. This brings their MAC700 inventory to 12 fixtures.
"After the recent Veronicas national "Revolution" tour (pictured right) where we supplied eight MAC700 we could see that there was a demand from our clients for more, bigger, better MAC's, so it was off to Showtech to add to our inventory,” said Neale Mace, managing director of EI. “ We decided to purchase an additional 4 MAC700 and a couple of new Look Solutions Unique hazers. The MAC700 is a great light and so far we've been really impressed with its reliability and output. The colour mixing and animation FX are awesome.”
This brings EI’s MAC inventory to 44 fixtures including MAC700, MAC250 Entours, and MAC250 Wash.
www.showtech.com.au

Lots of Watts stock up
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The Lots of Watts hire inventory has just received a boost with the addition of a second grandMA full-size lighting console.  Along with an MA Lighting NSP to give additional flexibility to the grandMA consoles, or for use as stand-alone lighting control or for use with the grandMA ultra.
The moving light side of hire has also had an injection of 20 Martin MAC700 Wash lamps along with 20 MAC700 Profiles. The MAC700 has become such a popular lamp and the fact that they pair so well together as wash and profiles gives you such a large pallet of features to work with. Our initial Purchase of 10 MAC700 were never in the factory. It was just a natural progression for a further purchase.
If you find you need to operate in an unusual place, the New LSC “W DMX “ is available for hire. This is a plug and play wireless DMX System. W-DMX is not affected by cell phones, WiFi, or any other devices which so drop outs are a thing of the past.
ColorWeb manufactured by AC lighting has also made its way to Lots Of Watts. With 40 Meters in Hire stock along with two Artistic Licience “Jump Start” RDM Control units allowing full RDM (remote device management) of the ColorWeb. The ColorWeb can made into many different configurations by simply clipping the 1M Square web sections together around set or hanging as a Star cloth with multiple effects. This has become very popular with TV and Corporate functions.
Lots of Watts recently recently supplied the gear for "EXO day Youth Alive " at the Acer Arena in Sydney. Paul Collison was the LD with Jono Parker from Lots Of watts as the Lighting Tech.
Gear list included 24 Pulsar ChromaCubes strung in a random fashion from tri Truss also hung in a random fashion under each other. All in all only six lighting points were used in the whole of the lighting rig. The front truss was simply six MAC2000 wash lamps.
The five random tri trusses had a mixture MAC2000 profiles with Woodroffe gobos, 4 bars of ACLS, 8 lites and 40 metres of ColorWeb in 10 metre drops. A MA Lighting grandMA ran the whole lighting rig along with one NSP to run the some 2000chs for the ColorWeb. Bitmaps were used via the grandMA creating a huge back drop for the stage.
Two small stages in the same room which were used for dancers and were lit using the W-DMX wireless system which in turn were connected to 8 Pulsar ChromaBanks.
www.lotsofwatts.com.au

Phaseshift Flat Out!
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It’s been a hectic couple of months for Melbourne-based Phaseshift Productions… and it’s only going to get even busier. “Our busiest July-August period ever,” says Phaseshift boss Lawrie Videky, breathlessly: “the crew’s been flat out for weeks. We can handle more work – we can always handle more work! – but there’s not too much slack in the system right at the moment. We haven’t had to turn anything away yet, and I don’t want us to. It’s great to be in such demand!”
To handle the vastly increased workload Phaseshift has just splashed out on a huge new 13-tonne capacity Iveco Truck - “our mobile billboard” as Lawrie proudly calls it (or “Home,” as the hardworking crew are learning to know it).
“It makes a huge difference,” says Lawrie: “Now we have a suitable brand new truck for highway touring, and of course since we can carry two drivers we can overnight our equipment. It’ll really help us make our already hardworking equipment work even harder.”
The Iveco rig has a four-airbag per axle air ride system, ensuring that all lighting equipment is fully protected in transit. The Air Ride system also enables the raising and lowering of the back end for quick loading and getaway.
The big rig’s first outing was for supercool New York outfit the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, filmed at ABC studios for JTV then playing at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre, then overnighting to Sydney to play two nights at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre.
Recent gigs of note have included the “secret” Jet homecoming gig, announced exclusively on MySpace (14 August) and timed to coincide with MySpace’s Australian launch. Held at the Prince of Wales and filmed for MySpace, this was a triumphant homecoming for the boys from Dingley and Geelong after a spectacular run of success in the States.
The boys played a first half of new material from their forthcoming eagerly-awaited new album, Shine On, due in September, and then backed up with a second half of their ‘golden oldies,’ including Are You Gonna Be My Girl?, Rollover DJ and Cold Hard Bitch. Lead guitar Nic Cester surprised not only the crowd but the crew when he went walkabout offstage and along the bar.
Phaseshift also handled Jet’s second – and public – homecoming gig the following night at the Forum, Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Phaseshift’s Jeremy Nolan was Systems Technician on DJ Shadow’s two week sell-out tour, covering Hordern Pavilion, (Sydney), The Palace, ( Melbourne) (three shows), The Tivoli, ( Brisbane) and Adelaide’s Thebarton Theatre. The set-up consisted of 16 x Martin MAC700 profiles, 12 x MAC300s, 6 x acl 4 lite strips, an Avolite Pearl 2000 and a 50ft kabuki drop.
Jeremy also toured the Eurobeat Theatre Show to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth – with Sydney the next stop in early September. Gear used: 1 x HogiPC, 1 x Catalyst V4, 1x DL1 moving projector, 20 x MAC700s, 14 x MAC600s, 24 x Acls.
And alongside all this hustle and bustle Phaseshift was quietly lighting The Leonardo da Vinci Machines – An Exhibition of Genius at Waterfront City Pavilion in Melbourne’s Docklands (running from July-October).
Not surprisingly this is a very different technical and artistic challenge. “We’ve turned a tent into an art gallery,” says Simon Aitken. “To light the larger displays we chose Multipars with the new long-life GKV lamps to ensure low maintenance.” The Multipars were also used as they have a lower wattage (600 watts) unit - they save on juice and increase safety, as well as giving flexibility with the four choices of lens that come as standard with the units.
Simon from Phaseshift and Craig Boyes from Dot Ink (production Co-ordinator and designer of the event), spent a lot of time researching the best fixture to light all the exhibition pieces and came up with a range of narrow, medium and wide-angle 50 watt dichroic lamps. The dichroics were used in black kupo par 16 cans rigged from a multitude of heights and custom-made brackets created by Phaseshift.
Phaseshift also purchased three 150 watt CMD lamp bases to use in Phaseshift’s Selecon Pacific Profiles. These Units are used outside to project gobos onto the external surface of the structure. CMD lamps were chosen because they have a 6,000 hour lamp life, again minimising maintenance, power and overall cost to the client.
Other recent gigs of note – all lit with Martin fixtures, Avolite and Jands lighting desks – include the Melbourne leg of TV On The Radio’s first Australian tour (at The Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne); Sonic Youth (The Palace, Melbourne), for which Phaseshift supplied not only the lighting but also the audio-visual component; and the Snow Patrol (Metro, Melbourne).
Back in the corporate world, Phaseshift also worked with Basil and Marcus from Basil Productions on the KPMG Annual Dinner at Crowns Palladium Ballroom, including lighting in the River Room and the foyer.
Tables were lit for 1,260 party-mode accountants, as were the and drapes throughout the room. The centrepiece was an eleven and a half minute musical spectacular especially commissioned for the event, with 20 actors and 20 dancers.
MAC700s were put to good use creating fire effects and Catalyst was used to project images via DL-1 from fire through to snow onto a custom-made curtain made by Basil Productions.
Basil Productions designed and hand made every napkin, candelabra, tablecloth and seat-sash – everything was created especially for KPMG’s Night of Nights, and lit brilliantly by Simon Aitken using the multitude of moving and conventional lamps at his fingertips. The Martin lighting and the DLI Moving Head Projector enabled spectacular effects with the combination of colours, gobos and themed projection.
So now it’s all over? Far from it – life at Phaseshift is as hectic and varied as ever, including Phaseshift’s involvement with this year’s Daniel O’Donnell tour (all states except WA), which is out on the road even as you read this. For more Phaseshift news, watch this space!
Photos: the new truck, DJ Shadow and the Leonardo exhibition
www.phaseshiftproductions.com

A lucky few get a sneak preview of the Martin MAC TW1
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A lucky few have recently had the chance to come up close and personal with Martin’s latest moving head fixture set to take the market by storm: the MAC TW1 which brings to the stage and studio all the optical performance and features of the MAC range with the warmth of tungsten halogen. Show Technology had a zero series production model flown in especially to show their VIP clients in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The eagerly anticipated 1200W MAC TW1 features full spectrum colour mixing, a twin lens zoom, internal and external dimming and exceptionally quite operation, making it is the ideal wash luminaire for television, theatre, fashion shows, corporate events and more.
“The TW1 is verrrrrrry nice,” said an excited Rohan Thornton. “It has great colours, good resolution, great beam angle and a very even field. The heat management, with all the heat at the back rather than the front, is very good. The concept of the accessory holder on the front is a great idea. I can certainly see myself using the TW1!”
“I fell in love with the TW1 straight away,” declared a smitten Paul Collison, lighting designer. “Having a shutter that enables you to snap to black is awesome. Everybody loves working with a tungsten based lamp but up until recently you’ve had to use lights that were almost twenty years old. With the newer technology the ability to snap to black as well as beaming able to fade out whilst retaining the colour temperature is fantastic. For the first time we have a strobing feature which is a funky feature we’ll be able to take advantage of.
“The TW1 will certainly give the other models on the market a run for its money as it seems to be more progressive. By adding a fantastic zoom and a shutter, in my opinion two simple things, the TW1 is definitely more usable. And the TW1 is soooo quiet; you almost have to look at the LED panel to see if it’s switched on!”
Lighting designer Mark Hammer was equally impressed by the TW1 describing it as a great fixture that will be useful for all applications across the board.
“It’s really punchy and has some very nice colours,” he added. “I thought that the dowser system was a very neat feature.”
Tim Hall of Resolution X sees the TW1 as a product that will certainly compliment other fixtures in his rental stock.
“The TW1 definitely has its’ place in the market,” he said. “It has a really nice colour mix and I can’t wait to use one.”
www.showtech.com.au

Hills Concert Productions purchase more MAC700s
Hills Concert Productions have purchased a further six Martin MAC700 profiles taking their inventory of MAC700s to twelve. The decision to buy more MAC700s was driven by the need to equip arena and outdoor shows with large format movers.
“We are finding that in most applications a MAC700 is an acceptable alternative where MAC2000’s are specified by a lighting designer,” commented Paget Blackburn, managing director of Hills Concert Productions. “They provide a cost effective solution that is lighter in weight and requires less truck space and crew labour than the larger MAC2000.”
The MAC700s have been well utilised on theatre productions and tours. First stop was a theatre production for Grease (pictured right) where Hills Concert Productions provided a full lighting system for lighting designer Richard Neville. Next stop was the Australian Tour by Hip Hopper DJ Shadow, all of which capped off a busy July for HCP.
www.showtech.com.au

LSC maXim M for Reddam House
Reddam House, one of Sydney’s more exclusive schools, has recently converted a church building into an auditorium in which to hold musicals, plays, performing arts showcases, and dances.
Avsound Productions installed a complete audio and lighting package including a LSC Lighting maXim M console on the recommendation of Zac Shenker, a talented Year 12 student who has great knowledge of entertainment technology despite his young age.
“I had previously used the maXim on a show at Randwick TAFE and I thought it would be an ideal console,” he said. “I chose the maXim M model to suit the number of dimmers that we’re using whilst still having room to add more at a later date. It’s also easy enough to use as well as easy to teach people how to use. Basically it provided all of the features that we required at a very good cost.”
www.lsclighting.com.au

Novatech Production Services increase inventory
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Adelaide's Novatech Production Services has added a number of Show Technology products to their ever expanding inventory.
Recent purchases include four Martin MAC700 profiles and an additional eight Martin MAC500E profiles to compliment their existing stock of Martin fixtures. Managing Director, Leko Novakovic says that adding more MAC fixtures was a straight forward purchasing decision:
"Martin brand moving lights are the industry standard in the market we service. Medium and large scale touring acts continue to call for MAC fixtures - their versatility, robustness, features and worldwide availability sees MAC's remain the leading choice for both national and international touring LD's. The MAC500E were chosen over the standard MAC500 fixtures we currently hold as the electronic ballasts reduce the weight of the fixture plus provide a visible increase in light output."
Novatech has also added four Studio Due CityColor 2500w DMX wash lights to their inventory, bringing the total of such fixtures to eight. The decision to purchase more intelligent wash lights was based on need - Studio Due was selected based on light output, optics and serviceability. 
An additional thirty-two black Kupo Multi-Pars have also been purchased which brings Novatech’s total Par inventory to over 450 fixtures.
For special effects and again to meet market demand, forty of the Pro Shop LED ‘Happy’ tubes have been added to the hire department.
"These LED multi-coloured changing tubes are the latest in dynamic lighting effects and have a vast range of applications,” noted Leko. “Installation is very straight forward and the SDL-109 controller can be triggered by DMX to generate a myriad of preset animated colour effects. Whilst most LED effects remain beyond the reach of smaller companies the LED tubes are comparatively inexpensive and they give us the ability to provide new and interesting effects within the budget of the corporate clients we service."
www.novatechproductions.com.au
www.showtech.com.au

Martin MAC700 Wash: The Australian Launch
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Finally the wait is over! The much anticipated Martin MAC700 Wash has had its’ official Australian launch wowing industry professionals at launch events in Melbourne and Sydney. With its’ clean, even, soft-edged beam, a motorised zoom and rich CMY colour mixing, this exceptionally powerful wash light is set to take the market by storm. In fact orders were taken at the launch nights!
A beautifully clean even beam from centre to edge is achieved by the MAC700 Wash, creating the ideal balance between optical performance and output, giving an incredibly powerful beam of smooth uniform light. Like its’ sibling the MAC700 Profile, the 700 Wash’s brightness is truly astounding, matching and surpassing the output of higher wattage lamp sources.
“It’s a great light – fast and with good colours,” commented Rohan Thornton of GTV9 at the Melbourne launch. “The variable CTO is a good feature for a wash light and it’s certainly bright. It’s a big improvement on the prototype I saw earlier in the year.”
Lighting designer Paul Collison also saw the prototype and he too was impressed by how much further Martin, after listening to feedback from the Australian lighting industry, had taken the fixture.
“I was really excited by what I saw with the prototype but now it looks like they have really evened out the zoom,” he said. “I really like the beam shaper. It’s a proper beam shaper; up until now beam shapers have really only been cosmetic. I love the even field through the zoom in fact its phenomenal – to the point where nothing else on the market can compare.”
“I think the MAC700 Wash is a fantastic fixture and it’s perfect for our industry,” reported Tim Hall of Resolution X. “In fact we’ve already got six! They have a great output, nice colour temperature and fantastic colour mixing – everything you’d want from a wash fixture.”
”We are pleased with the response from the market,” added Emmanuel Ziino, managing director of Show Technology. “Martin first sent us a protoype back in February this year and the Melbourne lighting community were one of the first in the world to see it. It is good to see that a lot of our feedback was used in adding features to the unit. Martin has proved yet again that not only do they develop world class products but they also listen to their customers!"
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Acclaimed English lighting designer Andi Watson has been trialling the MAC700 Wash on Radiohead’s European and North American tour. Andi, who helped beta-test the MAC2000 Wash on a number of Radiohead’s European shows in 2002, and subsequently used the luminaire on the band’s “Hail to the Thief” tour, has real-world tested the MAC700 Wash on this latest Radiohead tour.
“I am incredibly impressed with the MAC700 Wash,” he comments. “They are very complementary units to the existing 2K range. For their size the power consumption is quite low, the colors are wonderful and also the reliability of the units is fantastic. They have also been wonderful to program. We were the first to tour with the MAC 2K Wash and to be asked again with the MAC700 Wash is just great. Our lead technician, Ed Jackson, who does a very thorough job of looking after the fixtures on the tour, has had to do very little to them.”
Andi has the 700 Wash units located on the floor and uses them to uplight cycs and side light the band. “For that the intensity is absolutely perfect,” he says. Lights are positioned at varying heights – in the overhead rig, on drop poles and on the floor – to create different layers of light. Other MAC units in the rig are MAC2000 Performances, MAC2000 Washes and MAC250 Washes along with Atomic strobes.
“There are times when you don’t necessarily need that complete punch of a 2K,” Andi states. “Both the 2K Wash and 700 Wash serve their purpose but I found that the 700 Wash work even better with the Performances because the 2K Washes can sometimes outperform the profiles power wise, especially if you have a gobo with the animation wheel and you’re cutting the light intensity down.”
www.showtech.com.au

LSC Lighting Systems to distribute Pharos Architectural Control
LSC Lighting Systems (Aust) are proud to announce that they have been appointed the exclusive Australasian distributor for the Pharos Architectural Controls range of products.
The award-winning Pharos Lighting Playback Controller is ideal for architectural, retail and themed entertainment environments that require sophisticated control of colour mixing, dimming, moving light and LED sources. Its advanced timeline-based lighting control, versatile triggering options and rugged solid-state construction make it the ideal all-in-one control solution for fixed installations.
These qualities make the Pharos LPC controller the ideal partner for the LSC range of EKO architectural dimmers and ePlate wall station remote controllers. All devices integrate together seamlessly, allowing the LSC ePlate wall stations to activate memories in the EKO dimmers and control the playback of LED fixtures, moving lights and other luminaires via the LPC controller.
Shopping malls and retail chains, corporate foyers and museums; increasingly people expect to be entertained in locations that were traditionally the preserve of purely architectural lighting. In many venues it is no longer sufficient to light a space beautifully the lighting is now required to be part of an entertainment experience that must stand out against all the competing presentations to which visitors are exposed.
This bridge between architectural and entertainment lighting, which increasingly utilises LED and video technology, has created a new market that is growing rapidly.
Gary Pritchard, managing director with LSC Lighting says: "LSC is very excited to be representing Pharos in Australasia. Their objective, and ours, is to provide the control tools that this market requires and to continue to develop these tools based on the feedback of users worldwide. This is a market that we know well; projects that need an all-round control device and we are well placed to get the Pharos LPC on these jobs."
www.lsclighting.com.au
www.pharoscontrols.com

Bytecraft and Strand Lighting
Despite the recent acquisition of Strand by lighting giant Genlyte, it remains “business as usual” for the Australian supplier of Strand Lighting products.
The recent acquisition by Genlyte of the Strand operations in the US and HK will not make a significant change to the core products that are available through the local distributor, Bytecraft.
According to Genlyte as part of the announcement of the acquisition, this was a strategic step to include a theatrical product range to their already extensive lighting portfolio. The Genlyte group covers a diverse range of companies that includes Vari-Lite.
Bytecraft is committed to the quality range of products manufactured by Strand Lighting, including the recently released Palette series of control desks. Contact Bytecraft if you would be interested in a demonstration of the console that has replaced the 300 series desks.
www.bytecraft.com.au

AFM Lighting chose F34 Global Truss
AFM Lighting, specialists in film and television lighting, have chosen F34 Global Truss to serve as their hire stock for their new Event Services branch.

International lighting company, AFM Lighting have just opened an Event Services branch in Sydney to supplement their Film and Television Lighting Division. Established in the UK in 1982 (London), the Sydney office opened in 2003 and added to their other offices in the Czech Republic (Prague) and South Africa (Cape Town and Johannesburg).

AFM Lighting is an international market leader in the provision of lighting facilities spanning the full spectrum of film and television production and they have chosen Global F34 Truss as their truss of choice for their Sydney inventory. Event services manager, Lee Clout, explained why, “For the price, strength and functionality, Global’s box and flat truss is clearly on top. It allows all of the ‘standard’ configurations, as well as 6 way joins, ‘T’-sections, truss ‘stalactites’ and various lighting grid configurations.”

Versatility was also important for Lee, “By using a mixture of box and flat trussing I can get any 90° angle anywhere along the truss, and get most other angles with a few swivel clamps or some of the other handy Global Truss adaptors. With support of Ian Wood and the Design Quintessence team we’ll be sticking with Global Truss into the future.”

AFM christened their truss at the Event Services launch party held at Studio Kite in Rosebery which was an amazing array of lighting, DJ’s playing music, performance artists, sideshow games, international food (and a few drinks).
www.dq.com.au