Staging Connections Brisbane goes Wireless DMX with Martin Pro Diversity
Click on images to enlarge
Staging Connections in Brisbane recently purchased a Martin Wireless DMX-512 - Pro Diversity unit which offers a very easy and fast way of connecting and setting up lighting systems, especially a system with remote fixtures or difficult placed fixtures, as no cables and expensive downtime is required.
"We have a couple of venues where there is a long distance between the control and the actual lighting fixtures," said Ben Jacquin, equipment controller at Staging Connections Brisbane. "The Wireless DMX-512 allows us to cut down on the amount of cables required. One of the venues has a golf course, which we often light up, but the control is at one side of a lake and the lights are on the other side of the lake. Obviously we can't run cables through the water so the Wireless DMX-512 is the perfect solution."
Steve Cain, lighting designer at Staging Connections Brisbane, has found his job a lot easier since the purchase of the Martin Wireless DMX-512.
"I had a look at some other similar products on the market but as most of the lights in our inventory are Martin it made sense to purchase their wireless DMX device," he said. "I had hired the smaller version of the Wireless DMX-512 before the purchase and I thought it was pretty cool. It works really well."
One of the first projects that Steve used the Wireless DMX-512 on was the exterior lighting of Brisbane casino (pictured) building during Riverfest.
"We couldn't run cables across the road to the building so we used our Wireless DMX-512 and it worked a treat," he commented. "I've specified it for quite a few shows that are coming up including a project where we have to light across a highway. The Wireless DMX-512 seems to be pretty reliable and certainly does the job."
The Brisbane casino was washed in colour courtesy of over thirty Studio Due CityColors whilst four Martin MAC2000 fixtures projected the client's custom-made logos onto the façade.
"I used a Martin Case Controller II for control," added Steve. "We've had the Case Controller II for seven years and it never misses a beat. I refuse to use a Hog because I believe that the Case works better."
www.showtech.com.au
Due an unprecedented demand after their initial purchase of the LED tubes, Resolution X has increased it's stock to over 100 tubes, making Resolution X the largest hire stockist in Australia.
The LED Multi-Coloured changing tube is the latest in dynamic decoration and lighting effects for a variety of applications. The effect produced is that of flowing colour that animates in a variety of different chases. Up to 1000 tubes can be linked together which leaves only the imagination to create a multitude of images, patterns and effects. Linked to a matrix controller (such as the GrandMA), low resolution video and images can be animated on the tubes.
This low cost, IP 44 rated tube is now available for hire, so don't hesitate to contact a member of Resolution X for more information.
www.resolutionx.com.au
Resolution X now has over 80 of the Low voltage profiles in stock for hire.
The new Aureol Beam Shaper which has just been made even brighter with it's new Philips MR16 45W Lamp, giving it an increased output and a better quality beam. The small but powerful unit features MR16 beam projection, shaped projection, image projection, framing projection effects movement, colour filter, variable intensity and low-glare, making it ideal for galleries, exhibition and retail displays.
The Specs
Zoom Lens from 26 to 50 degrees
Four adjustable shape blades
Standard E size glass or steel gobos
Lens body rotates 360 degrees allowing easy alignment of patterns or framing shutters
Two mounting slots for filters and front mounting for an animation disc rotator.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact a member of Resolution X.
www.resolutionx.com.au
Robe MSZoom 250 XT Spot’s are already in high demand at A1 Audio & Lighting after being added to their rental department recently. As Chris explains “They are just a versatile unit that can be used in a multitude of applications. We have been using the Zooms for all of our corporate events and at the moment we also have been using fixtures in both a nightclubs and churches. We added the Zooms because of the excellent value for money and features - there aren’t too many 250’s that have the zoom plus two gobo wheels….especially at the Zooms price.
The MSZoom 250 XT is unique - a compact moving head, with built-in multi-step motorised zoom (15, 18, 21, 24 and 26 degrees), in addition to 10 colours, 5 rotating and 3 static gobos, frost and dimming.
www.ula.com.au
Coemar De Sisti Australia at SMPTE 2005
click to enlarge
Coemar De Sisti Australia exhibited a broad range of new lighting products at the recent Sydney SMPTE exhibition.
Their stand was constructed as a typical pipe grid (commonly used in News and small TV studios) in order to realistically showcase the latest in “cool” lighting alongside other recent innovations for TV & Film. Products on display included:
De Sisti’s extensive “COOL LIGHTING” products
The already quite popular De Lux fluorescent fixtures (used by Ch7 News Melbourne & Sydney, Ch10 News Sydney, Ch7 OB sports Tennis, Golf etc.) were shown including a new cyclorama fixture. With much higher light output than comparable fixtures due to unique high-efficiency reflector design, the units reduce the need for add-on intensifiers.
Supplementing the fluorescent range, SMPTE saw the Australian premier of the CST 250 Fresnel, a 3200°K discharge fresnel with inbuilt mechanical dimmer and on-board manual control and DMX control options (light output is equivalent to a 2Kw TH fresnel).
This combination of fluorescent and CST fixtures present an ideal solution for lighting work where heat is a factor (both fixtures produce minimal heat reducing both power loads for lighting and, in particular, dramatically reducing studio air conditioning requirements) The DeLux range are available in come in 2 x 55W and 4 x 55W versions. The CST is only 250w – with the added advantage of a 6000hour lamp life).
Light Emitting Diode Luminaires (LEDs)
One item developing rapidly and the source of much interest amongst the exhibition attendees were CDA’s range of LED luminaires. On display were linear 1w RGB led strips highlighting our stand’s canvas backdrop and proving LEDs are no longer simply lighting “specials” for effects use but that you CAN now actually light things with LEDs (coverage was up to 15m up the canvas using our LED products).
Also shown in the LED area were:
Ayrton Moving Yoke LED Wash Light using 18 x 1watt Luxeon RGB LEDs to create an extremely efficient and high-output moving yoke.
Alkalite TP81 Modular Led Batten an RGB batten for offering an economical solution for companies developing their LED lighting stock. Positioned on the corner of our stand and throwing down the aisle, it was the source of some consternation from attendees who found the output blinding! Yes, it is LED!
White Covelight in 3200°K and also 5600°K. Perfect for adding a small amount of fill light in either colour temperature to set pieces, news desks etc, the units were accompanying the already popular RGB versions of the Covelight. These products are already extensively used in network programs such as Funniest Home Videos, ACA, and Star Struck. The Covelight LED system is extremely user-friendly and offers an affordable system consisting of 100mm PCB strips supplied complete with simple mounting bracket and interconnecting cables. Add an inexpensive driver with in-built programs or DMX controlled and the system is complete and easily expandable.
Numerous enquires for compact LED “reporter” lights were received and post-SMPTE saw some early LED spots ready to go and currently doing the rounds of the studios and gaffers with David Lee (CDA’s resident TV/Broadcast specialist).
Studio Lighting Rigging Systems:
CDA's display included the Doughty Spring Pantographs and Rolling Trolley System. In addition, the impressive Cranky Pole was on show – a PO dropper with a 55kg SWL.
Compulite Consoles:
The Australian debut of the new Dlite - a compact new console range form Compulite incorporating 2 preset individual channel slider control with playbacks, memory and moving light control (available in 24/48 way, 36/72 way and also a smaller version with playback sliders only). The Vector Green was also on display, baby brother to the larger Blue and Red versions (the latter which can be found in GTV9 Melbourne as the Studio 9 console of choice).
XBoard:
Another Australian debut product was featured on their stand in the form of the XBoard LED wall panels and control system. Basically a low-resolution video wall made up of modular (1mx2m) linkable panels able to create vast walls, floor, etc at extremely economical costs. An extraordinarily large number of enquires for this product were received and we are sure a number of these systems will be available for rental in Australia in the near future.
www.cdaust.com.au
Martin SCX500 Scanners grow in demand
Challenging the status quo of mobile scanners is the SCX500 the extraordinary new 150W halogen scanner in the Mania series. Compact and light for such a powerful and feature-rich light, the SCX500 is built tough for life on the road. Couple this with its amazing features, such as 15 gobos plus open, 15 colours including white and 5 mixed colours, it’s no wonder that the SCX500 scanners are appearing all over the country.
“They really deliver an effective performance for what is really a budget fixture,” said Steve Grimes, lighting manager at IJS in Brisbane who recently added some SCX500 scanners to their inventory. “The gobos are nice too. They’ve been used on several parties and our customers are more than impressed by them. The padded bags that they come with make them ideal for drive away hire.”
Kevin Bishop of Geelong-based Bishop Audio & Lighting has also invested in some Martin SCX500 scanners which he describes as well-priced, fresh product.
“The actual casing is very attractive and is good for retail as well as hire,” he added. “I like the colours produced by the SCX500. It’s just a bit different and it will be easy to make a good return on this product. It’ll be great for drive away hire as it can operate stand-alone which is great for parties held at home or in hired halls. We get a lot of those and so it’s important to have good, stand-alone products.
“The SCX500 can be operated by DMX so it would be suitable to use multiple units for more complicated setups but still at an affordable price. I could see them being used in school productions.”
Currently displayed in his showroom, the SCX500 scanners will be added to the drive away hire inventory in November.
“It’s good to have something new for the busy summer season,” explained Kevin.
Aaron Binion, entertainment lighting specialist at CC’s Light & Sound in Melbourne, reports that the SCX500 scanners have been very popular and that they are selling at a phenomenal rate.
“What impressed me most about the SCX500 scanners was their tiny size,” he said. “They are so small yet are crammed with heaps of features. They’ve been popular with mobile DJ’s as they are easy to fit in the boot of a car and the accessory bag makes them easy to transport. We’ve also sold some to theatre restaurants here in Victoria.
“The SCX500 is incredibly versatile because it can operate stand-alone or via DMX so everyone from your mobile DJ to a large club can use them. And of course they are low-priced.”
Combine the SCX500 performance with the unmatched value every fixture in the Mania series has, with at least 500 hours of lamp life – and you are looking at incredible savings over the competition, whose lamps average only 50-200 hours of life.
www.showtech.com.au
Jands HP Dimmers star in the movies When it comes to providing lighting for the many major feature films, as well as numerous commercials, made in Australia and New Zealand most people turn to Panavision Lighting. Only the best equipment is used by this renowned company and so it’s no surprise that they now own over four hundred Jands HP dimmers.
Panavision Lighting are keen to use locally designed and manufactured products from companies that can offer local support and accommodate changes required by the duty cycle placed on the dimmers in this constant duty cycle environment.
“Because of the volume of dimmers we use for film production the ratio of harmonics increases and you get a lot of distortion of the electrical supply,” began Simon Lee, Managing Director of Panavision Lighting. “It’s different to rock’n’roll or theatre where dimmers are used on and off for relatively short periods of time with not a great load on the racks. On some of our sets the number of units, and hence the amount of load being dimmed, is phenomenal. Also the lights are on for a long period of time sometimes up to 12 hours. A lot of people ask if the lights are constantly on why run them through dimmers? The answers is that productions require the instant control that a lamp controlled via a consol offers.
“Large dimmer set ups can and have caused large problems but Jands always work closely with us to deal with any issues that arise, issues that are unique to the film industry due to the extremely large load through dimmers. Whichever dimmer rack you use, they’re all problematic but Jands have been tremendously receptive to our feedback making modifications when required. When we’ve had critical issues, such as substation distortion, they have been extremely supportive in putting resources into resolving the problem.”
Simon says the production crews particularly likes the easy navigation offered by the Jands HP dimmer menu stating that it’s a huge bonus over other manufacturer’s racks. He also describes the Jands HP dimmers as very robust and hardy, an important factor as the film industry is a hard environment.
“They’re not all used in nice, pristine soundstages,” he said. “We end up in many messy location shoots where the dimmers can be exposed to all sorts of elements.”
Jands dimmers have been seen on many major movies filmed recently including the yet to be released King Kong, Stealth, Ghost Rider, Mission Impossible and most recently a film that cannot be actually named but involves a super hero who flies and wears his underpants on top of his trousers.
www.jands.com.au
The winners of the PLASA Awards for Innovation were announced last night during a well-attended awards ceremony hosted by PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths on the main show floor at Earls Court. The Awards, which focus on the best design and development work going on across the industry, came at the end of a day that reaffirmed PLASA's reputation as a forging ground for future innovations.
The Awards, which are judged by a panel of professionals, attracted 66 nominations, leading to eight technical awards and an additional award for environmental impact.
The winning products were:
Artistic Licence's Visual Patch is going to prove the ultimate time saver for converged lighting and video applications. It creates an on-screen geographic map of two or three-dimensional pixel array, whilst automatically also assigning DMX512 start addresses. Described by the judges as another first from an innovative company, the Visual Patch is destined to save hours of programming time in an industry exploding with LED light fixtures.
Carlsbro's Liberty Wireless System WP-100 is a high quality audio system that can be used for connecting multiple powered speaker configurations without any loss of quality. Thanks to a receiver system built around two antennas, the signal remains strong and stable at all times. The system picked up an award for its application of modern wireless technology in the field of audio distribution.
The D8++ chain hoist from Hall Stage is a product specifically designed for the event rigging sector. It features a dynamic irreversible worm gear that prevents a load from slipping - even with extreme overload. The judges felt the D8++ represented a significant advance in its market by employing a mechanism that made it ultra safe and virtually silent.
The SpectraConnecT5 from LDDE is a fluorescent tube characterised by high luminance and compact design. It features the newly developed smooth_operator technology which offers continuous control from 0-100%. It picked up an award because it has finally delivered "a dimmable tube that dims" using existing technology.
Outline's COM.P.A.S.S. is the first robotic speaker enclosure: it can be used alone or combined with other elements to form a vertical line array. Thanks to a sophisticated mechanism moved by five motors, the system can adjust vertical and horizontal directivity simultaneously from 60-150 degrees on the horizontal plane and from 0-15 degrees on the vertical plane which can be operated via remote software. The judges marked it out for its high level of innovation and that fact that it had delivered a solution long overdue.
The FogScreen from PSCo is a penetrable projection surface, consisting of dry fog, made from pure tap water. The fog feels dry and cool to touch, and can be walked through, taking only seconds for the images projected upon it to reform The judges believe the FogScreen to be a genuine first, offering a unique effect.
Stage Technologies' BeamHoist is an easy to install cost-effective automation hoist system for lifting scenery and lighting bars. Described by the judges as beautifully engineered, the view is that it will have many more applications than originally conceived.
A versatile operating system that is destined to set the benchmark for installation controllers won the Pharos from TMB an award. A control system for entertainment and LED lighting in an architectural setting, the Pharos supports DMX or DALI colour mixing fixtures, dimmable ballasts and automated lighting. The judges felt that this was a beautifully engineered lighting controller.
With the demand for energy efficient technologies growing, an award for environmental impact was re-introduced. In the current climate of impending legislation concerning waste recycling and material use, Osram's development of the aluPar - a family of lamps which are 66% lighter and up to 10% brighter - proves that the message has been taken on board. Using an aluminium reflector instead of a glass reflector, the lamps also feature a mechanically linked reflector and front lens, ensuring that the aluPAR can be easily disassembled and its components disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
During the ceremony, the £10,000 raised from the entry fees was presented to three charities - the International Committee of the Red Cross, The Live Music Forum, chaired by Feargal Sharkey, and the Elizabeth Foundation. Both Feargal Sharkey and Shirley Metherell, founder of the Elizabeth Foundation, attended the ceremony.
www.plasashow.com
Powa Audio have continued to build their Robe inventory with the addition of 575Spot AT’s and have wasted no time putting them to work. The units are currently touring with Jimmy Barnes and have already been reserved for the upcoming Youth Alive event.
The ColorSpot 575 AT includes a wide range of effects – two separate gobo wheels and two separate colour wheels all with the "SLOT & LOCK" system and ultra smooth rotation. There is a motorised multi-step zoom with three different apertures of 15, 18 and 22 degrees as well as motorised iris, prism, separate and variable frost effect. Remote focus is naturally standard also.
Bright – The ColorSpot 575AT’s performance is more than equal to comparative fixtures, and is available in both magnetic and electronic versions.
Chris from Powa Audio says “Where do you begin with these fixtures, the great price, their output, how easy they are to use or their reliability? And as anybody who has tried these fixtures would agree too, I prefer to use the Robes over Macs any day.”
www.ula.com.au
Ardiso - a new company is born Ardiso - ”Artificial Digital Solutions” - is a new specialist designer and manufacturer of leading edge Digital Led Light Sources and Control Interfaces. Our design expertise is in the lighting of rare artifacts for Museums along with Architectural and Entertainment effects lighting.
Museum fit outs are our fastest tracking product range. We pride our product range on not just another led supplier. The Avalon series has a beautifully flat smooth distribution with no UV and unique thermal design leading changes that will completely change the way delicate artifacts in museums are lit in the future.
Ardiso have under development new technologies that will enable Museum exhibitors to completely rethink how they have controlled display cabinets in the past. Complete Spatial control will soon intelligently monitor the complete cabinet and control everything from temperature, light levels, viewing presence, feedback and shutdown, all from a central logic device mounted below the display cabinet.
With the pre-release of the Avalon series of led bars over 250 units were sold to equip three leading Museums in the first six months of prototyping this year.
www.ardiso.com
LSC Clams up!
LSC has secured prime position at this year’s PLASA show - right behind the popular Innovation display at the front of the hall.
Despite numerous attempts to gain information on LSC's new product releases at PLASA this year, a company spokesperson has repeatedly stone walled by just offering the company's stand number - H11.
What can be so secretive not to reveal any details prior to the show?
LSC is in its 15th year as an exhibitor at PLASA, so why not just blurt out what is coming? Everyone else does!!...
Join the rest of the industry at this year’s PLASA show in London on September 11-14 to unveil why LSC is keeping its mouth firmly shut!"
www.lsclighting.com.au
Green Hippo and Scenechange Merge
On 1st August 2005 Directors of Scenechange and Green Hippo announced the merger of the two companies under the name of Green Hippo Ltd.
Up until recently Scenechange the digital media specialists had been working very closely as the exclusive worldwide distributors of the award winning Hippotizer media server, but as the sales and the worldwide distribution network began to grow, it was time to look at the future.
James Heron, director and part founder of Green Hippo explains:
"Its become more and more apparent over the last year or so that the combination of Green Hippo and Scene Change as a force for furthering the Hippotizer has really been a meeting of like minded enthusiasts. Like two heads sharing one brain! Relationships have been so closely bonded that we could not see any sense in operating as individual businesses. For Hippotizer to continue going from strength to strength, the merging of the two companies was the only sensible option. We now have the team we always wanted under one roof and this puts us in an incredible strong position to develop, evolve and support our media server range. We're delighted with the move and look forward to demonstrating what a focused team with a shared passion can achieve. Before the merger we were at the forefront of our field. As a single entity we can push the boundaries even more than we have to date. Exciting times!"
As part of the merger, the two companies completed a move into new larger premises where developments of the new Hippotizer software will continue at great pace. Nigel Sadler, formerly technical director of Scenechange joins the Green Hippo team in the role of Sales Director and had this to say of the big move:
“It’s an honor to be working with such a talented team of people at Green Hippo, and such an exciting place to be with all the new products that are in development at the moment. The merger of the two companies will only strengthen our ability to serve the most important members of the team – the customers.”
www.hippotizer.com
Australian distributor: Clearlight Shows www.clearlight.com.au
Sydney Opera House debut their Vari-lite VL1000 fixturesSydney Opera House recently purchased twelve Vari-lite VL1000 incandescent fixtures that include a mechanical dimmer.
"We chose the VL1000 because of their acceptance with theatrical designers," stated Phil Dunesky, Technical Operations Manager at the Opera House. "There were several features that we favoured including the incandescent lamp, the onboard dimmer that dims the same as our conventional fixtures, the framing shutters, the Vari-lite colour mixing and their silent operation. Of course, we also like their price!"
Phil commented that the plan is to use the VL1000 fixtures extensively in The Studio venue.
"The Studio is perfect for the VL1000 as it is a short-throw venue," he explained. "We'll be using them for the jazz sessions that are coming up soon."
Despite being purchased for the Opera House's smaller venues, the first performance by the VL1000's was in the Concert Hall where David Ferguson used them for a Taiwanese corporate show.
"I had the twelve VL1000's in a row with half of them utilising the four-blade shutter system and the other half the irises," explained David. "The gobos were very nice and I found they were easy to hook up and patch into the console."
www.jands.com.au
Sydney Opera House get Atomic Color
Sydney Opera House has recently added four of Martin Atomic Strobes complete with Atomic Colors to their inventory. Atomic Colors is a specially designed head which fits onto the front of the Atomic 3000 DMX allowing up to ten brightly coloured strobe and blinder effects.
“What can I say, they’re excellent!” stated Phil Dunesky, Technical Operations Manager at the Opera House. “We bought them mainly for the dance nights we have in The Studio and they’ve been great. The guys have had a lot of fun with them achieving some great looks and think they’re fantastic. They certainly deliver quite an interesting effect and I’m sure that on some of the larger shows they’ll get used quite a bit.”
Easily attached with quiet running operation, Atomic Colors is an effortless plug and play fixture, directly controllable via DMX 512-USITT controllers and to be used in combination with The Detonator, the special developed DMX controller to the Atomic 3000.
The Atomic Colors comes with one string containing 9 colours plus clear. There are three optional strings, (each with 10 colours plus clear), and the possibility of customised colour strings.
www.showtech.com.au
MAC700 lands in Perth
The lucky lighting professionals in Perth were the first people to get their hands on Martin Professional's latest addition to the MAC moving head family - the MAC700 Profile.
Gino Lombardi, Show Technology’s Western Australia Branch Manager, hosted an informal product evening at the Malaga office which was attended by many of Perth’s leading industry personnel.
“It was all very last minute,” admitted Gino. “I just had a casual phone around the day before. Consequently I was amazed by the amount of people who turned up! It just goes to show how eagerly anticipated the MAC700 has been.”
Companies represented included Concert & Corporate Productions, Matrix Productions, Stagecraft, Pro Design, Lux Entertainment Technology, True Light & Sound, Frontier Lighting, Thunder & Lighting and Illusion Lighting.
“The feedback on the MAC700 features, especially the light output, was incredibly positive,” reported Gino. “Everybody was amazed that Martin had managed to squeeze so much into a fixture the same size as the MAC550. It’s totally packed with features such as a full CMY colour mixing system plus colour wheel, gobo animation plus dual gobo wheels, motorised zoom and much more.
“As to the output, people commented on how remarkable it was saying it was similar to a MAC2000. Our theatrical customers particularly liked the ‘Quiet Mode’ feature of the MAC 700. I’m certainly not going to have any trouble selling this product!”
Other Martin products were also on display including the Maxedia Media Server which garnered a lot of admiration from the assembled lighting specialists.
Some industry professionals, such as Clifton Productions and Staging Connections staff, who could not make it on the night, were so keen to see the MAC 700 they made special appointments to meet this new industry luminaire.
Pictured is Mick Letchford and Anthony from Matrix Productions with Guillaume Laurent from True Light And Sound.
www.showtech.com.au
Staging Connections Canberra purchase MAC250 Washes
Staging Connections in Canberra have recently added six Martin MAC250 Wash fixtures to their inventory of eight Martin MAC500s and six MAC600s.
Andrew Shaw of Staging Connections said that they were on the look out for a smaller wash fixture that would fit into some of the smaller venues in the ACT.
“We love the MAC600s but sometimes they look a bit large in some of the rooms that we cater to,” he said. “The MAC250 Wash is a smaller unit but has an incredible light out put which makes it very versatile. They have performed fantastically and we are very happy with them. They’re fast, have great output and great colours.”
Pictured are the MAC250 Washes in action at the Master Builders Association awards dinner.
www.showtech.com.au
Show Technology at ETNZ Every couple of years, ETNZ (Entertainment Technology New Zealand) hold a conference for their members with a trade show along side.
Show Technology was proud to be a part of this year’s trade show where their stand featured products from MA Lighting, Pulsar, Look Solutions and Studio Due.
On hand were Show Technology's Professional Segment Manager Andrew Winslade as well as Andy Graves, Head of Sales and Marketing for Pulsar.
”The reception to the products was very encouraging,” reported Andrew. “The LED solutions offered from Pulsar attracted a lot of attention from production companies, designers and venue managers. On show were new releases such as the ChromaBatten and the ChromaFlood 200 as well as much of the existing range. The Hazers and foggers from Look Solutions were also well received; it appears that their reputation has preceded them as to the quality and reliability of the machines.”
Also on display were the CityColor 400 and Minicity 100 which show off the new level of flexibility within the Studio Due range.
The MA Lighting grandMA, together with the NSP and Offline PC, created a lot of interest and excitement. For many, who had only read about these products, it was an opportunity to actually get hands their hands on the merchandise.
”It was a fantastic opportunity for many to get a far better understanding of the products on offer and what they could deliver,” Andrew concluded.
Pictured is Andy Graves, Andrew Winslade and Simon Garrett from Oceania Lighting.
www.showtech.com.au
Joint Venture for Juliat and SA Australia Robert Juliat and SA Australia (State Automation formerly Bytecraft Automation) have announced a joint venture - SA Europe - which will build on the existing capabilities of both companies, in the entertainment and architectural lighting sector. SA Europe will focus on the sales and support of SA's extensive range of dimming, control and network products within the European market. "This is an exciting initiative for SA - it makes us a local player and represents a very significant undertaking in Europe," said Chris Bishop, owner of SA. "We are very excited about the opportunities this venture creates. The joint venture will have access to Robert Juliat's valuable distribution network throughout Europe and company reputation, plus SA's technology capabilities and skills as a global leader in entertainment and architectural dimming development."
"Robert Juliat has strong relationship with many key players," said John Drummond Montgomery, CEO at SA. Robert Juliat also has invaluable local market knowledge and excellent product quality and reputation. Through this joint venture we will be very well placed to provide dimming and network products and services to the local industry alongside RJ luminaires."
Jean-Charles Juliat, chairman of Robert Juliat, said: "This joint venture will create tremendous synergies for both companies. Our successful existing range of dimmers and luminaires in addition to SA cutting-edge dimming and network products will enable us to offer the best combination on the market."
Bertrand Dauphant, formally an international sales manager at SA in Australia, has been appointed managing director of SA Europe and has relocated to Paris.
Pictured is Jean-Charles Juliat, chairman of Robert Juliat and Chris Bishop, owner of SA.
www.stateautomation.com
Source L&SI Online www.lsionline.co.uk
"They're great fun to use, I love the gobo morphing!" said Martin Bevz, one of the senior techs at 32 Hundred. "They've been out on most of our events and are quite versatile in the way that they work for so many different types of jobs. They'll come out of the Hordern and then go into a backyard in Point Piper!"
Another handy feature is the battery powered display which allows you to address and modify the personality of the fixture without power. 32 Hundred have also recently purchased the Catalyst Pro Media Server. "It's just like a moving light with great gobos but poor pan and tilt," explains owner Iain Reed. "We also have the ability to create custom content for any event."
To complete the trifecta, the Alphas and Catalyst find themselves being controlled by 32 Hundred's brand new moving light console.
www.32hundredlighting.com
All change at lightwright PRODUCTIONS
lightwright PRODUCTIONS today announced that after almost seven years as Lighting Director at Sydney’s home nightclub Brad Wright will be leaving as of Saturday 6 th August 2005.
Brad will maintain a relationship with the venue on a more casual basis and predominately in the events division.
The move from home has enabled lightwright to expand into new areas. lightwright has recently joined forces with Aztech Events and they have jointly won the New Mardi Gras (NMG) tender to produce the Sleaze Ball dance party in Sydney on Saturday 1st October 2005.
Sleaze Ball is the second largest gay and lesbian dance party in the world, second only to the March Mardi Gras dance party also in Sydney, which Brad and Aztech also hope to produce.
Brad would like to thank Big Beat Australia for giving him the opportunity to work at home nightclub and to be involved with some of the largest and most innovative dance parties Australia has seen. He would also like to thank the management, promoters, staff and of course DJ’s that he has worked with over the past 7 years.
Finally he would like to wish the venue and management all the best with their future endeavours.
www.lightwright.com.au
Are You 'Switched On?'
The Selecon brand is synonymous with theatre lighting in Australia having been a major supplier to the schools / educational sectors for the past 30 years. Selecon has built an unchallenged reputation for safety, quality, ease of use, innovation and structuring a network of state dealers who are also dedicated to the advancement and investment in our industry’s future.
In an effort to help students and teachers get the most out of their theatrical endeavours and assist in the development of their abilities to understand and produce great stage lighting Selecon is producing a series of six wall posters on Lighting the Stage under the project name: “Switched On”.
With an emphasis on approach and technique rather than product, “Switched On” has been developed and written by eminent U.K. stage lighting educationalist and practitioner, Neil Fraser. The first poster “The Light Fantastic” is currently being distributed to drama teachers, HoDs, principals and technicians in Australia, the UK and New Zealand.
All of Selecon’s distributors in Australia are actively participating in the “Switched On” campaign and Jesse Bird, Account Manager for Herkes Pro Lighting in Sydney reports that the campaign has been a huge success. “The Light Fantastic” has given Herkes’ sub-dealers an opportunity to drum up new business in the schools market and armed them with a handy marketing tool whilst at the same time, helping Herkes to build on their own direct relationships with schools throughout Sydney.
“The success of the posters campaign has been reflected in the fact that we have been asked to present a workshop on the 4th of November to the Independent Private Schools annual drama and music teachers’ conference with over 100 schools from around Australia being represented,” said Jesse.
This invitation came from Pat O’Shea, head drama/music teacher of exclusive private school Waverley College in the eastern suburbs of Sydney which has an entirely new drama complex purpose built for the school, totally fitted with Selecon product. “It’s great to see a company like Selecon helping drama and theatre students by giving them something that educates and inspires them about the theatre lighting environment,” he said.
The popularity of the initiative became apparent when Jesse and Garth Tanswell, the owner of Herkes went on a little road trip to visit their sub-dealers around NSW. Armed with a strategy to motivate them and promote the business benefits of the Switched On campaign Garth and Jesse also organised some workshop technical demonstrations of Selecon product.
To date Herkes has contacted every school in NSW about this promotion and have had a great response. The success of the campaign can be measured by the fact that over 700 posters have been distributed to schools by Herkes sub-dealers. Any schools that have not been contacted by their sub-dealers Jesse has gone to visit personally with positive feedback from all teachers concerned.
As Bill Pringle, who teaches theatre production at a number of different schools in Sydney said: “I have been working in the theatre industry for 30 years and any educational tool we can get to motivate the kids is a real bonus. It’s great to see Selecon taking the initiative to inform the schools about theatre lighting!”
For more on the “Switched On” campaign, registering and to check out the web-based support material for “The Light Fantastic”: http://www.seleconlight.com/switchedon/resources.html
To contact your local Selecon dealer directly: http://www.seleconlight.com/english/network.html
Photo: Jesse Bird (left) with Bill Pringle in the process of displaying the first of a series of six “Switched On” posters in the foyer of Waverly College.
www.seleconlight.com
CCP take on Pulsar ChromaRange
Concert & Corporate Productions of Perth purchased their first four Pulsar ChromaBank units last December to add to their comprehensive hire stock.
Taking them on the ‘Killers’ Australian, with CCP Director Tim Bradsmith as the touring LD, made a great impression to the crowds that packed the venues to see the popular American Rock band perform.
Since their initiation on the Killers Australian tour, they have featured at many events with CCP including ‘Sting’ at Leeuwin Estate winery (pictured), and the WASO Summer Series featuring the likes of Ben Folds Five and Harry Connick Junior.
CCP have since added to their ChromaRange, including four ChromaPanels to their new office showroom and made numerous sales of the ChromaRange to the exclusive nightclubs of Perth.
www.showtech.com.au
ULA launch new SoudiVision Catalogue
This edition represents a major evolution of the concept and programme. The catalogue expands to 56 pages - there are both new products and new products ranges.
Lighting Products
- Introduction of expanded SoundiVision effects series with the addition of the new WildTech range
- New products have been added to the iSolution series of intelligent lighting products - now even bigger and better! - iSolution now includes a 1200W scanner, 575W and 1200W moving yokes
- Expansion of stage and theatrical lighting range to include par kits and blinders
- A range of affordable and easy to use LED products - iLED. And joining iLED in the catalogue is the innovative MoodLight product range.
- Our popular replacement lamps guide has been expanded in range and with more detail and information.
Case Products
- By popular demand, the Technics LP, CD and accessory bag range is now a full part of the SoundiVision concept
- Introducing HardCaseCo - cases to protect your equipment. HardCaseCo is a range of roadcase and protective cases for lighting , audio and audiovisual equipment
A Truly Unique Solution
Melbourne-based hire company Resolution X now owns a considerable amount of the Look Solutions Unique Hazer Machines which are constantly in use.
“With all of our Unique machines already out on hire, two of which are on Networks Seven's Deal or No Deal, the Unique hazers are looking very impressive,” said Colin Brooker of Resolution X.
“We looked at the Unique's because we needed a professional and reliable hazer that was well built to stand the test of a busy hire company and with its fast heat time, minimal fluid consumption, and the ability to create the finest haze to the thickest of fogs from any DMX console; it really answered all of our criteria.
“The Unique fluid is also water based which means the maintenance costs from cleaning all our automated lights from the oily residue that other oil based machines leave behind has been considerably improved.”
www.resolutionx.com.au
www.showtech.com.au
Entertainment Installations purchase Martin MAC250 Washes
Entertainment Installations on the Central Coast continue to expand their lighting inventory with the recent purchase of eight Martin MAC250 wash and another four MAC250 Entours. They now own an impressive forty Martin MAC moving head fixtures.
“The new MAC250 wash units are an excellent fixture,” said Neale Mace, managing director of Entertainment Installations. “They've already been on shows by Mary Black, Guy Sebastian and Shihad. They deliver an awsome light output and fast movement (same as the MAC Entour)which makes this our new standard for moving wash.”
The MAC250 Wash is equipped with remarkably efficient reflector technology for greater output, extraordinarily fast and quiet movement, a variable frost filter for zoom effect and a CMY colour mixing system with a complimenting colour wheel. Sporting the award winning traits of the MAC family, the 250 Wash features user friendly modularity and the sleek exterior design of the new 250 range.
“Because the MAC250 Wash can operate on a Jands HOG using the old MAC300 (mode4) profile, existing show disks can still be used with these lights,” commented Neale. “We've also used the wide-angle lens on a couple of shows and it's great for a full stage wash.”
The photograph shows the new Martin MAC250 Washes in use at the State Theatre (NSW) for a Mary Black gig. Also on this gig was the Look Unique Hazer.
www.showtech.com.au
Attention local designers, inventors and manufacturers!
Here's your chance to get your products listed in the August Buyers Guide: Overseas Gear You Can t Get Here to be published in Lighting Dimensions magazine based in the USA.
For the August issue of Lighting Dimensions (with an international editorial focus), they're compiling a buyers guide of new products (introduced in the past year and without existing US versions) that
are, as yet, unavailable in the United States but will spark the interest of their readers.
Please submit a product photo, with no more than 150 words, if you have something appropriate for this category of equipment. Please only submit one product or product line per manufacturer. Products will run at the discretion of the editor, space permitting.
Email submissions to: msandberg-dierson@primediabusiness.com
Deadline: July 5
High End Systems, Inc. announced today that they have signed a 3-year bank agreement with Guaranty Business Credit Corporation. The initial credit line is for $9 million with less than $4 million utilized at closing. This new bank relationship provides High End Systems with the necessary financing to fund its aggressive product release program over the next few years.
High End Systems is a 33-year Austin-TX-based company providing engineering and manufacturing of technology-oriented entertainment lighting products.
www.highend.com
As of the 1st July 2005, Showtech’s training Arm will have a new trading name and be called the Showtech Academy of Entertainment Technical Skills.
Showtech hope to further enhance their training arm with Tiny extending his training capabilities as a Workcover assessor to other areas under the Workcover certificate of competencies and Robyn soon to complete their Certificate IV in training and assessment.
To all those who have been patiently waiting to continue their courses we thank you and are happy to announce further dates for the end of 2005.
Due to business commitments these will be the final Showtech courses for 2005 and there will be no further courses held until after the Melbourne Commonwealth Games concludes in 2006
Showtech’s courses for 2004 and have been a great success with over 250 people attending our courses with most applicants successfully passing, dogging & basic rigging, ewp & fork lift
Most people have been from the entertainment & Film industry direct, however we have also had people from many other industries including the United Nations and our new course Certificate in Entertainment Technical Skills at NIDA, which we hope to develop further into other schools, institutions and workplaces.
The following is a list of the course dates proposed for the end of 2005,
Please contact Laura in our office for information or go to our Registration and application form online and fill in the details and send back to us.
As you will understand Tiny is in high demand due to the business commitments therefore limited bookings and times available and are subject to change depending on Tiny’s commitments.
For further information and course dates please go to our new website at www.showtechaustralia.com.au
Eclipse Lighting purchase Martin and Geni Fixtures
Eclipse Lighting is a Canberra-based lighting and audio production company that specialises in musical theatre as well as catering to dance parties, live bands and occasional corporate work.
Over the past few months Eclipse has expanded its lighting inventory with the addition of eight Martin MAC250 Entours followed by eight Geni Oby 3 moving lights a few months later.
Managing director Chris Neal is overjoyed with his MAC250 Entours particularly their exceptional quietness.
“They’re ideal for the theatre work that we do because they are so quiet,” he said. ““The punch on the MAC250 Entours is really good and the speed is excellent. The gobos are good too and the extra fixed gobo wheel is a bonus. I also like the tilt locking mechanism.”
Chris is also thrilled with his latest acquisition; eight Geni Oby 3 moving yoke profiles.
“We already had a few Geni Shivas and we were happy with them,” said Chris. “We chose the Oby 3 fixtures because they were such great value for money; a lot of light for not much cash. We tend to use the Oby 3’s for dance parties and live bands. They’re very bright and have been very reliable. For fast, flashy lighting they’re perfect!”
www.showtech.com.au
Ice*lighting™ wins ABTT Lighting Product of the Year 2005Ice*lighting™, the "super batten" from Telectra, was awarded the ABTT (Associaton of British Theatre Technicians), lighting product of the year 2005 at the ABTT Annual Awards Dinner held at the Duke of York's Headquarters, London on Wednesday 15th June.
Transferring innovative technology advances developed outside the entertainment industry, ice*lighting™ provides scintillating "look at" visual entertainment effects through LED (light emitting diode) and Bead*light® Technologies as well as converging light and video technologies to provide wide area video effects across split batten arrays without the use of a media server.
"The real point point about product development" states Alan Oliver, Telectra's Sales and Marketing Director, "is that technology innovation must exceed customer needs and expectations and in the world of entertainment, lighting and display effects need to be provided that are new and pleasing to the eye. Ice*lighting™ meets these objectives and then some."
"The ABTT Award is a tribute to the time and resources Telectra's team has invested in the project over the last two years and we thank those lighting professionals who have assisted us in providing feedback to create a truly new type of effect for T.V., stage and events".
www.icelighting.com
ETC is conducting the first ever “Connected Load Survey” to begin the process of understanding whether the lighting community is over-sizing, under-sizing, or right-sizing dimmer systems.
Fifteen years after the question “How much power is necessary?” first came up, we know very little about the loads actually connected to dimming systems for a given production.
Lower wattage lamps are now the norm, but system power feeds, dimmer sizes, and building cooling systems are often designed by tradition and intuition—not facts. The result may be the expenditure of millions of “empty dollars.”
ETC wants to know how the lighting community uses their systems and you can be a part of the discovery!
Their goal is to gather connected load information on 100,000 channels of dimming in a wide variety of venues.
To help with this survey go to www.etcconnect.com In return for your feedback, ETC will send all entrants a thank-you gift and enter them into a draw to win a SmartFade console.
ADB Lighting Technologies are pleased and proud to announce that their WARP, fully automated zoom profile spotlight has won the SHOWTECH Product Award 2005 in the category Lighting & Projection Technology.This award is presented every two years by the SHOWTECH organizers in conjunction with the German Association of Theatre Professionals (DTHG). It is intended to reward innovation, functionality and design, among other criteria. The Jury decision for WARP was unanimous.
Besides the silent operation and the very accurate repositioning, the highly elaborated remote control capabilities have been particularly praised.
After successful demonstrations and comparative tests by professional users the following venues has recently installed motorized WARP units, such as:
Glyndebourne Opera House, U.K.
Munich Staats Oper, Germany
Paul Klee Cultural Centre, Bern, Switzerland
Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre, China
WARP is also available without motorization, but with the same optics, and with ADB’s patented finger tip ring control of all functions, the Magic of the Rings…
www.adblighting.com
Australian Distributor: LSC Lighting www.lsclighting.com.au
Lots of Watts are pleased to announce the opening of an office and showroom on the Central Coast. The new company, Lots of Watts Central Coast Pty Ltd, duplicates all the facilities currently available from the existing factory complex at Rydalmere.
“It has been a long time in the planning but now it is a reality,” said Managing Director Garry Morley. Garry, himself a Central Coast resident, explained why the planning stage was so long. “We knew we had to offer the same service that clients expect from the Sydney office. We couldn’t start with just sales and grow. Everything had to have available from day one sales, hire, service and installation.” So if you need any professional audio, lighting or video give Garry a call 02 4325 0055. He will make sure you get the best possible equipment within your budget.
Lots of Watts Central Coast will be running regular training and information sessions over the coming months. The first one will be on July 27th and will be Basic Audio. These courses are free. Full details on the web site or you can call Garry and book your seat.
www.lotsofwatts.com.au
Yes, it's that time again when Lots of Watts holds their huge 36-hour June Sale.
From 9am Tuesday June 7th, right through to 9pm Wednesday June 8th, come and grab a bargain on ex-demo stock, ex-hire equipment, and traded equipment.
And while they're in the spirit of things, they'll even have some new stock on sale!
2 Bridge Street,
Rydalmere, NSW, 2116
phone: (02) 9638 0302
fax: (02) 9638 0331
email: sales@lotsofwatts.com.au
www.lotsofwatts.com.au
Brisbane Sound Group ('BSG'), looking to expand their production work and offer a more complete service to established clients, have added Robe ColorSpot 250 AT and Wash 250 XT to their rental inventory. Well established in the Brisbane market, BSG's clients cover the spectrum of corporate, schools and churches.
"Robe was clearly the way to go," says MD Nigel Line. "With the jobs we have done already we have certainly been happy with their performance and more importantly our clients have been thrilled with their results."
ColorSpot 250 AT, part of the Robe Advanced Technology series, features high precision movement, virtually silent operation and an array of easy to use features.
In the Robe tradition ColorSpot 250 AT continues to have comparably very high output and excellent reliability. Nigel continues excitedly "we're looking to light up Brisbane with our Robes."
www.ula.com.au
grandMA goes to Staging Connections, New Zealand
The technical staff at Staging Connections Auckland, New Zealand, are delighted by their latest lighting console; a MA Lighting grandMA. The grandMA is located in the Sky City Convention Centre where it controls the one hundred Martin MX-10 colour changing lights that are installed into the ceiling. However, whenever the staff works on a large event off-site the grandMA goes too
“We had been using a Hog 1000 and we looked at the WholeHog III but I had received fantastic reports from the guys at our Perth office about their grandMA so I decided to have a look at it,” said Tuki Huck, Technical Director and Training Coordinator. “After seeing the console in demonstration I knew it was a great desk.”
Although Tuki’s staff all has experience with a variety of lighting consoles, none of them had trouble learning the grandMA console. Tuki spent a couple of days with Show Technology’s Andrew Winslade for some intensive training which has proven to be invaluable for him.
“It made the change process very simple,” said Tuki. “The grandMA’s flexibility makes it an awesome console. You can use a touch-screen or a keyboard and mouse or you can use just the keypad. The console is very adaptable and it’s very easy to find your way around the desk.”
Tuki said that he particularly likes the motorised faders; changing page and all the faders come up to the intensity set the previous page. He also described the touch-screens as very good and the trackball as nice for focusing moving lights.
www.showtech.com.au
Lightmoves officially joins the Selecon Ardiis Dealer Network
Lightmoves is pleased to announce that Ardiis has "officially" been added to their product range. Ardiis is the architectural, commercial and display division of Selecon. This range includes luminaires suitable for beam shaping, highlighting, colour washing and gobo projection. Over the coming weeks Lightmoves will be increasing their stock of the full Ardiis range and accessories. They will be upgrading their showroom and demonstration stock, as well as updating their comprehensive product binders found on the shelves of most design consultancies.
Architectural effects specialist, Joe Casamento, has been appointed as the Product Manager for Ardiis. Joe claims “Even though we have dealt with Selecon for many years, I am happy to be officially welcomed into their network. Dealing directly with the factory will enable us to continue to provide our customers with the level of service they have come to expect from us over the last 15 years”.
For details, brochures or demonstrations please contact him on 9701 2500 or email him jcasamento@lightmoves.com.au.
www.lightmoves.com.au
Revised Update on Showtech courses for 2005
To all those who have been patiently waiting to continue there courses we thank you and are happy to announce further dates for 2005.
As you know Tiny has had a busy 2004 spending several weeks in Athens working on the opening and closing ceremonies team, 6 weeks in the Philippines working on a production and training the local crew on the mechanics of flying 12 performers for their performance of A Midsummer Nights dream, which was done in traditional Shakespeare and tagalong their local language. This along with many and various other local events and productions, film and television gigs and moving to our new premises at Braeside has kept Tiny and the crew at Showtech very busy.
Showtech’s courses for 2004 have been a great success with over 200 people attending our courses.
Our courses from the start of 2005 have also been a huge success with most applicants successfully passing, dogging & basic rigging, ewp & fork lift
Most people have been from the entertainment & Film industry direct, however we have also had people from many other industries including the United Nations and our new course Certificate in Entertainment Technical Skills at NIDA, which we hope to develop further into other schools, institutions and workplaces.
The following is a list of the course dates proposed for mid 2005,
Please contact Laura in our office for information or go to our Registration and application form online and fill in the details and send back to us.
As you will understand Tiny is in high demand and due to the business commitments therefore limited bookings and times are available and are subject to change depending on Tiny’s commitments.
For further information please go to our new website at www.showtechaustralia.com.au
Don’t forget Showtech are now facilitating the Juliusmedia certificate III course, you will need to enroll quickly.
For further information please go to www.juliusmedia.com
Show Technology to distribute Look Solutions
Show Technology is proud to announce the launch of a new brand and product line in Australia effective immediately. Look Solutions of Germany has appointed Show Technology as its Australian and New Zealand representative after recent negotiations at the Pro Light and Sound Exhibition in Frankfurt.
It isn’t often Show Technology announces new product distribution agreements. The company has an impressive stable of well established brands that it has represented for more than a decade. However as markets evolve the need for new products emerges. For example, high quality haze and fog effects in today’s professional lighting market are vitally important. At the very top level of the performance spectrum quality, reliability and dependability are what keeps the “show on the road”. Look Solutions manufactures excellent haze and fog machines aimed at the top end of the professional market and hence delivers on this requirement. Look Solutions isn’t a new company however. It has distributors in over 30 countries world wide and their machines are used on many top class theatre shows, concerts and industrial events.
A well kept secret is that Look Solutions products have already had extensive use in the Australian market for almost two years. Look Solutions’ Unique Hazers have been used in theatre shows such as We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia, Saturday Night Fever and Lion King with excellent results. Some of Australia’s top lighting rental companies like Chameleon Touring Systems, Lots of Watts, Resolution X and Phaseshift Productions use Look Solutions products and all agree the products are well built, reliable and dependable. Tony Davies, Managing Director of Chameleon, was actually the man to introduce Look Solutions to the local market. Tony says “We had heard from our colleagues overseas about Look Solutions products and after careful research began using them first on our own shows and later on high profile shows. By all accounts our clients have never been happier. I am sure Show Technology will do a great job”
Andrew Winslade, Show Technology’s professional product manager, will be responsible for the range of Look Solutions products. He says “it is exciting to have such a professional product range to offer my clients. The demand for quality hazers such as the Unique in particular is amazing and I am now happy I can fulfill the many requests I have had."
www.showtech.com.au