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Total Production Awards 05
The fourth annual Total Production International Awards event — TPi Awards 05 — was the biggest and best to date, attracting a sell-out audience of 800 industry people at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith on Monday 31 January.
January's event was hosted by the highly respected broadcaster, author and 'Professor of Pop', Paul Gambaccini, who delighted the audience with his unique delivery. As well as a number of cameo presentations by a wide range of industry personalities, including DiGiCo's maverick Bob Doyle, PR guru Jerry Gilbert, Martin Professional's David Caulfield, and Adrian Forbes-Black and Andy Lenthall of the PSA, the event was crowned by special guest appearances by Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour, ex-Undertone Feargal Sharkey (now chairman of the government's Live Music Forum) and former BRIT Awards producer Lisa Anderson.
Of the winners, catering firm Eat To The Beat celebrated its third consecutive award (in its 21st anniversary year), and XL Video and the Star Events Group both won their third award to date, while monitor engineer John Roden, tour manager Henry McGroggan, rigger Phil Broad and production assistant Helen 'Hels Bells' Smith each bagged their second award. Although some of the winners could not be present, owing to touring commitments, there were several surprises in store when some of the industry's Goliaths were toppled by lesser-known, but highly respected, victors.
Working with Awards creative director Mark Cunningham, Mondiale Events co-ordinator Sally Clark, sales manager Hannah Eakins and Mondiale general manager Justin Gawne, production manager Rob Day and his team at Creative Technology assembled a stylish and impressive presentation for the night, harnessing the combined talents and technologies of suppliers Villa Audio, Out Board, KV2, Edwin Shirley Trucking, Stage Electrics, Blackout, Pulsar, Scene Change, Rock Constructions, Kroos and Hangman.
During the day, a string of visitors descended on the Novotel to take part in the PSA's Annual General Meeting and Open Forum, as well as taking the opportunity to check out the latest technology being presented by Digidesign, Marquee Audio, Martin Professional, Zero 88 and Martin Audio at the Daytime TP sessions.
Supported by the Showcase music industry directory, the PSA’s AGM was the first to be held since the management of the Association was handed over to TPi’s parent company Mondiale Publishing in April 2004, and it was hailed a major success.
In addition to the well-attended and informative AGM, there were seminars dealing with the new electrical colour code changes, sponsored by A.C. Lighting, and the new Control of Noise at Work regulations, in association with hearing protection specialist Sensorcom. The UK Crowd Management Association also presented its plans for a study into Showstop procedures — a session that turned into a lively and informative debate on the subject.
The highlight of the day was the PSA Open Forum with a panel that included Feargal Sharkey, representing the government's Live Music Forum. The licensing act and fee levels for large event licenses were the hot topics on the day.
PSA general manager Andy Lenthall commented: “Those who attended left the session with a much clearer picture and confidence in the ability of the Forum to effectively represent and look after the interests of our industry. We’re extremely grateful to Feargal for taking time to sit with us and discuss rather than simply taking the stand and talking about the Forum.”
PSA Chairman Adrian Forbes-Black summed up the day: “2004 was an important year for the PSA. This year's conference has shown that we have come a long way since our management changed last April. We have had instant, positive feedback from members, which shows that the PSA is an association that people are proud to be part of. We thank those who attended and especially thank the sponsors for making the event possible.”
An announcement regarding plans for the 2006 edition of the TPi Awards will be made by Mondiale Events this summer.
A fully illustrated report on the production of the TPi Awards 2005 event will appear in the March issue of Total Production International. Meanwhile, there follows a list of all this year's award winners and sponsors.
The Winners:
Production Manager of the Year
sponsored by Rock-It Cargo
Winner: Andy Cotton
Tour Manager of the Year
sponsored by EFM & Chapman Freeborn
Winner: Henry McGroggan
Tour/Production Assistant of the Year
sponsored by Creative Technology
Winner: Helen ‘Hels Bells’ Smith
Front of House Engineer of the Year
sponsored by Midas
Winner: Max Bisgrove
Monitor Engineer of the Year
sponsored by Shure
Winner: John Roden
Lighting Designer of the Year
sponsored by Martin Professional
Winner: Dan Hardiman
Set Designer of the Year
sponsored by Star Events Group
Winner: Mark Fisher
Video Director of the Year
sponsored by The Picture Works
Winner: Nick Wickham
Rigger of the Year
sponsored by Columbus McKinnon, PCM & Tomcat
Winner: Phil Broad
Favourite Sound Rental Company
sponsored by Klark Teknik Group
Winner: Britannia Row Productions
Favourite Lighting Rental Company
sponsored by Robe
Winner: Fineline
Favourite Set Construction Company
sponsored by Pulsar
Winner: LiteStructures
Favourite Staging Company
sponsored by Eurolites
Winner: Star Events Group
Favourite Video Services Company
sponsored by Barco
Winner: XL Video
Favourite Trucking Company
Winner: Edwin Shirley Trucking
Favourite Tour Bus Company
Winner: Phoenix Bussing
Favourite Freight Company
Winner: Sound Moves
Favourite Travel Agency
sponsored by Novotel
Winner: Music By Appointment
Favourite Security/Crowd Management Company
sponsored by the PSA
Winner: Showsec
Favourite Catering Company
sponsored by XL Video UK
Winner: Eat To The Beat
Favourite Venue
sponsored by Eat To The Beat
Winner: Royal Albert Hall
Live Production of the Year
sponsored by Northern Studios
Winner: Metallica — Madly In Anger With The World Tour
The Unsung Hero Award
(dedicated to the memory of John Peel)
Winner: Chris Hannam
The Editor’s Award
Winner: Phil Taylor
Lifetime Contribution Award
Winner: Mick Kluczynski
7th February 2005
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