standards news

The ESTA Foundation and USITT Announce Lighting and Console Training at NCSA

The Joint Training Initiative of The ESTA Foundation and USITT announces Lighting and Console Training Sessions to be held at North Carolina School of the Arts, a four-day schedule of courses for lighting programmers, technicians, and electricians, at both basic and advanced levels. This dual track of sessions will be held July 7th through July 10th on the campus of NCSA. The courses will be taught by ETCP Certified Electricians Richard Cadena and Eric Rimes.
   Upon completion of the courses, students will qualify for Continuing Education Credits through NCSA as well as Renewal Credits for ETCP Certified Entertainment Electricians.
   Eric Rimes, NCSA Professor, ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and ETCP Recognized Trainer, will present the four-day Basic Programming Track. Day one will start with basic planning and lighting design skills.  The sessions will build from that base and progress through advanced design and paperwork skills. Days three and four take advantage of the unique light lab facilities of NCSA, moving through basic and advanced programming techniques for Expression consoles. At the end of day four, each participant will be encouraged to show off their new skills with a lighting demonstration set to music.
   Richard Cadena, ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and ETCP Recognized Trainer, will present the four-day Intermediate/Advanced Programming Track. Day one will start with show prep concepts for both power and control distribution. Day two sessions will be the light lab for hands-on design and paperwork experience on multiple WYSIWYG machines. Days three and four will move from visualization to real world execution. Students will gain hands-on experience on both moving light consoles and off-line editors (Hog and Hog PC).
   Course descriptions, fees and the registration form are available at:

www.estafoundation.org/seminars/schedule.php

Revised DMX512-A in Public Review

A revised version of ANSI E1.11 - 2004, Entertainment Technology--USITT DMX512-A, Asynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard for Controlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories, is available for public review on the ESTA website at http://www.esta.org/tsp/documents/public_review_docs.php. through July 7, 2008. The review ends when July 8 starts.

ANSI E1.11, and this revised draft version, BSR E1.11, describes a protocol for transmitting digital data used to control entertainment lighting equipment and accessories. Entertainment lighting equipment and accessories includes, but is not limited to, dimmers, robotic luminaires, colour changers, robotic mirrors, dousers, colour wheels, motion effects wheels, and pattern rotators. The revision is being
done to correct errors and to clarify text, and to add an Alternate START Code for UTF-8 transmission so that languages other English can be used for sending diagnostic text messages.

In addition to being asked to review the BSR E1.11 document to see if it is technically correct and clearly written, reviewers are asked to look for protected intellectual property in the draft standard. ESTA does not warrant that its standards contain no protected intellectual property, but it also does not intend to adopt any standard that requires the use of protected intellectual property, unless that property is necessary for technical reasons and can be licensed and used by anyone without prejudice or preference for a reasonable fee. Any protected intellectual property in the document should be pointed out in the comments.

For more information, please contact: Karl G. Ruling, Technical Standards Manager, ESTA, 875 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1005, New York, NY 10001 telephone 1-212-244-1505 fax 1-212-244-1502.

standards@esta.org

Digital Lighting University Comes to London

Worldwide lighting and control manufacturer High End Systems Inc. and UK-based Projected Image Digital have announced the next installment of Digital Lighting University, to be held May 15-16 at the renowned Cochrane Theatre, part of the Central St. Martins College of Art and Design in London. Digital Lighting University is a program designed to help professionals learn to apply, use and design with digital lighting in their projects.

Lighting designers, operators, video technicians, directors and other professionals in the lighting, video or special events industries are invited to attend. The two-day program is designed to present key information in the most efficient manner. An international team of experts will present case studies, instructions and most importantly, hands-on exercises to help students on their way to new techniques in digital lighting.

Program hours are 09.00-17.00, with optional training from 17.00-20.00.

Topics covered include:
Technical overview & fundamentals
Design steps
Set up and configuration
Projection techniques and choice of hardware
Hardware and software configuration
Choice of content
Synchronising time code

Participation is free, but there is a £50 charge for no-shows. Class size is strictly limited to facilitate an intimate learning atmosphere. To reserve a space, email Andrea Daniels at PID: andrea@pi-digital.co.uk.

Events Industry Discusses Safety of Large TV Screen Structures

The Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) and the Advisory Group on Temporary Structures (AGOTS) recently held an Events Industry Workshop to discuss concerns relating to the increasing use of large television screen structures at public events.
   The aim of the workshop was to identify ways of ensuring adequate attention was paid to the competency of those involved, the design process and the use and management on site of these potentially complex structures. The workshop was attended by screen suppliers, promoters, event organisers, designers and the Health and Safety Executive. SCOSS has produced a report on the procurement, design and use of these structures which highlights a number of serious concerns.
   John Carpenter, secretary of SCOSS, said: "Everyone recognises the need for these structures to be procured and used in a manner which reflects their safety critical nature. The SCOSS report has identified some weaknesses in the process and it is essential that the events industry, and those who engage them, work to remove these deficiencies."
   Carpenter continued: "Enforcement by Local Authorities and the use of the Institution of Structural  Engineers' guidance document Temporary Demountable Structures (3rd Edition) is essential to the safety of these structures. This workshop was a succcessful first step in developing a strategy for moving this issue forward. Key actions included screen suppliers asking for improved data, and all Local Authority CEOs being reminded of their obligations."
    SCOSS is sponsored by the Institution of Structural Engineers, Institution of Civil Engineers and the Health and Safety Executive and is charged with the identification of trends or practices that may give rise to concern in respect of structural safety. For the SCOSS report, visit www.scoss.org.uk/publications.asp (see under Topic Papers).

SAE Partnership with Audiocourses for On-Line Distance Learning

SAE Institute has teamed up with Audiocourses.com to launch a new distance learning education division. Soon anyone, anywhere in the world will be able to access the power of an SAE education.

While SAE's rapid expansion in the real world continues apace, with the unveiling of the new ‘super college' in London and massive new HQ in Oxford, the company's on-line presence has just received a massive boost with the announcement of a ‘unique partnership' with Audiocourses.com. Audiocourses has become a number one location for distance learning with several courses available in areas such as music technology, recording techniques, digital audio and audio for video. In many regards it's a natural evolution as SAE already provide groundbreaking ‘offline' courses in these areas, among others.

Audiocourses' Chris Hambly says: "The merging of SAE Institute, with its world leading face-to-face brand identity, and AC, with its pioneering methods and credibility for early adoption of online delivery, is a mouth-watering prospect. Bringing together these dominant brands really does provide a win- win situation for students globally, whereby regardless of location the student is able to immerse herself in the world's best solution for media related education both offline and online. It's perfect!

"As well as the unique partnership, AC is bringing some serious educational tools and channels to the SAE table that have been operational with AC for many years and proven to engage the students remotely. In addition we will now be able to offer the student not only highly immersive learning programs online but also be able to offer them real-life hands-on equipment in any SAE Institute school worldwide, which are the best learning studios in the world."

SAE's Tom Misner adds: "This merger strengthens SAE's already strong on-line presence and simply means that anyone with on-line access will soon be able to take advantage of SAE's superb education packages. It will take on-line distance learning for multimedia and audio production to another level entirely and is yet another example of SAE's incredible forward-thinking philosophy. 2008 has been quite a year for SAE already, and there's plenty more to come!"

Gaining a Passport to Work - with White Light

White Light's popular Training Initiative training and education scheme, now in its ninth year, has a wide range of training courses on offer through the spring and summer, including courses on a wide variety of popular lighting control systems, in using and operating automated lighting and - new for the year - ‘Passport' health and safety training, part of the Safety Passport scheme organised by the Safety Pass Alliance in association with the Production Services Association (PSA).

The Passport training is a one day course run for White Light by Chris Luscombe, a well-known production electrician now also working as a health-and-safety trainer and so able to teach the course with a considerable amount of ‘real-world' experience. The course is divided into six modules covering: organising for safety, workplace safety, plant and machinery, noise and health, procedures (including risk assessments) and the environment. The day concludes with a test; passing the test means that you receive a Safety Pass Alliance Passport, a qualification recognised by entertainment industry employers who will, increasingly, demand proof-of-knowledge of this type. The course, which is also being taken by White Light's own staff, is available to anyone interested at a cost of £110. Courses are currently scheduled for April 17th, May 7th and June 18th, held at White Light's base in Wimbledon, south-west London. Further information about the Passport scheme can be found at the Safety Pass Alliance website, www.safetypassports.co.uk.

The Passport courses sit alongside other long-established and popular courses, those currently scheduled including lighting consoles (Whole Hog 2 on 1st May, Zero88 LeapFrog on 13th May, grandMA on May 21st and 22nd, grandMA level 2 on 4th & 5th of June, Strand Palette on 11th and 12th June, Strand 500-series on June 19th-20th and 23rd-24th); moving lights; pyrotechnics; rigging and software.

Further information about the courses, and up-to-date course schedules, can be found at the White Light website, www.whitelight.ltd.uk/training. All of White Light's training courses can now be booked on-line, through White Light‘s on-line lighting shop, www.lxstore.com; BECTU members can receive a 20% discount when booking on-line in this way.

White Light has been supplying equipment and solutions to the entertainment lighting industry since 1971. Its Training Initiative training scheme has been providing training courses, student workshops, schools masterclasses and other information aimed at keeping those working in the industry up-to-date with the latest technology since 1999. Further information about the products and services offered by the company, including lighting hire, sales, installation and service, can be found at the White Light website, http://www.whitelight.ltd.uk.

Harman Announces Further Soundcraft Vi6 Training at KOKO

Harman Pro UK, distributors in the British Isles for Soundcraft and the other manufacturing companies in the Harman Pro Group, has announced another training day for up to 20 live sound engineers who wish to improve their knowledge of the Soundcraft Vi6 digital live sound console. Harman have organised regular training sessions on the digital console since its launch in 2006, and the latest is to be held on May 2nd, 2008, at the Camden live music venue KOKO, where two Vi6 consoles have been installed since early last year.

Two training sessions will be held on the day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each catering for up to 10 engineers. At each session, following an initial technical presentation, the 10 will be divided into two groups of five, each with access to their own Vi6, so that every attendee is assured of some properly supervised hands-on time with the console.

To be eligible to attend the training day, you must be a professional sound engineer (freelance or permanently employed) and derive at least half of your income from live sound work. To find out more about what you can learn on the day and to register for a place, point your web browser at www.harmanprouk.com/training. But hurry, as the 20 places will soon fill up.

PLASA Gains Official Awarding Body Status

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has announced that PLASA - the Professional Lighting and Sound Association - is the first trade association to become an awarding body in the entertainment, conference, architectural and communications industries.

   PLASA's accreditation is part of an initiative designed to allow the national qualifications system to recognise the specific needs of SMEs and larger organisations across the industry. It means that PLASA now shares the same status as other awarding bodies such as City & Guilds and Edexcel, and all future qualifications developed by the organisation can be submitted for National Accreditation in the same way as A-Levels or NVQs.

   Part of the second wave of employers to achieve Awarding Body status, PLASA has been working with the QCA to conform to the rigorous standards required to become a QCA accredited awarding body. The organisation's work on the development of the new National Rigging Certificate was central to it achieving awarding body status: Level 2 and Level 3 of the new qualification have already been developed, whilst the development of a Level 1 Trainee Rigger programme for 'new entrants' into the industry will start in the summer of 2008. This will cover the core skills required for rigging in any sector and provide a pathway for someone trying to reach the Level 2 certificate. This will involve training and on the job work experience before assessment at Level 2.

   As previously, PLASA will continue to work closely with employers in the Live Event sector and the QCA to develop the units that make up the various levels of the qualification, ensuring that it is 'fit for purpose' and delivering candidates who have the skills needed to succeed in the industry.

The current reform of the vocational qualifications system includes QCA's development of a new Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). The QCF creates a more flexible system that enables learners to build qualifications up from units which allow them to control their own pace of learning by gaining qualifications over time. The framework is currently being trialled in many different businesses and sectors and various options are now available for employers to provide nationally recognised training for their staff. Employers may choose to become awarding bodies in their own right, as the MoD, McDonald's, Flybe and Network Rail have done. Employers may also work with further education providers or representative organisations, such as PLASA.

   More than 30 other employers have also already had their training nationally accredited by working in partnership with existing awarding bodies. This wide range of new opportunities for employers to have bespoke training accredited greatly expands the ways in which skills gaps can be addressed and learners can gain credit and recognition for their hard work and achievements.

   Backed by £1 million of funding from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, QCA is working with the CBI and the National Employer Service to invite more employers to become involved in an expanded accreditation programme.

   John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said: "To drive up the nation's skills, this Government is determined to recognise and promote excellence in training, wherever it is delivered. Not only will employers and learners benefit from the new and flexible qualifications system, but increasing the skills base in the country will benefit us on the bigger stage. That's why I am pleased to announce an additional £1 million to support employers who want to become part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework."

   Ken Boston, QCA's chief executive said: "Today we're announcing the second group of employers to be given official awarding body status, including PLASA. Employers, whether in the private or public sectors, are demanding a more flexible and focused system of qualifications. By becoming awarding bodies themselves, these employers are in a position to offer their staff high quality training that is specifically work-based, but provides the long-needed accreditation of employee learning that can be valued throughout their working lives. We invite all employers and providers interested in participating in this programme to contact us."

   Nicky Greet, professional development manager at PLASA comments: "The real benefit of us becoming an awarding body is that we can offer industry-led qualifications developed for those who work in a specific sector by the employers and specialists in that sector. This level of input into the qualification and the fact that it sits in the QCF will guarantee that those who achieve their assessment will attain a credible qualification that demonstrates what they actually do, whilst also ensuring that it is delivered in such a way to fit in with the flexible nature of work in the industry sectors PLASA represents."

   Praising the efforts of those who had worked to achieve this status, PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths added: "I am very pleased by PLASA's achievement of Awarding Body status, and that we are continuing to take the lead in developing qualifications that are absolutely relevant to our sector. The fact that our industry can influence the make-up of its own nationally recognised vocational qualifications is an important step forward for all of us."

New Academy to Develop Creative Excellence in Film & Television

The new Academy of Film and Television Training launches this month and is running a unique series of comprehensive training courses, across a range of film and TV disciplines.

   Based at Shepperton Studios, the heartland of the British film industry and London, Soho, the new Academy will focus on the technical and practical skills that film and programme makers need to get ahead.

   CEO, Lee ‘Wozy’ Warren brings to the new venture his own considerable experience in the industry and his ability to pull in the best trainers in the business: “This is an exciting venture, not just for us at the Academy, but for our students too. Clients range from newcomers looking for their first big break to seasoned veterans wanting to acquire new skills and maybe branch out into new fields. These courses are about working at the industry’s ‘coalface’!”

   To host the courses, the Academy is bringing in award-winning professionals including some BAFTA winners, with proven track records to pass on their knowledge and skills, and to put their students in the best possible position to land jobs in the industry, with the emphasis on ground-breaking technology.

   Subjects and courses scheduled for April and May include: 3D Stereoscopic filming and post-production; Sound recording; Mixing and ADR (advanced digital recording); Starting a career as a commercials director; Producing/directing your own independent feature film; How to develop, finance, market and sell an independent film; How to self distribute an indie feature based on the successes of BAFTA winning director, Stuart Urban.

   The Academy also offers students a loyalty programme that builds discounts for returning students, and freephone booking and support as well as providing 30-day support on all courses.

Showsec Academy Launched

Leading UK crowd management and event security company, Showsec, has officially launched its managerial Academy, an important building block in its goal to offer a progressive, operational career path within the Industry.

   The Showsec Academy formalises training and provides an accredited qualification for staff at managerial level, something that has never before been addressed by the industry. The unique, year-long programme offers staff the chance to develop the knowledge, skills and experience required to become an effective operational manager within the crowd management industry.

   This is a significant investment for the company and a testament to its continual focus on investment in people. It also complements Showsec’s company ethos, offering an extension to its already highly successful training and development courses.

   The programme is divided into three key elements: operational management, leadership, and administration and support services. It includes vocational and industry qualifications, operational experience, as well as mentoring and self development elements. The vocational aspect will ensure associates encounter every type of crowd management situation, whilst instructive knowledge will consist of modules that are accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management, NCFE, BIIAB and IOSH.

   Mark Harding, managing director of Showsec, comments: “We are really excited about the Showsec Academy. We pride ourselves in offering a high level of training and development for our staff, and by offering this type of qualification internally we are able to transfer knowledge and experience specifically tailored to our industry. By channelling this expertise through the Showsec Academy we are effectively producing the next generation of management.”

   Keith Hackett, project manager for the Showsec Academy, is extremely pleased with the first intake of six associates. He explained: “They all found the selection process far more challenging than they were expecting, but enjoyed the experience. We believe that having the right attitude is vital to the success of this initiative and all of our chosen associates have the enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to learn that we were seeking.”

   Keith is responsible for compiling this exclusive management programme, sourcing a wide range of expertise from all over the country, whilst also consulting with internal operational and administrative experts to ensure the programme satisfies Showsec’s specific requirements. The specifically tailored modules meet the needs of the company, whilst developing employees’ skills and professionalism, ultimately assuring clients that Showsec is continually improving standards and producing a more efficient level of service.

   Keith continued: “Showsec knew they needed a new and external professional dimension to manage this project and I feel very fortunate to have had the necessary experience to fill this position. Having worked with two major UK service providers and provided a consultancy service to many organisations across a number of industries, I have realised one essential ingredient is critical to the success of such an initiative – management commitment. Not just the MD or CEO signing off the project, but then together with the senior management team ‘walking the talk’, contributing their time, practical experience and knowledge to the content, delivery and evaluation of the programme.

   “That commitment here at Showsec has been total, and enables us to move on confidently to the next phase, which will involve working with The Security Company in Holland to create an International Academy – a very exciting prospect for crowd management across Europe, with Showsec at the forefront.”

   In picture: back row – Showsec Academy Associates Paul Rees, Emmalene Charlton, Yerodin Stewart, Simon Gun, Rachel Evans and Robert Preston; front row - Simon Battersby (Showsec operations director), Keith Hackett (project manager, Showsec Academy) and Debbie Atherton (Showsec head of HR).

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