direct from: www.etnow.comRegularsContentsthis monthJobs and CareersWeb DirectoryFeaturesIssue: 331Brompton Technology HDR excels at AVIDpage 15September 2020Once again BroaMan and Optocore network devices were deployed to maximum effect at this year’s Grand Concert de Paris spectacular.PWL created and supplied lighting and video design for the wheel itself for the 2020 Belgian edition of ‘Het Rad’ (Wheel of Fortune). Production Showcase Uses ROE LED Screenspage: 18page: 20page: 2page: 31pages: 28 to 31With the demand for virtual production space rising, ETC and MMC Studios organised an event to update clients on the latest available technology.LIGHTING | SOUND | VIDEORIGGING | STAGING | DRAPESw: hawthorn.bizt: 01664 821 111e: hire@hawthorn.bizPANASONIC PT-RZ970 Reproducing Full-Spectrum Colour with 1-Chip DLP™ SOLID SHINE Laser Superior White Balance and Colour Reproduction Dual-Laser Optical Engine Assures Failsafe ReliabilityAVAILABLE TO HIRE Here to helpOpen Monday to Friday Elation’s top-of-the-line Artiste Mondrian now availableNow in stock and shipping is Elation’s Artiste Mondrian LED profile FX luminaire, a high-impact lighting solution for any application requiring powerful beam looks, stunning air effects and superior colour. A true powerhouse at over 51,000 lumens, the Artiste Mondrian offers all the advanced features designers would want in a top-of-the-line professional luminaire while surpassing outdated and inefficient lamp technology.More on page 5PWL Gets Lucky with Wheel of Fortune page: 26MUX22 helps GB4D build streams for Grand Concert contents this monthSeptember 2020page no.Featurespage : 6page : 9page : 13page : 12News This MonthPages 4-16TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENTRevised in April 2019 Available now from www.etbooks.co.uk23 ASG Entertainments Raises Spirits at Gin Festival with Chauvet Professional The Manic Gin & Fizz Festival took place at the iconic Whittington Castle. Accentuating the timeless beauty of the setting, was a delicately balanced, but colourful, lighting design from ASG Entertainments that featured Chauvet Professional WELL Fit fixtures.24 Universal Pixels supplies Leyard screen for The Prince of Egypt Video rental specialist, Universal Pixels (UP), has supplied a 162sqm Leyard CLM10 screen for The Prince of Egypt at London’s Dominion Theatre. 25 Fineline Lighting Creates Light It In Red Message on Pyramid Stage with Chauvet Professional Like a ghost ship at bay, the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury stood eerily silent when Rob Sangwell and his team from Fineline Lighting visited in early July. The stage served as a metaphor for the state of the live entertainment industry, believed the Fineline team. This led them to select it as the site of their Light It In Red display, featuring Maverick fixtures from Chauvet Professional and a ChamSys MQ100 console.26 Successful Virtual Production Showcase Uses ROE Visual LED Screens With the demand for virtual production space steeply rising, ETC and MMC Studios organised an informative event to update their clients on the latest available technology and hardware, involved in creating successful virtual film productions or events.15 Brompton Technology HDR excels at AVID – AV Innovation Days powered by LANG AG The end of June saw Brompton Technology take part in one of Europe’s first face-to-face industry events since lockdown, the AV Innovation Days (AVID), organised and hosted by LANG AG at its LANG Academy in Lindlar, Germany.16 Anolis Illuminating the Basestreams Over 160 Anolis LED luminaires have been used to illuminate public and connecting areas of the Les Bassins de Lumières, an imposing former World War II U-Boat bunker in Bordeaux.18 MUX22 helps GB4D build versatile streams for Grand Concert de Paris Once again BroaMan and Optocore network devices were deployed to maximum effect at this year’s Grand Concert de Paris spectacular.19 Guernsey’s St James e re-opens its doors with a JBL VTX A8 sound system St James concert venue in Saint Peter Port completed its first phase installation of a brand new JBL VTX A8 PA system, a key component in an ongoing series of upgrades to the historic venue.20 PWL Gets Lucky with Wheel of Fortune Entertainment design specialist Painting with Light (PWL) created and supplied a spectacular lighting and video design, plus lighting control including programming and operating, together with bespoke integration of lighting / control for the wheel itself for the 2020 Belgian edition of ‘Het Rad’ (Wheel of Fortune). 22 Grade A-listed St. Mark’s Belfast installs O-Line Situated in the Dundela district of Belfast, St Mark’s Church recently underwent a complete overhaul of its sound system, with Martin Audio partners, Rea Sound (under the project management of Roger McMullan), installing the manufacturer’s sleek and discreet O-Line software-optimised micro line array, which is purpose designed for houses of worship.from the editordirect from: www.etnow.comEntertainment Technology is published 12 times a year in conjunction with the leading industry portal www.etnow.comEditor: John OffordTechnical Editor: Jackie StainesPublished by: Entertainment Technology Press LtdThe Studio, High Green Great ShelfordCambridge CB22 5EGTelephone: +44 (0)1223 550805Fax: +44 (0)1223 550806Website: www.etnow.comemail: editor@etnow.com© Entertainment Technology Press Ltd.Subscription Rates:Annual Subscription for 12 issues (UK): £27.50Annual Subscription (overseas): £50.00Subject to acceptance, subscription is free to UK based industry professionals.Subscribe online at: www.etnow.com/etmag/Opinions expressed in Entertainment Technology are not necessarily those of the publishers. All rights are reserved and reproduction of any part in whatever form is prohibited without the prior permission of the publishers.etnow.com (entertainment technology news on web) is the industry portal site with news from around the world added daily under various sector headings coupled to an extensive archive. The site also features a books section where titles from Entertainment Technology Press can be ordered online via our secure Sage Pay credit card services.Issue: 331Live events industry moves #WeMakeEvents campaign into ‘Red Alert’ to save UK eventsMany of the leading live events trade bodies and businesses across the UK have joined together to bring attention to the dire straits the live events industry and its entire supply chain is facing; the sector includes manufacturers, audio, lighting and video specialists, logistics, transportation, rigging and many more.The industry is now issuing a ‘Red Alert’ with many organisations, businesses and live events staff coming together on the 11th of August to shed light on an industry set to collapse, unless the government provides the right support.Redundancies have started with research conducted last week indicating 10% of companies planning to issue notices by the end of July, with an additional 15% in August, and 70% plan to make redundancies by end of 2020 with a fifth expecting to lose 70% of staff.The UK is regarded as a global leader in delivering large, complex events and without financial support from the government, the UK’s art and culture sector is at risk of closing for good and potentially losing over £100 billion contribution to the UK GDP to European and US production companies, some of whom are receiving government support. Over a million estimated members of staff, freelancers and businesses will experience unachievable loan repayments, loss of furlough payments, and bailout funding will go directly to venues instead of the staff.Peter Heath, MD of leading trade body PLASA, comments: “The live events industry supply chain that contributes to every single event in the UK is set to completely collapse, social distancing prohibits mass events, and even if this stopped now, long-term planning for events won’t enable a return until around March 2021. Now the whole industry is coming together to initiate a Red Alert. We have been campaigning for financial support from the government using #WeMakeEvents because the sector is on its last legs.”James Gordon, CEO of Audiotonix, the UK’s largest Pro Audio manufacturer and a key supplier to the events industry, adds: “As the first industry to stop working back in early March, we will also be the last to get our businesses working again, with ongoing social distancing making it impossible to open up live event venues to allow capacities that are commercially viable for all. Without an ongoing sector specific furlough scheme which other European countries have introduced, and other financial measures that will help our freelance workers who make up 72% of this sectors workforce, we cannot secure the long term future of the UK’s leading, internationally respected and commercially contributing events industry.”September 2020news4SiPA reports ‘clear drive’ for sustainability after webinar successA webinar designed to unite the live production industry in developing new working practices for a more sustainable approach has shown a “clear willingness” for change, according to The Sustainability in Production Alliance (SiPA).The panel discussion, broadcast live on social media channels as well as via a Zoom video meeting, brought together many of the leading companies and individuals who are committed to a more sustainable future for live event production.The webinar was a collaboration between SiPA, the Association of British Technicians (ABTT) and The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). Top of the agenda was how the industry can use the current hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to create a more sustainable approach to its work.SiPA’s Carol Scott, principal advocate for Sustainability at TAIT and SiPA, was joined by a host of respected live production industry and environment leaders, including Jon Bausor – multi-award-winning international stage designer and creative director, Spike Brant – production designer, CEO of Nimblist and advocator of sustainability, Ian Garrett – USITT member and designer with Toasterlab, Huntly Christie – CEO of Christie Lites based in the USA, Canada and the UK and Dr Chris Jones, research fellow at University of Manchester who is currently examining the key impact areas of the music industry on the environment.“The webinar was a great success; the audience engagement was fantastic, with the live stream figures going into the thousands,” says Carol Scott. “There is a clear willingness in our industry to embrace change and to come back better. SiPA is now fully engaged in developing the tools we all need to make sustainability a part of our industry’s DNA.”Many of the panel members noted the devastating impact COVID-19 has had – and continues to have – on the live production industry, but recognised the downtime as a chance to amend approaches when live events are able to return.USITT’s executive director, David Grindle, commented: “The pandemic has had a disastrous effect on our industry worldwide. It is exciting to see us take this challenging time and work together to envision a more sustainable theatre when we reopen.”Huntly Christie, a leader in the stage lighting industry for 35 years said: “We were an early adopter of renewable energy and sustainable business practices. Over time we have implemented an array of more sustainable practices at Christie Lites including the use of renewable power in our Canadian operations and the installation of a large solar array, which supplies electricity to our Orlando warehouse.”SiPA is now working on a new website, which will be a hub for much-needed information and resources, including case studies of the successful implementation of sustainability best practices and ‘how-to’ guides for each sector in the live production industry.“As an industry, we know it is imperative that we become more sustainable,” Scott continues. “The current hiatus is giving us all time to evaluate how we can holistically transform the way we work. Collectively, we can become an industry that creates a legacy that humanity can be proud of.”SiPA is inviting individuals and companies working in live production to like or follow its social media channels for updates and news – search for the handle @sipa.global on Facebook and Twitter, or join The Sustainability in Production Alliance LinkedIn group.In picture: Industry leaders united to shape a plan for real change, photo: SiPAHi-Tech Media Partners with Renkus-Heinz to Bring Premium Loudspeakers to RussiaRenkus-Heinz, manufacturer of professional loudspeakers, is partnering with Hi-Tech Media to bring premium sound offerings to Russia. The move puts Renkus-Heinz solutions in the hands of more integrators and end users, allowing for quality sound to be placed precisely where it’s needed the most: on the audience.“Renkus-Heinz has a mission to empower our customers with perfectly positioned audio across the globe,” said Michal Poplawski, European technical sales manager at Renkus-Heinz. “By partnering with Hi-Tech Media, we are further enabling that mission while also working with one of the most knowledgeable and committed teams in the region. That includes Russia, as well as Belarus and Kazakhstan where Hi-Tech Media has its satellite operations.”Hi-Tech Media, headquartered in Moscow, is a market leader in added-value AV distribution. The firm offers all stages of support and installation – from consultation to long-term service – for complete AV systems. Hi-Tech Media’s expertise also aligns with Renkus-Heinz’ key markets, and includes work in education, governmental, corporate, performing arts and sports facilities.Renkus-Heinz has provided premium loudspeakers for more than 40 years, and for more than a decade has worked to perfect digital beam steering technology. These steerable solutions allow for audio to be positioned in any room, keeping the focus off any architectural peculiarities or reverberant surfaces and instead, placing it precisely where it’s wanted: on the audience. With supporting tools from robust software suites to elegant Android and iOS applications, the integrator and end user is put in total control of their loudspeaker systems.“Renkus-Heinz is a recognised leader in high-tech solutions and their systems are renowned for working in challenging spaces, both acoustically and aesthetically,” said Pavel Shemyakin, brand manager for Audio Systems at Hi-Tech Media. “The provided systems are trusted by global corporations, governments, large hotel chains, sports arenas, world-renowned theatres, and religious institutions. With Renkus-Heinz technologies, we can now offer loudspeaker systems to those areas where it is really needed, minimising spurious reflections and dramatically improving audio performance and visual aspects.”“We’re thrilled to be working with the Hi-Tech Media team,” said Matt Czyzewski, president of Renkus-Heinz. “This is a partnership that couples world class products and solutions with a world class AV team. We look forward to the outcomes of adding high quality sound to more locations across Russia.”7news5Issue: 331Elation’s top-of-the-line Artiste Mondrian now availableNow in stock and shipping is Elation’s Artiste Mondrian LED profile FX luminaire, a high-impact lighting solution for any application requiring powerful beam looks, stunning air effects and superior colour. A true powerhouse at over 51,000 lumens, the Artiste Mondrian offers all the advanced features designers would want in a top-of-the-line professional luminaire while surpassing outdated and inefficient lamp technology.Filling out the top of Elation’s award-winning Artiste LED moving head series, the new Mondrian partners alongside and uses the same technology as the highly acclaimed Artiste Monet and Artiste Rembrandt including Elation’s exclusive seven-flag SpectraColor colour mixing system, and endless and continuous rotational framing system. The Artiste Mondrian is the brightest, full-featured LED Profile FX fixture Elation has produced to date.“The Artiste Mondrian really has it all,” states Elation product manager Matthias Hinrichs. “Tight beams from its massive front lens, smooth washes with unprecedented light output and sharp images without ever compromising on its incredible projection performance. It’s a true all-in-one workhorse that outperforms any discharge fixture in the market without the usual drawbacks of distracting fan noise and rapid degradation of light quality. Its mid-air creative FX are phenomenal due to the beautiful SpectraColors and carefully designed gobo selection. It’s a truly stunning luminaire and a great finale to the Artiste range of products. Like its namesake, Piet Mondrian, this fixture will create iconic looks for lighting designers for many years to come.”Optimised for extreme output and coverage, the Mondrian harnesses its long-throw power from an efficient 950W 6,500K White Hotspot LED engine. The custom peak-field LED engine, a first of its kind, features a two-to-one centre to edge LED ratio for more powerful, high centre intensity beam and wash throws while allowing for more unique air FX.With light bursting through a custom-designed 226mm (8 3/4”) Plano Convex lens, the largest PC lens on the market, the thick beam look is deceptively tangible and eye-catchingly stunning. Combined with a tight 3.3-degree narrow beam that zooms out to 45-degrees, the Mondrian has the power to cut through at even great distances in arena touring environments or any large-scale show setting. With so much power, it also makes for a perfect long-throw followspot.The Mondrian integrates Elation’s highly praised SpectraColor colour mixing system, which offers traditional CMY mixing but adds a variable RGB colour mix for rich, saturated primaries. In combination with a variable CTO, the Mondrian allows for colours that were previously impossible to achieve, from theatrical pastels to the most vibrant red or blues ever produced by a colour mixing system. The seven colour-mixing flags align at 16-bit precision for artistic possibilities that are truly inspiring. A six-position fixed colour wheel offers UV and high CRI options to round out the amazing colour range of the fixture.The full-blackout framing array includes Elation’s newly designed, unlimited indexing and continuous 360° rotation control, which means you no longer need to rotate the fixture to hit the spot or angle you desire. Refine the beam shape as needed and frame around objects to be highlighted. Shapes can rotate like gobos while morphing and transforming, allowing for new creative transitions, interesting projections and aerial effects not previously possible.The Artiste Mondrian offers a comprehensive FX package with 12 rotating interchangeable glass gobos on two wheels and bi-directional animation wheel for limitless texture and layering solutions for the largest and most demanding applications. Effects can be multiplied via dual prisms for more bustling looks and dual linear frost filters can be applied for an even diffusion of light when designers wish for softer gobo or soft wash effects. A high-speed iris can be engaged for further impression.The Artiste Mondrian is outfitted with all the professional control and connection features that designers would expect from a professional cutting-edge luminaire. With unprecedented power and full array of professional design features, the Mondrian sets a new standard as a benchmark automated LED luminaire.www.elationlighting.comSeptember 2020news6Elation expands high-value Fuze series with Fuze Wash FR LED FresnelDesigned as the perfect fusion of performance, features and value, Elation’s Fuze series of LED fixtures has found a niche in the market whenever outstanding price to value is high on the list. Elation is expanding the series with the Fuze Wash FR, an automated LED Fresnel fixture with framing designed for a wide array of precision lighting applications and ideal for the refined performance required in theatrical venues.The Fuze Wash FR features a new 480W (6,500K) 92 CRI engine that utilises a five-colour homogenised LED array of red, green, blue, mint and amber sources, the same colour system found in the Fuze Profile and Fuze Spot for a perfectly calibrated colour match.High colour quality and colour manipulation are central to the Fuze Wash FR. A virtual gel swatch book, virtual colour correction, magenta/green adjustment plus CMY emulation give designers access to an impressive LED colour array including a beautiful mixed white. The carefully-tuned RGBMA LEDs and extremely high native CRI ensure accurate colour reproduction while delivering a powerful output up to 14,000 lumens.The Fuze Wash FR features a specially designed Fresnel lens for a smooth and even wash and houses an 8.2° to 42.1° (beam) and 12.7° to 62.1° (field) motorised zoom for tight to wide coverage. A full blackout framing system with four rotating blades gives full control of the beam shape when required and can index +/- 60-degrees. A variable frost filter can be added at any time for an extra layer of smoothing. The fixture dims seamlessly all the way to zero with 16-bit selectable dimming curves included. An iris for advanced beam control and high-speed electronic shutter and strobe round out its feature set.The Fuze Wash FR is designed for any application where an automated Fresnel fixture with outstanding colours, a wide zoom range and framing beam control where a soft field is required. It is powerful enough to use in all sizes of rigs and because it is remarkably silent can be utilised in any noise sensitive environment. The Fuze Wash FR is fully optimised for broadcast environments as well with LED frequency adjustment for flicker free operation. It is outfitted with all the professional control and connection features that designers should expect from a modern luminaire.With the Fuze series, Elation has given the market an option when it comes to compact yet feature-packed professional automated LED luminaires. A truly remarkable compact Fresnel for any application, the Fuze Wash FR is sure to create outstanding projections and beautiful bright washes on any stage.www.elationlighting.comHydra measurement system starts shipping globallyFollowing the successful launch and positive feedback from the industry on its new Hydra measurement tool for LED panels, Brompton Technology has announced that the highly anticipated system is now shipping globally. Among the first wave of systems to arrive with customers, a number have reached Shenzhen, where Brompton has recently opened its new larger China office. These Hydras are already being used for panel calibrations by Brompton’s many panel manufacturer partners, assisted by a team of calibration support engineers.The Hydra is an advanced measurement system custom-designed for LED panels fitted with a Tessera R2 receiver card. Panels must be measured with Hydra to benefit from dynamic calibration, the ground-breaking technology that unleashes a panel’s full potential so it can achieve brighter whites, higher contrast ratios, more saturated colours, and true-to-life colour accuracy, delivering a previously unattainable level of image quality and realism through Brompton HDR.Investors in the Hydra system will benefit from the system’s minimal set-up time, comprehensive error checks and its ability to generate reports in multiple languages to give an objective assessment of panel performance. This makes it straightforward to confirm that each new batch of panels meets individual specifications and reduces the potential for user error.“Our original plan was to support every delivery with in-person training and full setup,” says Thomas Walker, product manager for Brompton. “We’ve had to adapt to the current climate but are still offering our renowned 24/7 global tech support by employing all available remote collaboration tools, such as video conference, phone support, and remote desktop control if needed.”The first production run of Hydra sold out immediately after its launch. Rental companies including Fuse, Creative Technology and Faber AV have been early adopters, taking the opportunity to upgrade the capabilities of their existing LED panel inventory.“We announced Hydra last November and it got a great reception. But our whole industry has been facing tough times since then and our focus has been on supporting our team and our customers worldwide,” says Brompton’s managing director, Richard Mead. “It now gives me enormous pleasure to announce that we’ve delivered the first Hydra measurement systems, which will allow Brompton customers to significantly upgrade their current fleet of LED panels with all the power and flexibility of dynamic calibration and Brompton HDR.”www.bromptontech.comHarlequin brings Ai Weiwei’s explosive artwork to life at the Imperial War Museum, LondonIn an historic event at the IWM London’s iconic Atrium the entire space has been taken over by an artist. Internationally renowned Ai Weiwei’s ‘History of Bombs’ is a site-specific work that explores a two dimensional rendering in exacting detail of 50 true-to-scale bombs and missiles. This special commission is part of Weiwei’s exploration into politics and power and the ways in which contemporary conflicts and disasters impact on human life. The commission coincides with the museum’s Refugee season.With bombs underfoot and aircraft overhead these terrifying weapons of mass destruction provoke uneasy thoughts about history, war and conflict. Dating from 1911 to 2019 these life-size bombs from Russia, the US, UK, Germany, Italy and Israel are mapped across the main hall in a vast and impressive floor covering.Harlequin Floors, world-renowned event floor experts for live events, concerts & touring and display for retail, commercial installations and museums, were privileged to work on this amazing project. Harlequin supplied, printed and installed over 900sqm of Harlequin Clarity vinyl event floor which was reverse-printed with Ai Weiwei’s ‘History of Bombs’ artwork. Reverse printing gives a 2mm protective wear coat which means the floor is capable of withstanding very high foot traffic, vital in busy venues such as museums. The polished concrete subfloor was protected with layers of ram board and isolator membrane with the vinyl drops being cold welded to give a seamless finish. Harlequin’s installation team worked on the impressive installation, making sure every one of the 22 drops of vinyl spanning 44 linear metres with multiple images, shading and colours all matched up perfectly.photo: Imperial War Museum, LambethTHE WORLD'S FIRSTTRANSFERABLE LED ENGINE#RobeInnovationSeptember 2020news8Elation Professional launches new online Learning CentreAlthough the Covid-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on our lives and industry, lighting professionals are taking the downtime as an opportunity to educate themselves and prepare for the eventual reopening. Elation Professional is offering just such an opportunity with launch of a new online Learning Centre available on the www.elationlighting.com website. Designed to provide lighting professionals with easy-to-access learning options, the new resource site is full of free educational and training material.View training videos from Obsidian Control Systems covering the Onyx platform, Dylos pixel composer, Capture visualisation software and more, or access Elation Educational Experience (E3) training videos, many presented by one of the industry’s top technical educationists, ETCP recognised trainer Richard Cadena. Other resources like white papers and how-to articles covering a host of topics relevant to lighting professionals are also available.The entire Elation Hour and Innovation Hour webinar series is available to view. Elation’s popular virtual presentation series addresses the technology and process behind the company’s most popular product series and includes discussions with some of our industry’s most noted designers. Check out Elation’s virtual at home demos, a video series that sees Elation’s sales team and product specialists demoing some of Elation’s newest lighting products from the comfort and safety of their own homes.Another feature of the Learning Centre includes videos of product, trade show and showroom light shows. Visitors can also view and register for upcoming E3 events, as well as schedule a demo room appointment at Elation facilities in the US, Europe or Mexico.The Elation Learning Centre will be continually updated with new material so lighting pros can return to it again and again. For access, follow the Learning Centre link at the top of the www.elationlighting.com webpage.Sound Technology supports #WeMakeEvents Red AlertSound Technology Ltd, UK distributor of Harman Professional brands including Martin Professional lighting, joined the UK live events industry under the umbrella of PLASA’s #WeMakeEvents Red Alert campaign, for a day of action on Tuesday 11th August.The Red Alert campaign calls for urgent targeted government support for the entire live event ecosystem: freelancers and production companies who are not allowed to work and, crucially, are not covered by the government’s previously announced arts bail-out fund.With the #LightItInRed campaign under the same Red Alert umbrella, over 700 venues were lit in red across the UK, creating incredibly powerful images.For Sound Technology’s part, it worked with The SSE Arena, Wembley, who were very keen to support the event, and also lit its own headquarters and demo facilities in support of everyone affected.Having been the first into lockdown and likely the last out of lockdown in many months to come, this highly specialised industry, without which live events cannot happen even when safe to do so, is in danger of total collapse. It cannot survive the extended time frame where large scale gatherings are unable to take place.Sound Technology aims to do all it can in supporting its friends and colleagues within the industry in calling for urgent targeted support for the entire live events ecosystem.Astera Announces Four New Nordic DistributorsLeading wireless LED lighting manufacturer, Astera, has announced four new exclusive distributors for Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden reflecting the dynamics, diversity, and potential of these four key Nordic nations.In Denmark, Astera will be represented by Light Partner, Finland it is Oy Lafoy, in Norway Prostage takes up the Astera portfolio and in Sweden, Bellalite takes on the distribution. The move enables customers in each country to deal directly with a trusted and well respected local distributor, all of which have been chosen for their reach into both live show and events plus film and TV markets, in addition to their stellar after-sales service and support infrastructures.“Astera sales to Scandinavia started to take off in 2011,” explained the brand’s sales director Sebastian Bückle. With the volume of business at that time, it made sense to treat the different countries as one region, however, this has consistently expanded, and to encourage further growth, this move “reflects the increase in activity and the value of local market knowledge and connections.”Sweden has been a robust market for Astera for some time; wireless technology is very widely adopted, and the two most prominent wireless DMX systems are also from Sweden. Bellalite is a leading professional lighting and stage equipment supplier, established in 1979 and currently employing 25 people across three regional branches in Gothenburg, Stockholm and their Vaxjo HQ.They see Astera as a “market leader” for high quality battery powered LED lights “that fits perfectly into our product range,” commented CEO Joakim Lundgren, adding: “We love to work with the best products and Astera has been our first choice for many years, so we’re happy and excited to become their Swedish distributor!”The Danish market has also been consistent in recent years. Herning-based Light Partner has distributed premium audio-visual equipment for entertainment, install and the broadcast sectors for almost 30 years and has a great reputation. “We’ve watched Astera’s development for a few years and have been increasingly impressed by their product quality and innovative thinking,” states Light Partner CEO Stig Meyer. Now even more familiar with the company, he is confident that the versatile product ranges, high level of professional support and Astera’s general passion for the industry is “very inspiring”. “Light Partner aims to deliver first-class service and support, and for that, we need a first-class organisation like Astera backing us up.”Prostage is based in the lively capital city of Oslo, and sales manager Carl August Tidemann says, “We’ve wanted to work with Astera for some time, as there has been a huge demand in our market for high-quality battery-operated LED fixtures the last few years.” He thinks Astera is a unique high-tech brand offering quality technical solutions that are “second to none” that “perfectly” suits their product portfolio which embraces multiple markets. He believes Astera is a true “market leader” in the TV / film studio world.Prostage was established in 2008 and now employs 12 talented and enthusiastic staff with a vast aggregate experience and a customer base all over Norway, including AV integrators, contractors, event and rental companies, TV and film studios, houses of worship, theatre and cultural venues.In Finland, currently enjoying huge critical acclaim for its slick, stunningly complex and beautifully cinematic versions of the ‘Nordic Noir’ film / TV series genre, Astera is sure to be a winner! Lafoy was established in 2004 and has always worked in film, studio, stage, and entertainment markets, mainly supplying an array of lighting and rigging products and accessories.Oy Lafoy’s Hans Karlsson sees Astera as a “state-of-the-art” brand with great potential for film and TV, but also but also for architectural and architainment projects, especially in the north of the country where new markets and projects are opening due to increased tourism that are demanding good quality IP rated fixtures. Sebastian concludes: “We have selected all of these partner companies very carefully based on success, shared visions and goals, and I look forward to four extremely positive working relationships across Scandinavia that will bring great results.”4Issue: 331news9THE ALD Lumière 20:20 Scheme The ALD’s successful Lumiere Scheme, which has for the last five years created pathways for lighting practitioners to work as an assistant to established designers on a diverse range of new productions, has been reformatted in response to the current pandemic situation.This year, a modified scheme entitled ALD Lumiere 20:20, will pair 20 emerging lighting practitioners with 20 lighting designers, representing a wide spectrum of work, for a series one-hour online conversations across the ten weeks from mid-September.ALD Lumiere 20:20 is an exciting opportunity to gain direct access to a designer and to inspire creative conversations about the art, the craft, the life of live entertainment lighting.Lumiere 20:20 will involve weekly mentor sessions between Lumière and lighting designer, each having different topics to consider as a starting point. Although this is a ‘virtual’ project, it is hoped that there will be some real professional relationships established through the scheme that may come to fruition when we all get back to work.Chair of The ALD’s Lumière working group Charlotte Burton (pictured) says: “Back in 2015 the Lumière Scheme changed my life and career pathway. With Lumiere 20:20 being a virtual scheme it allows us to open it up to more participants, and so we are actively encouraging applications from those currently under-represented in UK theatre or wish to return to the industry.”One of the core values of the scheme is that The ALD do not just invest time in someone, but also invest money. Therefore, everyone involved, both lighting designers and participants, will receive a micro-bursary to acknowledge the belief bestowed in person and practice at this time.This funding has been possible by the generous legacy of ALD Fellow, Mick Hughes (1939-2018).Mick’s pared-back and beautiful work had “a subtle, almost stealthy artistry that drew attention to the play and players, not to itself.” (The Guardian). His designs have had a huge influence on the UK’s stages that still resonates today. He also loved nothing better than to sit at the production desk or in the pub and talk about light and life in theatre. He was always generous in sharing his knowledge.Burton adds: “The exciting element of Lumiere 20:20 is the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations about the working practice of being a lighting designer as well as the realities of developing a career. It is wonderful for us to be able to do this in Mick’s memory and we believe that he would be delighted that he is supporting his fellow designers at this time.”Applications for the scheme are open now with the closing date of Thursday 20th August 2020. Full details of the scheme, eligibility and how to apply can be found on The ALD website at www.ald.org.uk/lumiereMartin Audio lends support to #WeMakeEvents CampaignMartin Audio has been supporting the PLASA led #WeMakeEvents campaign which highlights the plight of the UK live events industry and the desperate need for additional government support to this highly technical and specialised sector. The campaign culminated with a spectacular day of action with up to 5,000 people lining the banks and bridges of the River Thames to raise awareness of the crisis with politicians and the wider public.The live events industry was the first to be impacted by the global shutdown as a result of the pandemic and will be the last to return to work. It can only exist when large scale gatherings can be held safely, which is simply not possible until sometime next year and even then, the future is uncertain.Without additional grants, extensions to the furlough scheme and protection for freelancers it is simply inevitable that companies up and down the country will collapse, mass redundancies will ensue and many freelancers will be lost to the industry. The resulting impact will be devastating. It will harm the economy and negatively impact British culture and ultimately lower the country’s leading position in this global industry.A day of action was coordinated across the industry on Tuesday 11th August and Martin Audio joined other well-known entertainment technology manufacturers in backing the campaign. Alongside fully supporting the industry with social media – its Facebook posts alone reaching 1 million people on the day – Martin Audio helped organise a full TV production and livestream of the activities in London, including a helicopter swoop across the city. These included many of the capital’s major landmarks being lit up in red and people gathering along the banks of the River Thames and bridges, dressed in red tee shirts, wearing red masks and waving their own red lights. Martin Audio also supplied its loudspeakers as the main PA for the boat that took members of the press and industry professionals on a trip along the River Thames past the illuminated landmarks.Closer to home for Martin Audio, the company also supported the Wycombe Swan Theatre and High Wycombe Town Hall being lit in Emergency Red, alongside its own headquarters.“Martin Audio has been extremely lucky to continue to operate during Covid-19 with the amazing support of our worldwide sales partners and end users, but most of our friends in the UK live event industry have had zero revenue since this all began,” reflected Martin Audio managing director, Dom Harter. “Without further funding from the Government the industry is at risk of collapse and we simply wanted to do everything we could to support their plight.”To find out how you can get involved with the #WeMakeEvents campaign, visit: www.plasa.org/we-make-eventsProlyte goes red!On the 11th of August 2020, Prolyte participated in the Nationwide Red Alert Campaign #WijMakenEvents (We Make Events). Various buildings in the Netherlands lit their buildings bright Red, including municipalities, town halls and government buildings. The event industry and sectors have been at a complete standstill since the very beginning of the corona crisis earlier this year. It has been more than five months, which means there are all costs but no turnover. Despite the government’s support during this period, companies are now on the verge of collapsing. Therefore, in order to draw attention to this crisis-like-situation in a peaceful and public-friendly manner, the Prolyte building was lit red at 21:00 and pulled the plug out exactly at ‘five to twelve’. Together, we hope to get the support packages for the event industries extended and a clearer prospect is outlined until we can go back to work normally without the 1.5m restrictions. Without this commitment, a large number of companies will end up going bankrupt and employees will end up on the street.Politicians need to wake up and understand that if nothing happens, the entire event sector is in danger of disappearing. More than +250 buildings across the Netherlands lit their buildings red that night.The Red Alert campaign is an initiative of plasa.org England and taken over by VTTE in the Netherlands.www.prolyte.comNext >