direct from: www.etnow.com Regulars Contents this month Jobs and Careers Web Directory Features Issue: 338 GLP JDC Line ignites ‘Factory of Dreams’ page 20 April 2021 In mid-December, Gorillaz returned to the stage with ‘Song Machine Live From Kong’. Audio was delivered using DiGiCo Quantum 7s provided by Entec. For a period this February, the historic Red Fox was bathed in brilliant green by a collection of Chauvet Professional LED fixtures. Hippotizer Karst+ for Strictly Visuals page: 14page: 15 page: 2 page: 31 pages: 28 to 31 BBC Studios’ Strictly Come Dancing returned for its 18th series with new visuals by Hippotizer Karst+ media servers. Hawthorn has transformed into Encore! Visit our new hire website hire.encore-emea.com w: encore-emea.com t: 01664 821 111 e: hire-uk@encoreglobal.com artLynx uno, a single universe Ethernet gateway As the inventor of Art-Net, Artistic Licence is well known for the quality of its Ethernet gateway products (devices that convert Art-Net or sACN into DMX512/RDM). The artLynx range offers particular value for money, using the convenient DIN rail format and offering – until now – a choice of two or four universe conversion. Now, with the launch of artLynx uno, customers requiring a basic Ethernet gateway can benefit from even greater savings. As the name suggests, artLynx uno is a slimmed down version of the product, providing just a single universe of data conversion. However, this is often adequate for customers without heavy data processing requirements. More on page 10 Chauvet Turns Historic Red Fox Green page: 25 DiGiCo delivers Quantum power for Gorillaz livecontents this month April 2021 page no. Features page : 4 page : 5 page : 9 page : 8 TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT Revised in July 2020 Available now from www.etbooks.co.uk 20 GLP JDC Line ignites Ehrlich Brothers’ ‘Factory of Dreams’ Andreas and Chris Ehrlich started planning a two-part TV show ‘Factory of Dreams’. Included in the set were 24 JDC Lines from GLP, which would serve the two world-class magicians well. 22 Rockhal teams with Ministry of Health and Adamson to bring live music back When renovations are completed in the Rockhal hall, an IS-Series rig will be deployed as a stereo system powered by Adamson D-Series amplifiers. 23 Online Concert by Russian Rock Band KINO Marks World Debut of Claypaky Tambora Batten Fixtures KINO’s online performance was the first show to use Claypaky’s new Tambora Batten fixtures, which were selected by lighting designer Marina Larikova. 24 Pure Robe for Mónica Naranjo Show Lighting designer CaCo García has been working with Mónica Naranjo for around two years and he chose 66 Robe moving lights to be at the centre of this outstanding show. 25 Hippotizer Karst+ Choreographs Strictly Visuals BBC Studios’ hugely popular celebrity TV contest Strictly Come Dancing returned for its 18th series with brand new visuals choreographed by Hippotizer Karst+ media servers. 26 Die Glocke Enhances Lighting System with Chauvet A collection of 59 Chauvet Professional LED fixtures replaced Die Glocke’s traditional incandescent lights. 27 GLP FR1 TM emphasises stylish atmosphere in Salty Dog Studios Eight GLP impression FR1 TM (trackmount) can be found in the pleasant ambience of the new premises of Salty Dog Studios. 12 Robe Helps De Vooravond Rock De Vooravond is a new talk-show broadcast on the Netherlands’ NPO 1 and is being lit by LD Jeroen van Geffen using Robe moving lights. 13 Unusual Rigging completes first phase of refurbishment work at London’s Adelphi Theatre When London’s Adelphi Theatre re-opens later this year, it will do so with a brand new Unusual Rigging flying system. 14 DiGiCo delivers Quantum power for Gorillaz live stream In mid-December, Gorillaz returned to the stage with ‘Song Machine Live From Kong’. Audio was delivered by engineers Dave Guerin and Matt Butcher, using DiGiCo Quantum 7s provided by Entec Sound & Light. 15 ASG Entertainments and Chauvet Turn Historic Red Fox Green For a period this February, the historic Red Fox took on a more contemporary appearance when it was bathed in brilliant green by a collection of Chauvet Professional LED fixtures. 16 Anolis Specified for London Venues Anolis Divine 160 LED lighting fixtures are providing mood and house lighting for two of London’s leading multi-functional venues: Magazine London and Exhibition London. 17 Yamaha Equips Flexible Swiss Training Facility In January 2021, a new training and conference facility for Mercury Training Group SA opened in Mendrisio, Switzerland, equipped by Yamaha. 18 Knebworth House in a New Anolis Light Architectural LED lighting specialist Anolis was approached to assist in the specification of a replacement lighting scheme to illuminate the front of Knebworth House. 19 Le VIP’s diverse music repertoire reinforced with L-Acoustics Melpomen has installed L-Acoustics A Series in Le VIP to address the venue’s complex architectural design and deliver homogenous sound across the entire auditorium.from the editor direct from: www.etnow.com Entertainment Technology is published 12 times a year in conjunction with the leading industry portal www.etnow.com Editor: John Offord Technical Editor: Jackie Staines Published by: Entertainment Technology Press Ltd The Studio, High Green Great Shelford Cambridge CB22 5EG Telephone: +44 (0)1223 550805 Fax: +44 (0)1223 550806 Website: www.etnow.com email: editor@etnow.com © Entertainment Technology Press Ltd. Subscription Rates: Annual Subscription for 12 issues (UK): £27.50 Annual Subscription (overseas): £50.00 Subject 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: 338 Stars Show Their Support for the Collapsing Live Events Supply Chain Industry collective #WeMakeEvents has announced a powerful new video campaign to highlight the ongoing hardship and struggles of the live events supply chain. Supported by some of the biggest stars in music, comedy and theatre, the campaign aims to raise awareness of 700,000 people in the supply chain, almost all of whom haven’t been able to work for 12 months. The campaign also launches TEXTING TEXTING ONETWO, an appeal to raise funds for these highly skilled people through industry charity Backup. Providing their video messages of support, with an introduction by Simon Callow, artists include: Sir Mick Jagger, Katherine Jenkins, Midge Ure, James Bay, Biffy Clyro, Enter Shikari, Griff Rhys Jones, Christopher Eccleston, Paul Whitehouse, Angus Deayton, Lucy Porter, Stephen K Amos, Deborah Frances-White, Kevin Day, The Kooks, Sam Fender, Feeder plus the launch of a new music video by Frank Turner, all of whom explain how, without expert technicians, transporters, logistics experts, caterers, riggers and production staff, live events cannot return. These are the people behind the scenes that ensure that the show must go on and work across festivals, corporate events, theatre, sporting ceremonies and many other cultural events. This is a £70 billion UK market, and without support, 40 per cent of businesses risk folding as one third of employees also reveal they have left the sector according to the latest #WeMakeEvents survey. It’s under severe threat of collapse which will prevent any return of live events in the short-term. From Frank Turner: “The problem extends across the whole live events sector, with many in the events supply chain having been completely overlooked for financial support. The fact that anticipated events in August and July are sold out is testament to the Nation’s need to enjoy live events again but we need those highly-skilled people in order to deliver these events. Right now, many of them need financial support to get them through to a time where they can do that for us and earn again.” Griff Rhys Jones says: “They have worked for us, now it’s time we worked for them,” Simon Callow, patron and ambassador for charity Backup adds: “It has been humbling to receive the thanks from some of the families where the financial support made a difference to them paying the bills that month. The situation for many is financially devastating and heart-breaking. Thank you to anyone who donates – just whatever you can afford – if everyone who loves live events texts ONETWO* and donate whatever you can, it really adds up and helps so many people.” *To make a one-off donation, text the word ONETWO followed by the amount you want to donate to 70085 for example, to donate £5 text ONETWO5 to 70085.April 2021 news 4 sunDial quad www.ArtisticLicence.com Dims LED close to zero! For the smoothest fades with dimmable replacement LED Trailing edge DMX512/RDM mains dimmer Robe Launches New LEDBeam 350 Moving Light To those familiar with the massively successful little LEDBeam 150, this is a bigger, brighter (6,600 lumen) variant, delivering even more punch and presence for those wanting crystal clear beams and beautifully rich colour washes. Robe has retained and built on all the features that made the LEDBeam 150 a winner, including a spectacular zoom range of 3.8 to 60 degrees and innovative lens coating technology which keeps the lenses clearer and scratch-free. Anti-static properties further reduce dust collecting on the lens, and the latest coating treatment brings countless additional benefits like lengthening the intervals needed between cleaning and enhancing the light output. More advanced technology includes CPulse, Robe’s acclaimed Pulse Width Modulation control system that removes any on-screen camera flicker, making the LEDBeam 350 a brilliant match for the most advanced HD and UHD camera systems. All the most popular features of the smaller LEDBeam including fast movement, colour mixing, zoom and control can be maintained via a compatibility mode, allowing for the seamless combination of both 150 and 350 models together on the same rig for perfect continuity. The 12 40W RGBW high powered LED multi-chips provide plenty of high-quality output and superior CMY colour mixing control. DataSwatch contains 66 premixed colours and tones including whites for fast reliable colour selection, and Robe’s L3 Low Light Linearity system delivers imperceptible fades to absolute blackouts. Quietness is crucial in certain scenarios, and the LEDBeam 350’s advanced cooling system and new super smooth zoom stepper motors make it exceptionally quiet and ideal for television, theatre, performance and event applications where no noise is critical. Also, with theatre and performance in mind, outstanding tungsten lamp emulation is possible via the ‘halogen lamp mode’ which perfectly mimics red fade and the thermal delay of lamps in several ranges from 750W to 2500W. Further finessing is possible utilising the variable CTO (virtual colour wheel channel) for perfect whites from 2,700K to 8,000K. An optional Epass Ethernet switch will automatically maintain network connectivity in case the fixture experiences power loss. With versatility in mind, Robe has designed the LEDBeam 350 FW version to offer a Fresnel wash type of beam for smoother edges and optimal colour homogenisation. Weighing under 10kg, the unit is hugely powerful for its light weight, while the compact size makes it highly usable even in the most confined studios or spaces. Overall, it is a very sound and reliable investment with all the Robe guarantees for multiple applications from special events and live shows to installations. LEDBeam 350 will additionally work seamlessly in combination with other industry-standard Robe luminaires like the LEDBeam 150, ESPRITE, MegaPointe, Spiider and many others. www.robe.cz Stage|Set|Scenery is to be terminated The final curtain came down: Stage|Set|Scenery will not take place as planned from 15 to 17 June 2021. After an intensive review of the future viability of the trade show and conference for theatre, film and event technology, Messe Berlin has decided to discontinue the event. The last Stage|Set|Scenery took place from 18 to 20 June 2019 and will not continue as such in the future. “With Stage|Set|Scenery, we have been trying since 2015 to establish an international industry meeting place and cross-trade exchange at Berlin for those who otherwise work behind the scenes to ensure perfect staging,” said Dr. Martin Buck, head of travel and logistics at Messe Berlin. “Despite positive developments, the event unfortunately fell short of expectations.” “We deeply regret this decision. However, in these economically challenging times, we unfortunately had to make this decision, since Stage|Set|Scenery is unlikely to achieve necessary results this year or in the years to come,” continued Dr. Martin Buck. “On behalf of the Stage|Set|Scenery team, I would like to thank our partners, exhibitors and visitors for their dedicated support and co-operation as well as the productive exchange over the past years.” Benjamin Göldner Becomes General Manager of Chainmaster GmbH Chainmaster has announced that Benjamin Göldner (pictured) will be joining it as general manager from 1 May and will be responsible for the entire operational business at the company’s site in Eilenburg. His focus will be on the co-operation with his colleagues. “TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More – a motto that will always guide me in my new challenges,” says Göldner, looking forward to his new position at Chainmaster. Benjamin Göldner, who studied industrial engineering, has been part of the Liftket Group since October 2017. As purchasing manager of Liftket Hoffmann GmbH, he was already able to contribute his entrepreneurial thinking and know-how to the success of the company. His foresight across a wide range of processes and departments in the company, a pronounced affinity for sales and his strong communication skills, he will be using with great commitment in the future as general manager at Chainmaster to further strengthen the company in the international market. Jürgen Dlugi, CEO of Liftket Hoffmann GmbH, and Thomas Birke, CEO of Chainmaster GmbH, are very happy about Benjamin’s management support. “As an enthusiastic footballer, Benjamin Göldner is a real team player and will enrich the team of 30 employees in Eilenburg with his dynamism and bring it further forward.” Since the market launch of Chainmaster products in 1994, the medium-sized, Saxon-based company has developed into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hoist technology in the event industry and offers a comprehensive range of products for all requirements from set-up operations to complex scenic movements to complete automation of performances. National and international projects are accompanied individually from planning to implementation through to user training. The worldwide network of Chainmaster consulting offices, commercial partners and trained service companies guarantees comprehensive after-sales service. Chainmaster now exports to 55 countries worldwide. The company’s references include projects such as the new Elbe Philharmonic Hall in Hamburg, the Louvre in Lens, the Stockholm Opera, the Almaty Ice Arena, the Kremlin State Palace, the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi and the Helmut List Hall in Graz.Issue: 338 news 5 High-speed GLP Light-show for Audi e-tron World Premiere Anyone wondering how, under the current conditions, new products can be launched in an effective way within the media need look no further than Audi. For the presentation of the new e-tron GT, the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer staged a special kind of demonstration at the Munich Zenith. The world premiere of the ‘electric spearhead of the four rings’, as it was termed, took place on 9th February 2021 with two digital events: a cinematic intro, using spectacular lighting technology, was produced in advance at the Munich Zenith and developed by LD Raphaël Demonthy. Demonthy, who has focused entirely on lighting design and programming over the past ten years, regularly realises his own design projects, but is also happy to make his talent available to other designers as an associate designer or operator. As part of the world premiere of the new Audi e-tron GT, an impressive reveal trailer had to be produced. For this purpose, a driving circuit was installed in the Zenith Munich, which was constructed exclusively from light elements. Demonthy used a large number of different GLP fixtures to implement and highlight the varied, dynamic stations of the course. To produce the ‘carwash’ element, the LD turned to 46 GLP FR10 Bars. These Bars framed the tunnel, created laterally both on the floor and from above. Three FR10 Bars placed on the floor were punctuated by two Bars installed vertically, one above the other. The resulting vertical lines were extended to the ‘tunnel ceiling’, with three further FR10 Bars. “With this resource, I was able to build a light fog wall, which on the one hand ensured that you couldn't see through, and on the other, created a kind of 'scan effect' when the vehicle passed through,” explained Demonthy. "With the zoom, we were also able to brighten the vehicle from the side, while we used the narrow beams for the light walls." For the curve at the end of the hall, the designer used 25 GLP X4 Bar 20 battens, which were installed at ground level on the inside of the curve. “This enabled us to illuminate the passing vehicles or to hit them with individual light impulses, which further increased the speed in the camera image. Thanks to tilt and zoom, we also had the choice of whether we wanted to illuminate the vehicles directly or indirectly via the ground." In the stage area, 16 impression X4 were used, which served as fill lights for the camera at the opposite end of the hall. In the rig itself, 36 JDC1 hybrid strobes were also installed in two lines over the entire length of the hall. “We used this to emphasise the length of the hall on the one hand, and to send bright bumps through the entire hall on the other,” Demonthy continued. “We also created playful effects with the strobe and RGB pixels.” Demonthy also came up with something special for the famous Audi rings: “In order to have the Audi rings not merely as a static luminous element, but to really integrate them into the course, I recreated them using 32 GLP KNV Arc. Of course, on the one hand they created a light sculpture but on the other, I was able to generate a wide variety of light images and effects very quickly by means of mapping; this enabled the rings to play along perfectly in the circuit.” With the exception of the FR10 Bar, Demonthy was already familiar with all the GLP products used. When asked why he likes working with fixtures from GLP, he replied: “The solutions from GLP leave a lot of room for creativity in both design and programming. Even if you have seen the various products many times, you can always rediscover them and make them look different." Raphaël Demonthy worked as a lighting designer on behalf of TFN GmbH & Co. KG, which has been responsible for technical design at trade fairs and events for Audi AG for more than 20 years. On-site lighting operators were Chris Moylan and Matthias Schöffmann. The technical service provider was fournell showtechnik GmbH. photo: Chris Moylan / RDLD Rigging Team Hits Ten Rigging Team is celebrating its ten year anniversary in the delivery of specialist rigging and technical training services to the entertainment production industry. Over the past decade, the company has enjoyed steady growth to become recognised as one of the industry’s most respected providers of rigging equipment and support services. Working across the full spectrum of entertainment production, including theatre, TV, film and live events, Rigging Team has built an enviable reputation for creating safe, bespoke solutions to projects which others may consider impossible. Commenting on the milestone, Rigging Team managing director Adam Searle says: “We are immensely proud of our achievements over the last ten years. From humble beginnings, we have created a significant resource which supports productions of all sizes and genres, all around the world.” Formed in December 2010 as Adam Searle Ltd, operating from what Adam describes as “a 35sqft ‘cupboard’,” the company rebranded as Rigging Team in 2013 and has since grown to a ten strong full-time workforce, occupying a 15,000 sqft custom warehouse facility. Having relocated to new premises during 2020, Rigging Team is currently busy modifying the space to incorporate a 2,500 sqft dedicated training facility complete with classrooms and a multi-level structure for practical courses in rigging, work at height/rescue and rope access. Along with the delivery of creative, safe, reliable rigging and automation solutions the company maintains a particular focus on safety and the provision of industry specific training. Senior staff members also sit on committees for NRAG (National Rigging Advisory Group) and LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Asociation) representing the company, clients, colleagues and competitors at a national level for the advancement of the wider industry. Adam continues: “We are always keen to help maintain and develop new standards and working practices, particularly in what can be a challenging environment. To be able to use our experience to advise, assist and give something back to our industry is immensely rewarding.” As part of the anniversary celebrations Rigging Team has undertaken a recent brand refresh. This has included an update of the company logo using ‘real’ crew in the design. Adam comments: “The inclusion of ‘real people’ in our logo is a direct nod to the support of the wonderful crews we have worked with over the years. To create our logo, we photographed members of our freelance team and silhouetted them, and we have a few more silhouettes to add in the coming months, see if you can guess who they are!” Not a company to rest on its laurels, Rigging Team is already looking to the next phase in the evolution of the company, with more investment planned throughout the business and continued support for the wider industry. Adam concludes: “We are all extremely proud to have achieved this anniversary. Although Rigging Team has changed in size and stature, our business ethos remains the same: we have always strived to be the best, not the biggest, and that that still stands! I would like to thank all those friends, colleagues and clients who have supported us and helped make Rigging Team what it is today. We have some exciting plans for the future and are looking forward to the next ten years!”New From ETP THE SOUND OF THEATRE From the Ancient Greeks to the Digital Age by David Collison 402pp £24.95 ISBN: 9781904031956 David Collison traces the history of theatre sound from Ancient Greece to the 20th century. Medieval sound effects are described, along with sound in Shakespeare’s plays, and mechanical effects in the 18th and 19th centuries, including wind machines, thunder runs and battle effects. The sound for the famous 1925 play “The Ghost Train” is also explained. A chronology of key inventions follows developments from cylinder and disc recording, tape machines and cassette recorders, through to audio systems in the digital age. Sound design for Broadway and West End musicals is extensively covered with anecdotes and personal recollections from many of the pioneers, including the author’s 30 years as a leading sound designer. Available from www.etbooks.co.uk and www.amazon.co.uk THE NATIONAL THEATRE: A PLACE FOR PLAYS Issue: 338 news 7 Virtual Showlight 2021 – First Sponsors Announced Virtual Showlight has announced the first sponsors for its online, one-day event (25 May 2021) which takes place in celebration of the full Showlight event that was postponed due to the COVID pandemic. The popularity of this unique lighting quadrennial is confirmed by the number of sponsors which have already given their support for Virtual Showlight. The headline sponsor is Robert Juliat, which is joined by ACT Lighting, Inc., Altman, ARRI, Ayrton, Claypaky, Copper Candle, ETC, Robe and Vectorworks. Virtual Showlight is also supported by media partner, LSi, and by LSA. Sponsorship of Virtual Showlight offers a unique opportunity for sponsors to connect with clients and industry colleagues whom they have not seen for many months. As a sponsor you will qualify for a slot in which to host your own ‘breakout’ room during the day. If you would like to become a Showlight sponsor, contact sponsorship@ showlight.org All proceeds from Virtual Showlight will go to support industry charities, including Backup and Behind the Scenes. Backup – The Technical Entertainment Charity is the UK’s registered charity that provides financial support to industry technical professionals, crew/production personnel and people working in the technical supply chain across the UK entertainment industry including those from live events, theatre, TV and film. Backup’s primary and long running remit is to give support to those who are seriously ill or injured, or to their surviving family members, via a tailored support grant. In light of the devastating impact of COVID-19, Backup has recently created a separate initial hardship fund, which will provide limited financial assistance to those most in need – please visit the Backup website for the latest details on status and criteria of the hardship fund, as it will be open to applications in phases. It is only thanks to the support and generous donations from companies and individuals, that Backup is able to help the technical entertainment industry care for its own. If you want to support or find out more information on Backup visit www.backuptech.uk Behind the Scenes provides entertainment technology professionals in the US and Canada, or their immediate dependent family, who are seriously ill or injured with grants that may be used for basic living and medical expenses. The BTS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative provides tools and resources to support entertainment industry workers and promote mental health and psychological safety. These include the Be Scene-Be Heard peer- to-peer chat app, entertainment industry therapist finder, anonymous online behavioural self-assessments, easy to navigate resource links, information to help fight bullying, sample language on mental health and respectful workplaces for toolbox talks, and information on suicide prevention. For more information about Behind the Scenes visit www.behindthescenescharity.org Registration for Virtual Showlight will be free of charge, with attendees encouraged to make donations to the charities at the time of booking. Watch the press or sign up to the Showlight mailing list ( www.showlight.org ) to hear as soon as registration opens. Website: www.showlight.org Facebook: @showlightevent Twitter: @Showlight2021April 2021 news 8 Chauvet Professional Lights Dreams at Cultuurcentrum Maskerade Although he was in the clothing business, Luc Provost always wanted to own a theatre. Not long ago, fate gave him a reason to turn this aspiration into reality, when he acquired 10,000 pieces of theatrical costumes from a Dutch company. Looking for a place to store his newfound collection of clothing, he purchased a former school building in this picturesque East Flanders town. Attached to that structure was a small theatre. For Provost, it was a building of dreams. “I had the costumes and venue,” he recalled. “So now I was ready!” On 2 January, 2020, Provost shared his dream with the world when, fitted out with a new rig of Chauvet Professional fixtures, the Cultuurcentrum Maskerade staged its first show. Unfortunately, it was also the last live show at the 220 seat theatre for the year, as the coronavirus pandemic brought public gatherings to a grinding halt. Like the 180 year old building it’s housed in, the Cultuurcentrum Maskerade and its enthusiastic owner are tough and determined enough to prevail over any challenge that fate and history throw their way. With live shows temporarily on hold, Provost and his team used the theatre for livestream performances. By the summer, they hope to be having in person events again. Regardless of whether a Cultuurcentrum Maskerade show is live or livestreamed, one thing is certain: it will be supported by a powerful and flexible lighting rig. Working closely with his supplier, the Oudenaarde, Belgium-based DMXShop and DMXRent, Provost put together a collection of fixtures, which, while not extensive, can wash the stage in rich colour combinations, and texturise it with crisp gobo patterns, while also delivering smooth, even keylighting. Featured in this rig are four Ovation F-415FC and an equal number of Ovation F-915FC Fresnel-style fixtures. Both of these fixtures have RGBA-Lime LED engines, which allow designers to create realistic colours on stage. Also in the rig are two Ovation E-930VW Profile ellipsoidal units fitted with 15 and 36 degree lens tubes. Used primarily as profile spots at Cultuurcentrum Maskerade, these high-output fixtures produce variable whites with a CRI colour rendering accuracy of 88-92 to ensure that actors are consistently shown in optimal light, whether performing a livestreamed or a live production. Of course, with the Cultuurcentrum Maskerade’s extensive collection of costumes, they can also be assured of appearing in the best possible wardrobe as well. Fineline Lighting Relights the Fire of Brixton Village Market Brixton Village Market, snapped up over two years ago by new owners, Hondo Enterprises, has since undergone a series of renovation projects, with the most recent a sympathetic rejuvenation of the lighting system. The Brixton Market team turned to Bristol-based Fineline Lighting for a system that met the diverse needs of the space whilst maintaining the integrity of the Grade-II listed architecture. Brixton Market is a traditional market by day and the place to go for foods from around the world. At night, the space transforms into a popular nightlife hub, drawing in the locals with restaurants, rooftop bars and a bar playing jazz music. The lighting system, however, was inflexible and did not meet the diverse needs of the space. Brixton Market’s general manager, Diana Nabagereka, explained: “The lighting had always been a problem across the two covered markets. The centralised overhead white lights gave the effect of a mortuary. It didn’t work for the night-time economy.” Fineline Lighting met the brief to create an ambient and congenial atmosphere for both faces of Brixton Market. Combining over one kilometre of festoon lighting with LED lighting solutions from Briteq, in the guise of Colorstrip battens and Beamspots, Fineline Lighting created an intimate setting that allowed the market’s nightlife to flourish, and a warm enticing environment with a pleasant tone to counter the cold of the wintry days. The installation featured over 1,000 lamps, 40 Briteq LDP Colorstrip battens and over 90 Briteq Beamspot 1s, controlled by dimming systems from Artistic Licence. The overnight installation was completed in just three weeks rather than the planned four. The installation was deemed a success and according to Diana: “The team worked fastidiously, in a professional and highly efficient manner. They went above and beyond at each stage (of the installation), including a follow up tutorial of the system.” Diana added: “Fineline understood our needs clearly and provided a solution with no frills. They presented the festoon lighting option which has been tried and tested in retail and dining locations. There is always a complexity with reimagining Grade-II listed buildings, so we wanted a solution that was warm yet impactful and still showcased the architecture. The result is a transformed environment.” No Position Compromised Thanks to Chroma-Q’s New Hang Force Accessory Chroma-Q has announced the launch of a new accessory – The Hang Force – designed for use with their Color Force II and Studio Force II (48” and 72” models). Restrictions with where fixtures can be hung on the truss due to the crossbar-section is now a thing of the past, thanks to the Hang Force bracket which allows fixtures to be hung from trusses where the position of clamps might not align with the original fixture clamp position. A series of slots allow the clamps to be re-positioned to fit anywhere on the truss pipe. For added flexibility and speedy mounting, the Hang Force uses rapid quarter-turn locks so it can quickly be installed and removed from the fixture. A centred carrying handle also means it can be moved easily. The bracket also enables all the fixture sizes in the range (12”, 48” and 72”) to hang equally side-by-side when rigged on to the truss. The Hang Force comes with the necessary hardware to upgrade existing fixtures for use with quarter-turn locks. The Hang Force can also be used on the floor thanks to a set of plates to stabilise the whole assembly. Chroma-Q’s Global brand manager, Paul Pelletier commented: “We are excited to release the new Hang Force. We are always looking to develop new accessories that add additional versatility and flexibility to our products to enabling them to exceed the high levels of creativity required by our customers.” The new accessory is available now from local Chroma-Q dealers.news 9 Issue: 338 New video reference library of all Martin MAC Aura PXL’s internal FX macros The Martin MAC Aura PXL has a rich feature set of internal FX macros allowing maximum versatility even when time is of the essence. Created as a resource for lighting designers, Martin’s UK distributor, Sound Technology Ltd, has published a complete video reference library of all of them. There are six categories of Macros in the PXL: Beam Intensity FX, Beam Colour FX, Aura Intensity FX, Aura Colour FX, Beam and Aura Combined FX, and Full Fixture FX. Each category has its own video, time-stamped in the YouTube description with each individual effect. Utilising the MAC Aura PXL’s 141 Aura LEDs and 19 Main Beam LEDs, each effect can also have speed, colour, zoom range and output level manipulated simultaneously, and both the Aura and the Main Beam effects can be active at the same time. Focusrite Group to Launch New Commercial Audio Brand – Optimal Audio A new commercial audio brand will be introduced to the market on 20th April, when Focusrite plc launches Optimal Audio at a special virtual event. Optimal Audio will become the Focusrite Group’s seventh brand, adding to Focusrite and Focusrite Pro, Adam Audio, Martin Audio, Novation and Ampify. Whilst full details will be revealed at the event, Focusrite Group CEO Tim Carroll was happy to talk about Optimal Audio’s prospects: “It’s a rare privilege to create a brand from scratch. The commercial audio sector has grown consistently over the years, and even during the pandemic has been more robust than many. We expect that momentum to accelerate in the coming months, so we feel that the timing is perfect for the introduction of Optimal Audio. “Taking a considered view of the commercial audio sector led us to conclude that it represents a maze of often overly complicated products that can be difficult to understand, install and operate. Optimal Audio will set out to do things differently, with a streamlined offering that is straightforward to install and simple to use.” As part of the Focusrite Group, the largest pro audio manufacturer in Europe, with a £130m+ turnover, Optimal Audio will benefit from years of engineering experience, global reach and support, as Carroll explains: “Alongside its own dedicated staff, a number of colleagues from across the group – most notably within Martin Audio – are helping to bring Optimal Audio to fruition. In the long term, our ambition is that the brand will have its own distinct team.” Registration for the virtual event is now open at: https://optimal-audio.co.ukNext >