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PLASA’S 2011 CoCktAiLS And AwArdS reCePtion was held

thursday, october 27 at the orlando Hilton on the eve of Ldi. with

the approaching first anniversary of the newly merged association

came a new event format, rapid pace, and opportunity for members

to still enjoy an evening after with clients and friends. north American

Board Chair, eddie raymond, shared “we hope that you, the members

of the association feel as optimistic as we do about the future of our

association and our industries. it is increasingly important that we all

remember that we are the members of the association; that the success

of our organization depends on our involvement and our optimism.

the commitment of our members to the programs of the association

is the fuel that drives our engines.”

PLASA was honored to welcome distinguished visitors from the Chinese Entertainment Technology Association, CETA, led by Xincun Zhu at the PLASA awards reception. The CETA contingency was celebrating their 20 year anniversary by visiting the US to learn how we design and build theatre spaces.

The Rock Our World Awardsthe PLASA rock our world Awards were created to honor

groundbreaking achievement by its members and to acknowledge

the genius of both the creator of the technology and the designer or

integrator who applies it in a real world environment. Mike wood,

Mike wood Consulting LLC and Chair of the PLASA Governing

Body, chaired the judging panel and introduced the rock our

world Awards. Mike explained the rock our world Awards, “Let

me first tell you what the rock our world Awards aren’t about. they

aren’t for the most hyped, the best selling, or the company with the

best Pr agency. they aren’t for the gadget with the most Leds, the

strangest name, or the biggest patent portfolio.”

He continued, “what the rock our world Awards are all about is

the excitement they caused when we first saw them, the way they got

the adrenaline flowing, or the way you kicked yourself and thought,

‘i wish that was my product.’ Most importantly of all, the rock our

world nominees and winners are products, installations, or projects

that made us proud to be part of the industry that produced them.”

Mike also detailed the rules. “the rock our world rules are easy

to remember, because there are none. the criteria requested of the

judges is that the winners excite them, showcase what our industry

does best, and enthuse us to do more of it.”

“the winner might be a product that could change the

industry—either breathtaking in its simplicity or stunning in its

breadth. it could be anything anyone in this room devises, creates,

designs, constructs, installs, or uses. no rules.”

Mike continued chronicling that for this year’s awards 33

nominations were received from across the industry, as well as

internationally. the nominees were narrowed down to a short list

of 12 finalists for the distinguished panel of judges to ponder and

review. each year the judging panel is kept secret until the winners

are announced. when there are no rules in a competition, the panel

of peer judges must have unmatched qualifications, integrity, and

be viewed as unimpeachable—making their word above reproach

on whose rock rocked us the most. this year’s judging panel

covered the technical and artistic gamut of the industry, including:

tony Galuppi, travis Hagenbuch, nick Jones, natasha katz, and

tupac Martir. (A small sample of the judges’ achievements is in the

accompanying sidebar.)

Announced in early September, the finalists and PLASA member

companies involved with each nomination included:

n the 83rd Annual Academy Awards – A.C.t Lighting, Green

Hippo, MA Lighting, PrG, and tMB

n ALeXA digital Camera System – Arri

n Coolux widget designer 3.0 Pro – Coolux

n dataGate Mk2 – entteC

n disney world of Color – A.C.t Lighting, Christie, Clear-Com,

Fisher technical Services, Green Hippo, iAtSe Local 504, MA

Lighting, Meyer Sound Laboratories, PrG, Syncrolite, tMB, and

walt disney Parks and Creative entertainment

n everGrip Molded Motor Control Cables – Lex Products

n Garsington opera – Unusual rigging (Uk)

n Mediornet Compact – riedel Communications

n new world Center, Miami Beach, FL – theatre Projects Consultants

n ProPlus rescue System – Sapsis rigging

n ralph Lauren 4d – Scharff weisberg

n Sharpy – Clay Paky

Commemorating a year of creativity, accomplishments, and volunteer service By Beverly InglesBy

PLASA members celebrate stellar achievements

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Although categories were suggested for the nominations to help

in completing the submissions, the awards were not restricted in

that way—no rules, remember? the 12 finalists were reviewed as

one group in the final judging; the judges were free to select any

number of winners without regard to descriptive categories.

Finally, it was the determination of the judges that seven finalists

represented the spirit of the awards and rocked our world. And the

winners were:

The 83rd Annual

Academy Awards

A.C.t Lighting,

Green Hippo, MA

Lighting, PrG, and

tMB

“reviewers were

actually talking

about the production

values instead of

what people wore.” ~

rick rudolph

“the workflow

was revolutionary.

You wouldn’t have

been able to do the

show without it.” ~

Jason rudolph

“the code created for the oscars has made it simpler for me to do

the projects i’m working on right now.” ~ tupac Martir

ALEXA Digital Camera System

Arri

“i was amazed by the quality of

it.” ~ tupac Martir

“i love the Alexa – its speed,

color accuracy,

size, simplicity of

menus – it’s a game

changer.”

John newby, ASC

Widget Designer 3.0 PRO

Coolux

“will make interactive experience

design more manageable and

available to smaller-scale projects.”

~ travis Hagenbuch

“this is going to make my job

easier.” ~ natasha katz

“i think it’s brilliant. the

simplicity that it brings is

incredible. i was blown away.”

~ tupac Martir

Disney World of Color

A.C.t Lighting, Christie, Clear-

Com, Fisher technical

Services, Green Hippo,

iAtSe Local 504,

MA Lighting, Meyer

Sound Laboratories,

PrG, Syncrolite, tMB,

and walt disney

Parks and Creative

entertainment

“Stunning and

beautiful—

everything that

is innovative.” ~

ed Pagett

“i definitely

like the idea of

all those people

collaborating.

i thought it was

beautiful.” ~

natasha katz

“Just

gorgeous—definitely makes you go wow.” ~ tony Galuppi

EverGrip Molded Motor

Control Cables

Lex Products

“this definitely solves a

problem.” ~ karl

ruling

“it does increase

safety.” ~ tony

Galuppi

“this should have

been done years ago.”

~ nick Jones

Orestes Mihaly, Prg; James Heron, green Hippo; Jason rudolph; Marshall Bissett, TMB; and Bob gordon A.C.T lighting with their rock Our World Awards for the 83rd Academy Awards.

ArrI’s Mike Dobson, ryan Fletcher, John gresch, and Jane rein accepted the rock Our World Award for ArrI’s Alexa camera.

steve gilbard and Helmut Protte of Coolux accepted the rOW Award for the Coolux Widget Designer 3.0 Pro.

scott Fisher, Chuck Davis, Dana Bartholomew, Chris Wessels, Orestes Mihlay, James Heron, Bob gordon, Marshall Bissett, and Bryan sorenson proudly show off their rock Our World Awards for the Disney World of Color project.

Bob luther, vin Bove, Alan Perlot, and Marybeth Marx with lex Products’ rock Our World Award for lex Products’ evergrip Molded Motor Control Cable.

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Garsington Opera

Unusual rigging

(Uk)

“Great to see a temporary

structure that incorporates so many design elements.” ~ travis

Hagenbuch

“Quite a marvelous building. Built for the season and then stored

in a barn. A great step forward.” ~ nick Jones

Sharpy

Clay Paky

“it is quite revolutionary—

really has changed the look of lighting.” ~ ed Pagett

“Hits you right between the eyes, form and function are just

terrific.” ~ rick rudolph

“this is the beginning of more lights that have to be like this.

efficient and green.” ~ natasha katz

“Absolutely brilliant—an amazing amount of light coming out of

such a small piece of kit.” ~ nick Jones

A special posthumous award was presented to david taylor, who

rocked many people’s world. david, who passed away in January, was

the Vice Chair of the PLASA north American regional Board and

a member of the PLASA Governing Body.

david was a renowned theatre consultant and

lighting designer who brought a passion and

humanity to his work and life that inspired all

those who came into contact with him.

Congratulations to all winners! we are

gratified to be a part of an industry that produced such stunning and

innovative work. now it’s time to keep your eye out for what rocks your

world in 2012. nominations will open next spring. what magic captures

your imagination and reminds you why you’re in this industry?

Unusual rigging’s simon Tiernan and Denis Bramhall flank lesley Harmer, Harmer Public relations, with the rock Our World Award received for the garsington Opera project.

Clay Paky’s Francesco romagnoli and Pio nahum with the rock Our World Award for the Clay Paky sharpy.

n Tony GaluppiTony Galuppi has more than 25 years of rigging experience in the entertainment industry including serving as the Technical Manager of Rigging for Cirque du Soleil responsible for shows such as Ka, O, and Believe. Tony has just moved onto the new Cirque production of Iris at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood California as Project Manager of Rigging.

n Travis HaGenbucH Travis Hagenbuch is a Lighting Director specializing in television and live events. His credits include Associate Lighting Director for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, two Super Bowl Halftime Shows, The Academy Awards, and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. Travis has served as Lighting Director for many award shows including the Grammys, Emmys, and Golden Globe as well as live events such as The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award. Travis was selected as the “rising star” judge this year.

n nick JonesNick Jones has worked in the entertainment industry for many years specifically in the lighting field. His career started in the London theatre scene in the late seventies and he served as the Lighting Crew Chief for many touring musical productions including Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables, before moving on to corporate and large one-off events including permanent designs in theme parks and visitor attractions.After performing similar roles in Athens and Turin, Nick is the Technical Manager for Lighting, Video and Power for all Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies at the London Olympics 2012.

n naTasHa kaTzNatasha Katz has worked extensively in the worlds of Broadway, opera, ballet, and architectural lighting design. She has designed numerous Broadway plays and musicals and has multiple nominations for Tony awards starting in 1994 for her work on Beauty and the Beast. She went on to win the Tony in 2000 for Aida, and again in 2007 for The Coast of Utopia. Natasha has also designed the lighting at Niketown in New York and London, and for The Big Bang at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

n Tupac MarTirTupac Martir is a visual designer and creative director with a varied portfolio of projects in the arts and entertainment international scene. He has provided production design, visuals, and lighting direction for Elton John, Sting, Jon Bon Jovi, Beyoncé, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Coachella Music and Arts Festival, the Mexican Telethon, and the Mexican National Opera House. Currently, he is working on projects in the UK, US, France, Japan, Latin America, and Russia, as well as creating and directing Nierka – his new multidisciplinary production, which will premiere in London at the Peacock Theatre in January 2012.

Rock Our World Awards judges

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Frank Stewart Volunteer of the Year Award

Created by the eStA Board

of directors to honor Frank

Stewart’s incomparable

service to the association,

the Frank Stewart Volunteer

of the Year Award was

bestowed by the PLASA

north American regional

Board to the members of

the Production equipment

rental Group (PerG)

Council, including: Chair,

Marc Stephens, MPS

Studios; Carly Barber, illumination dynamics; Leigh Blicher,

Videofax; Charlie davidson, tiffen; tom Fletcher, Fletcher Camera

and Lenses; Greg Meyers, Cinequipt; Jr reid, Jr Lighting; Scott

taylor, taylor and taylor Associates; Mark tye, Citation Support;

and Mark wofford, Production Consultants and equipment.

Chair, eddie raymond, shared: “this past year the PerG Council

undertook a number of initiatives to foster dialogue between

parties within the film and television market. through continuous

effort, the Council was able to build momentum that has ultimately

resulted in gains for the industry, and new membership in PLASA.

one of the best outcomes of the year sprung from a meeting the

PerG Council hosted bringing together members of the Association

of independent Commercial Producers (AiCP) and rental house

management. the meeting led to the formation of a joint committee

which has created a consensus document of agreed terms and

Conditions.” the completed document was formally announced

at the AiCP Conference in new York the same time as Ldi. (read

more in the PerG news on page 78.)

Members’ Choice Product AwardsPLASA announces the winners of the 2011 Members’ Choice Product

Awards on Saturday, october 27, on the show floor at the Ldi and

PLASA Awards Ceremony. these awards honor product innovation

and recognize outstanding entertainment technology products in

three categories: expendable, Gadget, and equipment. the Members’

Choice Product Awards were established in recognition of the fact

that PLASA members have an enormous impact on the success of a

new product, as well as a unique perspective on its merits. the voting

for the 2011 awards was open to employees of all member companies

attending Ldi, regardless of their membership category. (no award

was given in the expendable category in 2011.)

Gadget CategoryApollo Design Technology’s

Wrenchmate 2

An adjustable wrench

with a closed-end wrench

built into the handle with

three different sizes to

provide easy access to the

common sizes found on

lighting fixture clamps.

Equipment Category LightConverse 3D Show Platform

Version 52

integrates and visualizes

multiple show-related disciplines

including lighting, video, laser,

pyrotechnics, and moving objects. new features include 3d object

tracking capabilities and the ability to realistically visualize 1536

fixture in real-time.

ETC Source Four® Fresnel

Features classic Fresnel optical system coupled with HPL lamp

technology. Unique quarter turn socket and access-door design

allow lamp to be changed from beneath, without breaking focus.

PLASA members honored by LDIAt the Ldi and PLASA Awards Ceremony following the close of the

show floor Saturday, many PLASA members received recognition.

the Best debuting Lighting Product was a tie. Both the Clay Paky Alpha

Spot Qwo 800 and PrG’s Best Boy 4000 spot were honored, with an

Honorable Mention going to the Martin Professional AUrA compact Led.

it was noted the “judges found it really inspiring that these companies have

advanced the possibilities of their new lights . . . bravo for putting r&d

into creating fixtures which provide the designer with more sophisticated

Marc stephens received the PlAsA Frank stewart volunteer of the year Award from eddie raymond for the collaborative work of the Perg Council within the film and television markets.

Joel and Keersten nichols hold the PlAsA Members’ Choice Product Award for gadgets for the Apollo Design Technology’s Wrenchmate 2.

Dimitriy giventar, gord Mcvicar, and Aleksandr Berenok of lightConverse which tied for the PlAsA Members’ Choice Product Award in equipment.

Tom littrell shows the eTC source Four Fresnel that was a tie in the voting for PlAsA Members’ Choice Product Award for equipment.

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creative tools . . . and also getting more light out of less power.”

in the Ldi Booth awards, the Best Product Presentation award went

to Christie digital for a “clean, well-designed projection display that is

eye-catching and incorporates many of their cutting-edge products.”

the Best Large Booth award went to Chauvet for a booth that “is an

open, inviting, stage environment that was inspiring to the design panel.”

the booth with the Most Creative Use of Light award was

presented to Clay Paky, “for an intricately programmed product

display that draws you in from halfway across the show floor.”

the Best debuting Product for Special effects award was

bestowed upon Birket engineering for the Firelinx Aegis wireless

control system, “an event driven system for pyrotechnics, lighting,

control, and special effects with impressive security features.”

the Best debuting Product in Sound was awarded to eLC Lighting

for the Green-Go advanced digital multi-channel intercom system. “it

is a simple, scalable, robust, and affordable communications system

utilizing any standard Power-over ethernet network.”

the Best debuting widget award went to City theatrical for their

Show dMX Show Baby wireless transceiver, which the judges said,

“this product has the industry’s most comprehensive instructions: ‘to

make this a transmitter, plug in dMX. to make it a receiver, don’t!’”

the Best debuting Product for Projection award was given to

dataton watchout Version 5. the judges noted, “the big jump from

version 4 creates whole new possibilities.”

the 2011 wally russell Lifetime Achievement Award was

presented by Jim Bornhorst to rusty Brutsché.

Bob gordon, A.C.T lighting; Francesco romangoli and Pio nahum, Clay Paky; with Marian sandberg, live Design, who presented the (tie) Best Debuting lighting Product for Clay Paky’s Alpha spot QWO 800.

Jim Bornhorst, Prg, accepts the (tie) Best Debuting lighting Product for Prg’s Best Boy 4000 spot from Marian sandberg, live Design.

Owen remers in the Christie Digital booth which won the lDI award for Best Product Presentation in a Booth.

Berenice and Albert Chauvet accepted the lDI award for Best large Booth.

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The next-generation compact LED moving head from JB-lighting. Clear beams, fl at design, as bright as a 1200w wash light, and the incredible zoom angle you’d expect from JB-lighting.

CREATIVE STAGE LIGHTING

See it in action at

Distributed in the US and Mexico exclusively by Creative Stage Lighting

Winner of the 2011 SHOWTECH

Product Award

Special thanksit is the volunteers and generous support of key PLASA member

companies that provide our association with the resources and

assistance to stage the many meetings, booth and suite hospitality,

and other special events during Ldi. we extend our warmest

appreciation to: Blue Pony Motion design for the rock our world

Awards video presentation; A.C.t Lighting, Clay Paky, and MA

Lighting for sponsoring the Cocktails and Awards reception; Stage

equipment and Lighting, Michael Plane, and Andrew rudolph for

the lighting and equipment used in the reception event; daktronics,

earl Girls, Mainstage theatrical Supply, oSrAM Sylvania, Production

Advantage, and Stage equipment and Lighting for sponsoring the

hospitality in the PLASA and world entertainment technology

lounge; PrG for providing audio and video equipment in the PLASA

booths; rosco and oSrAM for PLASA gobos in the booth; Arri

for the photography lights for award winner photos following the

reception. Additional thanks go to Bill ellis, Peter willis, Simon

newton, and Hamish dumbreck for their work on the PLASA

Control Protocols Connectivity Pavilion; the many volunteers who

manned the booth; and Stage equipment and Lighting, Candela

Controls, and American AV for the loan of truss, video displays, cable,

fixtures, and control equipment for the Pavilion. n

Bryan raven, White light, presented the lDI Best green Product award to Chris Patton of gDs for the Arcsystem house light and Bill groener, A.C.T lighting.

Birket engineering’s steve Birket and David russell with the lDI Best Debuting special effects Product award for the Firelinx Aegis wireless control system.

gary Fails and larry Dunn hold City Theatrical’s show DMX show Baby and its lDI Best Debuting Widget award.

Michael engström and James Testa with the lDI Best Debuting Product award in Projection for the Dataton Watchout version 5.

Brian Friborg with Martin’s Aura compact leD luminaire that won lDI’s Honorable Mention for Best Debuting lighting.

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PlAsA Cocktail and Awards reception

David rosenberg, Jennifer Tankleff, and richard Parks with I. Weiss

Tara Melingonis and Zari stahl with Penton Media

nic Philips; Brian Dowd, TMB; and Tray Allen, James Thomas engineering

ed Donohue, Henry Cowen, and Caroline rault, all from rosco, flank Felicia newberry, Magnum.

Michael nishball, David rosenburg, Matt Welander, Jules lauve, and Milllie Dixon all with Theatre Projects Consultants joined by russell read, AT&T who oversaw both the Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theatre projects in Dallas.

stage rigging’s John ringelman and Chris schmidt

eric Cornwell and steve lydeck of Acuity Brand Controls with Dave Higgins, Pathway Connectivity