Tag Archive: Bryan Raven

1. White Light Celebrates Bryan Raven’s Outstanding Industry Contributions 

   17 March 2025 12:49 Leave a Comment

   

   White Light is delighted to honour the achievements of former Managing Director Bryan Raven, whose dedication to theatre, sustainability, and industry development has left a lasting impact. Though surprised by the recognition, Bryan has been deeply moved by the response, receiving hundreds of heartfelt messages from colleagues and peers acknowledging his leadership, reliability, and unwavering commitment to the industry. 

   Throughout his career, Bryan has been instrumental in driving industry-wide initiatives. He played a key role in White Light’s long-standing sponsorship of TheatreCraft, ensuring that aspiring off-stage theatre professionals have access to valuable career support. Reflecting on his involvement, Bryan recalls: “I was introduced to TheatreCraft over a decade ago through personal relationship and their mission resonated with me.  It is such a vital event for our industry as it allows the next generation a much-needed insight into the various resources available and the paths they may be able to take. It’s all about encouraging and making sure everything is completely accessible – hence the importance supporting them through sponsoring. One of my proudest achievements is to see that TheatreCraft has become an integral part of White Light’s annual calendar, championed internally by various team members.” Bryan’s commitment extended to helping with the development of TheatreCraft Next Generation, dedicated to 7-15 years old, held at the Science Museum in London in 2024. 

   Bryan has also been a driving force in nurturing new talent within the industry. His involvement in Skillscene since 2012 and his position as one of the founding directors of the National College Creative Industries (NCCI) led to the creation of White Light’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has provided over 75 young people with a Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship since its inception in 2011. His advocacy work in government lobbying has ensured that technical theatre careers remain firmly on the agenda. 

   For over 15 years, Bryan has championed sustainability in the performing arts. He recalls: “In 2008, I collaborated with Julie’s Bicycle on the Greening London’s Theatres guide, a practical guide for the industry launched by the then Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. It outlined how London theatres could cut carbon emissions and implement greener practices.” From his early involvement in the Green in London Theatre campaign to his recent work with the Theatre Green Book, Bryan has consistently pushed for environmental responsibility. His collaborations with sustainability leaders such as Julie’s Bicycle, Paule Constable (Lighting Designer), Paul Handley (Head of Production at the National Theatre), Juliet Hayes (Risk & Sustainability Manager at SOLT) to name but a few, highlight his unwavering commitment. Under his leadership, White Light achieved ISO14001 accreditation in 2022—an international standard for environmental management systems—followed by B Corp certification just months later. 

   Bryan reflects: “We were introduced to B Corp while working towards ISO14001, and we soon realised our existing practices aligned perfectly. It wasn’t about changing our approach but formalising it. B Corp’s mission resonated with us—to grow a profitable, sustainable business with a global reputation for excellence. This wasn’t a short-term sustainability initiative but a long-term commitment to accountability and responsible business practices.” 

   

   During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan played a pivotal role in the #WeMakeEvents campaign, advocating for the live events sector at a time of crisis. His efforts in lobbying MPs at the House of Commons helped bring the industry’s challenges to the forefront of government discussions. 

   Throughout his time at White Light, Bryan was supported by colleagues who enabled him to focus on these vital issues and help shape a better industry. He laughs: “Of course, not every idea of mine was a winner!” 

   Bryan’s legacy is deeply rooted in White Light’s values, inspired by founder John Simpson’s ethos of ‘doing the right thing.’ The company remains committed to integrity, innovation, and industry support. White Light’s Technical Director Dave Isherwood comments: “”We are proud to see this carried forward by our team, from Stuart Porter’s work with the ALPD to Jonathan Haynes’ advocacy for the Save the Beck Theatre campaign, and Liz Thompson and Sandra Tyler’s leadership of our apprenticeship programme, among many others. As we look to the future and the next generation of leaders, we remain dedicated to upholding these values. We are also pleased to announce Craig Bennett as our new General Manager, reinforcing our commitment to being the industry’s ‘Partner of Choice.’ Bryan’s contributions to White Light—and the wider industry—are truly invaluable, and we couldn’t be prouder of all he has contributed, continues to achieve, and the invaluable lessons he has shared with us.” 

   When asked what advice Bryan would offer to those looking to make a similar impact, he shares: “In today’s climate, making an impact is more challenging due to macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. However, it is now more critical than ever to pursue a responsible business strategy. The next generation of leaders recognises this, which gives me hope. Demonstrating the business case for sustainability and responsibility to external stakeholders is key to fostering a long-term, ethical approach. It will also help attract future talent, as young professionals increasingly seek to work for organisations that align with their values.” 

   Even as he embarks on new ventures, Bryan remains deeply connected to the industry. His upcoming projects include presenting a climate change paper at Showlight in Dijon (19–22 May), continuing his engagement with the Power of Events to inspire young talent, and working with Theatre Green Book to address embedded carbon in technical products. He is also mentoring business leaders on their career and organisational growth. 

   We extend our sincere congratulations to Bryan on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his continued influence in shaping the future of the performing arts industry. 

2. White Light Wins Production, Rental and Staging Business of the Year at AV Awards 2020

   23 November 2020 14:20 Leave a Comment

   

   Now in its 22^nd year, the AV Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals, companies, projects and technology across the AV, events and production sector. This year’s ceremony was held virtually and, following a challenging year, the organisers felt it was vital to still recognise the outstanding achievements of this creative, talented and innovative industry. Having been crowned National Integrator of the Year at last year’s ceremony, this year White Light won the prestigious Production, Rental and Staging Business of the Year Award; making it the first company ever to receive both accolades. 

   The Production, Rental and Staging Business of the Year Award is given to an organisation that delivers the exact AV solutions customers need. The company must provide assistance in the initial planning stages, concept and theme development, staging requirements, AV equipment requirements, pre-production planning, production, procurement, contract management, scripting and logistics; along with anything else that allows customers to ensure their message hits the mark. Following an incredibly busy twelve months since the previous AV Awards, WL has continued to prove itself as an organisation that offers just this; pushing the boundaries of both the technical solutions and level of service which it offers clients. 

   WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven comments: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded Production, Rental and Staging Business of the Year. This is a recognition of the brilliant contribution from all of our staff, from the warehouse team to those working in Innovation, as they all strive tirelessly to deliver our clients’ diverse range of projects. As a company, we are constantly looking for ways in which to offer the very best service possible, as seen with our strategic partnerships with both ELP and  SFL which has expanded our existing offering. This continued desire to be the best in what we do has allowed us to become technical leaders in several sectors, whether its theatre, corporate events, broadcast or education. Similarly, our constant innovation work, particularly with our award-winning SmartStage technology, shows how we are forever pushing the boundaries in regards to the technical solutions we provide”. 

   With the past year being a particularly challenging one following the outbreak of Covid-19, an important aspect of this year’s AV Awards judging was how organisations had responded to the pandemic and continued to offer their clients an exceptional level of service.  WL’s Technical Solutions Director Andy Hook explains: “Like many similar organisations, back in March, we suddenly found most of our upcoming projects cancelled overnight. As difficult as this was, along with the subsequent decisions we had to make, as technical innovators, we relished the opportunity to continue supporting our customers by helping them embrace digital solutions. We have been pioneering remote presentation and collaboration solutions for several years with a focus on xR and being able to rapidly educate our clients on these technologies has allowed them to move through this period of uncertainty as effectively as possible”.

   Realising that many clients still needed an accessible and safe way to deliver their projects, WL immediately built two brand-new SmartStage studios within its Wimbledon base; embodying the company’s mantra of ‘the show must go on’. These SmartStages have helped deliver a range of exciting projects, including the Leaders in Sport Leaders Week, Vistage’s London Executive Summit, Fusion Comm’s BDO RETHINK Festival as well as several live international sporting broadcasts. Many of these would simply have been cancelled without the use of SmartStage, meaning WL helped deliver solutions that overcame several barriers yet did so in the safest way possible. As the company looks ahead to the next few months, it will continue to use this technology in order to push the boundaries of digital events and begin to transition into the exciting new world of hybrid events. Hybrid events in particular are growing increasingly popular as clients are able to use WL’s innovative xR technology to have both in-person attendance as well as remote delegates and speakers; with this format allowing even more exciting opportunities for innovation.

   Alongside the technical service that is offered to its customers, the judges also took into consideration what the company provides to its staff, from its training regimes to its apprenticeship scheme. It also looked at WL’s diversity and equality stats, as well as its workplace culture and the role it plays within the wider industry.  

   The AV Awards took place virtually on Friday 20th November and a full list of the winners can be viewed here.  

   Bryan concludes: “When the company was founded back in 1971, it was done so on the core values of us being knowledgeable, dependable, friendly, adaptable, customer-focused and honourable. Whilst these have always sat at the heart of our work, they have taken on greater resonance this year. I believe that a time of crisis truly shows who you are as an organisation and, while the past few months have been extremely challenging, I am proud to say that we’ve continued to embody these values; ones which have allowed us to be there not only for our clients but our staff too. The AV Award is a recognition of this and we are delighted to have received such an accolade”. 

3. White Light Included in London Stock Exchange Group’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ 2020 Report

   3 November 2020 08:33 Leave a Comment

   

   White Light has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ 2020. The report recognises the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)*, highlighting the regional and sector diversity of the UK’s SMEs and the entrepreneurial spirit shown by these companies. This is the second year running in which WL has been featured on the list. 

   To be featured in the report, businesses had to demonstrate strong revenue growth over the last three years and outperform their sector peers, creating a unique list of the UK’s most innovative SMEs. The inclusion on the list is an indication of WL’s growth pre-Covid and a recognition of how the company has been able to diversify its skills and expand into a variety of markets.  

   WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven comments: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year as a company so to receive this news is extremely welcomed. It’s so easy to just focus on everything post-Covid now and while that is the reality of the situation we’re facing, it’s important to step back and reflect on what we were able to achieve as a company prior to this. We’re incredibly proud of how we managed to grow and expand as an organisation – a position we hope we can return to once we’re through the other side of all this”. 

   WL began in 1971 when five friends working at London’s Royal Court Theatre decided to quit their jobs and follow their passion for theatre lighting. As such, they formed WL – a hire company that would supply lighting fixtures to theatre shows. Shortly after this, they were asked to supply a six-week run of a new production called The Rocky Horror Show. These six weeks soon turned into six years with the play transferring and becoming an international smash. WL soon become a company renowned for supplying the latest lighting technology to the entertainment industry. 

   

   Almost 50 years later and WL’s beginnings remain a perfect example of what the company still is – constantly seeking new ventures, pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and operating ahead of its time. Over the past five decades, our offering has evolved and we now supply a range of technical solutions including lighting, audio and video to a variety of markets, such as broadcast, concert touring, leisure and corporate and live events. Over the past twelve months alone, the company has helped deliver a range of projects including the BBC Proms, London Fashion Week, the Six Day Series, Coldplay live at the Natural History Museum as well as continuing to be the leading lighting supplier to London’s West End.  

   David Schwimmer, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group, comments:“This report highlights the vital role of SMEs in driving economic growth, leading innovation and providing jobs across the UK. In this challenging year for businesses, it is more important than ever to shine a light on these stories of resilience and entrepreneurship. The success of UK SMEs is crucial as we rebuild a post COVID-19 economy, and London Stock Exchange Group is committed to helping growth companies achieve their potential.” 

   The news of WL’s inclusion in the list has come after that of a national lockdown; something which will not only affect the company but also the wider live entertainment industry. For the past few months, WL has been relentlessly campaigning for wider support within the industry, whether that’s through the #WeMakeEvents campaign, appearances on national news channels or in mainstream newspapers.   

   Bryan concludes: “Whilst being included on the list is an indication of how we’ve grown in size, we also hope that, as a company, we ‘inspire’ others through our core values and the causes we fight for. We appreciate that a lot of the organisations included in this list, such as ourselves, face an uphill battle over the next few weeks and I would ask that the government continues to work with us, our freelancers and everyone else who is part of this normally thriving industry, to ensure we all survive and that we save one of the most profitable sectors within our economy”.   

   A full searchable database of all of the companies along with a downloadable pdf of the publication can be found online at www.1000companies.com 

   *Company data as at December 2019 is included in this report 

   – End – 

4. Paule Constable Wins Oliver Awards’ Best Lighting Design 2020

   26 October 2020 09:06 Leave a Comment

   

   Last night, the winners of this year’s Olivier Awards were announced in a special programme presented by Jason Manford at the London Palladium which was broadcast on ITV as well as streamed live on Official London Theatre’s Youtube channel. White Light once again sponsored the Best Lighting Design Award which was won by Paule Constable for her work on The Ocean at the End of the Sea at the National Theatre.

   Like most award ceremonies this year, the Oliviers have had to navigate around the current restrictions in which we all find ourselves. The nominations were initially announced in March, with the ceremony due to take place in April. However, this was postponed until it was eventually decided that the safest way forward was to host an online ceremony. WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven comments: “The Oliviers are aways a huge occasion for us as a company; not only because we sponsor the Best Lighting Design Award but the fact that we also supply the lighting for the main ceremony as well as the production support for the after party. It’s one of the biggest events in the theatrical calendar so while, like so many others, we were disappointed it couldn’t physically go ahead, we were delighted that Official London Theatre and its partners found a way to make ‘the show go on’ in some way”.

   For Best Lighting Design, Paule Constable won her fifth award for her work on The Ocean at the End of the Sea. The other nominees included Howard Hudson for & Juliet, Neil Austin for Rosmersholm and Bruno Poet for Uncle Vanya; with the latter two shows supplied by WL. Bryan comments: “We are absolutely delighted for Paule who now takes her tally up to an incredible five Oliviers! Her design on the show was truly magnificent and it’s fantastic to see her brilliant work once again recognised. We’d also like to say a huge well done to the other designers whose nominations were all thoroughly deserved”.

   Other winners on the evening included Sharon D. Clarke who took home Best Actress for her performance in the Young Vic’s Death Of A Salesman. Present Laughter at The Old Vic won two awards, with Andrew Scott winning Best Actor and Indira Varma winning Best Supporting Actress. The Jamie Lloyd Company won Cunard Best Revival for its production of Cyrano De Bergerac whereas Emilia took home three awards, including the Noël Coward Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play for playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Best Costume Design for Joanna Scotcher and Best Sound Design for Emma Laxton.

   Ian McKellen was also honoured with his seventh Olivier Award for his 80^th Birthday tour, whilst lyricist Don Black, received a Special Award from Lord Lloyd Webber and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, who, like so many of the award winners, gave an impassioned speech about the importance and resilience of theatre.

   Bryan comments: “Whilst it was heartening to see such a wealth of talent recognised for what they do best, what was just as heartening was hearing so many artists acknowledge the plight facing our freelancers and the overall lack of clarity we still face as an industry. For me, the evening marked a celebration of colleagues, peers and friends yet also served as a reminder of how much we are all missing live performance and the huge void that theatre has left; something we hope will be resolved in the very near future”.

5. Paul Talbot – 24 Years at White Light

   6 January 2020 13:42 Leave a Comment

   

   At WL, one of our proudest assets is our staff. We pride ourselves on offering our clients a level of customer service they simply wouldn’t receive anywhere else. We’re fortunate that a lot of our employees have chosen to stay with the company for a long time; with one of these being our Quality Manager Paul Talbot. Paul has been with the company for 24 years now so we thought we’d take this opportunity to sit down and discuss his time at WL.

   When Paul first joined WL, it was December 1995 and he was fresh out of college. He recalls: “I’d completed a micro-electronics course at East Surrey College and really just wanted any sort of job. I’d seen there was a vacancy at WL and went down to meet the company’s Managing Director Bryan (Raven). We got on really well and I soon joined the Operations team which saw me loading vans, doing deliveries etc”. After a few months in Operations, Paul quickly found himself moving around the warehouse: “I soon joined Bench where I was known as the fixer! Basically, due to my background in electronics, I was always been given circuit boards to fix, along with the more difficult wiring. I actually really enjoyed the technical side of things though; so much so that I joined Control where I got to play with as many toys as I wanted!”.

   

   Paul soon found himself running the Control Department which brought with it a few challenges; although these were mainly due to WL’s location at the time. Paul explains: “This was while we were still in the old Filmer Road building in Fulham so every time the basement flooded (which happened more than it should) it was down to me to get a group of us together and sort it out! There was also the challenge of pushing consoles and flight cases down small corridors and over cobbled floors. It was certainly a character-building experience!”.

   Thankfully, WL was expanding at a rapid rate and would soon move to a much bigger home in nearby Wimbledon. Due to his role, Paul was in charge of overseeing the set-up of Control in SW19. Shortly after this, Paul would continue honing his managerial skills as he became Head of the Rigging and Followspot departments. Following this, he was then promoted to Warehouse Manager; overseeing everyone who worked in the vicinity. He comments: “My constant promotions within the company weren’t a quest for world domination! Instead they were a natural progression. This was during a time when I didn’t have a partner or any family so I was always the first one in at 7am and the last one out at 9pm. They were long, long days but I did genuinely enjoy them and the increased responsibility”.

   Once in Wimbledon, the company continued to grow, now employing five times the staff compared to when Paul first started. As such, he worked with his team of supervisors to help oversee the growing workforce. It was also during this time that Paul’s personal life dramatically changed and the long hours he used to embrace were no longer a possibility. He explains: “My son was born in 2006 with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy which meant he needed constant care. Funnily enough, I didn’t go part time straight away – I just had to finish on time! It was strange as finishing at 5pm for me was like doing a half day!”.

   

   Since then, Paul has continued working in managerial roles throughout the company and for the past couple of years has worked as WL’s Quality Manager. He explains: “My role is exactly how it sounds: ensuring that, as a company, we maintain ‘quality’ and that everything leaves our facilities as it should. I’ve also put in procedures and systems that are bespoke to WL. As someone who’s been here for quite a long time now, I’m in the fortunate position of knowing what works best for our customers and how we’re able to give them the best service possible”.

   As Paul has been at WL for almost a quarter of a century, it seems only right to ask what the biggest changes have been during this time. However, Paul wants to actually talk about what’s stayed consistent: “What I love about working at WL, and perhaps the biggest reason I’ve stayed, is the people. During my time here, we’ve gone from a company of 25 to 250 yet it’s still retained its family feel and everyone is so friendly and just wants to do the best job possible. Personally, I’ve also made some great friends here, including Andy Cullen, Neil Adamson, Andy Johnson and many more, and think of the company as my extended family – which not a lot of people can say about the place they work”.

   We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for his service to WL and the integral role he’s played in the company’s growth. Here’s to the next 24 years!

6. It’s Panto Season Again for White Light. Oh Yes It Is!

   12 December 2019 14:39 Leave a Comment

   

   White Light is supplying the lighting equipment to more than 25 pantomimes and Christmas shows this festive season.

   For many theatres, Christmas marks their busiest time of the year, as stages up and down the country fill with dames, beanstalks, ugly sisters and flying carpets. A firm favourite in the panto world is Peter Pan and WL is supplying productions at Birmingham Rep, Brighton Metropole, Epsom Playhouse and Tunbridge Wells’ Assembly Hall Theatre. The production at Epsom Playhouse is being lit by Simon Banks, who comments: “My brief for the show was actually very open, with the only request being that we managed to get across a period feel for the more traditional story elements whilst being able to go ‘full panto’ for the big production numbers and set pieces. When working on pantomime, I’ve often found that less is more and you can really play with the audience’s responses by more traditional creative means such as shifts of mood and emphasis”.

   In terms of other popular productions, WL is going to the ball with Cinderella at Norwich Theatre Royal, Cambridge Arts Theatre and The Hexagon, Reading, whereas Jack and the Beanstalk is entertaining audiences at Harlow Playhouse, Eastbourne Theatres and The Harlequin Theatre, Redhill. Snow White is playing at Pavilion Theatre Rhyl and the Beck Theatre, Hayes whereas Aladdin is at The Anvil, Basingstoke. Mother Goose is thrilling audiences at the Millfield Theatre and The Marlowe, Canterbury, whilst Robin Hood is on stage at Salisbury Playhouse. WL is also supplying several versions of A Christmas Carol, including an immersive production at IMMERSIVE LDN along with a version at the Old Vic, which WL is supplying for the third year running.

   

   Having previously lit Jack and the Beanstalk at Salisbury Playhouse, lighting designer Nic Farman is back at the theatre this year to light Robin Hood. He comments: “With Robin Hood, I was tasked with using bright and bold colours to help create the world of Sherwood Forest and the Sheriff of Nottingham’s Castle. With the design relying on saturated colours and bright beams, I knew I wanted a flexible and dynamic rig. Overhead was a combination of Mac III Profiles and GLP X4 Washes which gave me great options for colour and gobo washes. A side light and pipe end rig of ETC ColorSource Profiles allowed me to have a fully flexible stage wash which was combined with Chroma-Q Color Force 12 and 72s to light the portals and cloth tops. At front of house, there were a number of Martin MAC Viper Performances to give me a full stage and cloth gobo wash. All of these allowed me to achieve the bold looks I wanted; something that lighting a panto often encourages you to do”.

   Alongside pantomimes, many theatres are also staging more traditional Christmas shows. One of these is Treasure Island, which is a Bolton Octagon Theatre production being performed at the Macron Stadium. The lighting designer is Johanna Town, who comments: “My brief for this show was to light the piece as naturally as possible and treat most of the song changes with soft shifts. The venue, which was obviously not your traditional theatre space, had a false stage with no access equipment allowed. As such, all the overhead rig had to be moving lights and due to power requirements, had to be almost all LED. I chose ETC LED profiles and Auras as my main wash lights and then had some GLP X Bars as overhead toplight to work in the songs and give a soft wash for the scenes. I also added Vipers for additional atmosphere. Similarly, the scenery was a large landscape flatage representing walls and clouds and mountains, which was then washed using Robert Juliat Dalis 860s due to their incredible short throw”. 

   For Johanna, working on a show like this not only varies from a standard theatrical production in terms of the creative brief, but also due to the impact it can have: “For Christmas shows, it’s vital that you make it exciting for its young audience, introduce lots of looks and images they can take away, and hopefully initiate a love for theatre and live performance. I think any show for children should feel exciting and have lots of imagination for them to enjoy; which is the pleasure of designing a Christmas show”. 

   

   Another show that WL is supplying the lighting for is The Nutcracker which is currently running at the Theatre Royal Portsmouth. Lighting Designer Adam King takes us through his process: “Part of my brief is transporting the audience into the world of the Nutcracker from the moment they walk into the auditorium; something I’m able to achieve by softening the house light system and adding more colour. In terms of the show itself, my main role was to make each location featured feel ‘magical’ every time the characters visited. As the set remains largely the same, it’s my job to make sure the audience followed the narrative through the changes in light; as well as offer those moments of magic throughout”.

   Whilst WL is supplying a host of Christmas shows this year, the company is still extremely busy with non-festive productions. In the West End alone, the company is providing the lighting for a multitude of newly-opened shows, including Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse, Amélie at The Other Palace, Touching the Void at the Duke of York’s, Cyrano de Bergerac at the Playhouse along with the soon-to-open Les Misérables at the recently refurbished Sondheim Theatre. The company is also supplying a range of festive events, such as the numerous outdoor ‘Christmas at’ which include Bedgebury, Belton, Blenheim, Dunham Massey, Edinburgh, Kew Gardens and Stourhead.

   WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven comments: “It’s been another incredibly busy year here at WL in which we’ve cemented our position as the leading lighting supplier to West End and UK touring theatre. It’s a fitting end to a great twelve months to be working across the country on a range of festive shows, supplying lighting designers with the exact equipment they need. We’d like to say thanks to all of those who’ve drawn on our services in 2019 and we look forward to working with you once again in the new year”.

   Photos courtesy of The Other Richard and Natalie Gee.

7. White Light Wins Twice at the AV Awards 2019

   14 October 2019 11:59 Leave a Comment

   

   Regarded as the unrivalled badge of excellence for the AV industry, the AV Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals, companies, projects and technology across the sector. This year, WL was awarded with not one but two AV Awards: Broadcast and Media Project of the Year and National Integrator of the Year.

   WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven comments: “It’s an absolute honour to have picked up two accolades at the AV Awards. We’re aware of how the Awards celebrate the pinnacle of our industry and are chosen by industry experts, showing how our work is now recognised by our peers. We’re also delighted that the awards reflect two very different disciplines we serve as a company and that both our Broadcast and Installation teams are excelling in their individual fields”.

   The National Integrator of the Year Award recognises integrators who serve customers on a nationwide scale and are committed to the complete project; from design, construction and installation to delivery, training, service and maintenance. WL put forward the work it has delivered with h Club, Illuminate, DeepMind, Jaguar Land Rover and att. For each project, WL had to provide an integration system bespoke to the client’s needs, which ranged from an immersive audio system to a tv broadcast studio.

   

   The Broadcast and Media Project of the Year recognises the achievements of those operating AV within the broadcast and media sectors, including studio-based broadcast productions, sports broadcasts, gaming and televised events. WL won the award following its work with ITV Sport on last year’s coverage of the Russia World Cup. WL worked as the consultant of the design concept for the studios which were based in the HBS Facility in Moscow, due to its stunning views onto Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral. When it became apparent that the positioning of the set’s windows meant that only the bottom of the Cathedral would be visible (and not its iconic ornate spires), WL came up with the concept of creating ‘virtual windows’ to extend the view.

   WL’s Technical Solutions Director adds: “With the Russia World Cup, we offered a complete end-to-end solution from initial consultancy, to technical design and on-site support, ensuring that the video and lighting were completely integrated to maximise the effectiveness of the studio set. We supplied everything from the studio lighting package, to the video screens in the studio, to the media server work flow and team of experts to install, operate and support the studio for the duration of the tournament. With viewing figures reaching over 26 million for the England v Croatia Semi Final, it was fantastic to be involved in such a prolific broadcasting event and use mixed realty to deliver a truly innovative studio set solution. The fact that the project was a winner at the AV Awards is a brilliant recognition of the team’s ground-breaking work”.

   This year’s AV Awards took place on 11th October at Battersea Evolution with over 1,400 in attendance.

   Bryan concludes: “As a company, winning these awards highlights our now recognised place within the broadcast and integration markets. We are a company that has always been renowned for its personal service, use of innovative technology and offering bespoke solutions; something we look forward to continuing as we move forward with a breadth of exciting and ground-breaking projects”.

   If you would like to discuss any upcoming projects, then please contact our Broadcast Team and Installations Team who will be more than happy to chat through any inquiries.

8. #InspiringFutureTheatre Day

   4 July 2019 13:38 Leave a Comment

   

   Yesterday, theatres, arts organisations and industry professionals across the UK celebrated the wide range of offstage theatre careers available for young people. A joint initiative by Society of London Theatre (SOLT), UK Theatre and Education & Employers, #InspiringFutureTheatre encourages young people to explore job opportunities within a sustainable and representative theatre workforce. As an organisation which offers an award-winning Apprentice scheme, alongside supporting a range of educational organisations such as the National College of Creative Industries, we were involved in a series of events taking place throughout the day.

   Formed in response to SOLT and UK Theatre’s 2017 Workforce Reviews, Inspiring Future Theatre reaffirms the organisations’ commitment to opening up paths within theatre for young people, building a resilient workforce that’s representative of the UK’s diverse population. Workshops were held at nine theatres across all the major London theatre owners, from speed networking sessions to technical insights into staging a large-scale show. Theatre Royal Haymarket, the Cambridge Theatre, the Vaudeville Theatre, the Aldwych Theatre, the Piccadilly Theatre, the Prince of Wales Theatre, the Gillian Lynne Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse and the Royal Opera House all participated on the day.

   

   WL’s Health & Safety and Workforce Development Director Chris Nicholls attended the talk at the Vaudeville Theatre whereas WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven was at the Kiln Theatre in North West London where he was helping to deliver a careers session (which included a CV workshop). WL has recently been working closely with the venue’s Creative Learning team as part of a venture to find a new generation of technicians. The Production Arts students in attendance, who are on a 10 week part time course to learn about the technical side of the industry, had visited WL last Saturday to get an overall picture of the potential of the industry from Bryan. The students will be visiting WL over the next two weekends to learn more about audio & lighting through a range of practical, hands-on demonstrations.

   Coinciding with #InspiringFutureTheatre, WL is now recruiting for its latest batch of apprentices. Following on from being crowned Employer of the Year at the CC Skills Awards earlier this year, the company is wanting to continue developing the next generation of industry talent. Find out more here.

9. White Light Expands Its Expert Staff

   13 June 2019 10:14 Leave a Comment

   

                    Carmelo Amenta

   White Light has continued to expand its expert team by appointing a range of staff who each have extensive experience within the live entertainment industry.

   Joining WL as Technical Account Manager is Carmelo Amenta, who will deliver a range of broadcast projects, large-scale award ceremonies and live music concerts. Carmelo explains: “I’m delighted to have joined WL at what’s a really exciting time for the company. My role will see me collaborate closely with clients by taking their technical briefs and turning these into a reality. I’ve already delivered some amazing projects since I’ve started here and look forward to continue doing so over the next few months”.

   Also joining the company is Ian Charlampowicz who has been appointed as Senior Account Manager and will work specifically within the Broadcast media sector. He and Carmelo have already worked on events such as NFL Live at Wembley Arena, the Dimash Kudaibergen concert at Indigo O2 as well as an IBM Think Summit at the Old Truman Brewery.

    

   

                       Jade Harrison

   WL continues to be one of the leading technical suppliers to the events industry. To ensure that the company offers its clients the best service possible, it has appointed Jade Harrison as Business Development Manager. Having started her career at the Science Museum, Jade has worked for Mermaid London, Royal College of Surgeons, City of London and also sat on the board for Unique Venues of London. She comments: “I’ve known WL for the best part of 10 years but was still incredibly impressed when I realised just how huge the operation is. As a company, we’ve forged a reputation for delivering unforgettable events in truly unique locations and I cannot wait to show clients just what we’re able to offer them”.

   WL has also expanded the teams within its Managed Venues. This includes the recently-opened Illuminate with the appointments of Mark Sutcliffe and Luis Quiterio as Venue Sales Manager and Venue Technical Manager respectively. WL has also appointed Leonard Layton at Central Hall Westminster as Deputy Venue Manager. Leonard explains: “I will work closely with our Sales Manager to understand our client’s brief, determine the event’s technical requirements and resource all the necessary equipment from our extensive inventory”.

    

   

                           Roger Deane

   Alongside this, WL has recently acquired the assets of Imax Lighting, a company renowned for offering a premium level of equipment and service to the live events industry. The company’s entire equipment stock will now be available via WL and the company’s founder Gary Churchill joins WL as a Consultant. Also joining WL is Rodney George as Used Equipment Manager who will oversee the sale of used equipment to small businesses, theatres, colleges and live music venues.

   Whilst there are lots of new faces joining the company, WL will be saying goodbye to a long-term member of staff. Head of Broadcast and Corporate Hire Roger Deane will be retiring this summer after a long and successful career in the industry. Roger comments: “I first joined this world back in 1978 and, after four decades, I think I deserve a break! Whilst I will be sad to leave WL, I’m happy in the knowledge that the company has made so many exciting appointments and will continue to grow and offer clients, new and old, a level of personal service they won’t receive anywhere else”.

    

10. White Light Returns to ABTT Theatre Show for 41st Year Running

    29 May 2019 13:39 Leave a Comment

    Next week sees the return of the ABTT Theatre Show at London’s Alexandra Palace. The annual exhibition brings together 100-150 organisations who supply the latest technology to a range of live entertainment sectors, including theatre, events, television, film and festivals.  This year marks the show’s 41st anniversary and White Light will be exhibiting once again – becoming the only company to have appeared at every single exhibition.

    This year, the ABTT Theatre Show takes place on 5 – 6th June and WL will be exhibiting on stand M6. Bryan Raven, WL’s Managing Director, comments: “We are delighted to be returning to the ABTT Theatre Show after what’s been another unforgettable year for the company. In the past twelve months alone, we’ve continued to supply the biggest shows in the West End, work extensively on UK tours as well as continue our work at festivals ranging from Edinburgh to VAULT. All the while, we’ve continued investing in both the latest technology and expanding our expert staff”.

    Manufacturers on the WL stand this year include Look Solutions and Wireless Solution. Look Solutions is a German manufacturer of high quality fog and haze machines, accessories and fluids. Renowned for their small size, energy efficiency, high performance and reliability, their products do not require any type of regular cleaning or maintenance like competitive products often do. WL is currently supplying them to a range of West End shows such as Matilda, Tina -The Musical and The Twilight Zone alongside UK theatre tours including The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, Les Misérables and The Girl on the Train.

    

    Wireless Solution is the world’s leading manufacturer of the most popular, reliable and exciting wireless lighting control equipment, W-DMX™. Having sold over 500,000 units worldwide, its award-winning Wireless DMX system is today the un-official standard for those that require the most dependable product for transmitting lighting control data wirelessly, regardless of distance or location. WL recently drew extensively on the technology for a brand-new lighting installation at the Science Museum’s Making the Modern World gallery. The products featured on the WL stand will include the F-1 G5 Transceiver along with the R-512 G5 Receiver.

    Unlike other exhibitions, the purpose of the ABTT Theatre Show is to raise money to fund the work of the registered charity, The Association of British Theatre Technicians. The ABTT is the membership organisation upholding standards in technical excellence and safety for theatre and live performance. It seeks to continuously advance technical expertise in theatre and live performance and work with its membership to develop and promote best practice in all relevant crafts and disciplines. As a result, those who exhibit are effectively investing in their own industry.

    Bryan concludes: “We are really looking forward to returning to the ABTT Theatre Show to catch up with old friends as well as make new ones. The exhibition is as popular and relevant today as it was 41 years ago and we’re delighted to have played a small part in every step of its journey”.