Tag Archive: James Thurlow

1. White Light Sponsors Charity Film Awards

   16 May 2018 10:36 Leave a Comment

   The Charity Film Awards have been created to celebrate the success of film in fundraising, to increase exposure of charity films and to encourage donations for good causes. This year’s ceremony took place at Central Hall Westminster on Friday 11^th May where White Light is the venue’s production service partner. Attended by more than 300 people, WL provided a complete technical production solution as part of their commitment to sponsoring this important event.

   WL’s Venue Manager James Thurlow comments: “The Charity Film Awards is the only one of its kind, and we wanted to support them in creating an unforgettable evening. To achieve this, we worked closely with co-founder of the Charity Film Awards; Simon Burton to ensure that we delivered on his vision for the evening and to ensure smooth running.  We are pleased to be able to offer Central Hall Westminster a charity awards production package which is functional, cost effective and looks stunning”.

   On the evening, presenter Chessie King took to the stage to introduce a selection of winning and shortlisted films during the black-tie gala ceremony. These included entries from the National Autistic Society, The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Save The Children and Movember. The moving film clips were interspersed with entertainment from band Mercutio, singer Corrina Jane and magician and public speaker, Peter Wardell.

   The winners were picked by a combination of public votes and a panel of expert judges, with more than 60,000 members of the public voting for their favourite charity films.  Charities celebrating wins included Friends of Richmond Park for its heart-warming nature documentary starring Sir David Attenborough, The National Autistic Society for its film: ‘Make it Stop,’ and Movember with ‘Suicide Notes Talk Too Late.’ The British Hedgehog Society scooped The People’s Choice Award for ‘Hedgehog Close’.

   Simon Burton, co-founder of the Charity Film Awards, comments: “The Charity Film Awards celebrate how charities use video, whether for fundraising or to raise awareness to change behaviour. Many of the films benefit from a big screen and sound to maximise their impact. Working with White Light ensured that not only did the production look great but the films were shown to the very best effect”.

   Neil Parry, Sales and Events Director at Central Hall Westminster, adds: “We were really excited to be a sponsor of the Charity Film Awards as it has real synergy with the ethics of Central Hall Westminster and us as a business.  We proactively support the sector with preferential rates for venue hire and the profit generated by us goes towards supporting charities as well as maintaining this grade 2* listed building”.

   Photos courtesy of Daniel Garrido Morales.

2. White Light Provides Technical Solutions for PiXL Main Conference at Central Hall Westminster

   25 January 2018 15:00 Comments Off on White Light Provides Technical Solutions for PiXL Main Conference at Central Hall Westminster

   White Light recently delivered the complete technical solutions for the PiXL (Partners in Excellence) Main Conference, held at Central Hall Westminster on 18^th January.  The Conference marks another instance in which WL has worked with PiXL, with the technical solution experts frequently collaborating with the education organisation to deliver unforgettable events.

   WL’s initial brief from education experts PiXL was to make their events more ‘theatrical’. In response,  the company injected a totally fresh look and approach, focusing on its ethos that technology should complement a room rather than dominate it. WL worked closely with PiXL’s Operations Team to refine and develop the offering as their requirements for each event developed. Within the venue, WL has recently implemented a streaming solution that allows content to be sent from Central Hall Westminster’s Great Hall to various rooms around the venue, allowing PiXL’s events to be as interactive as possible.

   PiXL is a not-for-profit partnership of over 1,700 secondary schools and aims to share the best practice to raise standards and give students a better future and brighter hope. WL is the in-house supplier for technical equipment and AV support at Central Hall Westminster, one of five venues it currently provides in-house services for. PiXL has been a client of Central Hall Westminster for the last five years, delivering around 25 different events a year. The venue, in its prime location opposite Westminster Abbey, offers PiXL not only the large capacity of the stunning Great Hall, but also the versatility of the numerous break out rooms on offer.

   James Thurlow, Venue Technical Manager for WL, comments: “PiXL made good use of all the built-in technology available to them at the venue for the Main Conference. This included the large format projection, relay screens, and filming facilities in the Great Hall as well as laptops in all 13 break out rooms which have all been prepared with the client’s content. Support wise, we offered a full complement of AV technicians to run the main show, including backstage audio technicians to mic up presenters.

   He adds: “We also had a few floating technicians to assist clients in the breakout rooms. In addition to this, we always have a dedicated Project Manager on each event and this remains constant for all of the PiXL conferences throughout the year. Our aim is to provide a turnkey, effortless operation that is consistent for PiXL every time they come into the venue”.

   Moving into 2018, WL will look to expand its portfolio of managed venues, providing clients with the latest technology in event and conference production, complemented by the support of a dedicated production team.

   Photos courtesy of PiXL.