Tag Archive: PLASA Focus Leeds

1. White Light Sets the Stage at Highbury Theatre Centre

   13 November 2019 11:01 Leave a Comment

   

   White Light has overseen a brand-new lighting upgrade at the Highbury Theatre Centre in Sutton Coldfield.

   Having opened in 1942, Highbury Theatre Centre is one of the oldest, most established amateur theatres in the country. Through its resident company The Highbury Players, the venue annually presents a ten month season, which includes seven main stage productions and three studio plays. It is also home to a number of visiting companies including Trinity Players, From The Top Theatre Company and Class Act Drama Centre.  The Centre also hosts the annual Birmingham Festival of Acting and Musical Entertainment.

   To ensure its productions maintain the highest technical standards possible, the venue decided to upgrade its existing lighting rig. As a result, the team visited PLASA Focus Leeds earlier this year where they met WL’s Business Development Manager Jonathan Haynes. Jonathan explains: “The Theatre had built up capital and wanted to use this to upgrade their existing lighting rig; replacing their very old tungsten units and console. They were very keen to draw on the most advance equipment possible yet also use the funds wisely and ensuring there was a long-lasting system in place, especially given then concerns surrounding the availability of tungsten lamps”.

   

   Following this initial chat, Jonathan went to visit the Theatre Centre and walk through the space. He comments: “It was important for us to see the venue, listen to the client’s requirements and then offer a solution. We demonstrated a lot of equipment which we thought would offer enough lighting coverage yet also fall within budget. I was keen to ensure that what we offered was affordable, but also could offer the long term reliability and manufacturer support”.

   WL put forward a lighting package from the ETC ColorSource family, including ColorSource Cycs, ColorSource Pars and ColorSource Spots. This was enhanced with High End SolaFrame 750 moving head fixtures, and an ETC Gio to control the new rig. WL also supplied a power distribution solution to replace the existing six way tungsten dimmer packs, and ColorSource Relays to provide switchable power via the console. With the ColorSource fixtures having a 5 year warranty on the fixture and 10 year warranty on the LED array, as well as a great light output, it proved a perfect option that could provide the long term reassurance that the venue was looking for.

   

   Highbury Theatre Centre’s Head of Lighting Andrew Noakes comments: White Light and Jonathan in particular were most helpful and offered us a package that exceeded what we thought we could afford and now have a rig which is flexible to our needs and brings us into the 21st century.  We are now into our third production using the new kit and are very happy with it.

   Jonathan adds: “It was fantastic to work closely with the team at Highbury Theatre Centre and supply a package that was bespoke to their technical and budgetary needs. It is even more rewarding to see the new kit working well in its new home with a very happy technical team. Whilst we have a reputation of working with some of the biggest regional theatres in the UK, we work with venues of all shapes and sizes, and would encourage anyone looking for a lighting upgrade or just with a general enquiry to contact our expert team.”

   Photos courtesy of Highbury Theatre Centre.

2. White Light Returns to PLASA Focus Leeds 2019

   8 May 2019 12:33 Leave a Comment

   See our exclusive lines and new products on stand N-C24

   We are pleased to once again return to the biggest trade show in the North of England: PLASA Focus Leeds 2019. Taking place at the Royal Armouries Museum 14-15th May, the show attracts key UK entertainment technology manufacturers and suppliers. Join us on stand N-C24, where we will be showcasing our trusted exclusive lines alongside some exciting new lighting products.

   Hog 4 Lighting Consoles

   

   Road Hog 4 console

   Following our appointment last year as a Master Dealer for the Hog range (High End Systems) in the UK, we’re bringing the Road Hog 4 console to our stand. Our Hog 4 Product Manager Stuart Porter will be on-hand to demonstrate the technology and to answer any questions. Stuart has many years of programming experience, having worked on numerous West End musicals and live events such as the Manchester Commonwealth Games and the Disneyland Paris Millennium Show. If you’re unable to make it to Leeds but would like to find out more, you can do so here.

   Look Solutions Fog Generators

   Look Solutions, our exclusive partner, will be joining to showcase their range of fog generators. The brand is internationally renowned and trusted throughout the theatre world. In 2019 alone, Look Solutions’ products have already been used on Tina – the Musical, Aladdin, All About Eve, and The Twilight Zone.

   

   Production image from Tina – The Musical at London’s Aldwych theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan.

   Capture 2019

   “If a user doesn’t instantly understand how to use a feature, it’s not good enough” is Capture’s mantra. The company proves its point with the new release of their user-friendly visualisation software. The 2019 edition focuses on the lighting designer’s workflow with the following features: All user interface elements now remember their state; The release supports dark mode and trackpads on macOS and offers improved 3Dconnexion device support. In addition to that, great rendering engine performance improvements allow you to visualise larger projects than before. Find out more here or simply try it out for yourself on stand N-C24.

   Martin MAC Encore Wash WRM

   The MAC Encore Wash WRM provides unparalleled, 3000K warm incandescent emulation. In addition to providing a soft-edged wash extension to the MAC Encore line, the WRM variant is the perfect replacement for the much-loved, discontinued MAC TW1. It can also be used as a modern replacement for generic fixtures such as tungsten fresnels, with the additional benefit of colour mixing and movement.

   Wireless Lighting Control Solutions by W-DMX

   

   Event lighting display at the Making the Modern World, Science Museum London

   Last but not least, our exclusive partner Wireless Solution (W-DMX) will be joining our stand with an unmissable offer.

   Get 15% off BlackBox, MicroBox and WhiteBox ranges if purchased on ShopWL.com within 30 days of the Show.

   W-DMX has become the industry standard for wireless lighting installations, offering a range of reliable and discreet solutions. We recently used a mixture of W-DMX  products to refit the Making the Modern World gallery at the Science Museum. It enabled the venue team to not only switch between daytime and evening lighting with the flick of a switch but also utilise the wireless features to redress the venue according to their own client’s specifications. Read about it here.

   PLASA Focus Leeds 2019 will run at the Royal Armouries Museum 14th-15th of May. Register for free via this link and don’t forget to visit White Light’s stand N-C24.

3. White Light Announced as Official d3 Technologies Partner

   9 May 2017 09:31 Comments Off on White Light Announced as Official d3 Technologies Partner

   As the complete technical solution specialist, White Light works in a range of markets, including theatre, corporate events, broadcast, retail and leisure. Whether it’s supplying equipment for a brand-new space or upgrading an existing system, WL is constantly drawing on the very latest technology to offers its clients the exact solutions they require. This includes d3 Technologies’ state-of-the-art equipment which WL has utilised on a whole range of projects. The company has now been appointed as a d3 Certified Solutions Provider; meaning it now has its own fleet of d3 hardware which is available to customers.

   Being the world’s first integrated video production suite, d3 is the ultimate software to visualise, design and sequence projects. Based around a real-time d3 stage simulator, it offers a single solution needed to design, communicate and sequence any project. It also allows users to work with props, venues, LED screens, projection, lighting and moving stage elements; creating a fully integrated system.

   Lee Dennison, WL’s Head of Business Development, comments: “Due to the vast capabilities of d3 technology, we found ourselves constantly using the software as it provided options that simply weren’t out there. Also, as a company who works extensively in technical installations, we are often asked to provide all of the production aspects, including audio, lighting and video. Therefore, to have a system which allows us to visualise all of these components together is extremely beneficial. Such technology is changing how we view a lot of our work and this was something we wanted to make accessible to our clients”.

   As a d3 Sales and Integration Partner, WL joins an exclusive list of companies who are officially licensed to sell d3 technology. Sarah Cox, Sales Manager EMEA for d3 Technologies, states: “WL has a very thorough understanding of the potential d3 technology has. As a result, we’ve built a really strong relationship with the WL team and achieved some very special projects together. We’re very excited that they’re now able to distribute d3 products to their clients and pass down that knowledge and trust.”

   

                        Sarah Cox

   Over the past twelve months, the two companies have worked together on a range of projects. These include the ITV Sport Formula E studio along with a ground-breaking interactive training system for ATT. d3 Technologies has also held demo days at WL’s state-of-the-art Studio15, which has allowed those interested to get insight into the d3 solution first-hand.

   d3 Technologies are exhibiting on the WL stand at PLASA Focus in Leeds this week. The exhibition takes place today until tomorrow (10^th May) and WL will be situated on Stand N-C24. Representatives from both WL and d3 will be on the stand, available to speak to any visitors.

   Lee adds: “This is a really exciting time for both companies. d3 is continuing to develop its innovative technology and we are now in a position to offer this to customers on a whole range of projects. Together, we’re looking forward to offering this revolutionary technology to our established clients and those experiencing d3 for the first time”.