Philips Strand Lighting, Philips Selecon Realign North American and Global Operations

LAS VEGAS – PLSN readers – and that means YOU – have nominated the top individuals and companies involved in lighting, staging, video, sound and production support for the two dozen categories of awards that will be presented Oct. 29 at the Peabody Orlando. The ballot also includes the regional winners of the Hometown Hero competition, each of whom are automatic nominees for national Hometown Hero honors. Now PLSN readers – and that means YOU – all have the opportunity to vote!

LOS ANGELES — The annual MTV Video Music Awards, telecast from the Nokia Theatre Aug. 28, featured a performance by Kanye West and Jay-Z of “Otis” that was punctuated by Pyrotek Special Effects. A record-setting 12.4 million viewers saw the show.

FAYETTEVILLE, AR — Not everyone gets the opportunity to light a world spiritual figure. Aaron Brown, Lighting Designer/Director at TES Productions in Tulsa, OK, recently had that rare honor — lighting two lectures at the University of Arkansas by the Tibetan Buddhist leader Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. Revered by many worldwide and referred to by his followers as “His Holiness,” the Dalai Lama is no conventional “talent,” and this was no ordinary lecture hall — but the University of Arkansas’ Bud Walton Arena – a basketball arena.

MIAMI – Carlos Colina, LD for Premios Juventud 2011, relied on a rig from Atomic Lighting that included Vari*Lite VL3000 Spot, VL3500 Spot, VL3500 Wash FX  and VL1000TS luminaires. He chose the fixtures for their ability to overcome challenges posed by the set and the nature of the production.