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WWE’s Wrestlemania XXVIII at Sun Life Stadium in Miami

Stage Tops USA: Making Soft Goods Part of the Show

“I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best live entertainment professionals in the industry,” declares Stage Tops USA owner Kevin Greenwood. “I’ve worked with trussing companies, staging companies, production managers, designers, local hands, and riggers. Some of the stage installations were done at crazy high heights — I’ve been with clients on top of roofs that have been locked off at 45 feet and up.”

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Clay Paky A.Leda Wash K10

Clay Paky A.Leda Wash K10

Last month, I found myself in a gig where I needed a couple dozen small footprint, yet powerful, wash lights to tuck into corners of a giant stage. I researched all the various LED heads on the market. Each one had some fancy function that separated them from the next. It was hard to choose. Then my friend Dennis Flenniken asked if I had seen Clay Paky’s first foray into the moving LED head department. He told me that the reason CP had not built an LED head yet was that they were waiting to come up with one that was superior to all other fixtures. He was not wrong.

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What's in YOUR tool box?

Name Your Top Five Tools

This column marks my 30th story for PLSN … or maybe it’s the 31st. (Senior moments can sneak up to you at any point in time, so I might be off by a bit.) Way back in 2007, I penned a lengthy story about a remarkable concert by The Who in Dallas, and the editor at t he time invited me on board as a contributor. Thirty columns later, video is still causing smiles, gasps and major headaches all across the industry, and there’s no shortage of topics to write about.

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» From left, Christian Engsted, president, Martin Professional; Blake Augsburger, president, Harman Professional; Jens Bjerg Sorensen, president/CEO, Aktieselskabet Schouw & Co. (Martin Professional’s former parent company).

Mr. Harman, Meet Mr. Martin

Harman International announced its purchase of lighting and video vendor Martin Professional literally a week before Christmas, as though it were gift that couldn’t wait to go under the tree for Harman Professional, for which the larger company is, apparently, a good and well-heeled parent. And like many of the complex gadgets that were opened on Christmas morning, it’ll take some time to find out how good it fits with everything else.

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Under the Gun

Productions come in all different sizes and budgets, and often not enough time is set aside for the lighting programming. Sometimes the programming of the lighting is put off for bigger priorities such as building the rig and/or stage. Automated lighting programmers can find themselves in various time crunch situations as they try to meet the production demands. In many cases, this can lead to little to no programming time before an event. A true professional must be prepared for these circumstances and know how to make the best of the situation.

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JD’s music returns to the stage in John Denver: A Rocky Mountain High Concert.

A John Denver Tribute; Imagining Dragons; A Rose in the Hall of Fame

For the first time in 15 years, John Denver returns to the concert stage. Not in physical form, but in an evening of music and memories in John Denver: A Rocky Mountain High Concert. The John Denver estate has created a touring tribute to the late singer/songwriter, performing in U.S. theaters Feb. 1-23. The basic idea is that archival video footage of Denver will accompany live performances by his former band members.

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Illustration by Andy Au

The Prima Donna

I work with a vast array of people in our business. I get along with everyone regardless of color, religion or sexual preference. I like to think that every project needs teamwork to get it done. I firmly believe that if my crew likes me, my show will be better. I may be a production designer, but I value everyone’s input. The lowest guy on the totem pole may sometimes have a great idea that I will incorporate into my show, so I listen. I try my best to avoid being a prima donna, and I believe I have succeeded in that.

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121212 concert photo of Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

12.12.12: The Concert for Sandy Relief

The historic 12.12.12 Concert For Sandy Relief, staged to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy, brought together some of the best and brightest of the live event industry for one memorable night. Taking the stage on December 12, 2012, at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, were Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Chris Martin, Eddie Vedder, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Dave Grohl, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Long Beach, Long Island native, comedian/actor Billy Crystal, who emceed the event.

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Justin Lang, PLSN Editor

New Year, New Look!

The holiday season is over and it is time to look ahead to the New Year. I trust that everyone had a wonderful holiday catching up with friends and family and spreading merriment and good cheer. As we reflect on the memories of 2012, both good and bad, it is also time to start with a clean slate and begin to make the most of 2013.

For the video, go to www.plsn.me/201301ednote.

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