News

WASHINGTON, DC — There’s nothing like witnessing an American presidential inauguration in person — unless you’re one of more than one million other persons trying to catch a glimpse of the event. But mobile and modular LED screens helped at least some of those crowding the nation’s capital to see Barack Obama become the 44th U.S. president.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — ARRI announced that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will recognize Erwin Melzner, Volker Schumacher and Timo Müller with an AMPAS award for the development of the ARRIMAX 18/12 HMI on Feb. 7.

VAN NUYS, CA — Litepanels, Inc. has moved from its previous location in North Hollywood to a larger facility here that includes warehouse and shipping areas, with room for separate product development, assembly and repair departments.

MIDDLETON, WI —Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. (ETC) has named Harvey Sweet as the company’s technical product manager in research and development. “Harvey Sweet is an authority in the stagecraft field,” said Fred Foster, ETC CEO. “And I also happen to be privileged to have known him for 33 years — since I aced his course in theater technology at the University of Wisconsin.”

AUSTIN, TX — It’s become an annual challenge for Pyrotek Special Effects’ Doug Adams: how to top the “Wow” factor generated by the previous year’s pyro design for the Trans Siberian Orchestra tour. “Talks of new designs and proposals start literally after the completion of each year’s tour,” said Adams, who worked with TSO founder Paul O’Neill, LD Bryan Hartley and lighting programmer Nick Militello on the 2008/2009 tour.

NEW YORK — Element Labs, Inc and Niles Creative Group are holding an open house at the Niles Creative Group studio Jan. 19-23. Products and design ideas for both companies, like the design for the Marco Borsato concert by Element Labs, shown here, will be part of the open house. Private sessions are also available. For more information, attendees can RSVP by email at [email protected].

DETROIT — At the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), lighting and set designers needed to balance the requirement to generate buzz with a new mandate for less visual extravagance than in previous years. Nautilus Entertainment Design (NED) was again called upon by GM to light their press events and car displays.  This year, Chrysler also requested their services to light their press event, pictured here.

TORONTO — In an effort to better serve its customer base, Sounds Distribution has named Dina Deveau, who has been with the company for two years, as the company’s new Western Canada sales representative. The company also assigned Matthew Beauchamp to the post of customer service representative for all of Ontario.