International News

LONDON – Clay Paky’s President/CEO Pasquale Quadri presented the lighting industry charity Light Relief with a £ 5,000 ($7,991) donation. The charity supports those with financial aid in the industry who experience hard times. Pio Nahum, chief commercial officer for Clay Paky, says, “Without the lighting designers who use our equipment so imaginatively and who willingly feedback to our R&D, Clay Paky could not be so successful. It’s important to us that we acknowledge our appreciation and offer our support to those individuals who need it. Light Relief is the perfect way for us to do this.”

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – “Fan Base” is a new, high-energy TV game show series recorded in South Africa for SABC 1, where the public competes with celebrities by engaging in assorted games. The 18 Robe fixtures in the rig, supplied by Blond Productions, add color and movement to the uptempo, youth-oriented look of the show design.

LONDON – Presentational Rentals (PR) supplied all technical elements for the recent London launch of rock legends’ Led Zeppelin’s “Celebration Day” film. Band members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and Paul Jones answered questions from the press following a special media screening of the two-hour movie – which features their one-off 2007 reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena – directed by production industry video guru and visionary, Dick Carruthers.

LONDON – Following a roof collapse earlier in the summer, Radiohead’s touring automation system had to be replaced. Stage Technologies provided a 60 axis “pod” system running 12 free flying video screens within 30 days for the fall tour in Europe, New Zealand and Australia. Stage Technologies’ Director of Rentals Services Ted Moore said, “When the call came I knew this was a big task. Delivering something so quickly that had needed to interface with equipment that had already been produced once by someone else is always a challenge, but my team delivered with dedication, hard work and professionalism.”

ROSWELL, NM – The Red Bull Stratos project, centering on Felix Baumgartner’s attempt to break the sound barrier during a 120,000-foot skydive from the edge of space, was a mission that pushed human limits. Riedel Communications supported the project with real-time solutions for video, audio and communications, integrating  wireless and wired digital intercom systems. Riedel also furnished the fiber-based video and signal distribution and the wireless video links from the capsule’s onboard cameras. Along with other records smashed by the feat, YouTube reported a live viewing audience of more than 8 million.