A new independent lighting design studio has been launched in the Middle East. The brainchild of experienced Lighting Designer, Aaron Russ, ARLD is set to cater to large ceremonies, awards shows, sports entertainment, festivals and more throughout the region. “We plan on working heavily with previsualisation systems like WYSIWIG and Unreal to cut down on onsite time and offer clients a warm studio environment to get creative,” Russ informed TPMEA. With 14 years of UAE experience under his belt – including a decade at Protec – Russ has made the bold decision to set up on his own. “Back in…
Author: dbell
“Content creation is content creation, regardless of the medium it is displayed in.” This is the mantra of Beirut-based Amin Sammakieh, the CEO and Visual Experience Designer of Plan A Experience Design Studio. With the proliferation of VR and AR technology, the world of content creation looks very different nowadays to how it did when Plan A was launched back in 2008. However, according to Sammakieh, whether you’re projection-mapping onto a building or creating an immersive VR experience, the importance of strong concepts and creativity remain. “The business model hasn’t changed – we’ve just added different mediums to display the…
With a packed touring schedule that takes the legendary DJ all over the world, the Fatboy Slim crew is well versed at rolling into unfamiliar venues around the globe and delivering his inimitable brand of high-energy performance. As part of that adaptability, Jake Vernum, Production Manager, has become accustomed to dealing with whatever is thrown his way – something which stood him in good stead when it came to Fatboy Slim’s long-awaited Dubai return at Zero Gravity on 20 May. Like many shows over the past couple of years, Fatboy Slim’s return to Dubai for the first time since he…
As the old saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This was very much the view of the Municipality of Istanbul when it came to planning this year’s May public holiday celebrations. Back in 2021, the city celebrated the Conquest of Istanbul with a large-scale production of projection, lighting, and drones; the event proved to be a massive success – albeit with the caveat that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only a very small VIP audience got the chance to witness it live and in person. However, with restrictions in Turkey now lifted, the Municipality was keen to…
From grass-roots club shows to large-scale international tours, Live Nation is ramping up its operation across the Middle East. The company has already made history by putting on the first ever regionally routed run from an A-list band, when Maroon 5 performed in Egypt, the UAE and Israel in May, and it seems that there’s a lot more to come. Here, Live Nation Middle East President, James Craven discusses the rapidly changing landscape of live events in the region, reveals details of the company’s ground-breaking sustainability-driven partnership with Emirates Nature-WWF and shares some of his aims for the future. How…
Gripelectric Worx has purchased eight of Astera PixelBricks from South African distributor DWR – the first investment of its kind in the country. Run by freelance gaffer Emmanuel (Manny) Sitole, Gripelectric Worx is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and owns some specialist lighting kit, which is used primarily on Manny’s own projects. He first heard about the PixelBrick via the ICLS (International Cinema Lighting Society) a global group of gaffers, rigging gaffers, and console programmers dedicated to expanding the field of cinematic lighting. Manny also already owned a set of Astera Titan and Helios Tubes, which are constantly in use, so he…
More than 250 Robe moving lights were used on the first major live corporate event staged in South Africa since the COVID-19 pandemic. Organised by international services, trading and distribution company Bidvest for key clients, suppliers and staff, Future Now – which was staged for the first time at the Time Square Arena in Pretoria with newly appointed CEO Nompumelelo Thembekile Madisa – was a special commission for Bidvest created and produced by the multi-award-winning team of David Bloch of David Bloch International and Choreographer Debbie Rakusin. Gearhouse South Africa (GSA) was entrusted as technical supplier, with Pieter Joubert as…
INFiLED has appointed Anna Ferrer as Marketing Manager for EMEA. Ferrer, who brings more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing and technology industry, will oversee all EMEA marketing activities, develop and implement new strategies, and continue to enhance the INFiLED brand in EMEA markets. “We are delighted to have Anna on board,” said Marco Bruines, CEO of INFiLED EMEA. “Her expertise, broad knowledge, and years of experience in marketing and the international technology industry will be key to bring INFiLED ’s presence to a higher level, as its business in EMEA is growing rapidly.” “I am delighted to join INFiLED and be part of the…
From the 192 country pavilions featuring a range of innovative installations, to the host of bars, restaurants and communal areas packed with high-end equipment, Expo 2020 is a veritable treasure trove of audio-visual technology. The megaproject has brought a glut of work for the AV industry, with many companies in the industry experiencing a major boost throughout. One such company is NMK Electronics, which has seen the products it represents used extensively throughout the vast site. NMK-distributed brands including Allen & Heath, Bose, BrightSign, Denon, Epson, LG, Neutrik and Shure appear across various areas throughout Expo 2020, including the Indian,…
Situated in the heart of Cape Town, GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World is the largest venue of its kind in South Africa, featuring a Las Vegas-scale casino, two hotels, state-of-the-art conference facilities, a wealth of dining establishments, an ice rink and the renowned Grand Arena – a 5,000 capacity multi-purpose venue that has played host to world famous acts such as Bryan Adams, Sting, James Blunt, Rammstein and Kylie Minogue. In 2020, the arena underwent a thorough refit of its audio system, with the replacement designed around DiGiCo’s next-generation Quantum 338 digital mixing console. The Grand Arena started researching new…
Equipson’s LightShark range has been used for DMX control at the Spanish and Angolan pavilions at Expo 2020. “The software’s FX engine allowed us to integrate the lighting with the rest of the audio-visual systems in an agile and simple way,” commented Marvin Ryan, Head of Lighting at the Angola Pavilion. His views were reinforced by Juan Gonzalez, Technical Manager for events at the Spanish pavilion, who highlighted the simplicity of LightShark’s user interface. “With hardly any previous experience in handling the system, it was very easy to start operating it almost from day one,” he reported. LightShark’s range of…
A Williams AV Infrared system has been installed at Dubai’s Quranic Park. Located in Al Khawaneej and spanning more than 3 sq km, the park offers visitors an opportunity to discover the various plants mentioned in the holy book, with the Cave of Miracles illustrating stories of Prophets through interactive technology. When the park required a translation solution, NMK Electronics recommended Williams AV IR transmitters paired with WIR RX22-4N SoundPlus four-channel Infrared receivers. With an operating range of up to 2,800 sq m in single-channel mode, 100 receivers are on-hand for visitors to use throughout the seven zones. Nine 12-bay…
