The HELL... you will

Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd (HELL), specialist in the design and supply of special effects for the professional theatre lighting industry, has provided flame effects, including flaming torches and a flaming scarecrow, for the new production of Martin Guerre.

The scarecrow constructed by HELL is a copy of the one used throughout the production but made of completely fireproof materials. The head, for example, which was originally made from a blanket, has now been modelled from welded aluminium tubes and all the fabrics are made from fireproof woven ceramic cloth, dyed to match the originals. Even the straw hair and hat were made from woven ceramic. The whole scarecrow is set alight using Brandmasse flame paste manufactured by Safex Chemie in Germany, for whom HELL is now the exclusive UK distributor. Given the overzealous nature in which my tumble dryer is working, I may drop down to HELL myself, so to speak. Iron-free, flame resistant, woven ceramic underpants and socks may be a luxury, but don't we all deserve a touch of luxury in our lives?

Howard Eaton, Managing Director of HELL, commented on the assignment: "Artistically, the most difficult aspect of the project was using only fireproof materials to match the sacking and straw of the scarecrow. However, technically the task was complicated by having to make a remote method of dowsing the fire to ensure that it burnt out at the right time. We think we have mastered both, and I am pleased with the finished effect."

Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd. (Contact Details)

Avolite — Avotising the 4D Track

Avolite have devised an ingenious 'pen and pad' style lighting controller called the 4D Track. The controller surface incorporates a sensor pad for drawing your own stage and by then passing the pen over the pad directs the spotlight in an XY cartesian plane. The results are said to be so accurate that the 4D Track has been used to successfully track performing ice skaters on the rink — as opposed to tracking ice skaters out kneecapping each other in fits of envy. A colour control pallette allows you to control colour mixes quickly and easily, while a host of 'hot keys' allow for the instant implementation of different lighting configurations etc. making for a surface that encourages experimentation and improvisation rather than being strictly locked into your preprogramming. Looks like a lot of fun too.

Avolites Limited. (Contact Details)

PSL's gem of a screen

Presentation Services Limited have reached an agreement with Mitsubishi Electric Europe to market the Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision range of CRT outdoor large format daylight screens into the concert touring, festival, and live events market. Currently, the Diamond Vision screens are doing well in the sports market, with both their truck-mounted pre-rigged Diamond Vision MkIII HB and modular Diamond Vision HG formats.

The Diamond Vision daylight screens are known for their brightness, resolution, and reliability. Explained Chris Mounsor, Head of Music and Concert Touring for Europe: "While we are good at bringing acts up to arena level, to retain them once they move up to stadium shows, we were aware that we needed daylight screens. Mitsubishi have an extremely bright, high definition screen, but have previously focused largely on sport. They welcomed the opportunity to have a partner in the music sector, and we have now tied up a deal with their rental division."

Pictured is a 5 x 5 Diamond Vision HG screen in use at Charlton Athletic's ground for the Rugby Super League. Looks like the cameraman has managed to pick out one of the five members of the crowd.

PSL. (Contact Details)