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ESTA Celebrates Twenty Years

Many accomplishments highlight effectiveness of industry organization

In 1987, Homer Simpson made his debut appearance on The Tracy Ullman Show, the Bangles were walking like Egyptians and 25 theatrical sup-ply companies decided it was time they banded together to promote and protect their interests. Simpson ended up with his own show, the Bangles walked right into obscurity and the organization that began as the Theatrical Dealers Association that year in Las Vegas is now the Entertainment Services and Technology Association, better known as ESTA.

BAN THE BULB, Spare the Politicians

If change is in the air, then it must be the political season. The last time there was a looming presidential election was the last time there was so much attention focused on one issue. Back then, outsourcing was the hot button issue. This time around it’s the environment. And politicians eve-rywhere have decided that “banning the bulb” is the way to environmental salvation.

Appomattox

Stark sets and dramatic lighting link the past to the present.

Although new chamber pieces and small-scale operas are frequently performed, new large-scale opera premieres are rare. First, there is the expense. In addition to the words and music, grand opera demands enormous resources, both onstage and in the wings. The company needs principal and secondary singers, a chorus, stagehands, dancers, choreographers, an orchestra, conductors, the stage directors, and the technicians and artists responsible for lighting, scenery, props and costumes. Repertory companies also have large administrative staff requirements. For the year 2005–2006, salaries for all of San Francisco Opera totaled in excess of $40 million. Picture a big Broadway musical on steroids.

Who in Your Crew Do You Turn To?

I was once on a gig where, for no apparent reason, the power distro went snap, crackle, pop. Really, it was more like crackle, big snap, bright flash, little pop, smoke puff. That’s not a sight and sound you want to experience first thing in the morning, not even when you’re having cereal. The dimmer tech who energized the PD, just before the impromptu light and sound show, went looking for the house electrician who had just tied in the feeder cables. He was nowhere to be found. Then he went looking for someone more qualified than himself to resolve the problem before doors a few hours later.

A One-Man Band

The idea of the one-man band has been with us for at least eight centuries, going back to the peripatetic flute and snare-like tabor players of rural France. My personal favorite was “Duster” Bennett, who toured with John Mayall in 1970, a bill I saw at the Fillmore East that year. The most fa-mous of this odd bunch was Don Partridge, who roamed Europe with a bass drum on his back and a guitar and harmonica up front, and who man-aged to snag a top-ten hit in 1968, possibly a first for any multi-instrumental busker. Technology has made it possible to approach the notion of a one-person orchestra, with battery-powered MIDI triggering all sorts of sound generators. And now, it’s also brought us the concept of the one-man stage crew. 

Martin Mania SCX800

The Mania SCX800 is the latest in Martin’s Mania series of powerful, compact and feature packed scanners. Driven by 150 watts of discharge power, the SCX800 is a one-of-a-kind rollerscan effect with all new gobo designs, 4 “fat” beam projection and a continuously rotating mirror drum designed for shows and nightclubs.

Stagehands’ Union Strikes on Broadway

NEW YORK — Broadway is at a standstill today after failed negotiations between the stagehands’ union Local One and the League of American Theatres and Producers led IATSE International President Thomas Short to sanction a union strike on Saturday, Nov. 10.

Martin Professional Announces Third Quarter Earnings

ARHUS, DENMARK — Martin Professional A/S’s positive 2007 growth continued in the year’s third quarter. Martin increased revenue by 14.3% from $48.4 million in the third quarter of 2006 to $55.4 million in the third quarter of 2007. For the period Jan.1 to Sept. 30, 2007, Martin increased revenue by 24.3% to $168.6 million compared with $135.6 million for the same period last year.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tours with High End Systems

UNCASVILLE, CT — This year’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra tour has two identical shows on the East and West Coast, each carrying 13 truckloads of production. Included in the total equipment package are 30 High End Systems SHOWGUN automated luminaires and four Wholehog 3 consoles for both tours supplied by Q1 of Canada.

Princes Dock Footbridge Becomes Illuminated Gateway with Martin

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — The Footbridge at Princes Dock in Liverpool, England, is both an interesting and attractive structure, and is strategically placed in the heart of an area of the city undergoing significant commercial development. Following discussions with the site owners, Princes Dock Development Company Ltd (part of Peel Holdings), Lighting Designer Graham Festenstein received a commission to develop a lighting scheme for the unique 'wishbone' structure.