For this year's Unilever Christmas party, the theme was '20s Prohibition' so it wouldn't be appropriate to use LED screen as the main feature as last year. Instead CSP designed an ornate set, perfectly suited to the theme.

James was asked to design and operate the lighting with equipment provided by CSP, including Clay Paky Alpha Spot 300s, Alpha Beam 700s, Alpha Wash 575s, Martin Mac 550s, Mac 250s and SGM Palcos.

On top of all the intelligent lighting was 200m of tungsten festoon lighting to add a rich glowing canopy over the dining space.

The excellent catering was provided by Barretts and the marquee by Millennium Marquees.

Basic Monkey supplied a Jands Vista S3 console to control the lighting, running the new 'Byron' software. This was the ideal event to use the beta software for the first time as the evening is 'busked' as opposed to having lots of programmed cues, meaning we can get away with things more easily if there are any software glitches.

The new version performed very well and a detailed report was sent to Jands afterwards to aid in their further development of the software.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening and many comments were made about the standard of decoration and entertainment.

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Things are going incredibly well for HSL right now, so much so that everyone in the warehouse is working some serious overtime. I received a call to see if I was available to come in for a couple of days and help out, I had two free days so I said yes.

By the end of today I had everything prepped and heading onto the truck, quite satisfying to be honest, although I couldn't see myself making a career of it...

James

Today, James is in Hanover for CSP AV to rig and light an exhibition stand as part of the big commercial vehicle show at the Hanover Messe.

Due to the limited availability of rigging points, truss bridles were used to get the grid as wide as possible over the stand area. Since the rig will be in place for 4 weeks, budgets are tight and as such manual chain blocks had to be used and this makes for a tricky lift!

Basic Monkey provided lighting plots, weight calculations and James as crew for the install. Keven Heyes from Theatr Clwyd was also there and providing all truss and rigging.

This week saw James at Deeside College in Flintshire for their annual student awards show, produced as always by CSP Audio Visual.

All equipment was provided by CSP, apart from our own Catalyst media server and Jands Vista lighting console. The lighting rig was designed by Steve from CSP and operated by James.

The set backdrop was 11m x 4m of ColorWeb 250 with a black backdrop. Over this was hung a widescreen projection surface. Using the Catalyst system, the colour scheme of the lighting, ColorWeb and projection could be easily and effectively matched.

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As part of a crew of 4 under Gavin Tomkins, James rigged the 'box truss' over the ring with a multitude of parcans mixed with a few moving lights. Of course these all needed focusing once the rig was in the air so it was time to get on the truss and get rather warm...

Soon after the rig was in the air and focused, the fighters arrived and practice began.

So, here are my first photos of the show, possibly my only as explained...

During the shows that Andy Hurst operates, he likes to have someone front of house to spot any problems with the lighting and relay these to whoever is on stage. Tonight, since crew chief Paul Solino is on follow spot duty, that job fell to me. So taking the chance, I decided to get some photos of the show.

This is one of the last shows to have lighting only, after this leg my responsibilities switch to video, I'll try and get some photos of this online from Brixton.

James

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For the first leg, the rig will be a festival style, floor based LED system using GLP Impressions, ColorBlock DB4s and Palcos. Moving lights and PA will be provided by local promoters. From the first UK date in Brixton, there will be some video goodies added with full lighting and sound production for the UK tour.

James will be working with Dennis Brown aka 'Bear' to implement Andy Hurst's designs with equipment provided by PRG.

Britannia Row are running the sound department with Mark Kennedy at front of house.

Keep checking back for updates!

This weekend saw James back with Lightech, this time at a wedding reception in Lancashire.

James was there to help with the finishing effort and to operate the lighting in the disco area, which was hidden from view until a grand reveal.

Fireworks also provided by Lightech added an extra 'bang' to the night, followed by band and DJ music until the early hours.

Catering was provided by With a Twist with Nicola and Catherine on the front lines ensuring the excellent food was served with efficiency and style.

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Tonight was the Fashion Kicks event in Lancashire County Cricket Club's semi-permanent marquee, lit by Lightech Sound and Light.

James was there to help with the build in the fashion show tent, sponsored by Selfridges, and later the conversion of this area to a nightclub for the guests after their dinner.

Entertainment in the dinner marquee was provided by Westlife whose LD Dave Lee used lights provided by Lightech and Versa Tubes provided by MCL.

There was a huge press interest in the event, hopefully it raised plenty of funds for Macmillan!

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Equipment will be provided by PRG, including Martin's LC series semi-transparent LED screens which will be James' responsibility. He will also be helping with the lighting rig and roll on should he have any spare time!

Keep checking back for more news. Follow James' updates here: Faithless Posts