As a highly regarded wildlife cameraman, Mateo Willis is in great demand from blue chip broadcasters such as the BBC and the Discovery Channel, which employ him to work on many of their most prestigious nature documentaries.

Mateo’s speciality is long-lens work and he often spends large amounts of time in remote locations filming everything from small lizards to large carnivores.

In a bid to find a more accurate way of framing shots, particularly when working with heavy cameras and lenses, Mateo has been experimenting with a CineToys GearNex geared camera head, supplied by CineToys’ UK distributor Oxygen DCT.
This unique product was developed by former Hollywood cameraman Bret Allen in response to a significant gap in the market for affordable geared head technology. It is designed to give film makers access to Hollywood-style geared heads without paying Hollywood prices.
“I was going on a shoot to film Verreaux eagles that required very fine precision moves combined with rock-steady stops,� Mateo explains. “Nothing beats the motivation of following an eagle in flight – in wildlife filming there are no repeat takes. Having read about the characteristics of geared heads I thought they were worth experimenting with and when Oxygen DCT offered me a GearNex for a trial run I jumped at the chance.�

Launched at NAB 2008, GearNex immediately won two prestigious awards including a Best of Show and a Creative Cow Blue Ribbon Award. Among the many film makers who have spotted the unit’s potential is director Robert Altman Jr, who has used GearNex with a Redrock DSLR Cinema Bundle.

Steve Hathaway, managing director of Oxygen DCT, says: “Today’s cameramen face the challenge of operating cameras adorned with monitors, matte boxes, power packs and focus-assist products, all of which can make them heavy and unwieldy. What GearNex offers is the ability to smoothly pan and tilt, even when the camera is loaded with additional equipment. It delivers a much smoother panning experience than conventional fluid heads and is ideal for a wide variety of filming tasks including motion pictures, music videos, short films, television documentaries, commercials and corporate videos.�

Mateo Willis used GearNex with a Panasonic Varicam and hopes to try it with different cameras in the future.

“Like other areas in the industry, the introduction of high-end but relatively low-cost digital cinema cameras is creating a fast-changing landscape in wildlife filming,� he explains. “Last year I was working mainly with ENG cameras supplemented with specialist cameras such as the Phantom, but this year I’ve shot almost everything with Red Epic and Arri Alexa although I haven’t had an opportunity to use those with the GearNex yet.�

As a newcomer to geared head technology, Mateo says there was initially a steep learning curve, but once he became comfortable with GearNex he found it incredibly useful and really appreciated the extra control it gave him.

He explains: “The camera I was using was mounted with a long lens and counterbalanced by several batteries, so was fairly hefty. Once the GearNex was in place I was impressed at how little energy, and hence more control, it took to precisely move the camera. Also, I found the Gearnex robust enough to put up with the arduous conditions of the desert; dust, rough roads and heat. Finally, I was impressed with its size and weight – everything fitted into a single Peli. When you’re travelling with thirty cases, the less you have to load in and out of vehicles the better!â€�

Mateo adds that GearNex has demonstrated that inexpensive but high-quality geared heads can be made and he is looking forward to seeing where CineToys will go with the next generation.

“My next project is filming geese on the side of a cliff in Greenland, for which I am designing a ‘vertical’ tripod to hang on a sheer rock face,� he says. “This will allow me to film while sitting in a climbing harness so only a super-light head will be appropriate. Now if the Gearnex head was motorised……�

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About Oxygen DCT:
Oxygen DCT is a broadcasts systems solutions provider with a deep knowledge and understanding of the broadcast and professional media markets. This dynamic organisation has amassed in just over five years, a very extensive and comprehensive products portfolio of over 3000 carefully designed broadcast and production products that represent the pinnacle of engineering excellence. Oxygen DCT was the first company in the broadcast industry to fully implement online facilities for its customers and its unique, comprehensive online ordering facility automatically configures equipment systems for customers, saving time and provides industry professionals with the convenience of immediate online pricing. The ‘one-stop-shop’ website caters for the smallest requirements whilst also allowing users to prepare their own quotes and place orders online with immediate order confirmation. Oxygen DCT also provides advice, support and expertise as part of its ‘life cycle’ care scheme, ensuring that customers are fully serviced throughout their career life cycles. www.oxygendct.com

Foothill Ranch, CA, May 2012… Renkus-Heinz has announced the continued expansion of their engineering department with the addition of Alejandro Fidalgo to their engineering team.

Fidalgo joins Renkus-Heinz after working in audio electronics firmware and hardware development at Isaac Daniel Group in Burbank, California, where he worked on audio products for the Video On Demand entertainment industry. He holds a degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

“We’re very happy to welcome Alejandro to Renkus-Heinz engineering,” remarked Engineering Manager Tim Shuttleworth. “His expertise in developing complex digital audio technologies is a great fit for our team.”

“I’m thrilled to be working with a company like Renkus-Heinz,” added Fidalgo. “This company has such a long history of making great products, and I’m really excited to be able to contribute to the next generation of Renkus-Heinz technologies.”

In his new position, Fidalgo will work within the engineering group to continue to develop advanced digital processing and transport technologies for Renkus-Heinz products. Fidalgo will report to Engineering Manager Tim Shuttleworth, and will be based out of the company’s Foothill Ranch, CA headquarters.

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Headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California, Renkus-Heinz, Inc. is the worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of audio operations networks, digitally steerable arrays, powered and non-powered loudspeakers, system specific electronics and fully integrated Reference Point Array systems.

Company continues to expand its Application Support Group with additional personnel

Whitinsville, MA, USA, May 10, 2012 – EAW®, a world leader in audio system solutions, announces the expansion of its Application Support Group (ASG) with the appointment of Adam Shulman to the position of Installed Systems Support Manager, effective immediately. The announcement was made by Jeff Rocha, EAW President, and further underscores EAW’s dedication to customer support and the ongoing development of market-driven products.

In this newly-created role, Shulman will manage ASG support for all permanently installed sound systems, while longtime ASG resource Joe Fustolo will focus on mobile production customers. Rocha states, “Expanding ASG and bringing in a world-class resource like Adam, who is dedicated exclusively to the installation markets, further demonstrates our commitment to supporting our customers and partners. “Increasing global demand for ASG service, particularly in overseas markets, necessitated the expansion. Jerrold Stevens, Director, EAW Application Support Group, adds, “Adam’s experience in system design, project management, acoustics, education and publishing all further enhance the team’s capabilities, helping us meet the growing demand for our services.�

Prior to joining EAW, Adam has served as a Senior Consultant and Project Manager for SIA Acoustics (New York, Los Angeles and India) since 2003. He has provided acoustical and technical system design for a variety of projects including performing arts spaces, recording facilities, sports venues and houses of worship. Projects of note include a production facility and 3,500-seat arena for Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, LA, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and The Pearl at the Palms Concert Hall in Las Vegas. In a production context, Adam has also designed and operated sound systems for live events, including Central Park SummerStage, the Madison Square Park Music series and various special events domestically and internationally. As an educator, Adam has authored numerous articles for various trade publications, and presented at Broadway Sound Master Classes, Palme Asia, ShowWay Italy and Audio Engineering Society conventions.

Shulman notes, “I feel that I can bring my past experience as a consultant to bear on the varied types of design projects ASG handles, applying my technical knowledge combined with a practical understanding of how installation projects actually work.�

Members of the EAW Application Support Group, including Stevens, Shulman and Fustolo, will be on hand at InfoComm 2012 at the EAW booth (C10139) where they will reprise their popular ASGenius Bar – a coffee bar where designers, contractors and integrators can ask questions and review plans.

For more information, please visit www.eaw.com.

The rugged portability of DiGiCo’s SD11 was never utilized to fuller effect than on its latest voyage aboard the United States Navy’s active-duty USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier from Hawaii to San Diego. In one of its more unusual gigs, Broadcast Support designated the SD11 in tandem with a full dB Technologies PA—to handle all the audio functions for the seven-day Tiger Cruise, open to the aircraft carriers crew family and friends (aka “tigers”) as a reward for excellent service.

The $19,950 road-cased mixer was so ultra-compact that MacWest rep Steve McNeil, who aided Broadcast Support in the production, was able to check it as luggage on his flight from Long Beach, California to the ship, which was docked in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The mixer and PA were both craned aboard the ship and hoisted off again in San Diego when the return cruise ended a week later.

For the event’s myriad productions, a stage was built in an enclosed steel room below deck in the ship’s hangar where planes and helicopters were stored. The SD11 was rolled in and out every night to handle the musical entertainment for the troops provided by the Kelly Bell Band, and presentations which included two air shows, a 26-act talent show performed by service members, a “rap-off� hosted by the band, readings, and an awards ceremony commending top sailors presented by the commanding officer.

“The SD11 was pressed into service handling diverse audio tasks from mixing the front of house PA, monitors and IEM, to the delay speakers from a matrix,� explained McNeil. “Being that this was a working ship, this gig was challenging on so many levels, as we were at the mercy of the ship and the operations crew and therefore our schedule needed to be flexible. Needless to say, the week-long festivities turned out amazing and the console, operated by our engineer Karl Weidman, performed flawlessly. Karl hung out after every performance to play more with the SD11. He had quite a bit of fun mixing on it and was amazed at the big, open sound he was able to get from such a compact mixer. An SD9 is now his next purchase.�

“The SD11 is the perfect mixer where tons of performance is required in a very compact footprint,� offered Broadcast Support’s founder and President Scott Ramsey. “The show simply wouldn’t have happened with a conventional analog console and racks of effects, which the SD11 replaced. We love the console so much that DiGiCo should change the name from the ‘SD11’ to the ‘SD!!’�

Links:
Broadcast Support:

EMERYVILLE, CALIF. – Advanced Systems Group (ASG), a leading West Coast video and film integration firm, today announced that pro audio veteran Mark Haynes has joined the company, effective April 2. Haynes is part of ASG’s expansion of its audio business, and he will specialize in contributing an audio perspective to video-centric projects.

Prior to joining ASG, Haynes was vice president of sales for Leo’s Professional Audio in Oakland, Calif., where he worked for 26 years. He began his career in the early 1970s with Showco, Inc., one of the pioneers in large-scale sound reinforcement, where he toured nationally and internationally as FOH engineer for Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Jefferson Airplane, and other headliners.

“Mark has spent decades in the audio industry, and he’s helping ASG enhance our audio offerings across the board,� explained Dave Van Hoy, president, ASG. “Audio is a vital part of any video system solution, and we want to make sure it receives the attention it deserves.�

“I’m here to contribute a perspective on audio’s importance as an integral element in any project,� Haynes added. “It’s exciting to join such an experienced team of colleagues at ASG, and it’s gratifying to receive the support and encouragement of the many audio vendors who share our passion for sound and all of its related disciplines.�

Haynes is based at ASG’s Emeryville office and can be contacted at (510) 654-8300 or via e-mail at mh@asgllc.com.

About ASG:

Advanced Systems Group LLC of Emeryville, Calif., with offices in the Bay Area and Southern California, has provided engineering, systems, integration, support and training to the broadcast, film, creative, and corporate video markets since 1997. With unmatched experience in Apple-based newsroom systems, shared storage, archiving, editing, finishing, and VFX systems, ASG has become one of largest installers of post production and shared storage systems on the West Coast. The ASG team is highly focused on customer success, and has installed and supported more than 185 SANs, production, and post production systems over the last six years. For more information, visit www.asgllc.com or call 510-654-8300.

GEELONG, Australia – Total Events supplied a HARMAN audio system for background music, MC and umpires at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club stands for the recent Davis Cup tennis tournament in Australia.

The main challenge for Total Events was keeping a minimal layout without obscuring sightlines and the company’s stock of JBL VRX Constant Curvature loudspeakers was ideal for this as they are renowned for
their low visual impact.

Six JBL VRX918S powered subwoofers and 12 JBL VRX932LA loudspeakers were used, powered by six Crown IT8000 amplifiers all networked along with a Soundcraft Si Compact 32 digital console.

“The VRX cabinets are discreet so you can point and shoot without obscuring the view of the tennis action,” commented Bill Busbridge, managing director of Total Events. “They have a nice high power output and it’s good to be able to network the amplifiers so I can control remotely and time align.”

“I absolutely love the Soundcraft Si Compact console,” Busbridge noted. “I have two of them in hire and I have also sold a couple. I really enjoy using them and we’re using them a lot on our shows & events.

“I really like that you can move channels to any layer is great,” Busbridge added. “The small footprint is a bonus and it’s just so easy to grab it and use. We find a lot of walk-in engineers who are familiar with the console.”

The system was sold through Jands, JBL and Soundcraft’s Australian distributor.

For more information on Total Events, please visit: http://www.totalevents.com.au/index.htm

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG(r), Harman Kardon(r), Infinity(r), JBL(r), Lexicon(r) and Mark Levinson(r). The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.

George Masek

“We are delighted to welcome George to A.C.T Lighting,” says president and CEO Bob Gordon. “George strengthens our knowledge base on automated stage lighting and brings with him first hand knowledge of the history of automated lights. He knows how to take care of lighting professionals and how to provide exactly what they need to be successful. He has more than 20 years experience in the lighting industry and we expect him to strengthen our position as the number one Clay Paky distributor in the world.”

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the folks from A.C.T Lighting and to have the chance to be associated with the powerful brands they represent,” says Masek. “I saw joining A.C.T Lighting as a great chance for growth and an opportunity to work with a group of professionals I truly admire. I’m looking forward to combining my knowledge base in automated lighting with their great products and talented people.”

Masek started as a road tech for Philips VARI*LITE in 1990. He toured with Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, INXS, Depeche Mode, Gloria Estefan and other top bands and designed lighting for the Incredible Acrobats of China. He became a charter member of The 500 Club, an exclusive group of staff members who worked on shows featuring more than 500 VARI*LITE fixtures.

He later moved over to manufacturing and tech support becoming head of the company’s tech support department. He became an account manager for touring, handling Jimmy Buffet and Lords of the Dance, among others. Subsequently, Masek took a position in long-term leases and installation support and was named Product Manager in 2001.

“The various positions I held allowed me to work in rock ‘n roll touring, on Broadway, for feature films and television, as well as on installations and corporate tradeshow projects,” he notes. “If you can use an automated light for it, I’ve done it!”

A 1989 graduate of Southern Methodist University with a B.A. degree in Radio/Television, Masek is a member of IATSE Local 82.

About A.C.T Lighting

A leading importer and distributor of lighting products, A.C.T Lighting, Inc. strives to identify future trends and cutting-edge products, and stock, sell and support their inventory. The company provides superior customer service and value for money to all of its clients.

For more information call 818-707-0884.

George Masek can be reached by email at george@actlighting.com

Updated Software Offers Enhanced Applications, Restyled Interface, and New External Data Sources

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — May 10, 2012 — BTX Technologies, a value-added distributor and manufacturer of interface, integration, and system products, today announced that the company is offering PADS4, Net Display Systems’ (NDS) next-generation digital signage software. PADS4 is the successor to the award-winning PADS Professional software and offers restyled and enhanced applications, simplified installation, streamlined processes, and much more — providing any audience with the right targeted content at the right time. more

Robert Juliat (RJ) is pleased to announce that Alan Keen has joined its American team. Alan joins RJ with more than twenty years experience in design, sales, and management within the theatrical lighting industry. He will be responsible for strengthening relationships with current dealers, specifiers and end-users, while actively identifying and establishing new opportunities and relationships.

Fred Lindauer, Robert Juliat USA Managing Director, states, “I am thrilled that Alan is part of our team. He shares my desire to provide prompt and enthusiastic customer support and I am confident that his knowledge and experience will be instrumental in growing our business.”

“I am excited about the opportunity of working with Robert Juliat,” Keen comments. “Robert Juliat manufactures high quality and innovative products for the entertainment and architectural lighting industries and I look forward to sharing our message, building upon our current associations, and developing new relationships.”

Prior to joining Robert Juliat, Alan worked with Production Resource Group (PRG), Genlyte -Entertainment Technology (now Philips Entertainment), and Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC).

Alan can be reached at (203) 623-0041 or alan@robertjuliatamerica.com

About Robert Juliat

Robert Juliat is a three-generation, independent family-run company dedicated to the manufacturing of professional stage lighting products. Robert Juliat lights are used by customers who include Cirque du Soleil, Celine Dion, New York’s Lincoln Center, LA’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Bruce Springsteen, Disney Theme Parks, Carnegie Hall, The San Francisco Opera and Ballet, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Comedie Francaise, The Sydney Opera House, plus theatres, schools and public venues around the world.

R&D, production and the company headquarters are based in the village of Fresnoy-en-Thelle, 50 km north of Paris. Robert Juliat USA is located in Wallingford, Connecticut. For more information visit www.robertjuliatamerica.com.

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Photo credit: Jeremy Daniel

Having continued successful permanent productions in Chicago and New York, the Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet (MDQ) has hit the road with a North American tour. To accommodate venues seating from 1,400 to over 3,000, sound designer Kai Harada specified a Meyer Sound system based around MICA® and M’elodie® line array loudspeakers.

“My goal was to give the touring crew a system with a lot of flexibility, so they could adjust coverage angles for theatres of all shapes and sizes,� explains Harada. “With the M’elodie center cluster and MICA side arrays, they have all the power they need for bigger houses, along with reliable consistency of sound—a quality at which Meyer systems always excel.�

Inspired by a 1956 recording studio jam session by Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, Million Dollar Quartet captures a pivotal night in the history of rock ’n’ roll. On the MDQ tour, the lion’s share of the show’s energy is delivered by a split dual center array of 20 M’elodie loudspeakers and the upper and lower side arrays comprising a total of 20 MICA loudspeakers. A left-right configuration of 600-HP subwoofers and a 700-HP at center provide low end, while a total of 16 UPM-1P and UPJunior™ VariO™ loudspeakers supplies fill and delay systems as needed. A Galileo® loudspeaker management system with four Galileo 616 processors provides drive and optimization.

“This is a rock ’n’ roll show, but it was my goal to preserve the dynamic between the book scenes, the songs, and the big finale,� Harada says. “It’s important to hold a lot of punch in reserve, and this system certainly has it.�

Harada is also the sound designer for resident productions of MDQ at Chicago’s Apollo Theater and off-Broadway at New York’s New World Stages. The New York system is based around a MINA™ line array in the center with CQ-1 and CQ-2 loudspeakers on the sides, while the wide thrust staging in Chicago also employs CQ-1 loudspeakers with smaller UltraSeries™ models for delays and fills. PRG Audio supplied all three systems for the touring and resident productions.

Despite the radical differences in venues, Harada credits the Meyer Sound systems with maintaining a uniform sound. “For me, it comes down to consistency and transparency,� he says. “I can focus on bringing the audience closer to what is happening on stage with the confidence that the system won’t adversely color their experience.�

Harada also specified Meyer Sound systems for MDQ’s well-received 2010-11 run on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre and in London at the Noël Coward Theatre in 2011-12.

The book for Million Dollar Quartet was written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott. The Broadway production was nominated for three 2010 Tony Awards, with Levi Kreis (Jerry Lee Lewis) winning Best Featured Actor in a musical.

A long-time associate of Broadway sound designer Tony Meola, Kai Harada currently supervises sound for all productions of Wicked, and has designed around the world using Meyer Sound systems, including Hinterm Horizont in Berlin, and the critically acclaimed revival of Follies on Broadway.

www.meyersound.com/news