People News
New Appointment at Novatech
Posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Novatech Creative Event Technology welcomes its new Lighting Department Head, Jayden Sutherland to the management team. Jayden has worked for Novatech for the past 4 years and steps up to the position.
Jayden took some time off late last year to travel and work along the east coast of Australia. “Working with other companies was very enriching for me. I had a great opportunity to work within different team dynamics and get a feel for how the other guys do it. As enjoyable and challenging as it was, it is great to be back at Novatech and I am excited to lead the Lighting Department into a very busy 2010. One of the main things that drew me back to Novatech was their dedication to cutting edge technology. As a new piece of gear enters the market you can guarantee it will be in the warehouse within a week to be tested and trialed until it is decided if it‟s an appropriate addition to the inventory. This sort of attitude towards technology allows a lighting designer to run wild with creative ideas and keep up to date with the ever changing fashions and trends in the lighting world”.
Leko Novakovic, Managing Director, Novatech Creative Event Technology said “We are pleased that Jayden has stepped up to his new position. His strong technical background far exceeds his young age and his enthusiasm for the department is evident in all of his designs. It is great that we have been able to work with him from such a young age. Jayden knows exactly how we work and what is expected of him in the position and we are sure that he will not disappoint”.
www.novatechproductions.com.au
Ian Cookesley Memorial Celebration
Posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
Novatech’s new Sales and Marketing Manager
Posted on Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Anthony has been associated with Novatech for many years, working mainly in technical areas. He has now returned after a year long hiatus to Vancouver, Canada, and San Francisco, USA. During his time in North America, he managed many large scale events including; the 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer in San Francisco, INSOL 8th World Quadrennial Congress, Vancouver, Canada and the British Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame, to name a few.
“It was a great experience to travel and work in Canada and the USA. Working with diversified companies and providing for a variety of clients’ needs was a great experience” Anthony said. “Working with different companies has taught me that Novatech is truly a world class company and it is great to be back with this fantastic team” he added enthusiastically.
Anthony is excited to be back and in his new role. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, having worked in the event and video production industry for over twelve years. Many Novatech clients will remember Anthony as he had been involved in many Novatech events over the last six years.
Novatech has a busy six months ahead as they roll into the peak summer season with plans to refine their branding and launch their new website.
Novatech is excited to see what Anthony will bring to the team.
www.novatechproductions.com.au
Vale Tharon Musser
Posted on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Tharon Musser, a Tony award-winning lighting designer who worked on more than 150 Broadway shows, passed away at age 84. Her credits include one of the longest-running Broadway musicals, A Chorus Line, which was also the first to use a completely computerized lighting console.
After graduating from Berea College in 1946, Musser earned an MFA at Yale in 1950. Her career as an LD for Broadway shows started with Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night in 1956 and extended until 1999.
Along with Michael Bennett’s A Chorus Line, which ran from 1975 to 1990, Musser lit Gower Champion’s 42nd Street, which ran from 1980 to 1988. She received her first Tony award for Follies in 1972, followed by Tony Awards for A Chorus Line in 1976 and Dreamgirls in 1982.
Musser also received a Drama Desk nomination for Children of a Lesser God in 1980 and was named USITT’s Distinguished Lighting Designer in 1996. Musser had also worked with playwright Neil Simon and choreographer José Limón.
Lighthouse Distribution Welcomes Miles Pepperall
Posted on Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
Lighthouse Distribution Welcomes Miles Pepperall to the team. Lighthouse Distribution is proud to announce that Miles Pepperall has joined the team as the new Business Development Manager.
Miles joins the team offering a great deal of experience in projects and sales after many years in dealing with some of the largest architectural projects worldwide. During this time he has successfully completed projects in Australia, Asia and the Middle East. This wealth of experience along with his business background further strengthens the Lighthouse Distribution team and is a valued member of the Hills SVL group.
Miles can be contacted on 0400 425 531 or email: miles@lighthousedistribution.com.au
New position for Jerry Reinhardt
Posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
The position of Lighting Co-ordinator at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts has recently been taken up by well-known US immigrant Jerry Reinhardt.
Jerry was born in Reno, Nevada USA, and has been involved in the entertainment business for 37 years. He began working in casino showrooms at the age of 15 and went on to study Theatre at the University of Nevada, Reno where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. He then went to the University of California, Davis where he earned a Master of Fine Arts in Lighting & Scenic Design. From UCD he took a job as Technical Director / Lighting Lecturer at the University of Oregon where he was responsible for three theatres within the performing arts complex.
After his brief time in Academia he took a job with Morpheus Lights in the San Francisco bay area and started a career in touring. He has worked as Lighting Director with a multitude of popular acts including Neil Diamond, Cher, Van Halen, Huey Lewis & The News, The Grateful Dead, Chicago, Al Jarreau, Steve Winwood, Mikhail Baryshnikov, The Superstars of the Bolshoi, David Sanbourn, Alabama, Michael Jackson and Steely Dan.
When working as LD for Cher he met his future wife in Perth. They married in the states and migrated to Perth in 1992. Since arriving in Perth he has held positions as Technical Manager at the Perth Concert Hall, Operations Manager for the Burswood Theatre and Dome, and most recently, as General Manager for Concert & Corporate Productions.
Lighthouse Distribution welcomes Andrew Winslade to the team
Posted on Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Lighthouse Distribution is proud to announce the appointment of Andrew Winslade as Lighthouse Distribution’s National Sales Manager.
Andrew joins the team with 20 years experience in the professional and architectural lighting industries including product development and sales roles with some of Australia’s leading lighting suppliers. His in depth product knowledge combined with his industry experience will be a great asset to the team.
Andrew’s extensive experience in business management, marketing and events will help build upon the already strong foundations of Lighthouse Distribution, a key member of the Hills SVL Group.
Andrew can be contacted on 0488 568 325 or email: andrew@lighthousedistribution.com.au
LD Jennifer Tipton named as a MacArthur Fellow for 2008
Posted on Friday, September 26th, 2008
Renowned US lighting designer and educator Jennifer Tipton has been named as a MacArthur Fellow for 2008. The MacArthur Fellows Program awards unrestricted fellowships to talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction. The Foundation does not require or expect specific products or reports from MacArthur Fellows, and does not evaluate recipients’ creativity during the term of the fellowship. The MacArthur Fellowship is a “no strings attached” award in support of people, not projects. Each fellowship comes with a stipend of US$500,000 to the recipient, paid out in equal quarterly installments over five years.
Read more about Jennifer Tipton and the MacArthur Fellows programme (and how to apply for a fellowship) at www.macfound.org
Helpmann Award Nomination for Niklas Pajanti
Posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008
trafficlight are very proud to announce that Niklas Pajanti has been nominated for a Helpmann Award. The nomination is for his lighting design for the Brink Production of Andrew Bovell’s new play, When the Rain Stops Falling, that was presented at this year’s Adelaide Arts Festival.
trafficlight would like to congratulate Niklas, and wish him well for the ceremony on the 28 July in Sydney.
“Niklas Pajanti’s lighting is sharp and pure, adding a very specific layer of eloquence.” Samela Harris, Adelaide Advertiser
“Niklas Pajanti’s lighting design melds seamlessly into the setting to help create indelible images.” Artshub
Niklas is a lighting designer whose practice ranges across contemporary art forms and performance styles, including opera, circus, dance, drama, comedy, events, and lighting public spaces. He joined trafficlight in 2004 and is currently the principal lighting designer, having delivered projects nationally and internationally to Europe, the USA and Asia.
New Technical Support Division for Lighthouse Distribution
Posted on Friday, April 11th, 2008
Lighthouse Distribution are proud to announce that we can offer you even more with the addition of a lighting technical specialist to our Technical Support Team!
Dan Butler has been with the Hills SVL Group for almost a year using his audio and lighting knowledge to assist with technical support across the group. However, due to Lighthouse Distribution’s major growth over the past 12 months, Dan will step into the role of Lighting Technical Specialist to assist our customer’s further.
Here solely to be the hub of lighting knowledge and spin the propeller for lighting, he will provide piece of mind that there is someone to answer your technical lighting questions.
Dan’s role will place him at the forefront of lighting technical support, as well as performing warranty repairs, lighting demonstrations, project design and spare parts management. He has over ten years experience in the lighting industry including major concerts and events for Bytecraft and Jands Production Services. He also has experience in design, installation, servicing and lighting programming for hospitality venues, corporate venues and the education sector. Dan is an authorised technician for Clay Paky and pretty much any other major lighting brand in Australia.
“We are very happy to now have the opportunity to provide our customer’s with technical support of this calibre, and we look forward to increasing Lighthouse’s growth even further over the next year.” Comments Paul Owen, Lighthouse National Sales Manager.
www.lighthousedistribution.com.au
Tony Tan joins Selecon Asia
Posted on Thursday, April 10th, 2008
Selecon is delighted to announce the addition of Tony Tan to the sales team at Selecon Asia. As the Sales Manager for South East Asia Tony will be responsible for working directly with end users to build the Selecon business in the region whilst maintaining relationships with current dealers in South East Asia.
Reporting to Phil Sargent, Selecon’s Market Manager for Asia & the Middle East, Tony will work out of Singapore to assist with the on-going development and support of Selecon’s position as recognised leaders in fixed luminaire technology for theatrical and entertainment lighting.
“Tony’s appointment as a full time Singapore based member of our global team is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the highest levels of service to our customers and is a direct result of our strong success in South East Asia. Together with Tony’s appointment Selecon is also happy to announce that an inventory of Spare Parts and selected Selecon products will now be available for ex-stock purchase in Singapore,” commented Phil Sargent.
To contact Tony Tan:
H/P: +65 9 488 8670
Skype: tonyselecon
www.seleconlight.com
trafficlight Designers Nominated for Green Room Award Association Awards
Posted on Friday, February 22nd, 2008
trafficlight would like to congratulate Niklas Pajanti and Paul Lim on their Green Room Award Association Award nominations, announced yesterday.
Niklas Pajanti’s lighting design has been nominated for two awards, one in the dance section for his work on the Melbourne International Arts Festival piece This Show Is About People (Shaun Parker), and the second for his work in the Independent Theatre section for the Ranters Theatre piece Holiday.
Paul Lim was nominated in the new form section for his lighting design on the piece Detest (This Thousand Years I Shall Not Weep) which played at the Carlton Courthouse early 2007.
The award winners will be announced on the 20 April 2008.
www.trafficlight.com.au
Vale Denis Irving RIP
Posted on Monday, February 18th, 2008
It is with deep regret that we note of the passing of Denis Irving, theatre consultant, lighting designer, and former CEO of Strand Electric in Australia. Denis, whose work has in some way touched almost every person in the theatre industry, passed away at his home in Terang on Saturday after a long illness.
You can find a profile of Denis, written for ET Magazine, at <www.etnow.com/profile/11-20/denisirving.htm>
Posted 18/2/08
Lighthouse Distribution Welcomes James Norrish to the NSW/QLD Team!
Posted on Monday, January 21st, 2008
The Lighthouse Distribution family continues to grow with the addition of James Norrish, who has joined the Sydney team as System Design and Sales for NSW and QLD.
Before joining Lighthouse, James was the Production Co-ordinator for the Cairns Convention Centre.
James has over seven years experience in the lighting and events industry, including several years in Production Management roles. His production experience includes concerts and events in large-scale venues such as Acer Arena and the Sydney Entertainment Centre, as well as corporate venues and numerous other entertainment sites.
James is very experienced in production planning from beginning to end, and is therefore a good source of information for customers in all facets of client production requirements.
James can be contacted by phone: 02 9741 4377, mobile: 0458 580 004 or email: james@lighthousedistribution.com.au Or come meet James at the Lighthouse Distribution stand (D24) at Entech from 11th – 13th February at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney.