Each year the PLASA Show seminar programme goes from strength to strength,
promising unique insights, specialist know-how and the latest innovations, direct from
the industry. The free to attend sessions, including the new Fast Track Theatre’s bite-
size talks, feature an international line up of leading experts ready to discuss the
latest topics and developments in their field.
At the Audio & AV Theatre, d&b audiotechnik’s Oran Burns and Bill Brooks’ session Are
You listening? takes a fresh view on the much-debated idea of an ideal frequency
response for a live sound system, considering factors like hearing sensitivity, creative
preferences and cultural trends.
Preparing for the loss of 700MHz – What you need to know, by Shure’s Tuomo
Tolonen, examines Ofcom’s 2014 announcement to reallocate UHF frequencies 694-
790MHz (the 700MHz band) to the mobile sector. With clearance scheduled for May
2020, the session looks at the wider implications for the industry and how best to
meet ongoing challenges.
In the first of two-panel discussions hosted by LSi journalist, Phil Ward, the curiously
entitled “Was Le Corbusier Deaf or What? uncovers the infamously tricky relationship
between audio and architecture. The impressive line-up, including Sam Wise, Venue
Strategies; David Claringbold, d&b audiotechnik; and Neil Voce, ASL Control will
reveal how to make negotiations go smoothly, while secretly getting your own way.
In 360 Degrees of Sound, prominent voices are in the chair to discuss new formats
blazing a trail for 3D audio within immersive experiences – from theme parks to art
galleries. Discover more about the sound revolution straight from the experts on the
ground, including Sherif El Barbari, L-Acoustics; Scott Willsallen, Remarkable Projects;
and Dave Haydon, Outboard.
“We’ve gathered the big guns to take on these two equally fascinating topics,’ says
Phil. “These are issues driving the technology solutions of the future. The insight – and
debate – promises to be the most informed and interesting you’ll find.’
At the Lighting, Staging and Rigging Theatre, James Simpson, lighting visualiser at
the Royal Opera House, presents “2057AD: what will theatre be like in 40 years’ time?’
This session takes place in 2057, looking back to 2017 and the 40 intervening years,
its technology, and how it changed the way theatre is made.
In Playing with the Edge of the Light: Bringing puppetry to life at Little Angel Theatre
the venue’s Head of Production David Duffy discusses the challenges and rewards of
lighting puppetry to create rich and complex theatre while sharing some of the tools
and tricks behind this visual storytelling art.
Meanwhile, in the Product Training Theatre, lighting consoles take the spotlight.
Avolites Titan v10.1 will cover product features and more, while MA Lighting offers 75
minutes of hands-on dot2 training. ChamSys will be introducing MagicQ including the
latest software features, ChamSys MagicVis Visualisation, and MagicHD Media Player.
Plus, Eaton will be offering FLX Lighting Console Training at its drop-in events.
Brand new for 2017, the Fast Track Sessions, hosted by industry associations, experts,
and trade unions, are aimed at improving business skills. The inaugural programme
features The ABTT with an update on their “Technical Standards for Places of
Entertainment’; they’ll also be considering “New Guidelines from the National Counter-
Terrorism Security Office on Crowded Places’.
In Safety First, Helen Goddard from the Institute of Sound and Communication
Engineers (ISCE) discusses the increasing demand for proof of operative compliance
and competence. As an accredited issuer of ECS Sound Engineer cards, ISCE is the
only dedicated provider of cards that recognise your profession and status within the
industry.
PLASA Show returns to London Olympia on 17-19 September. For more information
and to sign up for a session, please visit www.plasashow.com/seminars
