News Blog

EDM meets technology. For Etienne de Crécy’s new tour, Space Echo, PRG Projects integrated their unique highly transparent PURE10 screens within the SpinIt, a custom developed rotating frame solution to meet the design needs for this specific tour.

SpinIt

Stage designer Alexandre Lebrun and artist Etienne de Crécy had a creative idea in mind where transparent screens would surround the artist in a moveable and transparent “cage-setting”. After successful collaborations in other concert tours (Maître GIMS ea.), Production Director Julien Bedane contacted PRG to turn this into a workable solution, overcoming restrictions imposed by a concert touring reality.

Ysabel Vangrudenberg, Global Business Development Director of PRG Projects explains how they translated the idea into a technical solution: “On the one hand, we have the PURE10, the screen with 70% transparency, which was initially developed by us for the U2 tour. On the other hand, we have today developed a custom solution, namely the SpinIt, for the specific needs of Etienne de Crécy's production.”

SpinIt consists of a + 180° and -180° rotating, DMX-controlled motorization, mounted on rolling carts. Whereas SpinIt is used here with PURE10, we can envision other lighting and video products being combined with the rotating base.

PRG Projects

PRG France has ample experience in collaborating with PRG Projects. Thanks to their vast experience in concert touring, they know all the ins and outs this specific industry requires. The development of SpinIt is optimized for a concert touring reality, where set-up and load-out times are very limited, logistical and transportation constraints apply and durability is required. Some ingenious details, such as the foldable system on the high PURE10 panels, a spacing structure to maintain the exact distance between the screens, without the need of measurement in each set-up and the installation of the motorisation on rolling carts make it a state-of-the-art product for festivals and the concert touring sector.

Julien Bedane, production director, reflects on the collaboration: “I have given a requirement list with many constraints to PRG Projects to make this set-up possible. I had the guarantee that with PRG Projects, that would be well executed. Frederic Opsomer in particular has followed-up on this project and was available directly for the artist, who participated at all these meetings. What is interesting is that the PRG team is really an integral part of the development of the product, but also an integral part of the launch.”

Once again, the scale advantages of PRG Group are demonstrated. PRG France contacted their colleagues of PRG Projects and from the conceptualization to the full execution, close contact between the client, the artist, PRG France and PRG Projects were maintained to guarantee the desired result and a successful launch of the concert tour.

PRG wants to thank Lightlab, Alexandre Lebrun, Julien Bedane, Etienne de Crécy and the whole PRG France and PRG Projects teams and is looking forward to the further course of this magnificent concert tour.

At the end of March 2019, there was a new arrival in PRG's Hamburg warehouse: state-of-the-art, high-performance and high-quality audio technology! The equipment was first used at this year's LEA Awards and went on to be used at Prolight+Sound 2019 in Frankfurt's Festhalle — and the difference could be heard! Not only did the Highlight Show impress audiences with a magnificent light show and spectacular special effects, thanks to the new technology, the sound quality was also excellent.

In the USA, PRG has been a pioneer in world concert touring for several years already, equipping large concert tours with its high-quality audio technology. It is not only the quantity and variety of the technology that is impressive, above all it is the performance! PRG in Nashville has developed a special process which is used to put the equipment through its paces before and after each use.

After every tour, the equipment is subjected to quality control checks, tested, serviced and cleaned. In the specially developed "Boom Room" the loudspeakers undergo various frequency and sound tests. These are used to ascertain that every loudspeaker corresponds to the specifications of the original manufacturer. In addition, the functionality of all cables is systematically tested by trained staff. With the help of unique, web-based software the quality control processes are standardized for each piece of equipment, so that all PRG locations across the world can have access to this data, ensuring uniformity among quality control testing. Packing is also an important issue: PRG guarantees packing and storage that is "tour-ready", since, above all for tours with changing locations, it is important that the technology is competently and protectively packed to ensure that the audio equipment can be loaded and unloaded quickly, without becoming damaged in the process.

Through all the standardized processes and checks, PRG ensures that the technology it uses functions without any problems, the sound is delivered in the best quality and an efficient workflow is made possible.

And the best part: as of now PRG can also offer the same service to its customers in Europe, the same quality standards and the same high-performance, modern audio products, which are suitable for every production size. Alongside Meyer Sound LEO and Meyer Sound LYON loudspeakers, PRG now has the LFC 1100 in its inventory. In addition, the console inventory has been expanded to include the digital SD10 and SD12 models. More equipment will follow. In addition to these new products, customers will also benefit of specialist knowledge and support.

With this know-how, the large pool of technology, knowledgeable personnel, and the specially developed processes, every concert, every tour and every event can be supported. The goal is to develop a first class touring and audio event division in Europe. With this extra division, PRG can now offer full 360-degree audio service in Europe too.

PRG brings fresh impetus to their moving lights range and invests in Clay Paky Scenius Unico and Scenius Profile fixtures.

Clay Paky, part of the OSRAM group, is a world level reference brand in the sector of professional lighting systems. Over the course of its history the Company has been awarded a total of 45 prestige international prizes, recognitions of the innovation and quality of its products and manufacturing processes. Clay Paky's headquarters are located in central-northern Italy, in one of the nerve centers of the European industrial system.

Scenius Unico

This fixture is renowned for its multifunctionality and quality of light. It can be used as a powerful spotlight as well as a beautifully performing wash light, and therefore is a top choice for lighting designers and clients in a wide range of professional sectors of the event industry. It is a highly appealing fixture for its light quality, which has a very high CRI and 6500 K output color temperature, generating a powerful beam of concentrated light with a minimum beam angle of only 5°.

Scenius Profile

The Scenius Profile is the top of the range beam shaper. Its optical reflector was especially designed to make the beam uniform avoiding herewith the typical hotspot and its focus tracking system will concentrate the light efficiency that you wish to project, including the focus that can be set to fully automatic.
With 6 rotating gobos and 8 fixed, this CMY fixture is perfect for any set, be it theatrical, tv studios or large events.

These products are now available for our clients in our PRG equipment pool.

To round up this acquisition, Clay Paky and PRG have reached a collaboration agreement testifying the evidence of the mutual respect that binds both companies, after so many years of constant relationship articulated in different forms and having supplied PRG & VER with their fixtures and know-how.
Through this agreement, PRG will benefit of direct access to Clay Paky & ADB products, dedicated technical support and technical trainings to PRG staff to optimize lighting fixture usage, maintenance and priority spare part delivery.

Pio Nahum CEO of Clay Paky states: ‘“Our Global Account Agreement, in addition to being an opportunity to strengthen the reciprocal position on the market, where both Companies already operate globally and with success, represents a unique occasion to improve our skills and offer our customers innovative solutions with higher added value”

Gary Boyd, Executive Vice President & COO EMEA of PRG adds: ‘Clay Paky has developed professional lighting fixtures since 1976. The lighting designers were increasingly wishing for the Scenius Unico and the Scenius Profile fixtures and we are convinced that this will perfectly serve our customers’ needs and add an extra dimension into the PRG fleet!”

In our Behind-the-Scenes video, we provide interesting technical insights and background information on the technology installed around the PRG LEA Stage in the Frankfurt Festhalle at Prolight + Sound 2019. The highlight show, which took place every 30 minutes, was once again the central attraction at which we presented our expertise in the fields of lighting, video, audio, kinetics and rigging. 

The kinetics for moving the trusses with light, laser and LED technology were realized by Movecat motors and controllers, which could be precisely integrated into the show. We used our new Meyer-P.A. for sound reinforcement, which provided the transparent and powerful sound in the Festhalle. In the separate concert touring backstage area, visitors could also find out about various special constructions. As in previous years, the highlight show was created by Jerry Appelt and bright! Studios, the pyrotechnics were supplied by Elements Entertainment, and the laser technology came from Laserfabrik.

We would like to thank our partners once again:

GLP German Light Products, Jerry Appelt Lichtdesign, bright!, Lighting Tools, Elements Entertainment, Concept4Vision, laserfabrik, Stadt Frankfurt am Main, Prolight + Sound, Musikmesse, RIEDEL Communications, PMS Crew Support, WACKEN, CONRAD, disguise, MOVECAT, ComputerWorks, Wirtschaftsförderung der Stadt Frankfurt, Apleona HSG Event Services, allbuyone, Allgaier, Swisson, hantmade, Lofthouse Catering.

PRG Highlight-Show PLS 2019

Product sheets of some of the products presented at our stand in the Festhalle:

• "Nena Pod"
• "Beginner Pyramide"
• Video Dollies
• WonderWall
• Signage Column

Production Resource Group, L.L.C. (PRG), the world’s leading supplier of entertainment and event technology headquartered in New York, is acquiring the Middle East division of Delta Sound, Delta Sound L.L.C. UAE, a specialist provider of live audio and event communications technology based in Dubai and operating across the Middle East. Peter McCann, CEO for PRG in the Middle East and Andy Jackson, the Managing Director of Delta Sound, jointly announced the acquisition today.

Delta Sound LLC, founded in 2006, is the leading specialist audio and communication company in the Gulf Region and will join forces with PRG’s operation in Dubai, forming a welcomed union between the two companies who have collaborated successfully for many years across a broad range of corporate, government and large-scale special events. Like PRG, Delta Sound provides technical design and technology support to both local and international production houses who benefit from the high standard of service and delivery offered.

For PRG’s worldwide clients, this acquisition means that they will have access to additional expertise and technology when working with PRG in the Middle East and beyond. They can continue to be confident in the quality of product, experience, and professionalism whilst enjoying the addition of world-class event communications through the provision of fully scalable wired and wireless solutions.

“By acquiring Delta Sound LLC, we have bolstered our existing offering for our many customers who produce events and shows internationally”, said PRG’s McCann. “I’m also delighted that this acquisition integrates comprehensive event communications into our product offering thus ensuring that we can present a truly turnkey solution to our customers and partners. With events such as Expo 2020 on the horizon these are certainly exciting opportunities for a company that can operate at scale and this acquisition demonstrates both a significant level of commitment to the region and a continued appetite for growth.”

“As Delta Sound LLC, we have worked on some of the region’s largest and highest profile productions,” commented Andy Jackson. “We have established a loyal client base that has become more appreciative of the standard of audio production and event communications being delivered today by Delta. Having worked closely with PRG for several years across many of these events, our partnership has naturally evolved into a trading relationship and today we solidify this to the benefit of both our clients and teams.” It will be business as usual and Delta Sound will retain its existing operational format and be officially titled ‘PRG deltasound” during the transition process. 

Stephan Paridaen, PRG’s Global President and Chief Operating Officer, concluded, “PRG and Delta Sound are extremely well positioned to provide a multi-disciplined, integrated solution. Making the UAE Delta Sound team part of the global PRG family will be extremely valuable to our clients and this has been our top priority from the start.”

Paul Keating, MD of Delta Sound UK commented, “Myself, Mark & Andy go back 40 years together and Andy has been involved with Delta since our humble beginnings back in 1988. He has done an amazing job in building and managing the business over the past 12 years. We have always had a very good working relationship with PRG both here in the UK and in the Middle East and this is a great fit for Delta UAE becoming part of the extended PRG family. We very much look forward to continuing this relationship together in the future.”

Since October 27 2018, l’Equipe TV broadcasts from a whole new set, which is twice as big as the former one. PRG has provided this new 150m2 set with a fixed customized LED-installation. “We wanted a whole new dimension for this project,” explains Jérôme Aubin, Production Director of L’Equipe TV. “The main challenge was to host all our tv shows on one single set, which required it to be modular to be changed up to 3 times per day, during the the 6 minutes of advertising. Together with designer Philippe Désert we started to brainstorm about this innovative set, he introduced us to PRG as the provider who would be capable of executing our plan. I knew PRG as a provider of equipment but not as an integrator. The details of the material are almost industrial but they are tailor-made, so for us it's simply great. It's a guarantee of quality!”
 

  
PRG started working on the completely original solution and conducted the mechanical study in-house, as well as the production and construction of the customized setting. The studio is equipped with 80m2 of LED tiles on 18 pivotable and modular totems, a 40m2 back-wall screen and a LED floor. The 18 modular totems, equipped with 1 LED tile in width and 2 high, can be assembled or dissociated to easily transform into 3 HD screens, one big curved screen or any other configuration. They can also rotate on their own, creating different set-ups around the set. This modularity allows many original settings for both live shows and recurrent daily emissions.

The core of the concept is a custom-made curved rail system, from laser-cut plates that each take a totem. The carts of the totems allow them to individually rotate up to 270°. An additional power cable management system allows the totems to move around the studio.
All these elements have been developed specifically for this project.

The immense LED screen, with a tight pitch, and the LED floor add even more creative possibilities. The design of the studio, consisting completely out of LED screens, offers an unequalled creative freedom for a yet fixed studio setup. A simple change of media, a quick mechanical reorganization of the totems & the studio is transformed. This flexibility is unprecedented.

Thierry Kra, General Manager PRG France adds, “Half a year of preparations (study – prototype – tests in the workshop, technical sightings...) preceded the installation, during which everything was monitored in great detail to develop a solution that is unique and perfectly adapted to the specific needs of L’Equipe. We are proud to have elaborated this innovative set, together with Jérôme Aubin (équipe) and our PRG team (Gianfranco Stevenato, designer and mechanical supervisor, Antoine D’Halluin, technical manager), who did an absolutely great job on this fixed installation!”

PRG invests in Movecat motion hoists — VMK S 500 and VMK S 1250 — innovative and notable for their unusual flexible handling, whilst satisfying the highest safety level on the market.

MOVECAT

With their remarkable features, VMK-S hoists represent the elite class on the world market and are recommended for all state-of-the-art applications in locations such as in TV studios, theatres and event venues demanding maximum performance and safety combined with the widest possible bandwidth of uses.

VMK-S hoists have the possibility to move both horizontally and vertically and can move live artists; they can be controlled at variable speeds for way- and time-synchronous runs. These high-speed hoists (from 10 m/min) in combination with a V-Motion Powerpack are capable of speeds ranging from 0 to 40 m / min. In addition, its control desks are optimized visually, which significantly facilitates programming.

Gary Boyd, Executive Vice President & COO PRG EMEA comments: “Working with Movecat over the last six months we have established a great partnership in variable speed and safety technology. We have been able to create new products at a PRG specific working with Movecat here in Stuttgart and these new products and developments will lead to a great partnership across both companies!”

Movecat fulfilled PRG’s needs going forward and proved that it was a future proof product and the safest most compliant product in all markets at this time.
They are currently the only kinetic solutions on the market to have received the Safety Integration Level (SIL3), meeting the highest safety standards.
Oliver Nachbauer, CFO Movecat stipulates “Both PRG and Movecat are looking for solutions for their clients and their requirements, working together on our products and their specifications to service these unique requirements clients have. I am very much looking forward to the partnership with PRG and the challenges we might get.”

By adding these products to the portfolio, PRG can offer an even wider range of fully integrated solutions, serving clients more creatively given the wide range of possibilities as well as the most recent and safest solutions on the market!
Motion signals can now be synchronized with video and lighting cues, which will positively reflect on the cooperation between the motion operator, the lighting operator and the video operator.

A first batch is available as from November 2018 and will further be supplemented during the month of March and June 2019. The Movecats will be featured for the first time during Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of ‘The War of the Worlds’ in the UK, operated by our trained PRG crew.

For Udo Lindenberg’s MTV Unplugged 2 DVD production at the Kampnagel Theatre in Hamburg, PRG provided the lighting gear, among other things. Among the equipment put to use was the new GLP impression S350, which PRG has stocked in large numbers since summer 2018. Jerry Appelt (Jerry Applet Lichtdesign) talks in this interview about the advantages of these innovative lights and the special technical circumstances of this presentation format.

The particular features of the location at Kampnagel proved to be a real challenge: many musicians in a small space, restricted roof loads coupled with the lack of a fly system – PRG found an ideal solution to these issues with the versatile, energy saving LED moving lights. The key light GLP S 350 impresses the lighting expert with its lightweight, 25 kg build, colour reproduction index and the resulting good colour reproduction with CMY colour mixing system, including an additional colour wheel with fixed colours and correction filters. The shutter module is equally impressive, featuring movable shutters, which can each be positioned up to an angle of ± 30° and have a beam adjustment of 0-100%. Sharp triangles and total shading are realised with ease. The aesthetic of the GLP S350 is also to Appelt’s liking, thanks in particular to its baseless design. Alongside the large rental inventory, what the lighting designer values most about working with PRG is the large degree of flexibility and high reaction speeds.

Just how good the lighting for the entire production was handled, can be seen on the finished DVD: “The DVD from Udo Lindenberg’s Unplugged concert is available for purchase from 14 December. PRG thanks Udo Lindenberg, Think Big GmbH, Jerry Appelt Lichtdesign and the entire production team for the chance to part of this project!” 

On the occasion of the inauguration of the building ensemble “Intelligent Quarters”, in close collaboration with the renowned light artist and scenographer Michael Batz, PRG realised a short but spectacular video mapping display on the façade of the Shipyard office building in Hamburg’s HafenCity.

Together with the agency bright!, Batz developed a design, comprised of impressive shapes and colours, a 3D effect which was further augmented by the building’s angled façade. To achieve this, the colour concept and shapes were first developed using still frames, which were then animated. 

For PRG, the greatest challenge was to perfectly align the projection with the architecture of the building, including the windows. Two disguise 4x4pro servers enabled the transmission of text elements, pictures and animations, which were projected by six Panasonic 20K projectors onto the white, porcelain-covered façade of the Shipyard office building, situated directly by the Elbe.

Michael Batz was overwhelmed by the result of the collaboration: “The reactions were: ‘Wow’! People were really astonished and didn’t expect that this building could exhibit such depth, relevance and richness of expression. I was really impressed!”

Studio 33 at MMC Studios was entirely bathed in blue as PRG presented its product highlights alongside PRG Projects and GLP in September 2018. Here in Cologne and in Studio Balan in Munich, the guests had the opportunity to learn about various new and innovative solutions in the LED and lighting segment, as well as special constructions.

Udo Willburger (Chief Sales Officer at PRG) was very satisfied with the feedback and the lively interest in the featured products: “What we have presented here are state of the art solutions – amongst others, the PURE10, a highly transparent LED which, together with the Domino, a highly flexible touring LED floor, is being used on this year's U2 World Tour.” – Take a look at a few impressions from the PRG Demo Days 2018: 

Below you will find all the demonstrated products listed for you again, including product sheets for download / additional information:

LED and special construction

• Orbit – "Ready to go" high resolution LED screen solution  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• PURE10 – Highly transparent 10mm LED screen with 70% transparency  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• WonderWall – The scenic modular product for stages and tours  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• PRG SPACEFRAME™ – A revolutionary carbon fibre touring frame  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• Pixel Tablets – The modular LED solution for giant video landscapes  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• Wireless Hex Panels – The wearable LED panel with on-board server and battery  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• PRG Signage Column "ready to go" 
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• Domino (LED Floor Riser)  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• Special construction for Nena Tour 2018  
  ▸ News article incl. video

Automatic and LED lighting 

• Icon Stage – The newest member of our Icon series  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• GLP S350 – The new LED spot from GLP  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• GLP KNV – The modular high-power strobe  
  ▸ KNV Arc Product sheet (PDF) ▸ KNV Cube Product sheet (PDF)
• GroundControl – Remote follow spot  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)  ▸ Longthrow Product sheet (PDF)
• S52 V Gizmo – Truss Gizmo for direct motor mount and scenic motion  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)
• VL5 Eclipse LED Halo  
  ▸ Product sheet (PDF)

You can also download the PRG Projects Booklet 2018 here ▸ Download (pdf).

For more than 35 years, Die Toten Hosen have been one of most successful German bands.

The tour that includes more than 50 mostly sold-out concerts and attracts five-digit numbers of visitors each, started in November 2017.

PRG provides a curved MC-18 LED wall in the back of the stage. This hanging special construction is curved by 9 degrees and consists of 364 modules which are interlocked with specially designed angles. Additionally, two side-screens are assembled with an MC-7.

“Using as special construction for the curved central screens saves a lot of time compared to the usual tightening method.” Tom Clauder (Project Manager Mobile LED Screen, PRG) explains. 

The MC-18 is a semipermeable hybrid wall (consisting of a SMD LED wall and a wall with LED spots) lets moving lights and lamps shine through the wall from behind thereby creating impressive light effects.

Furthermore, PRG provides two MC-7 delay screens for the big open-air concerts in order “to give even those spectators standing 100m away from the stage the impression to be very close to the artist”, explains Felix Wohler (On-Site-Manager PRG). Projecting different live images onto several walls at the same time create proximity to the events on the stage.

The pure size of the site proved to be a true challenge: 
To prevent offset between the events on stage and the projection onto the LED screens, 250 – 300m cable connections must run on glass simultaneously on some sites, Wohler specifies. Hundreds of thousands thrilled spectators cannot be wrong: this challenge has been overcome brilliantly.

The German part of the tour will come to its crowning finale with two (of course sold-out) shows in Düsseldorf, home to the punk band, in October. PRG is thrilled to be part of it and says thank you to everyone involved.

For the last three decades, the semi-annual cultural and environmental festival Tollwood has been an integral part of Munich’s calendar of events. In fact, it is now the second biggest event in Munich, outnumbered only by Oktoberfest.

PRG has been part of it from the very beginning. The anniversary of the four-week festival took place under the motto „30 Jahre Miteinander“ (“30 years of coexistence”). More than 450 performances on 12 stages, the “Markt der Ideen“ (“Market of ideas”) with 220 international crafts people as well as 55 organic-certified food stands and beer gardens at Olympiapark festival grounds attracted 880,000 visitors.

Being a full-service provider, PRG was in charge of all event technology again: light, sound and video technology as well as rigging and stage construction.

On the occasion of this year’s anniversary, “Carmina Burana“ by Munich composer Carl Orff was performed in a production by the legendary Catalan action theatrical group “La Fura dels Baus“ as a special present for the visitors. Rigging at the open-air stage at Olympiasee which was specifically built for the occasion proved to be a special challenge: large spans and high wind pressure required complex structural calculations. The efforts were rewarded though, so the famous scenic cantata was performed twice on stage, delighting tens of thousands of spectators.

Sustainability has always been an important part of the festival: “We set a high value on energy-saving lights. For instance light chains: they are very important for the cozy atmosphere of beer gardens and instead of using classic lightbulbs, we used 2,500 led lights in total. This backs Tollwood’s ecologic requirements.” PRG’s Senior Account Manager Uwe Seemann explains.

Noise emissions were borne in mind as well: after all the festival takes place in the city center. Thereby, guests could listen to music by national and international stars (e.g. Hollywood Vampires, Fritz Kalkbrenner, Marteria, Billy Idol, Earth, Wind & Fire, Alanis Morissette, Konstantin Wecker, Jack Johnson), while the directed signal of the audio system prevented acoustic irradiation of the neighborhoods nearby. The Half Moon Bar offered 500 silent disco headphones free of charge, so guests could dance every day till 1am without bothering residents.

“It is a very, very pleasant cooperation and you can always rely on the fact, that it will turn out well. Festivals never work out the way they are supposed to, so you must be flexible and sometimes find unconventional solutions. Our cooperation is amazing. They are just part of the Tollwood family”, said Christiane Stenzel, spokesperson of Tollwood GmbH about the cooperation between Tollwood and PRG.

PRG says we are thankful for our long trusting relationship with Tollwood and congratulate the organisers on a successful anniversary event. We are looking forward to Tollwood Winterfestival (23.11. – 31.12.2018).

Photos: Sandra Sommerkamp