Tech Contact in Australia

Hello,

I, like many young North Americans, am considering a work exchange in Australia within the next year. I've been a working professional for 5 or so years now and would like any info I can get on the state of live entertainment in Australia.

Specifically,
- Who are the major equipment suppliers to the entertainment industry in Australia? For example, when High End Systems got the lighting contract for the Olympics, who was the local supplier?
- What are the 3 most influential independant theatre companies in Sydney?
- Is there a strong need for technicians, specifically moving light programmers and designers?
- What is the moving light controller of choice in Australia? (i.e. HOG, Compulite, AvoLites)
- What is the moving light brand of choice? (High End, Martin, Vari-Lite, Coemar)
- How is the live music scene?

Anyone who can answer some or all of these questions will assist greatly in my decision whether or not to visit. I've done some research over the net, but would like to hear it from someone working in the industry.

Thanks,

Josh

>Hello,

I, like many young North Americans, am considering a work exchange in Australia within the next year. I've been a working professional for 5 or so years now and would like any info I can get on the state of live entertainment in Australia.
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Hi Joshua! I'm from Perth, Western Australia (as is much of this site/forum)
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>Specifically,
- Who are the major equipment suppliers to the entertainment industry in Australia? For example, when High End Systems got the lighting contract for the Olympics, who was the local supplier?
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Ashton Admor, AVLA, AAA, Audex, Matrix, here in Perth.
(in no particular order... but notice how many of those start with 'a', and are located in east perth ;)
Staging Connections, and many others over east (of Australia)

Good articles on High-End and Strand appears here:



don't forget the audio!


Bytecraft Australia (Melbourne, Sydney) supplied lighting gear.

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>- What are the 3 most influential independant theatre companies in Sydney?
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Wouldn't have a clue. or a Sydney person could help you there.
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>- Is there a strong need for technicians, specifically moving light programmers and designers?
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hmmm.... i would say not so much in Perth. You might want to check out , who recently completed a part of the burswood theatre (incl. wa's biggest permanent moving lights/laser show).
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>- What is the moving light controller of choice in Australia? (i.e. HOG, Compulite, AvoLites)
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From my experience, JANDS ESPs, sometimes HOGs, though Ashton Admor is doing their best to promote Theatrelight (scenemaster) consoles (don't laugh - I like them!), by primarily selling that range.



>- What is the moving light brand of choice? (High End, Martin, Vari-Lite, Coemar)
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Martin and Vari-Lite moving yokes (perth concert hall) and colour scrollers (burswood/regal theatre) are the only moving lights in most venues. Though these are rare; events see the same sorts of lights in greater numbers.
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>- How is the live music scene?
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Huge in Perth and Melbourne. But not technically huge (!)
I'd be surprised to see a local venue with TMS stacks, or a good lighting rig for that matter. Touring music is much bigger, with, as mentioned above, larger events having massive rigs of both sound and lighting: which Perth is perfectly able to provide; perhaps with not so much demand ;)
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>Anyone who can answer some or all of these questions will assist greatly in my decision whether or not to visit. I've done some research over the net....
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What, you don't want me to go into audio?! Hopefully someone will expand on Perthian points, and perhaps delve into the larger technical aspects of east-oz!

Alan!
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The other respondant was very "Perth" based. Here is some more info:

- Who are the major equipment suppliers to the entertainment industry in Australia? For example, when High End Systems got the lighting contract for the Olympics, who was the local supplier?

There are three major lighting distributors in Australia, Show Technology, Bytecraft and Universal Lighting and Audio. Between them they cover most of the big brands. Most comanies mentioned by the Perth person were Perth specific. If you want specifics of which comapny distributes which brands, our website (www.conpub.com.au) has a search engine for this.

What are the 3 most influential independant theatre companies in Sydney?
- In no particular order, here is more than three- Sydney Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre, Q-Theatre.

Is there a strong need for technicians, specifically moving light programmers and designers?
- There is alway work for experienced people, you just need to bash on a few doors. My first suggestion would be to start at Chameleon Proffessional Lighting and/or Bytecraft. They do most of the big gigs in Sydney.

- What is the moving light controller of choice in Australia? (i.e. HOG, Compulite, AvoLites)
Hog usually wins by weight of volume. Avo and Compulite are around (but more dominant in Melbourne because that is where ther distributors are)

What is the moving light brand of choice? (High End, Martin, Vari-Lite, Coemar)
Take your pick. They are all here in great volumes.

- How is the live music scene?
Like everywhere elase in the world, not as good as ten years ago, but the gigs are there.

Time for me to blow my own trumpet - Connections has more info and looks at shows/events from a technical viewpoint.

Good luck.

Regards
John Grimshaw
Editor, Connections Magazine
Entertainment Technology Monthly
Locked Bag 30, Epping NSW Australia 1710
(contact us for courier delivery address!)
Connections: +61 2 9876 3530 ||| Fax: +61 2 98765715
Direct: +61 2 4758 6853 ||| Mobile: 040 88 333 94
website: www.conpub.com.au