EDUCATION-FEB10-PG28:Page 6 02/02/2010 10:11 Page 28
ICT - Networking and Communications
Clarity Equips Epping Students with
Advanced Media and Arts Facilities
E
pping Forest College has completed a flexible sound system, which would optimise the to give them an experience of the real world –
major technical upgrade allowing the college’s existing system. The theatre’s sound whether it’s making a multi -camera video
college to offer innovative Arts and Media systems now include high quality equipment with programme in the TV Studio or staging a full scale
facilities that will keep present and future digital sound processing that can be expanded as play, musical or concert in the theatre. I am
students up to date with the latest the budget becomes available. A new theatrical delighted with the quality of the finished work in
equipment, skills and practices. lighting system includes a digitally controlled all three spaces – they now function as
Clarity in Sound, Light and Vision Limited, lighting rig, replacing the old analogue products. professional facilities and already the quality of
specialists in sound, lighting and audio visual Clarity was also tasked with the challenge of students’ practical coursework has improved as a
installations for education, has completed the designing a bespoke curtain system for the new result.”
development of the technical infrastructure theatre that would prevent the incursion of any Epping Forest College has gained notoriety
required for the College’s Arts and Media damage to its new ceiling, whilst also keeping over the years for its strong emphasis on theatre
department - including its television studio, dance within the college’s budget. The solution was to and subsequently puts on many productions and
and drama studio and the main college theatre. install a unique and bespoke ‘moving leg performances throughout the year. To
The College is now able to offer its students structure’ ingeniously hidden within the new successfully keep sight of Epping Forest College’s
and the surrounding community second to none ceiling. The curtain arrangement creates a aim of maintaining ‘business as usual’ during its
facilities, enabling it to keep up with the times stage/back stage area in an otherwise “empty” major facilities’ transition project, Clarity worked
and industry trends. Clarity worked closely with hall without a formal stage. closely with the College to ensure minimum
the college to deliver a future-proof solution with Clarity’s eye for detail also ensured a lack of disruption to staff and students throughout the
equipment that has been uniquely designed to visible cabling/trunking. “Even though the walls duration of the work. This included working
meet the college’s requirement for a system that were finished, we hid the cabling for the mic during the holiday periods and to a tight
can be expanded as and when needed. boxes on stage,” explained Clarity Director Stuart timescale so as not to impact the exam timetable.
Clarity originally provided a quotation before Graham. “Most companies would have surfaced “What has been particularly beneficial is that
the building was finished, however when mounted at this stage but we hid the cables in Clarity has worked collaboratively with us to
contracted, the building; including the ceiling, had the walls ensuring the best quality finish. That ensure we get the best possible end result,”
been finished, providing restrictions to the original separates us from a lot of companies, going the enthuses Hall.
planned install. Clarity worked with the college to extra mile.” The project’s main Building Contractor
redesign the system to meet changes in design “Our courses are focused on equipping our was Morgan Ashhurst, with Project Management
and budget, allowing for a cut down feature set learners with the knowledge and skills they need undertaken by Arcadis AYH.
whilst still delivering on client requirements. to work in the industry,” explains Phill Hall, head
Clarity’s brief for the new theatre included the of Arts and Media at Epping Forest College. “To u0845 678 0725
install of a new simple to use, affordable and do this we need technical facilities that enable us uwww.clarityslv.co.uk
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www.education-today.co.uk February 2010
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