Epping Forest College has completed a major technical upgrade allowing the college to offer innovative Arts and Media facilities that will keep present and future students up to date with the latest equipment, skills and practices.Clarity in Sound, Light and Vision Limited, specialists in sound, lighting and audio visual installations for education, has completed the development of the technical infrastructure required for the College’s Arts and Media department - including its television studio, dance and drama studio and the main college theatre.
The College is now able to offer its students and the surrounding community second to none facilities, enabling it to keep up with the times and industry trends. Clarity worked closely with the college to deliver a future-proof solution with equipment that has been uniquely designed to meet the college’s requirement for a system that can be expanded as and when needed.
Clarity originally provided a quotation before the building was finished, however when contracted, the building; including the ceiling, had been finished, providing restrictions to the original planned install. Clarity worked with the college to redesign the system to meet changes in design and budget, allowing for a cut down feature set whilst still delivering on client requirements.
Clarity’s brief for the new theatre included the install of a new simple to use, affordable and flexible sound system, which would optimise the college’s existing system. The theatres sound systems now include high quality equipment with digital sound processing that can be expanded as the budget becomes available. A new theatrical lighting system includes a digitally controlled lighting rig, replacing the old analogue products.
Clarity was also tasked with the challenge of designing a bespoke curtain system for the new theatre that would prevent the incursion of any damage to its new ceiling, whilst also keeping within the college’s budget. The solution was to install a unique and bespoke ‘moving leg structure’ ingeniously hidden within the new ceiling. The curtain arrangement creates a stage/back stage area in an otherwise "empty" hall without a formal stage.
Clarity’s eye for detail also ensured a lack of visible cabling/trunking. “Even though the walls were finished, we hid the cabling for the mic boxes on stage,” explained Clarity Director Stuart Graham. “Most companies would have surfaced mounted at this stage but we hid the cables in the walls ensuring the best quality finish. That separates us from a lot of companies, going the extra mile.”
“Our courses are focused on equipping our learners with the knowledge and skills they need to work in the industry,” explains Phil Hall, head of Arts and Media at Epping Forest College.
“To do this we need technical facilities that enable us to give them an experience of the real world – whether it’s making a multi -camera video programme in the TV Studio or staging a full scale play, musical or concert in the theatre. I am delighted with the quality of the finished work in all three spaces – they now function as professional facilities and already the quality of students’ practical coursework has improved as a result.”
Epping Forest College has gained notoriety over the years for its strong emphasis on theatre and subsequently puts on many productions and performances throughout the year. To successfully keep sight of Epping Forest College’s aim of maintaining ‘business as usual’ during its major facilities’ transition project, Clarity worked closely with the College to ensure minimum disruption to staff and students throughout the duration of the work. This included working during the holiday periods and to a tight timescale so as not to impact the exam timetable.
“What has been particularly beneficial is that Clarity has worked collaboratively with us to ensure we get the best possible end result,” enthuses Hall.
The project’s main Building Contractor was Morgan Ashhurst, with Project Management undertaken by Arcadis AYH.
Clarity (Media) - Please click each link:
http://www.education-today.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2081/Clarity_Equips_Epping_Students_with_Advanced_Media_and_Arts_Facilities.html
http://www.cpbsonline.eu/pressrelease/pressrelease.aspx?companyname=Clarity+in+Sound%2c+Light+and+Vision&title=Clarity+Equips+Epping+Students+with+Advanced+Media+and+Arts+Facilities
http://www.waverleycommunications.co.uk/emags/SchoolBuilding/2010/SB4114_2010APRIL/pageflip.html
http://www.adfonline.eu/pressrelease/pressrelease.aspx?companyname=Clarity+in+Sound%2c+Light+and+Vision&title=Clarity+Equips+Epping+Students+with+Advanced+Media+and+Arts+Facilities
http://www.epping-forest.ac.uk/about.aspx.htm