WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The first North American Entertainment Innovation Conference drew nearly 400 professionals and students Sept. 6-8 to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts here to experience the latest with hands-on sessions and insider workshops. Presentations ranged from computer-controlled stunts with ZFX Flying Effects to the inside story on Broadway show production with Ken Davenport of Davenport Theatrical Enterprises.
More details about the Entertainment Innovation Conference (http://www.usitt.org):
Winston-Salem, NC – From computer-controlled high-flying stunts with ZFX Flying Effects to the inside scoop on Broadway show production with Ken Davenport of Davenport Theatrical Enterprises, the first North American Entertainment Innovation Conference at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts drew nearly 400 professionals and students Sept. 6-8 to Winston-Salem, NC, to experience the latest innovations in entertainment with hands-on sessions and insider workshops.
Attendees came from as far away as Oregon, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Florida to work side-by-side with award-winning designers and leaders in the fields of global entertainment, Broadway, Walt Disney and theatrical design. The conference was sponsored by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and featured workshops with Cirque du Soleil, their technical partners and some of the most respected professionals in the entertainment industry.
“Cirque du Soleil is proud to be a partner in the Entertainment Innovation Conference,” said Kim Scott, Director of Show Support-Resident Shows Division at Cirque du Soleil. “With the support of our Technical Partners, such as Meyer Sound, Stage Technologies and M.A.C., we are able to enhance the programming offered at this conference. Both Cirque du Soleil and the Technical Partners support the continued educational outreach of anyone interested in knowing more about these opportunities within the entertainment industry.”
During more than 60 workshops, presentations and interactive sessions, attendees received hands-on training in production, lighting, sound, automation, projections, wig and makeup, costuming and more.
Some relevant sessions included:
-Cirque du Soleil staff and technical partners presented information on topics ranging from theatrical safety, lighting and stage management to costume management on the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour.?
-Members of Tectonic Theatre Project (The Laramie Project; I Am My Own Wife) showcased innovative processes for the creation of theatrical events in collaboration with writers, designers, and actors to develop work that focuses on all theatrical elements.
-Ken Davenport, producer (Godspell, Chinglish, Oleanna), offered insights behind successful Broadway shows.
– Michael J. Kelley, senior producer and art director at Walt Disney Imagineering, reviewed the design phases involved in themed entertainment.
-PRG delved into the evolving business of stage technologies and the world of commercial shop operations on Broadway.
-ZFX Flying Effects demonstrated manual and automated technologies for performer flying.
-Stage Technologies discussed entertainment automation on cruise ships.
-Vari-Lite demonstrated new technologies for automated lighting, allowing attendees to experiment with the latest equipment.
-Rosco created a series of workshops to demonstrate innovations in paint and coating technologies for costuming.
“This conference was a true demonstration of the power of arts and innovation. It was a world-class experience where innovative ideas were shared in all areas of entertainment, from the management to the performance,” said Joe Tilford, dean of the UNCSA School of Design and Production and one of the co-founders of the Conference. “We’ve set the foundation for this conference to become the future go-to event for hands-on training for anyone working in the entertainment industries.”
