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Astera LED AX Series

Astera LED AX Series

Astera LED AX Series

Astera has been in the wireless LED luminaire market for some time now, starting when they released their first light in 2007. Today, their main offering — the AX line of lights — consists of a trio of battery-powered LED accent and wash lights aimed at the event production market — weddings, corporate events, any sort of production that needs a multitude of lights that need to be able to deploy quickly.

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Look Solutions CryoGate

Look Solutions CryoGate

The reputable haze and fog manufacturer, Look Solutions, has created a new category in atmospheric effect products. Foggers are readily accessible and used on most shows, events and effects. Low smoke is a bit more complicated and typically uses one of the following methods: dry ice, liquid CO2, or a refrigeration system. Until now, you would need two discrete units for each of the two effects. Let’s have a closer look at this unique device.

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Michael T. Strickland

Pollstar Names Bandit Lighting Company of the Year

SAN FRANCISCO – Pollstar named Bandit Lites Lighting Company of the Year. The award was presented to Bandit Lites founder Michael Strickland at the 27th Annual Pollstar Industry Awards. Actor and comedian Gary Owen hosted the event which occurred February 12 in San Francisco at the Marriott Marquis and celebrated all aspects of the entertainment industry, from venues to festivals and touring artists.

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The author used four HES DLHDs for the blended dress projections.

Projecting Video onto a Dress with a Circular Image Blend

The director of an event held annually in Las Vegas on New Years Eve asked for help mapping video onto some costumes that would be onstage for about 30 minutes during the opening walk-in numbers. After assessing projection angles and maximum effectiveness for stage lighting, I convinced him to position a performer on the top center platform of the stage so that I could project in 360° onto the performer’s dress, something visually exciting and unique for the guests.

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Tracking 101

Automated lighting programmers depend on many longstanding processes and procedures, but one of the most important concepts that must be mastered is called tracking. This concept is essential for programming multi-parameter fixtures and is also very useful for the most basic dimmer or desk channels. Without a good understanding of how tracking works, how it affects playback and how to maximize the usage, a programmer will have a tough time with automated lighting fixtures. I often describe tracking as the most difficult concept to understand, but also the most important to understand. Luckily, with some knowledge and practice, most any programmer can master tracking and make use of its benefits during every programming session.

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Illustration by Andy Au

Seven Rules of a Successful Touring Lighting Director

Q: What’s the difference between a Lighting Designer and a Lighting Director?

A: About $20,000…

As a touring lighting director, I get asked this a lot — and the reality is few people outside the industry really understand it. The roles are similar, but the responsibilities are vastly different. The lighting designer is responsible for pitching, selling, and securing their visual concept for the show to their client. The lighting director is responsible for implementing the design and making sure its vision remains intact for the duration of the tour.

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Raffle Prizes, Live Auction, and the BTS Boutique Benefit Behind the Scenes at USITT

NEW YORK — The Long Reach Long Riders and Behind the Scenes will host their annual fundraising raffle at the USITT Conference in Salt Lake City March 17-19. This year’s raffle will celebrate the 13th Anniversary of the Long Reach Long Riders annual charity motorcycle ride. The Riders have raised over half a million dollars for charity in their years of touring some of the country’s most beautiful areas.

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Eagles of Death Metal logo

Eagles of Death Metal European Tour Resumes; Bataclan May Reopen Later This Year

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — On Feb. 13, three months after the terrorist attack at the Bataclan in Paris, the Eagles of Death Metal resumed their European tour. The Feb. 13 performance in Stockholm will be followed by a Feb. 16 concert in Paris, but not at the Bataclan. Owners of that venue have vowed to reopen, but not until later this year. Instead, the Eagles of Death Metal will perform at Paris’ Olympia music hall.

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