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Chasing the Past

Chasing the Past

Imagine a time when automated lighting consoles did not have effects engines, fanning abilities, and other automated functions.  That was the case back when I started programming. These programming tools were not widely implemented.  We had to create complex chases and positions by hand using math and other methods.  Many of these methods are long forgotten; however, they are still very useful to this day.  The understanding of how these processes work can still be a viable way of programming today to help create more complex programming when they are combined with modern console functions such as effects and fanning.

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Roller Coaster Pricing for Metals

Overlooked amid the meltdown of the financial industry was the cooling of speculation in metals that had driven prices to record levels. Gold, which touched $1,000 per ounce at one point in 2008, was simply the most visible of an array of industrial metals whose rising costs began to impact those who manufacture, sell and use metal stage gear such as aluminum trusses and steel catwalks.

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Thrown Into the Fire

Last month I found myself peeved at somebody because they told me they knew how to operate a certain lighting console. But once they got on site my client realized they didn’t. This put me in a tight spot because I was not at the gig to help out, and I had assured my friend that my guy would be all over it.

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Texas School Uses ETC Gear for New Venues

THE WOODLANDS, TX — The John Cooper School’s new performing arts center includes a main theatre, a smaller black box theatre and ETC lighting equipment. Performing arts chair Joseph DeMonico noted that the desire to “provide equipment that will allow students to train with ease later at the college level” was a factor in accepting the recommendation for ETC gear from Bill Conner Associates of Oak Park, Ill., which provide the design for the two venues.

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Epic Promotes Tenenbein, Adds Talent

WINNIPEG, Canada — Marc Raymond, Epic Production Technologies chairman and CEO, announced that longtime associate Burton Tenenbein, pictured left, has been named vice president concert touring and that Matt Talent, right, has joined the company as senior account executive.

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American DJ Mega Bar 50 RGB

The Mega Bar 50 RGB from American DJ, designed for smaller venues and spaces, is a DMX-compatible indoor RGB mixing bar that measures 1.5 feet in length, less than half the size of the original 1-meter Mega Bar, and less than half the price. Equipped with 126 10mm LEDs (42 red, 42 green and 42 blue), the Mega Bar 50 RGB offers the same lamp density as its larger cousin, and can be used with a DMX controller.

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