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Lighting and Video Meld for Nine Inch Nail’s Tension Tour

VIP Club photo by Elise Swain

VIP Deluxe

Immersive Lighting and Video at NYC’s VIP Club

Sometimes you have a grand design concept swirling around in your head but just can’t quite express it to your clients in the way you would like. But then you get the chance to gradually unfurl and execute your vision over time despite their initial trepidation, and once it’s fully rolled out and realized, they fall in love with it. They’re elated, and you’re stoked.

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Dart Rigging has been using a Ron StageMaster load cell system to monitor the band’s big rigs since 2009.

A Rigging Assist for Rammstein

Wireless Load Cells Give Peace of Mind

When truckloads of heavy gear need to be hoisted over concert performers and their fans, it can make for a lot of sleepless nights. But Dart Rigging GmbH finds that a trusted load cell system, which it has used for German metal band Rammstein since 2009, helps provide peace of mind.

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Hog 4 console from High End Systems

High End Systems Hog 4 Consoles

Choosing a lighting console is a personal thing. Most programmers have a particular console that they love and worship. The Hog certainly has a dedicated following — so much so that the Hog 2 series of consoles actually had membership cards! I unfortunately was never a card-carrying member, but still appreciate the power and control behind the console.

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Under the Gun

I was recently asked by a good friend and LD to help him with a show. His design company had two gigs happening at the same time, and he could not be at both. He asked if I could program and operate for a large corporate event in an arena. Having done many of these types of gigs in the past, I was not concerned about the crazy schedule or the quick turnaround that would occur. I knew going into the gig that it would be wild and fast paced. In fact, I looked forward to the action.

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Illustration by Andy Au

Did You Check It at the Shop?

By now, most of you should know the number one rule in the entertainment business. “Never Assume.” By this we mean, never assume a lot of stuff. You can never really assume you are going on a gig until you step foot on a plane to take you there. You can’t assume that because you spent days designing something, your client will like it. And you can’t assume that everyone responsible for pulling your gear for this gig tested everything before it left the shop.

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2013 Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award winner George Travis. Photo by Adam Kaplan

2013 Parnelli Gala Shatters Attendance Record; Dazzles, Inspires

If you weren’t among the record-breaking crowd of nearly 700 top industry pros attending the 2013 Parnelli Awards there, you really should have been. The 2013 Parnellis had it all — there were jokes about the crazy world that is live events, honors and accolades given the amazing talent who excel in their field this year, and even some quiet moments of remembrance of those who have passed.

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LDI 2013 photo by Justin Lang

Show Report: LDI 2013

There was excitement in the air (plus a lot of unusual moisture) when the LDI show returned to Las Vegas Nov. 22-24. Along with new products, it seemed as though a lot of new companies were being launched this time around, as 300-plus exhibitors arrived from 72 countries around the world to impress a projected crowd of 8,000 attendees. And even many of the less-familiar brands showcased their offerings with professionally designed booth presentations.

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Alex Skowron photo by Debi Moen

Alex Skowron Lights John Fogerty

TOUR: John Fogerty Tour

DATES:  Oct. 10-Nov. 14, 2013 (U.S.)

THE SHOW:  “It opens with a 16-minute video intro of Fogerty fun facts you might not know. The first half of the show alternates with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s entire album of Cosmo’s Factory (1970) or Bayou Country (1969), and then old hits and new favorites.”

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