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Designer Drafting and Visualizing for the Entertainment World, Second Edition

Designer Drafting and Visualizing for the Entertainment World, Second Edition

Designer Drafting and Visualizing for the Entertainment World, Second Edition

The world has changed since author Patricia Woodbridge published the first edition of Designer Drafting and Visualizing for the Entertainment World in 2000. Back then, digital alternatives to traditional hand drafting were still in their infancy, and Woodbridge, an experienced art director of feature films and a longtime teacher of scenic drafting and set design at the graduate level, focused on guidelines such as line weight in terms of pencil choices and how hard you should press on the paper.

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The Rebound in Corporate Events: AV Providers Need to be Ready

If your business includes providing lighting, projection video or staging for live corporate events, you may want to sign up for a frequent-guest program at some of the hostelries in the U.S. very soon. After several years of lackluster room and event-space bookings during the worst of the economic downturn, that kind of spending is predicted to climb 5.1 percent this year, to $268.5 billion, according to trade group the Global Business Travel Association. Its forecast, released in April, is up substantially from the 1.8 percent rise in industry spending in 2012, and is even higher than the group’s previous prediction for growth of 4.6 percent.

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PASS I ON

I remember a long time ago when I first started programming automated lighting that the skill was held as very secretive. People had to teach themselves how to program and, once they gained that knowledge, many chose to hold it tight. Most people did not want to share their skill, as the programming jobs were rare and no one wanted to have increased competition. Luckily, this has changed considerably through the years, and now, many are willing to share their knowledge and skills with others. To help foster our industry, we should all look for opportunities to instruct others and share what we have learned. By doing so, we will learn more and expand the abilities and professionalism of our entire field.

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LD Howard Ungerleider on stage with his Steampunk-inspired design for Rush’s Clockwork Angels tour. Photo: Debi Moen

Ungerleider’s Brush with Fame; Boston for Boston; Quick Cues

Lighting designer Howard Ungerleider felt a momentary rush of stardom — on the artist’s side of the velvet rope, you might say. It was the night before Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. Outside the band’s hotel, fans gathered in wait for Rush’s Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson. But those weren’t the names screamed when Ungerleider made it to the glass lobby doors. “Howard!” they shouted.

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Illustration by Andy Au

Huntly’s Way

In my continuing pursuit of figuring out how lighting vendors build their inventory, I have come across three distinctive methods that a few different companies have utilized. A company may buy all their gear based on supply and demand. Or they buy certain pieces of gear and sub-rent the latest expensive fixtures on the market rather than risk they will be outdated. In the past, some companies actually built all their own lights, truss and dimmer racks. I thought that I summed it all up. But then I got to talking to some friends who work for Christie Lites. And it didn’t take long to figure out that there is one other way to build a business, and it seems to be working just fine. If you do it Huntly’s way.

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Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

ARS Crew Installs Sports Lighting at Barclays Center

BROOKLYN, NY — The Brooklyn Nets, known for years as the New Jersey Nets, now have a home at Barclays Center here, in a facility designed to anchor the $4.9 billion Atlantic Yards complex. Turner Construction, which opted for a Nordstrom-Baxter Associates (NBA) portable court lighting system, relied upon Atlantic Rigging Systems for a big assist with the lighting system’s installation.

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Elation Level Q7

Elation Level Q7 and Level Q7 IP

LOS ANGELES – Elation Professional has designed from the ground up a new LED par for the professional stage and production market.  This professional grade, compact flat-style LED par series features two models: the Level Q7 and Level Q7 IP. Housed in a low-profile case and weighing under 9 lbs., the Level Q7 and Level Q7 IP offer RGBW color mixing, a narrow 7° beam angle/13° field angle, an efficient optical system, a 100,000-hour Quad-Color RGBW 15-watt LED engine by Osram, and an array of professional features.

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A view of the truss claw at Mayday

SGM Strobes Rave on Mayday

DORTMUND, Germany – Some 23,000 dance fans partied all night long to the sounds of more than 54 internationally renowned DJs at this year’s Mayday extravaganza in Dortmund, including top names such as Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox and Sven Väth. Production company schoko pro installed more than 360 tons of audio visual equipment for the party, designing a 4-fingered truss-claw and a monster mirrorball as the major centerpiece from the ceiling. A special trick was the ability to move and tilt the claw above the audience’s heads, to create changing lighting effects.

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Widespread Panic's current tour.

Widespread Panic Tours with Bandit Lites

KNOXVILLE, TN – American rock band and road warriors Widespread Panic are back on the road with Bandit Lites, bringing their Southern rock sound to sold-out shows across the U.S. Following a New Year’s Eve performance where the rig included truss running the length of the arena over the audience and two trusses encircling a video wall, LD Paul Hoffman was tasked to adapt the immense rig for both the road and varying venues.

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“End of the World” Scenic Effect Created With Cotton Scrim & Projection

The newest feature article in the Rose Brand Know-How Blog showcases Designer Ivy Flores, “A Scenic View of the End of the World” at the California Institute of Arts-Black and White Studio.  The installation consisted of panoramic projections on hanging strips of cotton scrim, arranged in a cave-like structure that visitors were able to walk through and touch. The ultra-fine cotton scrim chosen for the installation is a light, soft and durable fabric that helps soften and diffuse light.  It can also be used for quick, economical swags and billows in special event, theater and other interior design settings.

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