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Mitch Kaplan from Video WallTronics

Mitch Kaplan at the digiLED Factory in Shenzhen, China. He serves as that company’s U.S. distributor.

Mitch Kaplan from Video WallTronics

PLSN: How did you begin your career in the entertainment industry?

Mitch Kaplan: My entry into the visual arts started in 1978. A schoolmate and I secured the rights to sell the print services for 3M brand Scanamural, the first large format, ink jet printer. This was the beginning of digital printing. It eventually evolved into billboard size, photo quality print vinyl graphics that you see everywhere. In 1988, Large Format Digital video display evolved from the technology of pixel manipulation. We were pioneers and the times were very exciting. Our very first sales call netted a $250,000 rush order for a sports marketing company. That was our catalyst into the digital world.

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ProPlex GBS gigabit Ethernet switch (Rack-mount version)

ProPlex Data Distribution System from TMB

The 2012 Ryder Cup golf tournament at Medinah Country Club and 2012 London Olympic Games were just two of this year’s big events with live and televised production where crews relied upon the expanding range of ProPlex data distribution devices and cable options from TMB. The ProPlex line of devices includes GBS Gigabit Ethernet Switches,  IQ Ethernet-DMX converters, DMX/RDM Opto-Splitters and forthcoming (early 2013) RMT remote media transceivers for multiplexed DVI transmission and distribution. ProPlex cable options are also expanding, including DMX, Cat5e and fiber optic cable and assembly/snake options now available, and TMB also recently introduced its ProPlex RDMigo touch-screen tester/controller and 8-Track devices for DMX record/playback and backup.

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UHD (Ultra HD) has four times the resolution of HD (high-definition) video.

Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Buy a Television

Well, there they go again, changing everything — and making us regret every buying decision we’ve ever made. You bought your Canon DSLR, and they unveiled the new model within moments. You bought your iPad, and sure enough, out comes the Mini. You saved for years and bought that gorgeous 3D-ready 56” high-definition LCD flat panel with 2 million freakin’ pixels — and now they’ve done it again.

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The second of three debates between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney was staged Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. Photo courtesy of Yamaha

A Backstage Look at the Presidential Debates

Whatever your particular ideological inclination, the presidential debates never fail to stir things up, and that was particularly true for the close 2012 campaigns backing President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. The presidential debates took place at the University of Denver on Oct. 4, Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY on Oct. 16 and Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL on Oct. 22. Additionally, the vice presidential debate took place Oct. 11 at Centre College in Danville, KY.

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25 Secrets Your LD Won’t Tell You

The business of automated lighting programming provides many opportunities to work in different manners.  Sometimes you are both the LD and the programmer, and sometimes you are purely a programmer working directly with a lighting designer.  When working alongside a lighting designer, the relationship between the two of you becomes very important.  If you do not get along, then the programming sessions will drag on without any fun.  When you do click together, the programming just flows.  Of course, no matter whom you are working with, there are always some secrets that the LD will not tell you.  The following tips explain common bits of information that your LD may withhold from you for one reason or another.

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Jackson Browne tour photo by Debi Moen

Browne Stays Green, Mustachioed Mafiosi, Quadrophenia Returns, Quick Cues and More

For many of the moodier moments during Jackson Browne’s acoustic tour around the U.S. this year, LD Steve Comer may chose a deep shade of blue, but whatever the palette, the fixtures accompanying the singer/songwriter’s shows are 100 percent “green.” These days — actually, for years — Browne’s shows have been lit by carbon footprint-reducing LED fixtures.

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Illustration by Andy Au

Forging Ties and Gigging Safely

I read a lot of interviews with production designers in our business. I listen to them at speaking engagements. I see their posts on social media sites. They remember to credit their programmers and production managers, but it just seems like they never mention the countless individuals whose input was necessary for their vision to ever reach fruition. Most designers are not engineers. That’s why we put those little waivers on our plots that say we accept no liability for the structural design or integrity of a project. We just had the design concept. But we all need a team to cover our butts.

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Barretos Cowboy Festival

W-DMX at Brazilian Barretos Cowboy Festival

UDDEVALLA, Sweden – Wireless Solution Sweden AB held center stage at the 58th Barretos Cowboy Festival, a 10-day rodeo and music event in Brazil, held at the Super Bull arena in Barretos. LD Francisco “Pincel” Gabriel designed an enormous cube of lighting suspended over the main arena floor and used W-DMX BlackBox F-1 as transmitter and receiver to deliver a DMX signal to the moving lights.

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Daktronics to Renovate Rigging Systems at Portugal’s Cultural Center

BROOKINGS, SD – The Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) in Lisbon, Portugal, has partnered with Daktronics of Brookings, SD, to renovate its performing arts facility. Daktronics is manufacturing the customized control console cabinets and motor gearbox assemblies to integrate with the 35 existing hoists. The cues during the performances on the CCB stage will be managed by a Pro Series control console and three alternate controllers offering complete system redundancy. The project is on schedule for Siemens Portugal to install the project after the new year.

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Robe Robin DLS Profile

Robe Robin DLS Profile

The Robe Robin DLS Profile is the latest product in the DL range of luminaires that uses the Robe RGBW LED module. The DLS adds a system of four fast, smooth, framing shutters within the optical path design of the DLX Spot format. There is individual control of each shutter blade position and angle, together with rotation of the complete framing module. The fixture offers a sharp precise or soft frame for the projected image;  the system produces a new series of effects through pre-programmed shutter blade shapes and movement sequences. Snappy blades of the framing module overlap each other on almost the same focal plane which allows the designer to create polygons or triangles, as well as other shapes, while staying in focus and always precisely returning to the pre-programmed position. As with all models in the Robe DL luminaire range, the multiple shadows normally associated with an LED source have been eliminated.

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2012 Latin Grammys

Showline LED Linear Luminaire Lights Latin Grammys

LAS VEGAS – Philips’ new Showline LED linear luminaire added a new lighting element to the stage of the Latin Grammy Awards Nov. 15 in Las Vegas. LD Carlos Colina used eight of the Showline SL Bar 640 luminaires, supplied by Atomic Lighting. Programmer Felix Peralta and Colina said they stood out among all the other fixtures, and read well on Univision, too.

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Martin MAC III AirFX

Martin MAC III AirFX

AARHUS, Denmark – Martin Professional’s newest MAC III family luminaire is now shipping. The 1500-watt MAC III AirFX is a versatile lighting fixture which combines hard-edge, mid-air effects and a wash field in one luminaire.  At 60,000 lumens, Martin says it is powerful enough to cut through light emitted from the brightest LED screens.

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