Design News on Black Violin, Jack White and Other Touring Productions
Black Violin is comprised of a viola player and a violinist, who have combined their classical string training with hip-hop beat influences to create “classical boom.” Production designer/LD Eric Cathcart designed and programmed for their “Classical Boom Tour” of theaters and performing arts centers.
Read More »The Story of Jack Genner and Suzy Ciffic
I have two suppositious friends in this business. They are Jack Genner and Suzy Ciffic. I respect both of them equally for their exemplary work ethic. They are both able to hold down a family life and great jobs. They are both educated and easy to get along with. Their stories have been spread through the cement floors of our industry in many ways. Both Jack and Suzy have chosen separate and distinct paths to their own comfort level in our fine industry. I would like to take time to tell you both of their stories in an effort to let you decide which path you most identify with.
Read More »Crafting Corporate Events
I often say that one of the best benefits of working in the lighting industry is that we get to work on a wide variety of production types. This month, I am continuing my coverage of some of these different genres of production by writing about programming for corporate events.
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High End Systems SolaFrame 750
Automated framing shutters on moving lights were once not as common as they are today. The most popular framing-shutter fixture in existence is probably the venerable ellipsoidal reflector spotlight, but motorized framing shutters remained a somewhat uncommon feature on automated lights for many years. This month, I’m looking at the newest member of the High End Systems SolaFrame family, the SolaFrame 750, to see how its feature set stacks up in the world of framing shutter moving lights.
Read More »My Friend, Audio
I have this weird friend named Audio. We’ve worked very closely together for a while now. When we’re dialed in, life is great. Everything just sort of clicks, you know? Usually everyone is really cool when we get along. If I just disappear, most people can still say that they weren’t totally dissatisfied. At least they can say they heard something. But if Audio goes away while I’m on, people flip out. They flip out more when we are both there, but out of sync. We’re still friends, and that’s all that matters, really.
Read More »Oregon Symphony’s Music for the Eyes
Millennials, now the largest single demographic in the world, have not gravitated en masse to the concert halls frequented by their parents and grandparents. But the Oregon Symphony — the oldest continually operating symphony in the western U.S. — is not just any orchestra. With its optimistic slogan, “Moving Music Forward,” the symphony has embraced the goal of attracting new audience members with innovative visual presentations integrated with music.
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