It is a sad, sad day for me. Earlier this week, I lost a dear friend of mine. For that past six years, Mielziner has been one of my closest and most trusted friends. No matter how I felt or what is going on in my life, I could share my stories, photos and so much more with him and he would not think any less of me. He was always there, ready to help me out.
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It is finally December! I now feel comfortable talking about the upcoming holiday season. I have always had issues with starting the holiday spirit before celebrating Thanksgiving. As of late, it has gotten even worse, with holiday music and decorations starting before Halloween. Honestly, who buys a Christmas tree that early? The thing will be half-dead before Santa Claus comes to visit. Not the best way to impress the Big Guy in Red. Are you going to leave him stale cookies, too?
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We have all heard it before — “work smarter, not harder.” It has been drilled into our mind set since our school years. Why work harder than you need to, think about it for a moment and figure out the best way to do it. Thinking about it now, were our early years paving the way for us to be lazy? Not necessarily, it means to be a critical thinker, be aware of your surroundings and make the right/smarter choice.
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What is one of the most important aspects of touring, and also one of the things we’re most likely to take for granted? It is something that every single one of us requires, at a minimum, two times a day. Did the title give it away? That’s right, food!
For Justin Lang’s video introduction to PLSN’s Sept. 2013 issue, go to www.plsn.me/201309ednote.
Read More »Last month, I mentioned how I visit a number of production coming through the Washington DC area. This summer, I went on a working vacation and visited even more tours and productions around the country. When I visit these various tours, I am primarily there to cover the tour and provide you, our readers with interviews and photos. A bonus for me is that I get to talk to all the stage hands, crew and locals about what is really happening out there on the road. I live and work in a bubble back at the office. You can only learn so much about what is truly happening by reading countless web pages, Facebook and Twitter.
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During the course of the month, I talk with a wide range of folks from the industry. From leaders, manufacturers reps and the guys out there on the front lines — those who make the magic happen on stage night after night. Over the course of just this past month, I have talked with a number of people about what’s going on throughout the industry and their views in general. There were a few comments, questions, and ideas brought up that struck a chord with me, and I want to share them with you to get your opinions as well.
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We all have our specialties when it comes to the business. In the attempt to make a name for ourselves, each of us has carved a specific niche. But sometimes our path to success does not go the way we originally planned, or even imagined. I am a prime example. I knew early on that lighting design was where I wanted to go. But if you were to go back in a time machine and ask my former self if I thought I might be destined to become a writer and an editor of a magazine, I would have laughed hysterically. (I still do that sometimes; I guess that is my jolly nature.)
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