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?
Read More »
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.
Read More »
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.
Read More »
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.
Read More »
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.)
Read More »
Are you tired of hearing about safety yet? I hope not. It has always been important, but it lurched front and center for our industry during the stormy 2011 summer touring season, and it won’t go away any time soon. Being safe ensures that you’ll make it to the next gig. Sure, you may overlook some minimal safety concern and still be fine. Honestly, who hasn’t forgotten a safety cable now and then? It’s a slight oversight, and may not be the end of the world. That is, until something else fails, and there is a 20-plus-pound dead weight traveling 120 mph towards the deck. Are you wearing a hard hat?
Read More »