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The Trauma Team

If you have ever watched any of the reality TV shows about emergency rooms, you have probably noticed how well the staff works together to help the patient. I find it a striking resemblance to the way that an automated lighting programmer must relate to others on his/her team. A programmer must work well with each team member to ensure a healthy lighting contribution to the production. By studying this relation in comparison to an emergency trauma team, one can easily see the responsibilities that a programmer has with the production team.

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Sufjan Stevens, Lady A, Zac Brown, Hozier, The Who, Fitz & FitzGerald and More

Production designer Marc Janowitz devised a design in early April for singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens’ Carrie & Lowell tour in support of the March 31, 2015 album release named for the singer’s mother, Carrie — who died in 2012 after suffering from mental illness — and his stepfather. Stevens channeled his grief into his most personal, intimate songs. To present them on the road, he eschewed the props and gimmicks for which he’s known, and Janowitz sets the stage for a more melancholy mood.

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LD at Large

The Art of Lighting Chrome and Brushed Metal

I am blessed to work with some of the greatest scenic designers on the planet. They seem to have endless veins of creativity and come from all sorts of backgrounds and educations. However, it never ceases to amaze me how often they design with the most impractical scenic elements. Well, at least from this lighting designer’s point of view.

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DTS at PL+S 2015

Prolight + Sound 2015 Show Report

The Prolight + Sound convention was held from April 15-18 along with the annual Musikmesse show for music instruments at one giant facility. The combined event drew more than 108,000 visitors from 146 countries to witness “a dazzling display of new products, stars and events presented by 2,257 exhibitors,” noted Detlef Braun, member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. The PL+S exhibitor and attendee counts also showed strength, with a record 928 exhibitors and 43,054 attendees.

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Nook Schoenfeld introduces the April 2015 issue of PLSN magazine

Amateurs vs. Amateurism

An amateur is defined as someone who doesn’t get paid for the work they are doing. An amateur may be a college athlete busting his butt in exchange for an education. He or she may be a volunteer worker. They may not be trained well, but they are doing their best to do something they want to participate in. Either way, they are not considered skilled professionals, even if they are quite good at what they do.

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Ultra Music Festival 2015 - Worldwide Stage photo courtesy of Chauvet Professional.

Ultra Music Festival in Miami Turns 17

After 17 years, the Ultra Music Festival has become an institution in Miami. The 2015 event, held March 27-29, drew 150,000 from around the world with the world’s top DJs spread over several stages. They play in front of what can best be described as “lighting sculptures,” because the structure designs are so unique, massive and spread out over the complex that one can hardly refer to them as just a lighting rig. PLSN caught up with LD/production designer Steve Lieberman to speak about his designs.

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