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PRG Best Boy 4000

PRG Best Boy 4000

PRG’s Best Boy 4000 is an all-in-one lighting tool. It combines high output, an 8:1 zoom range, razor sharp optics, framing shutters, exciting special effects and state of the art technology into one versatile package. Let’s take a closer look.

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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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Justin Lang, editor, PLSN

Making the Grade and Improving

I’ve always believed that just passing by is not acceptable, and that going above and beyond will not only lead to success, but instills a sense of completion and satisfaction in doing your best. That’s the philosophy that we’ve decided to follow as we take a look at the results from this year’s PLSN reader’s survey.

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