A common mistake is to check the status of a rig by simply turning on all the lights. While this does indicate if everything turns on, it does not focus on specific problems. A better option is to check each fixture individually to ensure that each one has the proper address. A good method is to use the console’s highlight function. With this, you can select all the fixtures and then press the console’s Next key to look at one fixture at a time. If you are also turning the encoder for tilt as you do this, then you can usually verify that each fixture works on the address as expected. Furthermore, you should check all the fixtures to ensure all functions, colors, gobos, etc., are correct, matching and working. Many newer fixtures also include manual pan/tilt locks that the crews often forget to disengage. Be sure to confirm that all fixtures can pan and tilt. Once you know that every function of every fixture works individually according to the plot, then the rig is ready.
— Brad Schiller from Feeding the Machines, PLSN December 2007.
