I have just finished programming another big rock show, and it got me to thinking about the common programming elements that are present in all concert tours. Even with different musical genres and unique production requirements, there are some essential processes that every automated lighting programmer should be aware of. The layout of the show, use of flash keys and palette usage are very important parts of the concert touring experience…Most lighting consoles have a function known as a “template” page. Any playbacks assigned to this page will be available on all pages within the show. By making use of this feature, you can easily create a common layout without having to rebuild it for every song. Common playbacks for color bumps, strobe cues, fogger controls and other effects can be assigned to the template page. They will then appear at the same location on every page. Don’t fret, though. If you need to, you can usually override the template page playbacks with unique playbacks on a page if needed. Consult with your console’s user manual for full details.
—Brad Schiller, from “Feeding the Machines,” PLSN, Dec. 2011
