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.
Real Face Time
Most times when I talk with the guys on the road, we talk about the production, new trends, products and so forth. It’s a great opportunity to gain insights and learn about what other people think. Towards the end of our conversations, I always have one question for them. “What can we (PLSN) do for you?”
Most joke that they could use a beer, or a lead for their next gig. The beer part I can certainly try and help out with, and as for finding the next gig, I’ll keep my ears open for you.
After that, the typical response is, “We love PLSN, it keeps us up-to-date on the industry.” While we love to hear that, I know that, with a bit more prodding, I will always learn about more that we can do.
That is when the people I talk with begin to open up and ask for more details on this or that. Or how about an article on rigging? “Ding Ding Ding,” that is what we are looking for. Ways for us to better serve you. PLSN is a magazine by, for and about the live production industry. Our job is to work for you.
Your Ideas are Welcome
As always, my digital door is open. I encourage you, the PLSN reader, to write, call, text or fax us your ideas, likes, dislikes and things that you want PLSN to cover. Do you think we need to start covering a different type of event, or deliver more information about new products? We are always open for suggestions!
I joke with my wife that I am not a mind-reader. The same holds true with you. I bet you have a great ideas for an articles that we might otherwise miss. We can certainly help you with that, we just need to hear your ideas. To add me to your address book, here is a link to my vCard, plsn.me/JustinVcard. Or email me at jlang@plsn.com. You can even call or text me at 202.556.0635. But please, no calls after 11 pm, I need my shut-eye too.
Not Just Print
Another topic that always comes up in these chats I have with those who are in the trenches is what PLSN is doing. I get all kinds of suggestions, from people asking about different types of coverage, interviews of people and recaps of trade shows.
Over the course of the three years that I have been editor at PLSN, we have been incorporating your ideas and suggestions into our coverage. Not just in the print edition, but online (at plsn.com) and in the social networks (including ProLightingSpace.com).
One request we received was for more product demos and announcements. Along with news about products, we recently started a new video series on our YouTube page (plsn.tv) called The Light Lab. These videos are short demonstrations of new products out on the market. They are all produced by PLSN, with our readers concerns and questions in mind.
Along with the Light Lab videos, whenever there is a major trade show, PLSN is there with a video camera to capture product demonstrations of new products announced at the show. So when you see a Show Report, also be sure to look for our expanded online coverage of videos and photos. If you get the digital edition or the app version of the magazine, the videos are embedded for easier access.
More To Come
Look for our expansion from print to digital to expand and intensify in the months to come. Along with our online exclusive features offered on plsn.com, electronic newsletters and digital photo galleries associated with our print features on ProLightingSpace.com, you can expect to a new series of interviews with leading designers launching soon.
All of these initiatives are a direct response to the feedback that we’ve received from readers like you. If you have an idea or feel like we are missing the mark on something, call us out. We are evolving with the times to make your life easier and to keep you informed.
Reach Justin Lang at jlang@plsn.com
To see Justin Lang’s video introduction for the Aug. 2013 issue of PLSN, go to www.plsn.me/201308ednote.
