As you begin this New Year of 2012, resolve to learn more about the clock/calendar features of your console.
It is a New Year and time for a new calendar. As you prepare to look ahead to all the wonderful gigs that await you in 2012, you should consider not only your personal calendar but also the calendar functions on your automated lighting controller. Because lighting controllers are built on computer platforms, they can provide many functions including automated tasks at specific times and/or dates. Although the exact method will vary from console to console, the basic principles of programming to a calendar remain the same. As always, be sure to read the user manual of your console of choice to learn the exact keystrokes required.A Schedule of Events
The scheduler, or calendar function, on lighting consoles allows the programmer to specify triggers based on exact dates, times, or recurrence patterns. This allows for cues to play automatically on any given time and/or date. While this is most commonly useful in installations, it can also be of use within any type of production. Clock-triggered cues can be used for a multitude of tasks besides just triggering simple cues.
Typically, the console will allow you to enter in a specific time for the trigger. It will then use its own internal clock to automatically execute the command when the time and date is reached. Some consoles allow you to schedule reoccurrence patterns such as “Every Tuesday” or “Every Fifth Day.” A good calendar routine will enable you to set any type of pattern you can think of.
Once assigned, the clock triggers pretty much run on their own, executing cues and commands “like clockwork” (pun intended). Most consoles will include a screen that indicates the next upcoming scheduled event and usually there is a method to easily cancel or dismiss the event before it happens.
Setting Your Clock
Before you can have your console fully functioning with calendar events, there are a few things you will need to set up. First and foremost, you need to ensure that the time and date on your console are properly set. Once this is in place, you need to understand how to activate the clock triggers. This will be different for each console but, typically, you must activate a clock/calendar spreadsheet or specific cuelist. This tells the console that you want the clock triggers to happen as assigned. If you expect the console to get turned off/on, then you should use a startup macro to enable the calendar functionality when the show is loaded.
You should also check to ensure if the console will automatically follow daylight savings or not (and match it to the area you are located). This important setting could cause your console to trigger cues at the wrong time. Some PC-based systems may need to be set accordingly in the computer OS as opposed to the lighting software. Again, it is important that you understand the specifics for your console.
Get Ready to GO
Once you have the console set up for calendar/clock triggers, then you are ready to start programming. Typically, I suggest that you program your lighting normally, creating cuelists as needed. Then use the scheduler (or a specific cuelist) to handle all the clock triggers. While it may be possible to embed clock triggers onto specific cues or playbacks, these can be difficult to locate later. For that reason, I always make a master location for all clock triggers.
When automating a show for an installation, there are many clock triggers that must be considered. First, you will need one to strike the lamps and home (reset) the fixtures. Next, you will need to activate the specific cues required by the production. Then, at the end of the playback, you will need to douse the lamps and remotely shut down the fixtures. You may, of course, have additional triggers to turn on/off timecode or MIDI functions, change screens, etc. Specific calendar events may also change colors or play unique cues on certain days (i.e., red for Valentines Day, etc.).
I have also made use of clock triggers for non-installation productions. For instance, on a corporate event, I have set the clock to fire specific cues during a lunch break, or to douse the lamps at the end of a long session (with a delay from the intended ending time, of course). Clock triggers are also essential for tradeshow booths that will likely expect to be automated and left as stand-alone shows.
In some cases, I use clock functions to ensure that fixtures are doused in case someone forgets to power off a console. This works well in clubs, theatres, houses of worship, and other venues that use multiple console operators. If someone brings down the grand master and never powers off the desk, then the lamps of automated lights may remain on needlessly. I will typically create a clock trigger that shuts down the fixtures or douses the lamps at a time after the venue closes (3 a.m., for instance). It is important, however, to remember that this is active when there is a long event or rehearsal.
Going Astronomical
An additional trigger often found on automated lighting consoles is from an astronomical clock. This is a computer-calculated time based on a date and location that usually relates to sunrise and sunset. When configuring the console’s time and date, you will be asked to enter a location. Some consoles even allow direct coordinates from a GPS. The closer to the actual location the better, but in most cases, you can just select a nearby city as a reference.
You can now assign clock triggers based on the actual sunrise or sunset in that given location. In most cases, you can also assign an offset so that you can have a cue happen one hour after sunset or 30 minutes before sunrise. Remember that the time of sunset is defined as the moment the trailing edge of the Sun’s disk disappears below the horizon (and vise versa for sunrise). So an astronomical clock does not calculate when it will be dark, but instead when twilight begins. The actual moment when darkness falls will be sometime later. Keep this in mind when adding offsets to astronomical clock triggers.
Putting Together a Plan
As with most functions of automated lighting programming, calendar and clock triggering requires a fair amount of consideration and organization. You must understand how your particular console uses these tools and the requirements of your production. Clock triggers can be very powerful in many production environments, but are most at home in installations. As you begin this New Year of 2012, resolve to learn more about the clock/calendar features of your console, and plan to try something new.
