This column marks my 30th story for PLSN … or maybe it’s the 31st. (Senior moments can sneak up to you at any point in time, so I might be off by a bit.) Way back in 2007, I penned a lengthy story about a remarkable concert by The Who in Dallas, and the editor at t he time invited me on board as a contributor. Thirty columns later, video is still causing smiles, gasps and major headaches all across the industry, and there’s no shortage of topics to write about.
Last year, when I met PLSN’s current editor at InfoComm, I asked him if I could write about fly-fishing — my hobby and my true passion. He said “Sure, as long as the trout know the difference between an XLR and a BNC.” So, I thought — it might be wise to pick another topic.
Which brings us to this column, one that’s perhaps a little different.
A Forum for the Wizards
I belong to an excellent Facebook forum called Barco Folsom Switchers. With over 400 members, the forum is a tightly focused discussion group centered around Barco image processing gear and the video wizards who use the equipment on a daily basis — in concerts, events, trade shows and more. The Facebook platform enables its members to ask questions, seek tips, praise (or complain) about gigs, troubleshoot problems and contribute photos of unique setups.
Recently, I took the liberty of posing a question to the group: “What are your top five most valuable video tools (hardware, software or otherwise) that you use when setting up and running a show?” I wasn’t interested in just the laundry list — I also wanted to know “why” a particular tool was indispensable. Over the next few days, the answers and emails poured in. I didn’t always receive a list of five — but I think you’ll enjoy the responses.
Their Top Five
In no particular order, here’s a selected sample from a highly skilled group of creative technicians. These are the guys behind the scenes running the video, the multi-screen projection blends, every LED wall and downstage monitor, and all the video roll-in clips. Let the games begin:
- Craig Frydrychowicz: A Gerber multi tool, a combo Phillip/flat blade tweaker, a Sharpie and a flashlight.
- Lee Hong Hui: A headlamp, a detachable lanyard with essential software utilities, a laser meter, and a smartphone loaded with various calculation apps and all the information on various projectors.
- Tristan van der Mars: A Barco ImagePRO, because every video setup I build, I could use an extra one. A headlamp, because it’s always dark in the back of the video racks. Proper tools such as a level and tape measures — if the LED wall or projector isn’t properly aligned, it looks like &^%$. Stagehands (and good ones that know the basics about building LED screens). Finally, flight cases with truck sized wheels.
- Erik Iversen: ImagePRO-II, my Mac, my iPad, a DisplayPort cable and Keynote.
- Steven Hesselbach: It’s the road warrior’s creed — Car service, Business/First, a high floor (with a view), free Wi-Fi, and lots of OT. New day, different carpet …
- Tim Kuschel: A small LED flashlight, because it’s dark behind the racks and even darker when the lights go out backstage. A BNC removal tool, which is priceless if you have to work with high density HD-SDI routers. A Multi-tool (Gerber or Leatherman), because something always needs to be cut, pinched, pulled, tweaked or sliced during setup. (And don’t forget, there’s also a bottle opener when setup is complete). A USB thumb drive to save setups, and transfer that last minute logo file. Finally, a smartphone for manuals, Internet access, file storage, and calling for help when something’s not behaving. With the right adapters, it can also become a test pattern generator.
- Gerry Lusk: A multi-tool and a mobile phone. If it can’t be fixed with the former, it can be fixed with the latter.
- Kyle Remphrey: A good web connection (3G/4G) so you can Google it or FB about it.
- Abbe Westerlundh: I think that the Multi-tool, Smart phone and flashlight are the common top three to anyone in the events business. My vote is for a PC with a proper graphics card and two outputs. Next is an AJA Ki Pro (portable digital recorder) with high quality content. Finally, an adapter box — something I bring everywhere I go.
- Alan Stocker: A high end Mac, an adapter box, an iPad, Internet access for everything that the client forgot to bring and — a comfy chair.
- Andrew Ash Munro: Does a comfy chair count as a video tool?
- Kirk Garreans: Good paper board tape, a new Sharpie, a laptop with “Preset Manager” (for Barco’s Encore presentation system). And don’t forget manuals, Encore software (including backup/restore), adapters including DVI to HDMI, and spare little-light bulbs. And I agree with the comfy chair (although I seldom actually ever get one).
- Kyle Remphrey: Got a mate that tours with his own comfy chair. I really need to design a flatpack self-roadcased ops chair! I travel with an old Shure microphone bag that has one adapter each way for DVI-HDMI, DVI-VGA, BNC barrels, a few VGA and 9-pin adapters, plus a DisplayPort mini to DVI adapter. I might also take a few small tools in addition to my Leatherman and tweakers.
- Nicholas Mulcock: My computer with PlaybackPro, an array of different adapters, a Blackmagic Design DVI to SDI converter, board tape, a Sharpie and Excedrin. That’s six, but at times I don’t know what’s more valuable — Excedrin or the Sharpie?
An Important Takeaway
It’s interesting to see the general consensus, particularly with a group of technicians whose main job is to get the show running as quickly as possible, and solve as many problems as possible backstage. The key is “armed and ready,” plus a healthy dose of experience on the road. You’ll need light, multi-tools, every video adapter known to mankind, your trusty laptop and a smartphone, plenty of documentation — not to mention over-the-counter headache remedies, a comfy chair and a sarcastic sense of humor.
You won’t see these guys’ names on the marquee, but without them (along with their skills and top tools), there won’t be any video on screen. Another important takeaway is a strong recommendation to join an industry forum like ProLightingSpace.com, and participate at a high level with a group of like-minded individuals. You’ll gain friends, information, and plenty of insight.
Now it’s your turn. What are your top five most valuable tools? Share you thoughts on the Video Directors group (www.plsn.me/VidDirGroup) on ProLightingSpace.com.
