While corporate events can be fun to work on and pay well, they also have their own sets of requirements for the automated lighting programmer. Many elements are common for all these events, and it is important that you are aware and prepared…The main speaking area is usually a podium, although in recent years, many corporate events are doing away with podiums in favor of just having an open stage. In either case, I will focus ALL my fixtures to the podium or primary speaking area. They may not ever get used in these areas, but I have them ready if needed. Often, the LD will use conventional fixtures for these speaking areas, but if a lamp goes out or a dimmer rack fails, light will be needed. This is why I always take the time during pre-production to focus my lights into these areas. Then, if something does go wrong, I can manually grab a fixture or two and quickly get them to the correct location.
—Brad Schiller, from “Feeding the Machines,” PLSN, July 2012
