Skip to content

Articles

Parnelli Hometown Hero Regional Winners 2012 - Lighting

2012 Hometown Hero Lighting Regional Winners

The readers have put the spotlight on who they think are the best of the best of their region when it comes to lighting, staging, and/or video. We have some fresh faces and some “repeat offenders.” All of these are bestowed with a little something to hang on their wall with the Parnelli logo and all the honor, glory, and bragging rights that go with it. Take a look at the companies here that you might not be familiar with, and reacquaint yourself with others — before heading on over to www.parnelliawards.com to vote for the best of the best. The winning company will be honored with the Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year award at the Parnelli Awards Oct. 20, 2012 at the Mirage in Las Vegas.

Mega-Lite N-E Color FX9

Mega-Lite N-E Color FX9

Mega-Lite’s N-E Color FX9 is an LED strip fixture with matrix capabilities. Its nine tri-color RGB 3W LEDs (with 27 red, green and blue LEDs in all) are designed for smooth color mixing, and with the ability to generate a 2.5-foot beam with output measuring close to 100 lumens at 10 feet, the fixture is powerful enough to serve as a wall or cyc wash.

Electric Forest Festival photo by Sebastian Collet/Guildworks

2012 Electric Forest Festival

There’s something primordial and mysterious — even psychedelic — happening in the forest. Laser beams cut through the wooded expanse and ricochet off 50-foot white pines sporting bounce mirrors, and artful lighting displays (some inspired by the symbolic designs inherent to Sacred Geometry) radiate throughout well-traveled and isolated locations of the woods.

Analog Way Eikos EKS500 Matrix Switcher, front

Analog Way Eikos EKS500 Matrix Switcher

I have to keep reminding myself that computers really only do one thing at a time and, even then, it’s only what you tell them to do. It’s like I always tell my technophobe friends, “Think of it like a toaster, you can make toast — not lasagna.” Video gear is much the same way. In fact, that’s what I think distinguishes great products from mediocre ones.

Going 3D

3D Stereoscopy-Friendly Media Servers

What is Stereoscopy? Since I live in Las Vegas, I’d wager a healthy bet that we’ve all seen a 3D movie at some point in our lives. And I’m sure we’ve wondered how it works while we’re wearing those funny cardboard (or, if you’re at a theme park, they might be plastic) glasses.

Dealing with Loss

This month, I am writing to all of you about a serious situation in our industry. Every production inevitably ends up suffering from this serious condition at some point in preproduction, or even after the show opens. It is time that we all work together as professionals to help reduce further occurrences of this terrible state of affairs. As I am sure most of you reading this are aware, all too often, cues and looks get programmed and never used.

LD Kevin (Deuce) Christopher

LD Deuce’s Journey; Candace’s Comeback; Gotye; Arthur’s Day; Short Ozzy Summer; Swingin’ Johnsons

When the lights go down in the venue, and Journey takes the stage, LD Kevin “Deuce” Christopher is ready to rock with their hits and ballads on their North American tour, which runs to December. The hit TV show Glee and the new film Rock of Ages have fueled the fire of interest in the band, with songs “Don’t Stop Believin’” and more bringing in fans of all ages to the shows. Deuce has worked with Journey on seven tours now since 2004.

Illustration by Andy Au

…And Then There’s the Other Guy

Last month, I wrote about the benefits of working with some small lighting companies. But this article is dedicated to the shoddy lighting vendors out there. They will promise you the world and an abundance of fabulous gear. But as soon as you get to the gig, it doesn’t take long to realize some salesman/owner of a little company has bent you over a barrel. I’m like an elephant. I don’t forget these people.

Road Scholars, Then and Now

Life on the road, living the life of a roadie: What does that really mean? It could mean many different things, depending on who you talk to and what type of tour. Rock legends go on and on about the old days. We have all heard the stories. If not, do a YouTube search and you’ll find plenty of rock stars reminiscing about the “good old days.” One of my favorites has to be Van Halen’s rider that specified a bowl of M&Ms for the dressing room, with all the brown ones removed. If you’re a rock god, I guess you get what you want — but David Lee Roth has since explained that it wasn’t the brown M&Ms that he hated, but inattention to detail, which increases safety risks.