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Stand Alone and Take Control!

An automated lighting programmer has many tools too choose from when deciding how to control fixtures.  Most applications require the use of a lighting console or computer-based software with specialized hardware.  However, many lighting manufacturers understand that there are situations where no controller is required.  For these situations, they have implemented “pre-set” or “stand-alone” control directly within the fixtures.  This allows you to program information and have the light be its own controller.  With further master/slave functionality or audio control, a complex show can be run without requiring a DMX controller.

Jill Scott touring stage set

September in the Park with Bocelli; Light of the Sun tour; Incubating Incubus; Quick Cues and More

September in the Park with Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli, whose tenor tones loom as large as the venues he performs in, will spread his voice across New York’s Central Park in a free concert Sept. 15. A month ahead of the show, production designer Bruce Rodgers of Tribe describes the set vaguely, saying, “It will be impressive and as big as it can be and still stay between the two key trees — a 98-foot width — on the Great Lawn site. We are working with everyone to ensure that every part of the design is friendly to the weather elements, and we’re taking special precautions, as we always do, for a safe and amazing night.”

Illustration by Andy Au

Designing Outside the Box

I got a call from a production manager friend last month. His band was looking to go in a new direction, and he was searching for a new production designer. He asked if I would like to submit a design for their world tour that starts next year. “Sure,” I say. “Gimme a few days with a thinking cap on.”

Auto Response — Out for Vacation

I recently looked at my calendar for an upcoming event and realized we are already in August. Where has the summer gone? Before you know it, it will be the winter holiday season, and I will still not have pulled out my swimsuit.

Spider-Man image by Jacob Cohl

Redesigning Spider-Man

It’s redundant to proclaim Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark as the largest, costliest and most ambitious production in the history of Broadway. But when one breaks it down on a technical level and in terms of numbers, it becomes really impressive.

Alexandra Burke, All Night Long

Alexandra Burke, All Night Long

LD Phil Wiffin Adjusts the Design to the Needs of the Artist’s First Tour

For the debut concert tour for 22-year-old British R&B and pop singer Alexandra Burke, All Night Long, a 32-date outing at 1,500-to-4,000-capacity venues in the U.K. and Ireland, LD Phil Wiffen made good progress toward completing the first draft at the lighting design — before discarded it.

Cowboys and Aliens

Close Encounters with Automated Lighting

The premise of the new Universal Studios’ film Cowboys & Aliens is that aliens have arrived to take over the world, only they arrive in the Wild West circa 1873. Director Jon Favreau and cinematographer Matthew Libatique, ASC also bring to the Old West the very latest in automated lighting technology.