Blogs

Once lighting consoles began to integrate built-in effect abilities, a ballyhoo became as easy as pressing a single button on the screen. This sends the… Read More »Making a Good Ballyhoo Great

The first thing one should consider in lighting a scene is the character of light itself. Light can be “hard” or “soft” — or fall… Read More »Soft Light vs. Hard Light

It is 100 percent okay to help your buddy to hang Christmas lights. It is less okay to help your buddy out with his bar… Read More »Rules for Free Labor: Okay vs. Not Okay

Working with both media servers and lighting consoles has shed some light on some things that should probably be considered by designers on both the… Read More »Intensity Levels and Perceived Brightness

Not all control solutions have to be as elaborate as what you might need for the largest touring rock shows. Lightronics’ SC810 is a compact… Read More »A Compact Control Solution

I’m a firm believer that just about any light fixture is worth something to a show. I like old conventional fixtures, especially weird stuff that… Read More »Making Do with What’s On the Shelf

The act of pointing the lights into the desired position is referred to as “focusing,” and it is important that the fixtures point to the… Read More »Focus on More than Just the Base of the Mic Stand

I would like to initiate “Bring A Promoter to LDI Day.” Choose your favorite, technically challenged promoter/ budget-creation specialist/ accountant; present them with a two-day… Read More »“Bring A Promoter to LDI Day”

Lightning is one of the most underestimated, unpredictable and deadly hazards facing outdoor events. Despite manufacturers’ claims to the contrary, no current technology has proven… Read More »Reduce Lightning Risks with Grounded Professionals

Drones have been seen (and heard) on rock tours at least since AC/DC’s concerts back in the mid-1970s, when Angus Young and Bon Scott conducted… Read More »Drones are Taking Off in Show Production

Of the seven key rules for success as a touring lighting director (Be nice/honest/humble/competent/social/unforgettable), perhaps the most basic is rule number six: Be punctual. Production… Read More »Rule Number Six for Success as a Touring Lighting Director: Be On Time

Why do we say, “Break a leg!” to wish someone else good luck? The popular explanation is that the “leg” being referred to is not… Read More »Why Do We Say ‘Break a Leg?’