Tips & Tricks

Automated lighting programming encompasses a vast amount of processes and routines, but actually the entire practice can be broken down into four segments.  Each of… Read More »The Four “Ps” of Programming

The use of video mapping technology at ConExpo in Las Vegas, filled with all types of machinery used in every aspect of construction, shows just… Read More »Video Mapping Applications Expanding to New Industries

It is important for a programmer to understand the unique requirements and processes that are involved when programming fixtures that have framing shutter capabilities. Once… Read More »Use Palettes or Presets to Save Your Work with Framing Shutters

This year I’ve opted to spend the summer lighting one offs for my bands. If I want these gigs to go smoothly, I am going… Read More »A Little Help From the House Programmer

Hello, my name is Matthew Schiller, Brad’s son, and I have taken over my dad’s column to tell you about my first programming experience. My… Read More »Advanced Planning Helps Newcomers Learn the Ropes

Paul Motal and the company he founded, Matrix Visual Solutions, are involved in nearly 800 events per year, either as the producer or as the… Read More »China-Sourced LED Panels Backed with More Service, Support

Cory FitzGerald, production designer for Demi Lovato’s Neon Lights tour, notes that the set, which is based on a “neon-like concept full of Video Blades… Read More »App Brings Smartphones Into LD’s Visual Design

For years, lighting designers have been matching lumens between the lighting and video elements. The video was always brighter. In the last couple years, much… Read More »Don’t Blind the Audience

Every lighting programmer should have an understanding of the common types of windows and their uses. One of these is the Patch Window. All automated… Read More »Understanding Your Console’s Patch Window

When I’m mad about something petty, I think of how to relieve that stress in the best way. Last month, I got back close to… Read More »Power of the Pen

For Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, production and lighting designer Roy Bennett noted that, in the initial meeting with the artist, “we came up… Read More »Mirrors and Moving Yokes Create “Wall of Light” for Beyoncé Tour

WATCHPAX units are solid-state media players designed to work in conjunction with Dataton’s WATCHOUT networked multi-display software. I am impressed with the power and scalability… Read More »Media Players Good Fit with Big, Complex Events