ANAHEIM, CA – For a second year, the Pro Production Sessions presented by PLSN, FOH and Stage Directions magazines brought some of the leading names in live event production together to offer an in-depth look into project designs via a series of keynotes and single-speaker and panel presentations at the Anaheim Hilton.
“In our second year as being part of NAMM, it is clear that the opportunity to put on these sessions is a huge success,” says Terry Lowe, PLSN/FOH/Stage Directions publisher and executive producer of the Parnelli Awards. “From Kevin Lyman to the top lighting, audio and video designers for the likes of U2, Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, and other top acts really benefits all who attend the NAMM Show.”
The 2019 lineup, once again moderated by Michael S. Eddy, Nook Schoenfeld and Debi Moen, among others, started off Jan. 24 with a discussion of new technologies and trends to watch out for at this year’s NAMM event. Then Yvan Miron, this year’s Parnelli Visionary Award recipient and founder of Stageline, led the series of “In Conversation With…” discussions, also offering his insights for sessions titled “Staging – Green and Safe.” For “It Doesn’t Get More Real Than This: Mortal Danger at Shows” featured the Event Safety Alliance’s (ESA) Sue McGuirl and Shawn London, who was the sound engineer for Eagles of Death Metal at the Bataclan nightclub, in a session moderated by ESA VP Steven Adelman.
On Jan. 25, the Pro Production sessions began with a keynote discussion from Kevin Lyman, founder and producer of The Warped Tour, which packed the room with a crowd that skewed toward younger NAMM attendees just starting their careers in live event production. (As with Lyman’s session last year, the Q&A extended from the scheduled timeframe and Lyman held court in the hallways outside.)
The program continued Jan. 25 with “In Conversation With…” sessions moderated by Micheal S. Eddy, starting with LD/production designers Butch Allen and Marc Brickman and video director Stefaan “Smasher” Desmedt followed by “Taking the Stage: The Rising Lighting Designers” moderated by Debi Moen and featuring panelists Nico Riot, Lauren Sego, Bobby Grey and Michael Smalley.
On Jan. 26, the In Conversations With… sessions continued with production and lighting designer Peter Morse, then Nook Schoenfeld interviewed tour manager (and Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award recipient) Chris Adamson. Michael S. Eddy then hosted a panel discussion on creative teamwork featuring the insights of LD/production managers Butch Allen, Bryan Hartley, Peter Morse and Marc Brickman.
For “Getting the Show on the Road,” top production and tour manager Elliot Saltzman joined Chris Adamson and moderator Michael S. Eddy for a discussion on managing mega productions while keeping a handle on the smallest logistical decisions.
The sessions concluded Jan. 26 with an in-depth look at Trans Siberian Orchestra’s shows featuring panelists Bryan Hartley, Elliot Saltzman, Jeff Boguski and Burton Tenenbein, gleaning insights from this mega-production’s 20 years on the road.
PLSN editor Nook Schoenfeld noted that it might be easy enough to overlook, but one of the most remarkable aspects of this series of seminars is that they are offered at no charge to anyone with a NAMM badge. He expressed gratitude to all the panelists who offered their valuable time and insights just for the sake of “giving back” and keeping the industry on a sound footing going forward.
Publisher Terry Lowe also thanked NAMM for its support in making the Pro Production seminars possible. “ We’re so grateful to provide access to this kind of real live industry talent to those just starting their careers in this business or thinking about it,” Lowe said.
