[balex]

your show isn't called Puppetry of the ...? Nevermind, probably not.

No, but I can do some pretty interesting things with my... - well, as you say, "nevermind"...

You are to be commended for wanting to do this to the best of your abilities and budget. By planning to make your act self-sufficient, you've taken a huge step in guaranteeing success, as well as relieving the presenter of the responsibility of having to source and probably rent over-priced A/V equipment, that's possibly not suitable anyway. We've all had an act show up at five minutes to doors and start demanding things. Ninety-five percent of the time the short answer is "no", and the presentation suffers. Four percent of the time the requests are honored, but the presentation still suffers.

You have no idea how nice it is to hear this. I'm always seeking to improve the show, and while the tech guys that I find myself working with during my travels always amaze me with what they are able to accomplish (and how the heck can sound and light techs get SO MUCH RIGHT with SO LITTLE INSTRUCTION - EVERY time? It's astonishing.), it's often the case that, as you say, sometimes equipment isn't available, rentals are not usually cost effective and, frankly, I enjoy knowing that there's a baseline of excellence in the show below which it never dips, and I can only accomplish that if I arrive as prepared as I can be and have maximum control over (even my variable) conditions.

My largest concern is the lack of a camera operator and/or video director, but you seem to have accounted for that.

Indeed. And in truth, of all the worries that I have, I'm not at all worried about the need for a camera operator. I truly don't think that it's necessary for my application. I have considered - for that one routine that I mentioned - utilizing a spectator to operate the camera to zoom in and follow the action (it's only a basic consumer camera, afterall). I can still do that, and it would add a fun interactive feature to that piece (and some fun unpredictability), but in truth a stationary setup, with a covered spot into which I step on stage, is going to be more than adequate.

Is there going to be any audio coming off the computer with the Powerpoint or video clips?

Audio is all set. I arrive with a nice little self-built box that includes two wireless receivers, a wireless handheld mic, a body pack with the option between a standard lav and a Countryman E6, a wireless two-way LCD queing system for my iPod (small and invisible - it's nice), all run into a small Behringer 12 channel mixer. I literally show up with one box that I open up, run one extension cord into for power and one cable out for output (house choice - 1/4" or XLR) and I'm good to go with full control of sound myself. Minimal fuss for the house. Maximum control for me. Audio for the show is a breeze because I'm prepared.

In the event that house sound is not available - does happen with some venues, unfortunately - I also travel with a small, rugged amp and speakers with enough power for several hundred people in most rooms or outdoors.

When I move to powerpoint projections I'll be converting most of the audio over to be computer-based, but I don't foresee any problems with it. I'll be running the audio from the computer into my mixer so as to maintain the one output from my system.

Ideally, I'm looking to get projections running as smoothly as my audio. I've put a lot of work into it and it's been well worth it.