It is a fair point that we should continually train individuals to run the board and teach them how to focus, however, not everyone is in a position where this can happen. Some of us work at institutions that don't have that many students dedicated to working in tech theatre let alone lighting. Granted we can make it as fun as possible but it's still dependent on students wanting to get involved. If work stopped because there was a lack of minimal recommended persons on the task I don't know how many of us would ever get a show up.
Then take into account that an RFU is there for convenience. "Because I can focus from the cats" is a perfectly legitimate desire. If it makes the process happen faster or more efficiently why shouldn't someone focus from the cats. At the end of the day it is one tool in a bag of many. It is there to be used.
This is why products such as Focus Phone and dmxPhone are so expensive. If you must, I prefer the former, as it maintains one's channel patch. As soundlight said, another alternative is the Pocket Console®, now available in wireless.
I wholeheartedly agree. Above, I didn't mean to imply that the "professional" way was the only way, perhaps more like a goal to shoot for. Personally, I'm more of a "whatever works" kind of guy. So you may remove the flak jacket....Sounds like you developed a system that works and is cheap. ...
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