Recent content by Clark

In one of my jobs I work with work-study techies on campus, not all of them really have a good idea what they are doing. When striking lighting in our auditorium I usually find alot of things that just infuriate me, like: Cables tied, knotted, or excessively looped around batons to get rid of...

Exactly, the "focus knob" on all ERS instruments is really just changing to focal length of the optical system. What focal length achieves a hard edge will change drastically as one changes the throw distance, though it will tend to be in the middle for most throws. This is why you should...

Generally for lighting anything smaller than 1/4" is going to be rather unreadable. If you have your instrument symbols and your electrical positions on separate layers though you can adjust the scales for them separately, allowing you to make the instrument symbols bigger without effecting the...

Ah, I'm still in the relative stone age with VW 11.51. I have not really had it all that long, it sure happened quickly. My 12 went by fast. ... maybe it's time I should look into 2008. :) Clark

Since you mention having a free copy, did this copy come with Spotlight capability? Last time I checked the free student version of VW2008 did not come with a Spotlight license. If that is the case, your options for doing lighting will be limited. If you do have Spotlight though, then looking...

Sorry, when I said "burn-through" was simply referring to color loss. I agree, bleach out would be a better term. With as mid-range of a color as the R64s are it should not be a huge problem. But with 1Kw PARs in a wash fixture - which presumably would be on for much of the show - it is at least...

If you're set on the R333, I would probably go with R66 as stated, but that's only from a quick browse through a swatch book and off the top of my head. If I were designing I would look at the colors in the set as well as costumes before making any decisions. Your choice of colors for...

R364 is a really saturated color for a wash light. It's not going to go really well with 333 either I would not think, as their relative trans. levels are 32% and 71%. You will end up with a very blue stage with both washes at full. With a gel as saturated as R364 I would also be a little...

I've designed in a theatre that used an ETC Impression 2 (early Expression) into a Strand CD-80 system via DMX and everything worked fine. I guess I would see if you can connect the board directly into the simmer with a DMX line, if that works or does not then go from there. If it does not work...

I've worked in alot of spaces where even the board ops, SM, or anyone else in the booth is still visible to the audience. Even in a standard, unidirectional proscenium during intermission or preshow an audience member may still turn around, or look up on the way out of the house, and see the...

Part of that might simply be the diversity of open terrain that can be filmed in. How do you cheaply produce a series where you often have to shoot on location in a multitude of different uninhabited places? Go to Canada! Clark

To expound upon the Army/Navy surplus idea, or more specifically using military gear for tech work: I have worn pairs of 5.11 tactical pants on the job many time, these things have tons of pockets, are built to LAST, and, best of all for catwalks and the like, built-in kneepads!Clark

As I do primarily lighting, I generally show for work with just what I carry on my belt: -Victorinox Swiss Army Tool -Blackhawk MOD XSF folding knife (sharper and easier to use than a multi-tool) -My c-wrench, with a wrapped paracord grip / safety line -SureFire 6R/KL-5 LED flashlight...

I've carried a Victorinox Swiss Army Tool for about 8 years now, I used to only wear it while working / at tech, but in the last few years have taken to just wearing it on my belt at all times. I've found it to be wonderfully sturdy, and mostly I do not have to open up the pliers to get at other...

If there are to be stagehands banging on things - there isn't much need for it to actually be a staircase. They can bang on anything, but it probably won't sound very good ... Depending on what kind of resources you have, and how important the effect is to the show, would building a...