Recent content by michaelburgoyne

I'll second this suggestion for a S4 PAR with VNSP lens. Very bright and narrow, and much smaller than a 5-degree ellipsoidal. Yes, you'll have some spill beyond the mirror ball, but hopefully you can lose the spill in the wings, depending on your stage configuration.

Related to the idea above, one of my favorite projects as a student was choosing a classical painting and "recreating" it in the light lab. Props and costumes aren't critical, any simple furniture will usually suffice. This project does encourage you to look very closely at hightlight and...

I didn't notice any comment in this discussion regarding screw spacing, we require 1'-0" on center around the perimeter and through the center of each sheet to reduce warping. Yes, you read that correctly, (45) screws per 4x8 panel. This spacing is specific to 1/4-inch tempered Masonite with a...

If the space is truly a plenum, meaning that supply or return air is moving through the space from open vents in the auditorium floor (under the chairs or at the perimeter of the auditorium), the code is strict about eliminating any combustible load that could introduce smoke directly into the...

Rosco (Rosco US : Filters : Permacolor) Lee (Lee Filters USA | Glass Dichroic Filters) and High End (Dichroic Color Frames) all offer dichroic glass filters.

Why does the mirror ball need to be in the center of the room? Buy two, each with standard 120V motors, and hang with sidearms at the top of booms on either side of the room. Pinspots can be weak when competing with other light, I'd suggest a Source4 Par VNSP at the base of each boom pointing...

For permanent exhibition / convention halls we design to a minimum 100 footcandles evenly distributed. I'm not certain, but I believe this matches the IES recommendation.

Not to sound defensive, but Minnesota offers some great opportunities for theatre designers and technicians. As of a few years ago the Twin Cities had a higher number of theatre seats per capita than any city in the US except NYC. Yes, Vegas / LA / Chicago / NY may have more producing...

I believe that the Strand 300 supports a laptop computer as a wireless designer's remote console. You should work with your local Strand dealer to identify what hardware / software is necessary to make connection with the console, but this would provide video plus basic functionality using...

As noted above, there are many issues related to LED fixtures beyond the possible cost benefit. If you are looking at LED down lights to replace your existing incandescent or quartz house lighting fixtures, be sure to look at how (or if) the LEDs are shielded. We recently reviewed a pendant...

I think your idea to keep the fluorescents and replace most of the 1500w quartz fixtures with metal halide is excellent. I suggest that you also replace the remaining 1500w quartz fixture on each side with a 1000w, 120V fixture. You might choose a single-cell flood light (such as the Altman...

You should also note that many lighter weight velours are not opaque, especially the synthetic / IFR fabrics. Charisma is nearly opaque and probably looks most similar to cotton. I would be wary of Crescent. We sometimes specify flat legs with 50% extra width so that you can tie-in the...

I believe that you're thinking of the Wybron "Motovator" product: Wybron, Inc. - Denver Center This product may no longer be available, you would have to contact Wybron to confirm.

If you have continuous makeup counters you might consider running the lighting only above the mirrors, not down the sides of each station. This allows you to provide a continuous mirror that may be used by 4 actors for a small drama or 12 skinny dancers for a large event. It also...

Depending on the depth of your indentations you may be able to sand them out, but eventually you'll sand through the outer ply of your plywood. You might consider replacing the top layer of plywood if it isn't glued and stapled down. You could also consider adding a layer of 1/4" tempered...