Stevens R. Miller
Well-Known Member
This is more general thanks than general advice, but I can't not thank the CB community for helping a real neophyte make a successful contribution to a production. We just wrapped my son's middle school production of "Aladdin Jr," and it was a big hit. While I know something about electronics and programming, my only prior theater experience was in college, in the late 1970s. The tech we used then was, well... somewhat different than what we use today. But folks here did a truly supportive job of helping me cope.
Examples:
1. Lights hung on the #1 electric were actually touching the curtain.
FIX: "Yoke up" the fixtures to extend away from the bar, not under it.
2. Audio Technica model 310 body packs were making a (stunningly loud) "banging" noise when the performers became active.
FIX: Use gaffer's tape to force the notoriously loose connector to hold to a single, successful orientation against the pack.
3. I never called cues before.
FIX: Read the thread here on CB that explains how (and how not) to call cues.
4. Actors caused a lot of feedback when downstage.
FIX: Take the wireless mikes off the stage monitors (you fool ), and enjoy the kids singing louder as a result along with curing your feedback problem.
5. Our aging Innovator 24/48 was flickering the cues as we loaded each one for the next manual cross-fade.
FIX: Add fade times to each cue and cross-fade automatically, not manually.
6. Cycling among cues created cool lighting FX, but forced a manual load to go to the next cue after the FX loop.
FIX: Program the FX as an Effect and add it to a single cue.
I never would have known any of these things if CB gurus hadn't been willing to share their experience with me. The show was a great success, with several folks personally telling me they thought the tech side was a step up from previous shows at the same middle school. A couple of local community companies are already talking to me about being part of their tech crews.
So, to those of you who helped me cope with some cranky, sometimes baffling, equipment, on behalf of myself, my son, and his cast-mates and crew: THANKS! We couldn't have done it without you.
Examples:
1. Lights hung on the #1 electric were actually touching the curtain.
FIX: "Yoke up" the fixtures to extend away from the bar, not under it.
2. Audio Technica model 310 body packs were making a (stunningly loud) "banging" noise when the performers became active.
FIX: Use gaffer's tape to force the notoriously loose connector to hold to a single, successful orientation against the pack.
3. I never called cues before.
FIX: Read the thread here on CB that explains how (and how not) to call cues.
4. Actors caused a lot of feedback when downstage.
FIX: Take the wireless mikes off the stage monitors (you fool ), and enjoy the kids singing louder as a result along with curing your feedback problem.
5. Our aging Innovator 24/48 was flickering the cues as we loaded each one for the next manual cross-fade.
FIX: Add fade times to each cue and cross-fade automatically, not manually.
6. Cycling among cues created cool lighting FX, but forced a manual load to go to the next cue after the FX loop.
FIX: Program the FX as an Effect and add it to a single cue.
I never would have known any of these things if CB gurus hadn't been willing to share their experience with me. The show was a great success, with several folks personally telling me they thought the tech side was a step up from previous shows at the same middle school. A couple of local community companies are already talking to me about being part of their tech crews.
So, to those of you who helped me cope with some cranky, sometimes baffling, equipment, on behalf of myself, my son, and his cast-mates and crew: THANKS! We couldn't have done it without you.