Recent content by hans44

Update: inputting the current time / date "fixes" the issue. I won't try any resetting or anything at LEAST until our current show comes down.

The theatre I work at uses an ETC Express 48/96 for it's mainstage, and it has a slight "bug". The system clock has been working fine, but recently froze, at 5:38 PM on January 4, 2011. Other than the clock, the system works fine. Any reason why this might've happened?

Just a note to anyone who has this problem (I've seen it before): make sure you explain that running the stage lights requires A LOT of power which costs A LOT of money. Also, when the lamps burn out, it's $15 a pop for ERS lamps, $30 a pop for PAR lamps, and $1.50 for fluorescent tubes.

Lightwright can be downloaded for free from John McKernon's website. The free demo version is limited to 75 worksheet rows, however (good for small plots). http://www.mckernon.com

My college recently did a performance of "Top Girls" in a 48 dimmer black box. The LD (I was ALD) used 6 area fresnel washes (3-sides, 18 instruments total), and 3 different colors of backlight (S4 twofer-ed: Areas 1+4, 2+5, 3+6). Add in 4 circuits for a "Jeopardy Wall", and various specials...

That's odd. I've talked with a few ETC reps, and one even said that ETC was thinking of buying Strand, but the deal fell through because "any product sold through ETC will be supported indefinitely." Maybe your local rep was at fault. As for the monitor, Radio Shack sells plenty of adapters...

Not exactly right... The least complex version of ACN is free to license, and the source code is available. But the higher two versions of the protocol require a license fee.

I was lucky enough to have my school's theatre (Pittsburgh Playhouse) host some ETC reps for three days in early April. They brought the Smartfade ML as well as an EOS. We found half a dozen bugs in the EOS (one even crashed the desk...), but I digress. The Smartfade was connected to 4...

Didn't happen to me but... About 10 years ago (roughly) at my high school, one kid fell 30+ feet through the house ceiling, landing perfectly in a chair. Our auditorium has a crawl space between the roof and ceiling where we run our electrical wires from booth to stage. The doors are never...

Goto http://www.lehighdim.com/millennxp.htm Click on either: a) download software or b) offline editor CLICKING ON DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE WILL INSTALL A VERSION THAT WILL REWRITE YOUR HARDDRIVE! NOT RECOMMENDED! (unless you've got a computer to destroy:) )

I checked the channels, and the ACTUAL lights and dimmers themselves work fine. I am 99% certain that it is the physical faders themselves, so I am requesting to the choral teacher (who is in charge of the booth equipment) that this summer we send the board. Thanx to all who submitted ideas!

no, i was being metaphoric. It "looks" like the legs are supporting the stage; in reality they just block the wings. Also, at my stage, the teasers, legs, and curtains are all fabric.

For the building of sets: My school is known for "rolling sets". We build a large platform out of 2x4s and plywood, and then put it on wheels. These platforms can be rotated to display 2 different sets, one on each side of a wall. That way, if you have two different primary locations, it...

I don't remember if I mentioned it before, but the system is only 2 years old and has only been used for 4 major produtions (2 fall plays, 2 spring musicals including next weekend [Seussical])

The MilleniumML board available here has a computer monitor and a Windows 95 interface. (You can download the offline editor for free if you want to see what I mean). The actual board has 96 dimmers in 2 rows of 48. Pushing dimmer 52 up to full does nothing, while pushing dimmer 51 raises...