Recent content by Mike Donovan

According to the manual posted by Amiers, this fixture has a discharge lamp and mechanical dimmer (flags and or an iris-like shutter which block more or less light). With that in mind, lamps shouldn’t matter, as the lamp keeps its constant output). Have you tried addressing the problematic...

We installed a soundstage in our warehouse last year to help create business during the lockdowns. My lighting control is a combination of MA2-Net over Cat6 and traditional ‘copper’ DMX over XLR5.I don’t know how ‘networkable’ your desk is, but here’s an example of how I used a Cat6 network to...

We had something similar at A theatre I worked in about 8 years ago. Our house lights and work lights were on the last 3-4 dimmers of our rack. There were 3 of these panels throughout the theatre with faders which Could be patched to different dimmers and buttons which could be programmed as...

Here’s what I’ve learned as a permittee in IATSE 709. Both Grips and Electrics work together to create the look that the Director of Photography is trying to achieve. The Gaffer (Key LX) is comparable to Lighting Designer as s(he) chooses fixture types, placements, levels, etc. But I’ve also...

I've used PARs, Source Fours, blinders, and fresnels all outside many times. PAR64's are the workhorse for front lighting on our outdoor festivals here, but there is also one annual week-long festival that has source fours out on FOH booms. Make sure your connectors are well protected from the...

I’m almost afraid to ask, because it will confirm that I’ve been wrong all this time, but isn’t one use of pins 4 and 5 RDM?also, what is the official length limit of DMX on XLR5 Cable? Is it less than 300’? I have a 250’ data snake that Christie Lites made and I’ve never had any issues with...

I have two Petzels. I forget model names at the moment, but I’ve had a small, low profile white one for years. It has vents in the side and it not too big and bulky. Unfortunately, although it meets the CSA standard for climbing, the main arena we work at deemed it insufficient for their space...

cheeseburgers with pickles: a rigger’s favourite lunch.

Hi. I prefer the Rosco CTBs over Lee. I find the Lee CTBs to be a bit too green. R3204 is my go-to, 3202 is too blue to the naked eye. Between my colour correcting and video’s white balancing, we usually find R3204 is a good middle ground for both the eye and the camera. We usually use 575W...

Sorry, I just reread your original post and saw that the screen is not hanging underneath the Truss.Rig the screen similar to a flat that is supported by bottom hangers: Build three points. Each point has a sling choked around the bottom piece of frame, a second sling choked around the Truss...

Happy New Year!We fly screens on a regular basis during corporate season. We have fly kits that attach to our larger screens, but with our smaller screens, 9’x16’ and smaller, we rig right to the screen frame.We have these black ~3’ long webbing straight slings. I forget what they’re rated...