Recent content by theatretechguy

I would seriously look into the ETC wireless RFU setup. I purchased mine thru Fullcompass - ETC/Elec Theatre Controls RRFU Radio Remote Focus Unit | Full Compass Pricey, but the thing is built like a tank and has worked flawlessly.

Gotta agree on the Crescent slider wrench, good idea, but too heavy and bulky for my back pocket. If they could invent one that is slimmer and lighter, I'd totally go for it. I haven't had too many issues with it jamming up, though, mostly its just too bulky. Some of the gimicky wrenches are...

Working for a school district, our space rental is pretty reasonable rental-wise. For an "evening" (about 4 hours during the week) you're looking at around $350 rental (includes technician). For a weekend (Saturday, entire day) it's about $1200 with technician for the whole time. Our space seats...

Its usually done where Sweeney "masks" the person he's shaving so you don't see their face (they are sitting) midway through the song. Sweeney removes the fake beard and the clean shaven face is revealed when Sweeney steps to the side. --- "I winna da race!"

If you're patching with 1/4" audio cable instead of 1/4" TRS (Tip Ring Sleave) cables, you may have issues, too. Phantom power typically will only work with the 3-pin XLR jacks on your system.

The fact that the screen has no pipe pocket or grommmets along the bottom means they are probably used to having people just attach it to a wall. If there are grommets along the bottom, you can zip-tie a pipe to it to give it some weight. As for hanging it, [removed] Edit: I realized after...

As a TD I try to stay out of everyone's way during the actual show. Ideally I should be in the audience watching the show from an audience perspective, taking notes, and informing techs of mistakes or issues I saw during the show. Unless its an emergency, I should never go into the booth and...

Anytime you bring up the subject of "liability" and "student safety" and "potential loss of life", those are words Admins don't want to hear. Woodshops get closed and cancelled when there's no money to install the proper safety devices. As much as we think of them as so much more, Administrators...

I see by your email addy that you work for a school district. Maybe the issue here is that your shop needs to be organized with "safety zones" around machinery. (Safety tape showing safety clearances around machines, etc). I can certainly see where that's desireable from a safety standpoint...

In a pinch, Sylvania makes a line of "stick up" LED's in some fun colors (red, blue, green, purple). (They are called "Dot Its") You push them once, they light up, hit them again, they blink, hit them one more time and they turn off. They're magenetic or have a sticky-back. They are about the...

As others have said, get a consultant/contractor. Unfortunately, even under the BEST of circumstances, even qualified consultants and contractors can royally screw up an install, so make sure you have detailed requests. Your key items you want to address with the contractor would be, in this...

1) a. A high school tech director must be dependable. He must not be a "flake" (leave that title to the directors, haha). b. As others have mentioned, patience is very important, since you're in an education setting, you're teaching as you're going, and while your end product may be...

Isn't this crazy? We just got a hefty grant last year for new equipment, and at the same time teachers and programs were getting cuts... I have to wonder just WHO they think will actually be using this new equipment...

We had similar issues here (I work in a California High School). Funds were frozen and are now only being used for critical items. Orchestra program was cut last year and it's just a matter of time before the Drama program is cut. California taxes and fees are going to greatly increase in the...

The biggest issue I have with "rant sites" is that people can go on there and basically slander whoever they want, and often do so hiding fake names. I think the negatives outweigh the positives. Just because Person A has a bad experience with Company X, doesn't mean everyone will have a...