USITT Itinerary
Tues:
8:30am to 5:30pm EOS Board Training
Presenter: Anne Valentino
Anne Valentino helped design the EOS board.
This class was amazing. We spent 8 hours, 3 people on a console, learning the new features on the board. We patched, learned setup, created cues, presets, & palettes, and used Capture software to see our results.
Wednesday:
12:00pm to 1:30pm Dance Lighting from the Crazy Horse Paris
Don Childs showed us how projecting images can enhance dancer movements. The panel was a bit lacking in other visuals. The speakers didn't show any images from the actual show and were afraid to show video for fear of being sued. It would have been a lot better if the dancer had been featured on a stage as well instead of being on the same level as the audience. We had to stand at the back and sides to see anything, but the concept is definitely something I'd love to play with in the theater.
2:00pm to 3:30pm Programming Moving Lights in Book Shows
Tom Littrel basically covered everything I learned in Brad Schiller's book Automated Programmer's Handbook. I feel I actually learned more about programming moving lights in the EOS class.
4:00pm to 5:30pm Wireless Dimming and DMX in Practice
Ian Phillips, creator of the RC4 magic dimming system hosted more than presented this class. Ryan Davies, Kathleen Devault, Dennis Long, and Nick Van Houten all gave examples with real production problems and solutions, showing how wireless dmx and radio dmx saved their shows. Amazing images, great ideas.
6:00pm to 7:20pm Transformers, Generators and Voltage
Roger L. Lattin and Steve Holliday were the moderators for this very informal seminar. Unfortunately, Mr. Lattin's luggage was lost and he was without paper handouts for his presentation. They actually corrected the title of this lecture to read "Transformers, Generators, and Non-Standard Voltages." Both had wonderful stories on gigs they've worked and tips for certain regions of the US and even some international problems they've encountered.
References:
http://www.powersmiths.com
http://www.egsa.org
http://mikeholt.com
www.Aggreko.com
7:30pm to 8:50pm Pigment, Fabric and Light -- Interplay of Costumes & Painted Scenery Under Colored Lights
Presenters: Don Childs, Kristina S. Hanssen, Peter Monahan, Robert O. Moody
Basically, we watched ETC Revolutions and Varilite Washes scroll through several colors while the designers placed a painted backdrop, various black maskings and cyc materials, painted swatches and costumes on a small stage. This really didn't teach anything, but gave everyone an idea of what different colors do to different colors on paint and fabric. It would have been better in a true black box setting where there wasn't a large amount of light bouncing off the floors of the convention room.
Thursday
12:15pm to 1:35pm Convention Fixture Projections
Presenters: KC Hooper, Shawn Irish, Bryan Stevenson
This was a big let down. Apollo spent most of it's time trying to sell their "make your own gobo" kit rather than show new and creative ideas for using old equipment and gobos.
2:30pm to 3:50pm Physics of Theatre: Rigging
Presenters: Dr. Eric and Beth Martell
Too much math and not enough demo. The couple have a book coming out on this subject and I do look forward to reading it, but my lack of math skills makes me doubt it would help someone who's looking to understand enough rigging to keep myself safe and not actually become a rigger myself.
References:
http://www2.kcpa.uiuc.edu/kcpatd/physics/index.htm
4:45pm to 6:05pm Tuning your palette -- Lighting, That is
Presenters: KC Hooper, Holly Blomquist, Rich Dale, John Horan
This panel was quite fun. Questions were prepared in advance and each designer took a turn answering with fun stories and great ideas. Attendees took turns asking questions on how to deal with directors and color choices and the answers from the different types of design backgrounds were great!
Friday
4:45pm to 6:05pm Designing with LED's
Presented by Derek Barnwell, Buddy Combs, Anthony R. Phelps
This was a great presentation on the limitations and features of LED's. An actual LED engineer presented what an LED actually is and why it's structure creates light. The future of the LED was discussed leading to the idea that LEDs will eventually be able to replace conventional fixtures, but are not quite ready for that task as of now.
Saturday
10:00am to 11:20am Stump the Rigger
Presented by Bill Sapsis, Gwen Sees, Don Dimitroff, Tray Allen, and Eric McAfee
Great panel question and answer session. The winning question was "What is the load rating of a paper clip?" A woman had a set piece go on the road with a show, when it returned, it showed signs of being rigged overhead with a paper clip as a connection point.
References:
http://sapsis-rigging.com/
1994/5 Garth Brooks Truss collapse
Emery Atlanta GA Truss collapse
12:15pm to 1:35pm Distinguished Scenic Designer: John Lee Beatty
Mr. Beatty chose to present informally. He showed us photos and sketches of all his work over the years, answered questions and basically offered insight to his design process. He was awarded with a lifetime achievement award from USITT and received a standing ovation at the end of his presentation.
