Tag: lighting

Get more out of ancient ETC Express lighting boards, using Qlab and MIDI

TL;DR: Use that ancient lighting console in new and exciting ways, by integrating your lighting cues with the rest of your show in Qlab! You can trigger Cues and Macros! The Story: The first big Qlab design I ever did was a show requiring me to design and run lights, sound, and video, in a …

A Brush-up on Basics – some helpful posts on Qlab and workflow

I work with a lot of students, across a few schools. I count myself lucky to be able to share with them what I know – as well as learn a lot from them. Many have become just “younger peers” because I like to work collaboratively, even if I am driving the design. Last month …

Digital play scripts/prompt books are here!

TL;DR: Ditch paper scripts/prompt books for computer copies. Never lose or forget your script again, and guess what – it’s BACKLIT! The Story: I design in a lot of different theatres, often with overlapping schedules. This is a common designer dilemma.  There was one time I had six shows opening within a six week window! …

Cue numbering, and playing well with others

TL;DR: How to write cue numbers with a system that lets you skip around, know where you are in your cue sheet, and be compatible with other departments…by working in blocks of ten. The Story: Some seasons are completely insane for me. It’s a common theme for designers – you’ve got maybe one too many …

September is Cue and Script Month on the Rocktzar blog!

This month, we are going to post around the theme of cues and scripts – numbering systems, digital scripts/prompt books, Applescripts for Qlab that will turn the pages of those scripts, and more. Here are the topics we will be looking at: Cue numbering, and playing well with others Digital play scripts/prompt books are here! …

Past few months of shows…

We here at Rocktzar have been SWAMPED for months. The garden is full of weeds, the blog has been neglected, and I’m pretty sure that was once a cheese sandwich that I chiseled out of the fridge. Mary and I worked together on a few shows this summer, mostly as props & sound, respectively (though …

Passing through the halls of Yale

Over the course of April and May, both Mary and I have been working at Yale, both in the Electrics (Lighting) department. She has been hired on as staff/Assistant Master Electrician for the Carlotta Festival, while I have been contracted in as the Master Electrician for the Yale Baroque Opera Project, “La Didone.” This means that …

Christmas Carol & Ming Cho Lee

I am master electrician for a production of Christmas Carol this season. It falls just between a few of my other shows, so I have had to take it on in an extremely organized manner – the days I have allotted to it are all I can give them, with very little room for extra …