The Automated Lighting Programmer's Handbook, 2nd Edition

The Automated Lighting Programmer's Handbook, 2nd Edition

by Brad Schiller
Released March 2013
Publisher(s): Focal Press
ISBN: 9781136085574

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Book description

Now in full color, this guide helps the lighting designer with all of the many creative and operational challenges you face. Providing respected and clear coverage of the process of programming automated lighting fixtures, Brad Schiller brings you from basic principles to pre-production preparations. Concepts, procedures, and guidelines to ensure a successful production are covered as well as troubleshooting, much needed information on work relationships, and of course all of the fun technology including LED lighting, console networking, digital lighting, and more. The final chapter brings the creative thinking of some of the heaviest hitting lighting designers of today, featuring Butch Allen, Jason Badger, Mike Baldassari, Richard Belliveau, Allen Branton, John Broderick, Dall Brown, Mark Butts, David Chance, Christian Choi, Vickie Claiborne, David Davidian, Patrick Dierson, C. Andrew Dunning, Mike Falconer, John Featherstone, Cory Fitzgerald, Laura Frank, Demfis Fyssicopulos, Craig Gaff, Steve Garner, Jon Griffin, Tim Grivas, Rob Halliday, Bryan Hartley, Bud Horowitz, Steve Irwin, Seth Jackson, Mark "Junior" Jacobson, Shannon January, David "Gurn" Kaniski, Mats Karlson, Eric Kennedy, Tom Kenny, Hillary Knox, Marcus Kromer, Jim Lenahan, Steve Lieberman, Esteban Lima, Heath Marrinan, Michael Nevitt, Adrian Ngieng, Paul Normandale, Jim Ohrberg, Steve Owens, Mitch Peebles, Paul Pelletier, John Rayment, Benoit Richard, Scott Riley, Larry "Uncle Fester" Robbins, Timothy F. Rogers, Susan Rose, Arnold Serame, Marsha Stern, Henry M. Sume, Howard Ungerleider, Lawrence Upton, Jon "Hillbilly" Weir, and Ross Williams.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. The Automated Lighting Programmer's Handbook
  3. Full Title
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Contents
  7. List of Tables and Figures
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. Introduction
  10. 10 Things Every Programmer Should Know
    1. #1—Understanding the Fixtures
    2. #2—Basic Console Operations
    3. #3—Patching and Addressing
    4. #4—Making Lights Move
    5. #5—Long Hours and Late Nights
    6. #6—Subtractive versus Additive Color Mixing
    7. #7—Tracking
    8. #8—Protect the Data
    9. #9—How to Admit Your Faults
    10. #10—Who to Call
    11. But Wait! There's More...
  11. 1. Programming Philosophies
    1. The Automated Lighting Programmer
    2. The Hollywood Syndrome
    3. Creativity and Consistency
    4. Learning to Program
      1. Look for Opportunities
      2. Programming Exercises
      3. Explore Your World
      4. Never Stop Learning
      5. Be an Artist
  12. 2. Automated Lighting Concepts
    1. DMX-512
    2. DMX Protocols
    3. Fixture Modes
    4. Crossfade
    5. Bump
    6. Parameter Abilities
    7. Precedence (HTP and LTP)
    8. Tracking
      1. Nontracking Consoles
      2. Tracking Consoles
      3. Advantages of Tracking
      4. Disadvantages of Tracking
      5. Practice Makes Perfect
  13. 3. Preparing for Programming
    1. Fixture Setup
    2. The Console
    3. Preparing the Patch
    4. Numbers Everywhere
    5. Groups
      1. Grouping Basics
      2. Too Many Numbers
      3. Selecting with Groups
      4. Additional Group Features
      5. Read All About It
    6. Building a Basic Outline
    7. Protecting Your Work
    8. Always Be Prepared
  14. 4. Basic Programming
    1. Understanding Your Fixtures
    2. Speed Channels
    3. Conventional Channels
    4. Palettes/Presets
  15. 5. Intermediate Programming
    1. Mark Cues
      1. Tricks of the Trade
      2. Automated Mark Cues
      3. The Magic of Marking
    2. Block Cues
      1. Marking and Blocking
      2. Organization
      3. Overblocking
    3. Effects Generators
      1. The DMX Protocol
      2. Trigonometry to the Rescue
      3. Modifying the Starting Point
      4. Modifying the Size and Rate
      5. Offsetting Each Fixture
      6. Different Wave Forms
      7. Other Parameters
    4. Intensity Effects
      1. Adding Dynamics
      2. Adjusting Intensity Effects
      3. Use Effects Wisely
    5. Kickin' It Old School
      1. The Fireworks Chase
      2. Making the Magic
      3. Timing
      4. Modern Miracles
      5. Applying Concepts
    6. Common Chases
    7. Fanning
      1. The Origins of Fanning
      2. Basic Fanning Procedures
    8. The Order of Fixture Selection
      1. But Wait! There's More…
      2. Now is the Time
      3. Stay Cool as You Fan
  16. 6. Advanced Programming
    1. Default Values
      1. Using Default Values
      2. Custom Default Values
      3. Study the Defaults
      4. Deciding upon Defaults
    2. Visualization
      1. How It Works
      2. Benefits
      3. Programming
      4. Cueing
      5. Two-Way Communication
      6. Program Anywhere
    3. It's Time for Timecode
      1. The History of Timecode
      2. Defining Timecode
      3. Timecode and Lighting
      4. Changing Time
      5. Hidden Dangers
      6. Back to the Future
    4. The Magic of MIDI
      1. Lighting Applications
      2. MIDI Notes
      3. MIDI Show Control
      4. Be Prepared
    5. Other Types of Automation
      1. Automation Abounds
  17. 7. Digital Lighting: The Future Is Here
    1. Content
    2. New Jobs
    3. Point of View
    4. Servers and Display Devices
    5. New Functionality and Terminology
    6. Programming Digital Lighting
      1. Enough Is Enough
    7. Working with Layers
      1. The Console Problem
      2. Fixture Numbering
      3. Patching the Parts
      4. The Missing Link
    8. The Future Is Now
  18. 8. LED Lighting
    1. LED RGB Mixers
    2. LED RGB Cells
    3. LED Moving Lights
    4. LED Digital Lights
    5. LED Video Displays
    6. Pixel Mapping
    7. Making It Easy
  19. 9. The Age of Networking
    1. Network Setup
    2. Networking Basics
    3. Multi-User Programming
    4. Network Backup and Failover
    5. Distributed Processing
    6. DMX Distribution
    7. Connectivity
    8. Remote Access
    9. RDM and What It Means to You
    10. E1.31: The New Frontier
    11. Ease of Use
  20. 10. Programming Genres
    1. Structured and Corporate Theatre
      1. Organization
      2. Conventionals
      3. Dual Consoles
      4. Prepared Theatrics
    2. Concert Tours
      1. It Is All About the Music
      2. Before You Program
      3. Cue Building
      4. Standard Operating Procedure
      5. Every Concert Is Different
    3. Television Events
      1. The Cameras Are Your Eyes
      2. Adjusting for the Camera
      3. Colors and Their Temperature
      4. The Magic of Television
      5. The Magic Box
    4. Music Festivals and One-Offs
      1. Organize Your Data
      2. Programming
      3. One Approach
      4. Visiting LDs
      5. Fun for All
    5. Architectural Installations
      1. Where Is FOH?
      2. Look at the Time
      3. User Interactions
      4. Maintenance
      5. Permanent Joys
  21. 11. Troubleshooting
    1. Common Problems
      1. Data Problems
      2. Console Problems
      3. Network Problems
      4. Fixture Problems
      5. Operator Error
      6. Getting Help
    2. Emergency Preparedness
      1. Be Prepared
      2. Safety of Others
      3. Personal Safety
      4. The Actor's Point of View
      5. Safety First
  22. 12. Programmer and Designer Relationships
    1. People Are People
    2. Types of LDs
    3. Troubled Waters
    4. Changing Tides
    5. Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates
  23. 13. Words of Wisdom from Industry Professionals
    1. Butch Allen, Designer and Programmer
    2. Jason Badger, Programmer
    3. Mike Baldassari, Designer
    4. Richard Belliveau, Automated Lighting Inventor and Visionary
    5. Allen Branton, Designer
    6. John Broderick, Designer
    7. Dall Brown, Designer
    8. Mark Butts, Programmer
    9. David Chance, Designer
    10. Christian Choi, Programmer
    11. Vickie Claiborne, Programmer
    12. David Davidian, Designer
    13. Patrick Dierson, Designer and Programmer
    14. C. Andrew Dunning, Designer and Programmer
    15. Mike Falconer, Programmer
    16. John Featherstone, Designer
    17. Cory Fitzgerald, Programmer
    18. Laura Frank, Programmer
    19. Demfis Fyssicopulos, Programmer
    20. Craig Gaff, Designer and Programmer
    21. Steve Garner, Programmer
    22. Jon Griffin, Designer and Programmer
    23. Tim Grivas, Programmer
    24. Rob Halliday, Programmer
    25. Bryan Hartley, Designer and Programmer
    26. Bud Horowitz, Designer and Programmer
    27. Steve Irwin, Designer and Programmer
    28. Seth Jackson, Designer and Programmer
    29. Mark “Junior” Jacobson, Designer and Programmer
    30. Shannon January, Designer and Programmer
    31. David “Gurn” Kaniski, Designer and Programmer
    32. Mats Karlson, Programmer
    33. Eric Kennedy, Programmer
    34. Tom Kenny, Designer
    35. Hillary Knox, Programmer
    36. Marcus Krömer, Programmer
    37. Jim Lenahan, Designer
    38. Jim Lenahan, Designer
    39. Esteban Lima, Designer
    40. Heath Marrinan, Designer and Programmer
    41. Michael Nevitt, Programmer
    42. Adrian Ngieng, Programmer
    43. Paul Normandale, Designer
    44. Jim Ohrberg, Designer and Programmer
    45. Steve Owens, Designer
    46. Mitch Peebles, Programmer
    47. Paul Pelletier, Programmer
    48. John Rayment, Designer
    49. Benoit Richard, Designer and Programmer
    50. Scott Riley, Designer and Programmer
    51. Larry “Uncle Fester” Robbins, Designer and Programmer
    52. Timothy F. Rogers, Programmer
    53. Susan Rose, Programmer
    54. Arnold Serame, Designer and Programmer
    55. Marsha Stern, Designer
    56. Henry M. Sume, Designer and Programmer
    57. Howard Ungerleider, Designer
    58. Lawrence Upton, Designer
    59. Jon “Hillbilly” Weir, Designer and Programmer
    60. Ross Williams, Designer and Programmer
  24. Appendix A Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Journal
  25. Appendix B Metallica Touring Journal
  26. Appendix C The Crystal Method Tour: A Case Study
  27. Glossary
  28. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Automated Lighting Programmer's Handbook, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Brad Schiller
  • Release date: March 2013
  • Publisher(s): Focal Press
  • ISBN: 9781136085574