Hey everyone, haven’t computers made our lives soooo much simpler? In the old days (when K.C. was designing), I had a Light Palette that programmed the light cues and ran them at the punch (and I mean PUNCH) of the GO button. Now, there can be a dimmer control console, a moving light console, and a media server console running a show. Not so fast K.C., I can trigger and run all of those cues off of my dimmer control board. I agree, yes, you can and if all is programmed properly, no problem. BUT, what if a mover goes maverick and starts ballyhooing the audience or the video projection starts screen wrapping around the orchestra pit, what do you do? There is a point when the designer can use technology to run a complex sequence of cues, moves, and projections but can the board op find their way out of a problem when things go bad. I remember watching multiple stage cues with internal chases in my design and thinking, “I have no clue of what is happening on that stage right now”. Sometimes simplicity is bliss. Keeping things simple and learning about technology thoroughly before using it in a production is a good decision.
That is why we have the Right Arm to perform simple moves to refocus a down pool or video projector. It is controlled by any simple DMX board on the market. Working your way up to crazy complexity is like learning to drive. Take it easy and don’t overdo it. Otherwise, you may find yourself staring at one of your cues and thinking, “huh”?
