Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship in eBook Format

I read over Facebook that Richard Cadena’s book, Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship has recently been released as an eBook.  First, congrats Mr. Cadena, I still have your print version that you signed, again, thanks!  Interesting question though… how do you sign an eBook?  I guess I’ll just have to have authors sign the back of the iPad?

Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship is a complete step-by-step guide to lighting design for people of all levels of experience. It covers everything from the basics of lighting, including the McCandless method, to more advanced topics like the “jewel” lighting method, lighting for video, color theory, rendering, visualization, documentation and paperwork.

You can purchase and download your copy of Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship from the Smashwords web site.  If you are like me and own an iPad, which version of the eBook to buy… the iPad uses the “standard” in eBook formats, ePub files.  Smashingwords does offer that format, but doesn’t list the iPad… interesting.  A safe bet would to be to purchase the PDF version of the eBook.  The iBook app on the iPad and iPhone can import PDFs into the app.  An added bonus if you do the PDF version, you can print it from home if you feel like.  Just an idea.

HUGE Savings on Automated Lighting, 2nd Edition Book!!!

Yesterday, I released my review of Richard Cadena’s latest book, Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light in Theatre, Live Performance and Entertainment: 2nd Edition.  Right before USITT, Focal Press, the publisher of the book, announced the release of the book.  I am totally in love with the ladies at Focal Press.  They have been nothing but awesome to me.  Not only did they get me a copy of Mr. Cadena’s book to do a review, but have also offered a discount on the book for iSquint readers!

Starting today, Focal Press is offering a HUGE savings of 25% off the cover price, ($49.94) of Mr. Cadena’s book to you guys!  This offer is good through the end of May 2010 so hurry and get your discount code and order your copy today! With the discount code, you are saving $12.48 off the cover price. This is just another reason to pick up your very own copy!

It is very simple to get your discount on the book. Fill out the form below with your name, email address.  You can add a message if you like, I love notes! After you submit your info, I’ll be sending you an email with your discount code and how to redeem it. Rest assured, any information you provide through iSquint is protected and never sold, distributed or given to ANYONE.

Please remember, this discount code only applies to Mr. Cadena’s book, Automated Lighting, 2nd Edition. Thank Focal Press, you ladies are a class act! Keep up the great work and excellent books.

Book Review: Automated Lighting, 2nd Edition By Richard Cadena

Back at USITT 2010 in Kansas City, I got a chance to catch up with the Electron Magician himself, Mr. Richard Cadena. I am always in awe when around Mr. Cadena.  Not only is he a wealth of knowledge on lighting, but the entire industry as well. During our talk, I mentioned that I would love to write a review of his just then published book, Automated Lighting: The Art and science of Moving Light in Theatre, Live Performance, and entertainment, 2nd Edition.

“No Problem”, we made a B line for the Focal Press booth on the show floor.  Not only was Focal Press kind enough to provide me with a free copy of the book, Mr. Cadena signed the book right then and there for me.  Looking back at it know, that may have not been the best idea to sign the book right there on the show floor at the Focal Press booth.  Mr. Cadena was suddenly swamped with request to sign more books from attendees that just picked up his book.  Sorry about that Mr. Cadena!

Who is the book written for

Mr. Cadena has an amazing way with words.  While there are a ton of technical terms and advance topics, he makes sure to fully describe what he mentions so even the novice can understand.  After reading the book cover to cover, I feel as though the book is geared towards every lighting technician out there. Moving lights are hear to stay.  Call them what you like, Moving lights, automated luminaries, wiggle lights, they are all just broad terms for describing a lighting that operates remotely. Almost every venue will have some sort of multi-parameter device in house as a permanent fixture or rental at some point. As with almost anything in our life, things break down and need fixing. In the entertainment lighting world, it always happens after 5pm when tech service is closed. It then falls upon us to take a look and see what is wrong with a light and maybe getting it back up and running.

While the book does go into great detail about almost every aspect of a moving light, it is certainly not a guide on how to fix any particular light.  After reading the book, I have a greater understanding of the different parts of a moving light and what can be found inside to make it work.  The book certainly does not make me a certified tech to fix anything, but I feel like I can talk a bit more intelligently to tech services when trying to diagnose what is wrong.

As with most of Mr. Cadena’s book, he always starts off with my favorite part, the history lesson.  To fully understand where we are in the industry and where we are going, we have to understand the past and how we came to where we are. Intertwined in the history, Mr. Cadena provides personal experiences and stories about certain fixtures and how they came to be.  This is something you rarely hear or read about.

Understanding Protocols, Console and Design

Toward the last half of the book, Mr. Cadena writes about some of the newer protocols, lighting consoles and designing.  Like most of the book, it is a crash course into the subject.  The information will not make you a seasoned professional, but you’ll get a good understanding of the subject matter.  The book offers a great stating off point to understanding the different subjects and at times offers additional outlets to get more information on the subjects.  Included are some great helpful hints on what to carry around with you as well as best practices for trouble shooting and analyzing gear.

As Mr. Cadena is the Electron Magician of the industry, he offers numerous calculations and formulas.  This goes way beyond the West Virginia Law of power, ( W = V * A).  As an aspiring professional, the formulas can not only save your life, but save countless hours of trouble shooting and figuring out what is wrong.

Why Add this book to your Arsenal

As the School House Rock’s Cartoon from the 80’s says, “Knowledge is power”. I am a firm believer that we must understand where we came from in history to understand where we are at currently and where we are going in the future.  So the history lessons the book provides is just one reason to pick up Mr. Cadena’s latest edition of Automated Lighting.  The book also serves as a great entry into the world of automated lighting and control for the beginner.  For those seasoned veterans of the industry, it can serve as a great reference tool for understanding those new “toys” on the market.

I highly recommend Mr. Cadena’s book, Automated Lighting, 2nd Edition to any one that has any interest in entertainment lighting. You can purchase your copy of the book through the publishers web site, www.focalpress.com for $49.95.  You can save a couple of bucks by purchasing the book through Amazon.com for $44.95.

Thanks again to Focal Press and Mr. Cadena for their support and generosity with providing me a copy of the book to do a review.  You can check out more great titles written by Mr. Cadena and other great titles for almost every aspect of theatre production by visiting Focal Press’s web site, www.focalpress.com.

Entertainment in Production Books Available as e-Books

I just heard from my good friend and fellow console connoisseur, Rob Halliday that his books, Entertainment In Production, Volume 1 & 2 have been made available as e-books through Amazon.

While I am all about getting the books as e-books, I am still a little miffed that they are only available for the Kindle e-book reader from Amazon.  While there is a Kindle App for the iPhone and the iPad, I would love to see the books as native e-books for the iBook app on the iPad. But progress is progress and I can still read/carry them in my iPad.

Here is more information about the e-books from the Press Release:

Writer and lighting programmer & designer Rob Halliday’s books Entertainment In Production vols 1 and 2 are now available to those who prefer their reading in electronic form, through Amazon’s Kindle Store. This means that the books are available not only to readers using Amazon’s Kindle, but also to those using the Kindle software on Apple’s iPad and iPhone, on Blackberries, and on PCs and Macs.

The two Entertainment In Production books gather together more than a decade’s worth of coverage of the creation of some of the world’s most spectacular entertainment projects. The first, covering the period from 1994-1999 includes shows such as Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère and O, the hit musicals Tommy and Mamma Mia, events including the spectacular design for the 71st Academy Awards and the 1996 US Presidential Election Conventions, the reconstruction of London’s Lyceum Theatre and the creation of Las Vegas’ spectacular Fremont Street Experience.
The second book, which covers the period from 2000-2006, includes such shows as the musicals Aida, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Fosse, The Woman in White and Mary Poppins, Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway production of La Bohème, Cirque du Soleil’s stunning KÀ, the remarkable Lake of Dreams at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, plus New York’s Tribute in Light.

The articles include insights from many of those involved in these shows, many of which were landmarks in entertainment design and technology; designers whose work features in the books include Acme Sound Partners, Francois Bergeron, Ken Billington, Andrew Bridge, Andrew Bruce, Bob Crowley, Jonathan Deans, Bob Dickinson, Michel Crete, William Dudley, Rick Fisher, Paul Groothuis, Wendall Harrington, Mark Henderson, Howard Harrison, David Hersey, Natasha Katz, Luc Lafortune, Nigel Levings, Matt McKenzie, Anne Militello, Tony Meola, John Napier, Nick Ormerod, Chris Parry, Kenneth Posner, Paul Pyant, Mike Walker, Anthony Ward, Patrick Woodroffe and many more. Rob Halliday was directly involved in the creation of a number of the featured productions, giving a unique insiders view from behind the scenes on these shows.

For more information of the books, visit the dedicated web site at www.entertainmentinproduction.com. You can purchase the e-books from the Amazon.com bookstore for $15.95 each.

A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting – Even CHEAPER!

Late last night I got an email about a new discount off Steve Shelley’s book, A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 2nd Edition from Focal Press.  It seems that Amazon really wants you to purchase his book and save money at the same time. First, here is the boiler plate on Mr. Shelley’s book:

Construct and Implement Your Own Lighting Designs with the most trusted guide to stage lighting!  An entertaining and educational read, author Steven Louis Shelley draws from his 35+ years of diverse experience to bring you the step-by-step technical tools for getting the job done along with real-life examples of projects from start to finish. Learn why some techniques are successful while others fail with ‘Shelley’s Notes’ and ‘Shelley’s Soapbox,’ all with a humor that guides you through complex problems and concepts.

So what about that deal huh?  A while ago, I got wind of a super secret discount code Focal Press offered on Mr. Shelley’s book, (which is long gone by the way). Looks like Amazon is beating that original discount.  Amazon.com is offering a savings of 38% off the cover price of $49.95 and selling it for $30.95.

If you have not already purchased your copy of Mr. Shelley’s book, what is stopping you? Head over to Amazon.com and pick up your copy of A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 2nd Edition NOW!

Richard Cadena Updates Automated Lighting Book to 2nd Edition

I’ve heard the the comm chatter that the Electron Magician, Mr. Richard Cadena has just updated his book, Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light in Theatre, Live Performance, and Entertainment with a 2nd edition. Doing a quick search over at Focal Press, the publisher of Mr. Cadena’s books confirmed it. Here is a little bit about the book from Focal Press:

Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light in Theatre, Live Performance and Entertainment continues to be the most trusted text for working and aspiring lighting professionals. Now in its second edition, it has been fully updated to include new advances in lamp sources such as LEDs and plasma lamps, automated and programmable displays, updates for managing color, and new methods for using electronics. Its clear, easy-to-understand language also includes enough detailed information for the most experienced technician and engineer.

• The most trusted and comprehensive book on automated lighting available!
• Easy to read with minimal “tech-talk”
• Covers the latest advances in lighting displays, such as automated LED other and programmable displays
• New methods for using electronics

You can Pre-Order you copy of Mr. Cadena’s new book through Focal Press now for $49.95.  The book is expected to begin to ship on March 25, 2010.  Hmmm, that is RIGHT before USITT!  If you are attending USITT, I am sure you can pick up a copy of Mr. Cadena’s book there at the Focal Press Booth.  I’ve also heard that Mr. Cadena will be on hand at some point during the Stage Expo signing copies of his book!

Special Offer on A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting Book

More SETC fun and excitement!  Steve Shelley was ablaze in his lime green shirt and hat while at SETC, (Southeast Theatre Conference), informing students and educators the benefits of his Field Templates and Soft Symbols drafting library’s.

While on the show floor, Mr. Shelley was happily signing copies of his latest book, A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting.  Copies of Mr. Shelley’s book were on sale at the SETC registration desk, but copies ran out quickly. As an offering, Mr. Shelley is offering a discount for A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 2nd Edition through the books publisher, Focal Press.

If you are interested in saving an 25% off the cover price of the book, you can visit Focal Press’s web site, (www.focalpress.com) and type in a discount code to receive the discount.  But, to receive the discount code, you MUST email me at info@isquint.net as I have been asked not to publish the code.

I am not sure exactly how long the discount code is valid for but hurry and get your copy of Mr. Shelley’s book with 25% off the cover NOW!!!  You can read a review of Mr. Shelley’s book right here on iSquint.net.

UPDATE: Looks like I was wrong on he sale of the Mr. Shelley’s book at SETC. The book was not for sale any where at SETC. Mr. Shelley’s fan’s and owner of his book actually brought copies WITH THEM to the show to get his signature. Now why didn’t I think of that!!!

Also, I have confirmed with Focal Press that the 25% discount code runs through the end of the month, (March).  But don’t wait till the last minute.  email me at info@isquint.net and I’ll be happy to send you the promotional code for a 25% savings!

Review: Concert Lighting, Third Edition

A while back, Focal Press announced one of their latest books, Concert Lighting, Third Edition: Techniques, Art & Business by James L. Moody. I was fortunate enough to receive a copy from the publisher to write a review of the book.  It has taken some time for me to read through the book.  Not because it is 352 pages long, but that it is packed with some great information and history. In order to do a proper review, I wanted to full comprehend and take in everything that Mr. Moody wrote.

Let’s take a look at the description of the book from Focal Press:

Get ready to pack your bags and go on tour with the most trusted and comprehensive text for concert lighting. With a special focus on rock and roll, learn how to use computer aided drafting, moving luminaires, learn about the people and the history that shaped the field and more. Expand your design possibilities by learning about cross-media use of concert lighting techniques and their application in film, video, theatre and the corporate world. From snagging those precious contracts to knowing the best equipment to use to designing a show, Concert Lighting: Techniques, Art and Business covers everything you need to know.

History of the book

This is Mr. Moody’s third edition of Concert Lighting with the first edition being released in 1989, the second edition being released in 1997 and then this, the third edition being published late 2009.  Every ten years, Mr. Moody seems to be updating the book with more information and history which completely understandable.  Over the course of just the past ten years, the lighting industry has seen some wonderful new technologies come around and put into the market.  Not only does Mr. Moody cover the history of products, but gives a unique look at how new products came to life and how they got their start first in the concert realm of lighting and then moving into other entertainment lighting markets.

What the book covers

Mr. Moody has been in the lighting industry for 30+ years and has seen the industry grow, change and adapt to new technologies, styles of lighting and management.  The main focus of the book is to help guide the reader through the adventure of becoming a lighting professional at which ever level they desire. But in order to be prepared and ready for almost anything you do in life, you have to understand where things began and how they came to what they are. During the course of the book, Mr. Moody shares his views and memories of how lighting has evolved. All the while Mr. Moody is providing a detailed guide of how a concert lighting event is began and finished with detailed examples and explanations of everything that is involved with putting on an event. Ever wonder the different levels and responsibilities of a production team for a tour is structured? That is covered and explained in detail. Mr. Moody covers everything from the ground up with a live event production leaving out no detail.

With the Third Edition of the book, Mr. Moody has added some of the latest technologies and products that have been developed and released since the last edition of the book.  Provided in the book are snapshots and quick overviews of some of these products such as LED lighting fixtures, the latest lighting consoles, media servers and of course moving lights.

Towards the end of the book is one of my favorite sections and reading materials, interviews with working professionals.  Mr. Moody interviewed some of the top lighting designers in the industry today.  It is always fascinating to see how a working professional got his start and how they have developed their techniques along the way.  It gives the reader a glimpse of their own potential with in the lighting industry.

Who is the book for

With the levels of details that Mr. Moody goes into on every subject and all of the history and stories he provides, the book can provide a great read for any technician, at any level of experience in the business.  But the book is targeted at providing the entry level or newbie a detailed understanding of where the concert lighting world came from and how it pioneered specific technologies and products to all of the entertainment lighting industry. Concert Lighting, Third Edition is a great addition to any professionals or aspiring professionals bookshelf. If not for the history lessons, certainly for the wealth of knowledge and insight into the lighting industry Mr. Moody puts forth into the book.

Conclusion

Thank you Mr. Moody and Focal Press for providing an advanced copy of the book to write this review.  You can pick up your copy of Concert Lighting, Third Edition: Techniques, Art & Business from Focal Press’s website www.focalpress.com. For just $49.95, the book could help pave your way and guide you into the concert lighting industry.

Have you read Concert Lighting, Third Edition?  I would love to hear your thoughts on the book.  Leave a message in the comment section of this review below.

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Light Plot Deconstructed Book Already in 2nd Edition

I just received a note that Gregg Hillmar’s book, Light Plot Deconstructed is going into it’s second edition! It was just announced yesterday, November 17 and released to the public.

This tutorial manual is based on Gregg Hillmar’s successful Vectorworks Spotlight demonstration and training courses. Mr . Hillmar provides a short, accessible, and easy to follow look at Vectorworks Spotlight as an addition to the Vectorworks Manuals.

More from Nemetschek’s Press Release:

This companion guide is great for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of drafting lighting design with Vectorworks(r) Spotlight software.

Light Plot Deconstructed is the work of accomplished scenic and lighting designer Gregg Hillmar, who has developed proven methodologies for drafting light plots over more than 15 years of experience. His successful methods for designing with Vectorworks software have been exhibited many times over the years, whether they were to fellow colleagues at tradeshows and seminars, or in the classroom where he has taught scenic and lighting design to many aspiring professionals at Randolph-Macon College.

This second edition is based on Vectorworks Spotlight version 2010, but it can be used successfully with prior versions of Vectorworks software. Suited for both students and professionals, this manual is especially valuable to lighting designers who are relatively new to using Vectorworks software.

You can buy the 2nd edition from either Nemetschek’s website, www.nemetschek.com or from Gregg’s website at www.lightplotdeconstructed.com. The 2nd edition is the same price as the first edition at $40 USD.

Light Plot Deconstructed Contest – Part 2

With the first part of the iSquint and Jimonlight Light Plot Deconstructed Contest over, Jimonlight.com is running the second part of the contest on his site.

We would like to thank all of those who left comments on the first part of the contest here on iSquint.  We love all of your comments and wish that we could give everyone a copy of the book.

If you didn’t win, you still have another chance!  Head over to Jimonlight.com and leave a comment on Jim’s contest page.  All you have to do is enter your name, email address, (which is not published) and a comment.  It is just that simple!

Thanks again to everyone that entered!  Learn more about Gregg Hillmar’s latest book, Light Plot Deconstructed by visiting the books website at www.lightplotdeconstructed.com. You can read our review of Gregg’s book here on iSquint.net.

Focal Press Contest: Win One of Their Two Latest Books

We recently mentioned about the two latest books being releases by Focal Press, A Practical Guide To Stage Lighting, Second Edition and Concert Lighting, Third Edition. We just received word from Focal Press that they are running a contest for BOTH books. All that is required is that you visit the contest web page and enter some basic information.  Winners will be chosen at random at the end of the contest.  Each winner will be able to chose one of the two books. Checking out the contest rules, it says that the contest runs until August 31, 2009.  Since we have gone past that date in time, we are not quite sure when it ends, but hurry up and enter for a chance to get one of these two great books!

Additionally, if you do not win, you still can take advantage of the 20% discount on A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, Second Edition.

Update: Wanna Save Some Money?

So who doesn’t like saving money? No one, just as we thought!

We just heard back from Steve Shelley, the author of A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, Second Edition, That Focal Press is offering a 20% discount on his latest book for the month of October. The means you save $9.99 of the cover price of $49.95!  It is very simple to order and receive your discount.

Visit www.focalpress.com to order Steve’s book, and the book to your cart and when you are ready to check out, in the first step of the process, there will be a box that says Promotional Codes.  Enter the following code: YT007, (that’s Y-T-zero-zero-seven), and poof, $9.99 in savings!