A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, Second Edition
We received a message from Steve Shelly, the author of A Practical Guide To Stage Lighting, that the second edition of the book is getting ready to hit the shelves. The Second edition is 480 pages with over sixty new topics, twenty new forms and fifteen new drafting presentations not previously found in the first edition.
The first edition of PG2SL followed the process and explained one set of methods used to create and apply paperwork that culminated in a fully mounted lighting design for the musical Hokey. This second edition pulls back the wizard’s curtain to reveal the step-by-step processes involved in the creation and realization of that lighting design. Shelley expands his focus and provides his diacritical analysis into the methods and processes that take place to create the light plot and a lighting design in the first place.
From the back cover, Jim Moody writes:
If you are looking for esoteric design theory, this is not the book for you. However, if you need a get-down-to-business, everything you think you needed to know, nothing left out, lists of questions you should ask, answers you should consider, check lists, and the most extensive graphic layout of forms and focus information in any book, then this second edition has answered all your questions and a bunch you didn’t think you needed to know. You have got to have this book if you consider yourself a professional, period.
A Practical Guide To Stage Lighting, Second Edition goes on sale starting October 5, 2009 from Focal Press at $49.95 USD. To learn more about the book and to get your copy, visit www.focalpress.com.
Light Plot Deconstructed Contest
During the month of October, iSquint.net and JimOnLight.com will be running a very special contest together. Rather then butting heads trying to out do each other with this contest, we decided to work together and give you, the value reader more chances to win.
Greg Hillmar, the author of Light Plot Deconstructed has graciously donated not one, but to copies book, AND signed for the contest. So what is the deal, what the contest, how do I win?
Easy, leave a message on the posting with your name, email address, (it will not be published), and a note, (if you want to, we love notes!). The first drawing will be taken from comments left on this posting on iSquint on Friday October 16.
The second part of the contest will be held on JimOnLight.com starting October 19 and conclude on Friday October 30.
Easy Right?! So what are you waiting for?
Light Plot Deconstructed is a great companion guide for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of lighting design with Vectorworks Spotlight. You can read our review of Light Plot Deconstructed here on iSquint. If you can not wait to win one and want to purchase your own copy of Light Plot Deconstructed, visit www.lightplotdeconstructed.com to purchase it for $40.
New Book: Concert Lighting: Techniques, Art and Business, Third Edition
Looking to learn more about how to design and work on lights in a live event venue or concert setup? The latest book from Focal Press can help. In it’s third edition, Concert Lighting: Techniques, Art and Business by James Moody and Paul Dexter take you on tour to get a first hand experience about what it takes to live on the road and work in one of the most demanding work conditions, the live concert world.
With a focus on Rock and Roll, readers with learn about the people and history that shaped the field and made it what it is today. The book also covers the use of computer aided drafting, moving lights, media servers, digital luminaries, LED units, protocol devices and how to determine the best equipment for a particular show.
The book also covers the importance of a contract and how to develop one for your personal use with examples and discussions with leading lighting designers such as legendary Broadway designer Richard Pilbrow.
Concert Lighting: Techniques, Art and Business goes is on sale through Focal Presses website, www.focalpress.com as is expected to start shipping at the end of September. Pre-order your copy of the book now for only $49.95 USD.
Review: Light Plot Deconstructed Book
Less then a month ago, we wrote about a new book on the market designed at understanding how a lighting plot is laid out called, Light Plot Deconstructed, By Gregg Hillmar.
The author and distributor, Nemetschek, (the makers of Vectoworks) was kind enough to send us an advanced copy to do a review for you, our valued reader. First a little background on the book from the author and publisher:
Light Plot Deconstructed is the debut work of accomplished scenic and lighting designer, Gregg Hillmar. Mr. Hillmar has developed proven methodologies for drafting light plots over his more than 15 years of experience using Vectorworks. His successful methods for designing with Vectorworks have been exhibited many times over the years, whether it was to fellow colleagues at tradeshows, or in the classroom where he has taught scenic and lighting design to many aspiring professionals at Randolph-Macon College. Light Plot Deconstructed is a great companion guide for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of lighting design with Vectorworks Spotlight.
To read the entire review, click (more…)
New Book: Light Plot Deconstructed
Towards the end of 2008, we talked with lighting designer Gregg Hillmar about his latest book, Light Plot Deconstructed. Just in the past couple of months, the book has been finalized and sent off to the publisher.
Light Plot Deconstructedis the debut work of accomplished scenic and lighting designer, Gregg Hillmar. Mr. Hillmar has developed proven methodologies for drafting light plots over his more than 15 years of experience using Vectorworks. His successful methods for designing with Vectorworks have been exhibited many times over the years, whether it was to fellow colleagues at tradeshows, or in the classroom where he has taught scenic and lighting design to many aspiring professionals at Randolph-Macon College. Light Plot Deconstructed is a great companion guide for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of lighting design with Vectorworks Spotlight.
Light Plot Deconstructed retails for $40 and is now ready to ship from both the books website, www.lightplotdeconstructed.com and Nemetschek website, www.vectorworks.net.
Trivia Contest Announced for Richard Cadena’s Latest Book
We are happy to announce our first or many Trivia Contest here at iSquint.
Our first contest involves winning Richard Cadena’s latest book, Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician from Focal Press. We recently received an advance copy of the book to do a review of here on iSquint which you can read here.
For details on the contest, visit the Trivia Contest page and to submit your answer to the contest. Please be sure to submit your answer on the contest page and not this post. Comments for this posting have been turned off.
To purchase your own copy of the book, visit the PLSN Bookshelf.
Review: Richard Cadena’s New Book Electricity for the Entertainment Elec. & Tech
A month a ago, we announced the upcoming release of Richard Cadena’s latest book, Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician form Focal Press. iSquint is honored to have received an advanced copy of the book to do a review.
About The Author
Mr. Cadena is the editor of Projection, Lights and Staging News (PLSN), an ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program) Certified Entertainment Electrician, and ETCP recognized trainer, freelance lighting designer, consultant, and author of three other books about lighting. Mt. Cadena has been involved with the entertainment lighting industry for over 22 years, and has worked for manufacturers, in the theatre, and on the road touring.
From the Rear Cover
The application of electricity for the theatre or a concert stage is not the same as that for a residence or commercial building. Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician provides you with the fundamentals of theory of electricity as well as the latest guidelines and tips for how to stay safe and current and meet the needs of the entertainment industry. Written by an ETCP trainer, this reference supports practicing technicians and provides new technicians the assistance needed for a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Outside the Box, 25 Design-Tech Strategies Publication
While walking the show floor here at SETC (Southeastern Theatre Conference), we noticed that SETC had a booth selling shirts to help support the organization and the endowment. While contemplating which shirt to purchase to help support SETC, we noticed a publication that SETC put together called Outside The Box: 25 Design-Tech Strategies to Save You Time and Money.
The book is the first in the SETC Field Guide Series which is a collection of new articles and previously published columns from the popular “Outside the Box: Design-Tech Solutions” column in Southern Theatre Magazine. Both the book and the column, which was originated by Carl Lefko, (Currently the President of USITT), and later edited by Chistopher D. Zink and Stuart Beaman, feature innovative and cost-saving solutions to design-tech problems.
Some of the guides in the book include:
- 3-D Bricks
- Foliage or Trees
- Pop-Up Room
- Moulding
- Trash to Treasure
- Onstage Pool
- Curved Staircase
- Star Drops with LED’s
- Creating Custom Gobo’s
- and our favorite, Creating Snow
The book’s forward is written by Tony-Award winning Costume Designer William Ivey Long.
“An invaluable tool for all craftspeople in the theatre. . . . It is my hope that OUTSIDE THE BOX will become a standard for every theatre student and professional, and I look forward to future editions of this book.”
At the time of this writing, it is near the end of the second day of SETC in Birmingham Alabama. If you are still attending SETC on Saturday, stop by the registration desk or the SETC booth to purchase your copy of OutSide The Box. For those that are not in attendance, you can still purchase your copy through SETC’s website at www.setc.org. The book sells only through SETC for $18.
New Book Out by Richard Cadena
Richard Cadena, the author of such books as Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship and Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light in Theatre, has just released a new book titled, Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician.
Richard’s new book explains the fundamentals of electricity and explain the principles of power distribution, important safety issues, and discuss techniques and practices around the world.
This is the only reference available that gives you all the information you need specific to YOUR field! No longer will you have to sift through general electrician’s handbooks. The entertainment technology field is changing all the time and this reference will give you enough information to prepare you for a future in the industry or reinforce the practical experience you have already gained. If you understand the principles in this book, you will be well prepared to face the challenges of the day.
Topics Covered:
- DC and AC Electricity
- Electrical Safety
- Grounding/earthing
- Overcurrent and undercurrent protection
- Power Distribution Systems
- Dimming Systems
- Best practices in the theatrical industry
The book runs $44.95 through amazon.com and is only a pre-order at the moment.
via: JimOnLight