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ESTA Foundation Announces 2011 Holiday Card Student Design Contest

Behind the Scenes announces the second annual Holiday Card Student Design Contest and seeks prize donations for the 8th annual Long Reach Long Rider/Behind the Scenes raffle at the USITT Conference & Stage Expo in Charlotte, NC in March.

Behind the Scenes is seeking raffle prizes for its ever-popular raffle at USITT, co-sponsored by the Long Reach Long Riders. Their co-founder, Bill Sapsis, will conduct the raffle on the last day of the USITT Stage Expo. The event always draws a large crowd and considerable press coverage, so donating a prize is an excellent way to promote your company. Donors will also be featured in press releases, articles, and on the website. To donate a product, service, or gift certificate, please send an email before February 5, 2011 to raffle@estafoundation.org with the name of the item, the item’s market value and the name of the company making the donation. Ten traditional and one grand prize will be chosen from all submitted prizes to be offered at the raffle.

Please help us spread the word to schools in your area about the Behind the Scenes Holiday Card Student Design Contest. Students who participate in the contest will have their work seen by prominent industry designers including Beowulf Boritt, Christine Jones, and Bruce Rodgers, and the winner’s design will be produced for sale along with designs created for Behind the Scenes by some of the industry’s top designers. The contest is open to full-time lighting, set, video, or costume design students. Original designs must be submitted by March 30.

Guidelines and cards from previous years can be viewed at www.estafoundation.org.

Registration for the Student Design Competition Opens SOON, Are You Ready?

Attention ALL students, are you ready for the 2011 Student Design Competition?  If not, don’t worry, you have PLENTY of time to get ready!  Beginning January 28th, we’ll begin to accept submissions to the design competition, but you don’t have to rush to enter.  You have most of the spring semester to download the FREE software and build your entry. The competition will close on April 15, 2011, so plenty of time.

If you haven’t done so already, you need to get the FREE software to start building your design. Here is what you’ll need:

  • Vectorworks 2011 – visit student.vectorworks.net, you will need a valid Student ID to get the Student version of Vectorworks.
  • Lightwright 5 – visit www.mckernon.com to download the demo version of the software.

Here are the rules for the competition:

  • Any full-time student with an active and valid college or university ID can enter the competition…ANY STUDENT, whether you are in the United States or not, is welcome to enter the competition*.
  • Entrants must submit a lighting plot, a rendering from Renderworks and the associated Lightwright paperwork in PDF format along with the Lightwright file and the Vectorworks file saved to match the submitted rendering.
  • One submission per student is allowed.
  • No limit on size, show or complexity.

Make sure to get the latest software from Vectorworks and Lightwright and begin to build and design your show! At the end of the competition, the best design showing their knowledge and understanding of both lighting design and use of software take home a pretty sweet software package. The winner of the 2011 Student Design Competition will walk away with a Professional License of Vectorworks® 2011 with Renderworks®, a personal license of Lightwright™ 5, and a single license of Field Templates SoftSymbols V3.

*Local restrictions or guidelines may apply. Availability and access to the student version of Vectorworks software varies by country.

Contest: American DJ Asks DJs to Share Their Pet Name for Their Lighting Gear

Musicians depend on their instruments, DJs rely on their lighting and audio gear. This connection leads to some pretty close relationships between man (or woman) and machine, which is why so many entertainers have pet names for their equipment. Think B.B. King’s famous “Lucille,” and “Brownie,” the affectionate name of the Fender Stratocaster that Eric Clapton used during his meteoric rise in the early ‘70s. Now American DJ wants to hear from DJs about the names they’ve given their favorite gear – and the company is giving some cool prizes for this information, such as a the Revo Rave LED moonflower effect, the new Spherion Tri LED, a modern version of the mirror ball, and the new and widely-anticipated top secret version of the VMS4 Digital MIDI Workstation.

Entering the contest is easy, DJs simply have to send a video of three minutes or shorter to American DJ describing the pet name they have for their favorite American DJ light or American Audio gear, and explain the meaning behind the moniker. DJs who don’t currently have an American DJ light or American Audio gear with a name can still enter the contest by talking about the name they would give their dream American DJ light or American Audio gear if they did own it. No purchase is necessary to participate in this contest.

The names used for lighting or audio gear can be whimsical, funny, inspirational or historical. For example, maybe a DJ wants to name his or her audio gear “Caesar” because it conquers audiences by putting forth great sounds to dance to, or maybe a light is named after “Apollo,” the Greek god of light. Videos submitted will be judged on creativity and entertainment value – and they will be showcased on American DJ’s YouTube Channel.

To enter the contest, DJs must submit their videos through American DJ’s one-and-only “contest master” Brian Redd by using his YouTube channel to upload their entries.  Videos must be three minutes or shorter, feature either an American DJ or American Audio product, contain no obscene or offensive material and present no danger to the safety of any individual. The decision of the judges is final.

Deadline for the contest is Tuesday January 25, 2011. Entries received after that time will not be considered.  For complete rules visit the Brian Redd YouTube channel or by visiting American DJ’s web site. Winners will be announced at the American DJ Customer Appreciation Party at the Mobile Beat Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday February 1. (Winners don’t have to be present to claim their prizes.)

The first place winner will receive a new (top secret) still unannounced version of the American Audio VMS4 Digital MIDI Work Station (it won’t be officially introduced until the January 2011 NAMM Show) and the American DJ Revo Rave. Second prize is one American DJ Spherion Tri LED. Third prize is one American DJ Jelly Dome. Fourth prize is one American Audio HP900 professional headphone. All winners also receive 200 American DJ Advantage points.

2011 Student Design Competition

That’s right, a student competition, but nothing like what you have seen before.  iSquint.net has partnered with Nemetschek Vectorworks, City Theatrical and Field Templates to bring you the 2011 Student Design Competition. If you have a love for lighting, have a current student ID from a college or university and have the drive to design, then have I got a competition for you.

iSquint.net, Nemetschek Vectorworks, City Theatrical and Field Templates have teamed up to offer one lucky lighting design student a prize package that I am still totally awe struck by. The winner of the 2011 Student Design Competition will walk away with a Professional License of Vectorworks® 2011 with Renderworks®, a personal license of Lightwright™ 5, and a single license of Field Templates SoftSymbols V3.

Does your jaw hurt? Mind did!

The rules are very simple: produce a light plot with Vectorworks, one rendering from Renderworks and paperwork.  But wait, you need Vectorworks, Renderworks and Lightwright to enter the contest to win the very same software!  Easy enough, as a full-time student with an active and valid college or university ID, you can download a FREE student version of Vectorworks 2011 with Renderworks to learn, use and produce the entry requirements for the contest*.  Lightwright also offers a demo version that can be used for producing paperwork for the competition, which you can download here www.mckernon.com. Visit student.vectorworks.net to get a free student version of Vectorworks software.  If you live outside the U.S., you will be redirected to a local distributor in your country to obtain a student version.

There are just a few more rules and requirements to the competition, so pay attention.

  • Any full-time student with an active and valid college or university ID can enter the competition…ANY STUDENT, whether you are in the United States or not, is welcome to enter the competition*.
  • Entrants must submit a lighting plot, a rendering from Renderworks and the associated Lightwright paperwork in PDF format along with the Lightwright file and the Vectorworks file saved to match the submitted rendering.
  • One submission per student is allowed.
  • No limit on size, show or complexity.
  • Competition entries will be accepted beginning January 28, 2011.
  • Entries must be submitted no later than April 15, 2011.
  • The winner will be announced May 6th, 2011.

The Student Design Competition will be judged by leading experts in the lighting design field and developers of the aforementioned software brands. Think of this competition as a design review.  Put your best foot forward and show your talents as a lighting designer and your knowledge and understanding of working documents in our field.

Be sure to check iSquint.net often, as we’ll be posting tips and tricks to help you with your designs. Or, join the Student Design Competition mailing list below and get those tips and tricks right to your inbox.

*Local restrictions or guidelines may apply. Availability and access to the student version of Vectorworks software varies by country.

Join the Student Design Competition Mailing List

Fill out the simple form below and we’ll let you know when we start taking submissions and other information about the competition. Now go and design, design, design!





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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner – Jason Lynch, Focus Fail

Last week I announced a contest for the brand new Flat Ultimate Focus Tool from StageJunk.com.  I put a call out for photos of why you NEED the FUFT and the tool that you would be replacing the FUFT with.  Out of all the entries which were just as hilarious and awesome, Jason Lynch from Syracuse New York stood out as the winner.  Not to say that everyone else’s photo were not creative and just as hilarious,  but the FAIL hardhat won me over!

Congratulations Jason, that is a great photo, I love it!  Check your email.  Thanks to everyone that submitted photos for the contest, you all rock and are highly imaginative people, keep up the great work!

If you are not Jason and you still want the Flat Ultimate Focus Tool, head over to StageJunk.com.  The FUFT has not made it to the website just yet, but you can contact Rob Junk and purchase your Black or Silver FUFT for just $20. Thanks again Rob for providing the FUFT for the contest!

Still Time to Enter For a Chance to Win a Flat Ultimate Focus Tool!

It is exactly midnight here on the right coast.  That means that you have just 12 hours, yes 12 hours to enter your submission to the Flat Ultimate Focus Tool Contest from StageJunk.com.

The rules are simple.  Send me a photo of your current tool, the one you want to replace with the Flat Ultimate Focus Tool. Make it creative, make it unique!  Show me your tool and you just might will.

Now I have to warn you, I have already received a bunch of submission and these are crazy awesome!  That made me laugh so hard I couldn’t breath.  I just wanted to let you know what you are up against.

Hurry up, the clock is ticking, photos sent after noon EST will not be accepted. Send your photos to info@isquint.net.

thanks and Break-a-Leg… not really though, that would hurt.

Contest Time: Win a Flat Ultimate Focus Tool

Rob Junk from Stagejunk.com is an awesome guy.  Not only does he make some damn fine tools, but he just so nice and friendly.  So nice in fact that he gave me two of his brand new tool, the Flat Ultimate Focus Tool to give away.   Yes, he gave me two, but I am only giving ONE out right now as I still have to write a review of it.

So lets make this contest interesting.  You have till noon on Friday October 29th to submit your entry into the contest.  All you have to provide is a photo of yourself with the tool that you plan on replacing the Flat Ultimate Focus Tool with.  Make it interesting, show your frustration, show why you NEED the Flat Ultimate Focus Tool. One one photo per person is allowed, so make it a good one! Email that photo with you name to info@isquint.net with the Subject: I Want to WIN.

I’ll be selecting the best photo from the bunch and announcing the winner on Saturday, October 30th.  Get those Camera’s fired up and good

First Edition iSquint T-Shirt Are In!

The first edition of the iSquint t-shirts are in… HURRAY!  If you can remember back to last month.  I know, it seems so long ago, the start of fall has been crazy busy! So last month I ran a contest for you guys to come up with a great new phrase for the back of the first EVER iSquint t-shirt. There were tons of submissions, it was tough to chose just 10 to put up for voting, let me tell you.

So after narrowing it down to just 10 phrases, I added a poll to the site for you guys to chose which of the top ten phrases should be put on the back of the t-shirts. It was a close race for a while and then one submission started to lead the pack.

The winning submission from Nik Robalino took home the very first iSquint t-shirt phrase.  And the winning phrase being iSquint so you don’t have to.  I love it by the way!  So congrats Nik, and enjoy your t-shirt, wear it proud, you earned it!

You can pick up your own iSquint t-shirt by visiting the iSquint online shop.  For just $20 USD, you get one of the limited first edition iSquint t-shirts!  Thanks every one for your great submissions and supporting iSquint.  I heart you ALL!

Barco Introduces RLM-W8 Projector – Enter to Win One!

Barco just announced two things at the same time.  First, they are introducing the RLM-W8 projector. The projector brings the saturated colors of three-chip DLP projection to events and fixed installations, at the price of single-chip DLP technology.

With an enhanced contrast, quick and creative stacking options as well as built-in warping capabilities for curved surfaces, Barco’s RLM-W8 is a versatile choice for mid- to large-sized venues. In addition, it features blending technology to create seamless composite images across a canvas of any size. The RLM-W8 continues the RLM line’s tradition of silence as well as low energy consumption.

Second and most important thing… Barco is running a contest to win one! The RLM-W8 boasts the quality of three-chip DLP technology, native WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution and a bright 8,000 lumens light output. With native warping and edge blending capabilities, the RLM-W8 is a versatile companion for any event. What’s more – you can win one. Simply try to answer two questions. The contest runs until 1 October, and they will announce the winner on 4 October.

What are you waiting for!?! GO ENTER NOW

ISquint T-Shirt Phrase Poll Closes TONIGHT

You only have till tonight to vote for your favorite phrase for the first ever iSquint.net t-shirt!  Head over to the poll post and submit your vote now.  The poll closes tonight at mid night so what are you waiting for???

Thanks again to everyone for all of the great phrases! You guys really crack me up with some of these great phrases.

Poll: The iSquint.net T-Shirt Phrase Contest

Did everyone have a great weekend? I know I did!  Today must be August 30th… that means two things, the time to submit phrases for the first iSquint.net t-shirt contest is over and that the polling begins!  I have selected the top 10 phrases submitted by you guys and created a poll here.  It was a tough time narrowing it down to just 10 phrases from all of the entries.  If yours did not make, I am sorry, but thanks for sending them in!

So here they are, the top 10 submissions to the first EVER iSquint.net t-shirt contest!  The poll is open until Sunday, September 5 at midnight est.  Take a look at the list and vote for your favorite phrase. The winning phrase will be announced Monday, September 6th.

[poll id=”2″]

iSquint LDI T-Shirt Phrase Entries Still Being Accpeted…But Not For Long.

You still have time to submit your entries for the iSquint t-shirt contest.  Your last day to submit your ideas is on August 30th so get your entries in early!  The comments have been closed on this post.  You must visit the original post here and submit your phrase there. Good luck!

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