Birdbrain Labs Arranging Advisory Panel From Industry Professionals

Ben Peoples sent out an interesting tweet yesterday for Birdbrain Labs out of Pittsburgh PA.  Here is more about the panel search from the website.

We’re currently looking to put together a panel of about a dozen people primarily from the following fields (listed in no particular order):

• Scenic Design
• Lighting Design
• Attraction Design
• Scenic Construction
• Props Artisan
• Production Electrician
• Effects Designer and/or Artist

There are no qualifications other than their being employed in these fields and not currently a student. (Those employed FOR educational institutions are welcome). Our focus is on regional theatres, themed entertainment, and museum/trade shows, however other areas are welcome.

We have put together an initial survey here to help us select panelists. If you are interested, please complete it, and we’ll get back to you.

The panelists will be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement, respond to surveys, and will be compensated with a t-shirt or some other cool swag. Total commitment will be about 4 hours over the next year, depending on how fast they are at completing short surveys.

Survey: How Early Do You Start to Prep for a Gig?

One of the most annoying yet venerable quotes I was ever lectured with is: John, if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. Its a cop out, but it can also be quite true.  So that raises the question, how early should you start to prep for a gig?

The truth of the matter is that there is no solid answer.  Ideally you should give yourself the maximum amount of time possible, but outside influences are always going to affect this.  If you are freelance, you are at the whim of the client.  Some clients are awesome and you’ll know weeks in advance about a show. Some clients think we’re magic and hiring you the day before is peachy. If you’re lucky enough to be staff at a venue, prep time can vary drastically based on show schedule.  If you are dark for a week prior to an event, then everything works fine.  If you have one show loading out with the next waiting to load in, then things can get interesting. Lighting for houses of worship can be just as challenging.  You may get massive notice for a seasonal show, but 2 hours for a weekly service.

How does one cope with the variances?  How do you put on a show at the same caliber you always do with massive prep time one week and none the next?  Fill out the survey and feel free to comment below.  When we reveal the results for the survey, I’ll compile some of the best comments in the article.  So its on you.   How early do you start prepping for a gig? -and- How do you prepare for the show?

[poll id=”4″]

Still Time For You to Pick the Most Innovative Lighting Product for 2009

There still is time for you to to take part in the Survey to find the most innovative lighting product introduce in 2009. As of right now, there is clearly a front run as you can tell from the bar graph to the left.  But don’t let that stop you from submitting your entry.

On News Years Day, I will be announcing the lighting industry choice for the most innovative product for 2009 right here on iSquint. The Poll is open to any and all lighting professionals and closes on December 31st at 11:59pm, one minute before the ball drops in Time Square.

Take a second and submit your entry now on the poll below.  If you think there is a product that I am missing that deserves to be on the list, please leave it in the comment section on this article.  If you want to vote for something that is only in the comment section, leave a +1 with the product name in the comment.

Thanks everyone!

[polldaddy poll=2400678]

Tuesday Twitter Trivia – DMX Address Count

As I missed last weeks Tuesday Twitter Trivia due to just plan forgetting about it, I thought I would come back with an easy question this week.  Well, rather then it being a trivia question, it is more like a quest.  A quest to find the answer.

We all know that moving lights and multi-parted devices are taking up more and more DMX address to operate.  With the introduction of LED fixtures and LED matrices, DMX addresses just keep getting eaten up.  So this weeks Tuesday Twitter Trivia question is:

What single device uses the most DMX address to operate? Please give a Specific manufacture and product name.

There is no definitive correct answer to this weeks question.  More of, what do you think.  Rather then Direct Messaging me your response, leave it in the comments section of this article so everyone can benefit.

Have a Happy and Safe Holidays and New Year everyone!

You Pick the Most Innovative Lighting Product for 2009

During 2009, we saw a whole heap of new products introduced into the market place.  Just like Time and the AP innovative people of the year, it is time for the industry to pick the most innovative product for 2009. So I am calling on you to help choose the 2009 Innovative Lighting Product of the year.  While I would love to pick the product, that just is not fair.  Who am I to say what is the most innovative product? That is why I am leaving it to you.

The instructions are easy.  I have picked 10 random products that have come to the market place in no particular order.  All you have to do is chose one.  Think I am missing a product or want to give some insight on your choice?  Leave it in the comment section of this article.

The winner of the 2009 Most Innovative Product chosen by you, will be announced here on iSquint December 31, 2009 at 11:59pm, right as we start the countdown and raise our glasses to 2010.

[polldaddy poll=2400678]

A Survey: Use of DMX vs. Ethernet

A long time reader and now friend of ours, Ben Peoples has put together a survey on Google Spreadsheets about using DMX 5-wire and DMX over ethernet in the rental market.

I’m trying to establish a baseline for how much people are using DMX-over-ethernet versus DMX over DMX wire in rental environments. From my perspective, given a four-wall rental space with some minimal accommodations (disconnects, some in-conduit wiring), how much are you expecting or planning to use DMX versus ethernet.

When you have a moment, visit the Google Spreadsheet page to take the survey.

Thanks @bpeoples!

Survey: What Tool Can A Lighting Professional NOT live Without?

Recently we were looking through our gak box of tools, testers and gadgets and wondering to ourselves, do we really need all of these for a show?  Turns out probably not, but it is always safe to have all those tools available to us!  But if we had to, what tool could we not live with out?

Do you have a certain tool that use day in and day out and can not live with out?  What is it?  We would love to know.  Let us know in the comment section.