Chroma-Q Color Force LED Batten Fixture

Here is something that I have been meaning to write up about since USITT, the Chroma-Q Color Force. Coming up to the AC Lighting booth at USITT, I was curious to see what was hidden in their 20′ high curtains.  It was Chroma-Q’s latest product, the Color Force LED Batten fixture.

After watching the Color Force cycle through a couple of colors, I was hooked, I had to learn more.  That is when I was approached by Fred from AC Lighting.  “I’ll bet you $100 dollars that you will be in awe after the fixture demo.”  How could I pass this chance to win a $100 dollars? Even if I was amazed, I took acting 101 in college, I bet I could hide me amazement. Yeah, after 2 minutes, I clearly lost the bet and my face showed it.  I guess it was a good thing I didn’t become an actor! Comparing the Color Force to a 1000 watt cyc light, the cyc light clearly lost.  Not only in coverage, but output and color accuracy. Ask me, I think the bet was rigged some how, but still worth it.

There are two versions of the Color Force as of right now, the 48 and 72.  As you can guess, the numbers tell how long each fixture is in inches. Each fixture is made up of 6″ “cells” that contain 24 RGBA LEDs with lumen output of 8,00o for the 48 and 12,000 for the 72 and a CRI rating of 92. The LEDs lamp hour rating is expected to last up to 25,000 hours.  The fixtures have a range of 100-240v AC input with a max power consumption of 480w for the 48 and 720w for the 72 and offer a PowerCon pass in/through. All and all, the numbers add up to make an impressive fixture.

I shot some video of the Color Force in action, but due to my crappy camera skills that day, the video just does not do the fixture justice!  You have to see this thing in person.  For more information on the Color Force, visit Chroma-Q’s web site at www.chroma-q.com.  If you are in the states, make sure to talk to AC Lighting about when a demo of the Color Force will be in your neck of the woods.

iSquint.net Podcast: Episode 10 – Jim Moody Session at USITT 2010

I am quickly coming to the end of my USITT 2010 coverage. This has got to be one of the best sessions that was held during the conference on lighting.  Mr. Jim Moody , Paul Dexter and Libby Gray held a panel discussion, So you wanna Rock and Roll? The panel talked at great lengths about what it’s like to be out on tour and the whole lifestyle that is associated with it. On top of that, they gave out some really helpful advice to help you succeed in that line of work.

I do have to mention that there is some profanity used in this episode of the podcast.  I do try to keep the podcast clean and suitable for all ages, but when you get a bunch of road veterans in one room, the f-bombs seem to drop pretty easy. So consider this as my parental advisory!

Don’t forget, you can also subscribe and download the iSquint Podcast right from iTunes!  That way you can listen to me ramble on at times right from the comfort of your iPod, IPhone or iPad! You can also download the podcast right here from the site and put it on your none apple portable device, just click Download the Podcast below in the Media Player below.

[podcast]http://isquint.net/wp-content/uploads/podcast/iSquint.net_Podcast-Episode_10.mp3[/podcast]

Jands Vista Upcoming Console Software, Byron, Explained at USITT 2010

USITT had a ton of offerings in control products. One that I have been eager to play with since a crazy rock LD from the UK got it stuck in my head has been Jands Vista’s up coming operating system upgrade, Byron. I have hinted in the past a couple of features of Byron along with release dates. As it turns out, Byron is not fully ready and that is understandable. I would prefer to be on a stable console then one that needs constant updating.

AC Lighting had a T2 Console up and running with the latest build of Byron to show off some of the features of the new operating system. Darryl Ross from AC Lighting was nice enough to take me on a little tour of Byron on video in fact! There was no mention of when Byron will be ready, put after seeing what Byron can do, it will be worth the wait!

Update: As a professional courtesy, I have removed the Byron demo video from visibility. I am sorry for any problems this might cause. If you were able to see the video before I removed it, consider yourself lucky, the video was a little “to detailed”. I promise to put the video back as soon as possible so please be patient.

Do You Heart iSquint?

So you didn’t get to go out to USITT and you didn’t win any of the swag I brought back to give away. No worries, I just got the next shipment of the I heart iSquint buttons that I was giving away on the show floor. The buttons went super quick on the first day. I really felt bad for those of you that asked for one and I couldn’t give you. Well, it time for me to make it up to you all.

If you would like an I heart iSquint button, fill out the request form below. I’ll make sure to get you one. Yes, I am limiting it to one person, sorry. Also, one small requirement, you have to send me a photo with you and the button!

Wait… Even MORE USITT Swag Give-a-ways!

This is it, this is all my USITT swag that I have to give away. One person is going to win it all. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, write anything you like, anything at all. Make sure to include your name and email address! I am going to randomly select one person from the list of comments and they win, that simple!

I still have a couple of things to put up from USITT so stay tuned!

Update:

congest to Ethan Bolvi, he was the randomly selected winner of the USIT swag.

Fred Foster and the History of ETC Consoles at USITT

The history lessons just don’t stop when you are on a roll!  During USITT in Kansas City, Fred Foster, CEO of Electronic Theatre Controls happen to be wondering around the 50 years of Lighting Display by the USITT Lighting Commission.  Mr. Foster was kind enough to take some time out and walk us through a little bit of ETC’s console history.

These are the times that I really love what I am doing here.  How often do you get a chance to hear about how something was developed or the history of a company directly from the source?  Rather then hogging this memory to myself, I cranked out the Flip and got him on camera to share with you. I have to do it… Thank you again to the USITT Lighting Commission. A most EXCELLENT job!

UPDATE:

Thanks everyone for letting me know about the video not playing.  I just fixed it so enjoy Mr. Foster’s history lesson!

Anne Valentino & Console History at USITT 2010

Yesterday I post the first of a copy of history lessons from USITT starting with Gordan Pearlman talking about the Kliegl Performer.  Anne Valentino, an industry legend and console goddess was kind enough to walk me through some of her history with almost all of the console on display at the USITT 50 years of Lighting Display. On top of talking about Anne’s part in developing the consoles, she gives us a rare look into some of the stories behind the consoles.  Come on, who doesn’t like a little load in nightmare stories?

Thanks again to the USITT Lighting Commission for this wonderful display. You did a great job! I can’t wait to see all of the missing consoles and fixtures that were not there this year.

Gordan Pearlman Explains the Kliegl Performer at USITT 2010

One of the most exciting and well attended booths at USITT was the USITT Lighting Commission’s, 50 years of lighting display, or better known as the lighting museum.  Joshua Williamson, Todd Proffitt, Tracey Fitch, Andrea Bilkey and Jennifer Griffin put in countless hours to pull all this together for us. One of the most exciting times of the show was seeing industry legends talk about their involvement and history with the different consoles that were on display.

The first of these history lessons comes from Mr. Gordan Pearlman.  He was one of the two people behind developing the Kliegl Performer Lighting Console. It was amazing to watch these industry legends talk and reminisce about these consoles and retell some of the stories about how their consoles came to life.

More USITT Swag Give-A-Ways

For all of you that couldn’t make it to USITT, I have some love from Lee Filters.  They were kind enough to send me home with so much lee swag that my wife will kill me if I hold on it any of it.  So time to give it away!  I am looking for three winners that DID NOT go to USITT this year.  “What do I have to do to win”? Easy, answer me this batman, how many colors are there in the 700 series of gels from Lee Filters?  The first three people to post a comment to this post with your name, email address and the correct number of gels wins, it’s that simple!

UPDATE:

The correct answer is 68 colors make up the 700 series of Lee Filters! So the first three in with the correct answer is….

• Karin

• Gerald Aragon

• Karl

Thanks all for playing.  I still have some more USITT Swag to give out this week so stay tuned.  Another big thanks to Lee Filters for providing the great swag to give out!

Walking Tour of USITT 2010 Stage Expo Floor

So you didn’t get a chance to go to USITT in Kansas City this year you say?  You still want to see what it was like on the floor?  I did take over 500 photos that I have put up here on iSquint for you to get a feel of what it was like.  But how about a video walking tour?  It took over 20 minutes to walk through the entire Expo floor at a pretty quick walk.  I speed up the video a little to help go through the tour a little quicker in under 9 minutes.  This is just another one of the MANY videos that I shot while on the floor. Look for more interviews and product demos to come!

The Flying Albino From ZFX at USITT

Something that has become quite popular at USITT lately are flying rigs. ZFX Flying Effects was on the show floor at USITT 2010 showing off their rig and what it can do. Three times a day, the Flying Albino took the stage with a dance in the air that was very impressive. It was amazing how quick and responsive the system was. The entire scene was pre-programmed and recreated perfectly each time. Not only did I get a great video of the Flying Albino from the ground, the Flying Albino took my camera from me and showed us what it is to be tumbling around on the rig.

Reporting from USITT, the Flying Albino!

Swag Give-A-Way Time:

Can you tell me the Flying Albino’s FULL name? If so, Leave a comment on this post. The first one in with the correct anwser wins some ZFX swag that I icked up at USITT and some other little swag items.

Update:

Congrats to Brian. He was the first one in yesterday with the correct answer!

First Round of USITT Swag Give Away

Did you miss out on getting to USITT this year?  I am so sorry to hear that.  How about I help you feel better about missing the Stage Expo?  This is just the first round of MANY swag give-a-ways from all the swag I collected at the show just for you!  I think this first one is pretty cool myself and have thought twice about giving it away.  Seeing as I have to do a little spring cleaning here in preparation for the big move, I want to pass it along.

So, if you attended USITT this year, I am sorry, but you can not enter!  You had you chance at the show to collect great swag!  For those of you who couldn’t make it, let’s give away some great stuff huh?!  It’s pretty simple to enter, leave a comment to this post with your name, email address, (it will not be published) and this is the important part, PRG booth number at USITT 2010.

First one with the correct booth number wins! Yes, I only have one shirt to give away, sorry! The first give away is this great t-shirt from PRG. It’s an extra large, so be warned!

UPDATE:

Congrats Sean, you were the first in!  Thanks all for playing.  Make sure to keep a look out for more USITT Swag Give-A-Ways!