Gobo Who? GoboMan

Do You know Goboman? If not, you should!  I have known about Goboman for sometime now and have yet to try their gobos.  After seeing their gobos in person at USITT and Goboman lowering their price of stock metal gobos from $7.95 to $6.95, they are making it even harder for me NOT to consider buying from them!

Goboman offers over 250 stock metal gobo’s in either B or A size in stock and ready to ship.  They offer a cross reference guide from some of the other leading gobo manufacturers out there. Goboman even offers custom metal gobo’s at $69.95 for each original and $29.95 for duplicates all available within a 48 hour turn around time.

Goboman also offer some of the standard gel colors in sheets and rolls along with Black Foil.  Give Goboman’s online catalog a look and let me know what you think. And yes, Goboman is the place where I picked up a pair of gobo earrings for my wife at USITT for only $10.  If you are interested in a pair of your own, contact Goboman for a listing of Gobo Earring Designs they offer.

Thank You Everyone & USITT

As I travel back to Washington, DC today, I have been doing a lot of thinking about USITT this past week in Kansas City. It has become clear to me that there is only one word that truly describes my entire experience this week, passion, shear and udder passion.

Every single person I meet and talked to this week was extremely excited to be here at USITT. Not only share, but learn and experience from others whether that be in a session or learning about a new product or technology on the Expo Show Floor to learning something from friends and working professionals.

There was real passion behind everyone’s eyes about technology in the arts. I found myself talking with students randomly at times on and off the show floor about what is new and exciting. The questions and excitement in the voice was so awe inspiring, it got me thrilled to see the level of commitment and willingness to listen, learn and grow.

John, Tyler, Beth, Travis, Daniel, Ralph, Julie, Tom, Brad, David, Nathan, Noah, Renee, Resse and the many many others I talked to during the week, it was a pleasure to meet you. Keep up the excitement and never let the passion of your craft die. It’s enthusiasm like yours that keeps me writing here and encouraged about the future of this industry we all love.

Thanks everyone and USITT, the 2010 Conference and Stage Expo will not soon be forgotten by this guy!

USITT Day 3 On the Floor

Just a little bit ago, the USITT Stage Expo closed here in Kansas City.  All the exhibitors are breaking down their booths and looking to get home.  But there is still one more day here is Kansas City tomorrow with sessions happening.  I have only 99 photos from around the floor today.  There are quite a few from some sessions that I have left out and plan some special writes up to post here along with some great talks, sessions coverage and product demos right from the floor.

As it is getting late quick here is Kansas City, it is time to pack, get some dinner and a beverage with some old and new friends as we close out USITT 2010.  Thanks KC and USITT for all the great times and info!  Look for more in depth coverage to come shortly here on iSquint.

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#USITT Day 2 Photos

Talk about another great day in Kansas City! Not only is the weather awesome, so is the Conference and Stage Expo. Today brought even MORE photos, interviews, videos and just plan fun! I only have a short bit of time to upload 130 photos from today as I do have to make it to some evening events tonight. Look for even more photos and coverage of the USITT show as we get closer to the weekend.

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#USITT – Day 1 Photos

I know, I know, it is a little late today for photos from USITT, but it was AWESOME. I meet some really great people, briefly looked and some great products.  Tomorrow is down and dirty day with getting more in depth about what is out there.  But I have to say, if you didn’t make it to KC for this thing… PLAN ON IT NEXT YEAR.  My goal is to make it feel like you were here, so look for more photos, video, audio and just cool stuff coming.

So to help tide you over, photos from day one of USITT 2010.

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Photos From Setup of #USITT in KC

Here is a sneak peak at what it looks like on the show floor right now. Exhibitors are hard at work finishing setup and programming their booths. In just the couple of hours of being on the ground here in Kansas City, I have ran in to a BUNCH of friends, old and new! There is still plenty of time to meet more this week, so look out!

These photos should hold you over till later tonight when the #KCgaffCrawl begins.

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ChamSys, Arkaos & PAID Internship Interviews @ PRG’s Booth – OH MY

I just got a note from PRG Live, Production Resource Groups Facebook Page, that they will have a wealth of new products in their booth, 1360, at USITT this week. Make sure to stop by and take a look at ChamSys MagicQ 100 Console connected to Arkaos Media Master all being run off my computer of choice, a MacBook Pro.

PRG will also have a PRG Commander console on hand to demo.  The Commander is an automation console for scenic elements and show control.

PRG’s Internship Coordinator Rich Rubin will be on hand interviewing for Summer 2010 internships. These are paid internships in lighting, audio, video, scenic, systems integration, operations, finance and engineering. North American sites may include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Toronto, NY Metro area facilities, Orlando, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

If you are attending USITT, make sure to stop by and see some cool consoles and products and hey, why not try and get an internship while you’re there!

iSquint.net Podcast: Episode 9 – Interview with Steve Shelley

It’s that time, everyone is gearing up for USITT Conference and Stage Expo in Kansas City. As you travel to USITT today or tomorrow, I put together a podcast with Mr. Steven Shelley.  You may know Mr. Shelley from his book, A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting or possibly through his company, Field Templates. Or, you may have seen Mr. Shelley at a trade show, how hard is it to miss him in his neon green cap and shirt?

Mr. Shelley was kind enough to share his beginnings in the lighting industry and what made him go into lighting rather then scenic design.  Mr. Shelley also gives a humorous look into how Field Templates and his book deal came into existence.  All the while, Mr. Shelley kept busting my gut.

Mr. Shelley also gave some great insight on how to make it into the industry and how to be successful at what you do while offering some tips and tricks to protect yourself and grow. If you are attending USITT this week and new to trade shows, be sure to check out Mr. Shelley’s Attending Theatre Convention’s write up, well worth the read!

Reminder: You can subscribe to the iSquint Podcast through iTunes and have it delivered directly to your iPhone or iPod.

[podcast]http://isquint.net/wp-content/uploads/podcast/iSquint.net_Podcast-Episode_9.mp3[/podcast]

Show Some iSquint Love @ #USITT50 and I’ll Show it Back

Yes, yes, yes, I can’t say it enough, USITT is right around the corner and it going to be one hecka excellent time! Well I have something special for those of you attending the Expo in Kansas City this week. You show your iSquint love, and I’ll show it right back! Umm, what does that mean?!  It’s simple, At anytime during the conference and stage expo, find me and show me the iSquint app on your iPhone or iPod Touch and I’ll give you a limited edition I heart iSquint button! I do have to limit it to one button per person. One other requirement, I get to take a photo of you and the i heart iSquint button, it’s only fair right?

But what about us Droid and Crackbery users? Well, since the app is not ready for you guys as I had hoped it would be… Surprise me, think of something creative to show and tell me.  We’re all theatre people, be creative!

Now for those of you who couldn’t make it to KC… Have no fear, I’ll have something for you when I get back, i promise.

#USITT iPhone App Updated Right In Time

I just received a message from USITT’s iPhone developer, Useful Development, that a new update to the USITT app has been released to the iTunes App Store. Version 1.0.1 brings a couple of bug fixes from the previous version along with some great additions.  The update brings a searchable database and listing of exhibitors at the Stage Expo along with a pretty handy map of the Expo floor.

The app is still a FREE download and FREE upgrade to current users.  Before you head out the door next week for USITT in Kansas City, make sure to head over to the iTunes App Store and get/update your USITT iPhone App.

Thanks Josh!

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iSquint & JimOnLight Announce #USITT50 Kansas City’s Evening Party Plan

So over the last several months we’ve been talking about that convention that’s happening in Kansas City next week, and how @lekogirl and @a_mandolin are going to be going head-to-head in a Gaff Dress Challenge at the BMI Supply booth (which is booth 1010, by the way).  Even though apparently none of the lighting bloggers in this world are cool enough to report on the USITT convention in Kansas City, we’re still gonna be there having a good time!

We’ve been discussing the idea of having a one-night Gaff Dress Prom event for all of us crazy entertainment industry people to get gaffed up and have a great time together, do some networking, you know – standard fun stuff.  What I’ve come up with to solve the problems of convention evening scheduling, trying to find a place that will not only let us party but also work on our lighting blogger’s budget (which is typically negative $14 bucks).

Instead of disappointing the masses by having one party night, we’ve decided that we’re going to have a party EVERY NIGHT of USITT, at a different establishment in close proximity to the conference hotel and convention center so that everyone can walk to and fro!  There are some events scheduled between the expo floor’s closing and 10pm most nights, I think, so we’re going to start partying around 9pm each night and go until we’re partied out!

Did I mention that if you come to the party dressed to the nines in gaff tape, you’ll get entered in for some prizes to be given away each night?!  Also, Jim and I will buy you a beverage!  If you’re over 21, it’ll be whatever you want.  Under 21?  Then I will buy you sodas all night!

So:  What have you REALLY got going on that you can’t come hang out with us EVERY NIGHT YOU’RE AT USITT?!

We’re going to announce each location during that day, so keep your eyes on Twitter and Facebook for the hashtag #KCGaffCrawl to pop up and get RT’ed all over the place!

Stay tuned!

iSquint Podcast: Episode 8 – Interview with USITT President, Carl Lefko

Can you smell that?  It’s the smell of excitement and anticipation. The USITT Conference and Stage Expo is right around the corner in Kansas City at the end of the month. As everyone is preparing to make the trip to KC for the Conference, what better time to learn a little bit about the organization and what to expect in KC.

In this, the 8th episode of the iSquint Podcast, I called up a good friend and president of USITT, Mr. Carl Lefko. We talk about Carl’s eventual rise to becoming the president of USITT and how the organization benefits students, educators, professionals and the entire entertainment industry. Carl and I also talk about some of the plans for this years 50th anniversary celebration of USITT. Not only does USITT have a ton of events planned, there are other mixers, parties and even a Gaff Tape Dress Prom planned.

The USITT Conference and Stage Expo begins on March 30 and goes to April 2nd in Kansas City Missouri.  If you are attending, I’ll see you there! And don’t forget, you can subscribe to the iSquint Podcast for FREE through iTunes.

[podcast]http://isquint.net/wp-content/uploads/podcast/iSquint.net_Podcast-Episode_8.mp3[/podcast]