Introducing A New Writer: Allison Hill

You’re probably wondering; who is this new girl writing for iSquint? Let me start this out by introducing myself! My name is Allison, and you’ll be hearing from me a lot in the next couple weeks, as I’m going to be posting blog entries from USITT 2011. I’m here to provide a student’s perspective of the show floor, the booths, and all the other aspects of the conference that are the reason so many of us go. As a theatre design/technology student at Emerson College in Boston, I think that conferences are not only fun, but are also a necessary part of the college theatre experience. Shows like USITT, and LDI, allow current students like myself to be aware of what is happening in the theatre world, get educated in the newest technological developments, network, network and network!

Over the last year I have attended both USITT in Kansas City and LDI in Las Vegas, and have found both conventions to be worth while trips, only because I put in the effort to make them so. Like all optional educational experiences, simply attending to say you did so or to hand out cards isn’t really worth the money. I hope to inspire students to attend these types of events to explore new job opportunities, learn what is going on in their industry around the world, and be active in learning about new technology on the show floor.

If you’re attending USITT this year (especially if you’re a student), look for me on the show floor! I would love to hear your thoughts on the conference, or to just say Hi! You can find me by shooting a tweet to @a_wonderland, or just wander around looking for the girl with the R50 hair. I’ll see you there!

Welcome Contributing Writer – Scott Renick

Hey everyone! I’m Scott Renick, and I am honored to have the opportunity to cover LDI 2010 for iSquint.net.  I am a recent college graduate with a degree in computer graphics technology and a minor in information technology from Purdue University. My specific focus is the use of graphics and information technologies in the live event/entertainment business. I would have to say my passion truly lies in utilizing cutting edge visual technologies to put an impressed smile on the face of everyone in the audience, so it only fits that this is the right biz to be apart of.

During LDI I am going to be covering new products, catching up with some good industry friends that you may or may not know yet, and posting plenty of pictures and videos from the floor. Be on the lookout for me in Booth #1224, where I will spend a majority of my time during show hours.

Welcome Andrea Bilkey – Contributing Writer on iSquint

Hello friends and colleagues; my name is Andrea, and I am a fellow Squint.  It feels as if I’ve been one for as long as I can remember.  Like many, I started by “helping” in the theatre when I was knee high to a grasshopper and spent quite a bit of time being curious about how it all worked: taking every opportunity to learn, ask questions, and to absorb everything by both quietly watching and jumping in and “doing” as appropriate.  Fast forward almost 30 years through the gamut of theatrical jobs and experiences, and I find that the saying “the more things change, the more they stay the same” rings true.  I’m still rather short, I continue “helping” by contributing to the collective whole of the artform through design as well as giving back to the world of education, and I’m unquenchably curious about how all of the performing arts technologies work: from history to the present and beyond.

In 2001, I was afforded the opportunity to attend my first LDI Show through the wonderful ETC Student-Sponsorship program.  Like a kid in a candy store I took in as much as I could, absorbing knowledge and amassing experiences I had only heard about: and I’ve been smitten ever since.  Like many have found, the economy has not always allowed me the opportunity to attend every single year, but when I couldn’t I’ve always enjoyed hearing from others about what they saw, what workshops they attended, and the broad spectrum of information shared.  iSquint.net has been a staple in that regard and I am humbly joyful to be a guest writer while at LDI, sharing my experience with colleagues and friends, both those in attendance and those traveling along via armchairs and browsers.

I hope you enjoy and see you at the show!

iSquint Grows and Celebrates Two Years Online

This is an exciting week for me and iSquint.net.  Not only is LDI 2010 right around the corner, iSquint is celebrating it’s second year online!  Last year at LDI in Orlando there was exciting news about a new design of the site and who exactly was behind iSquint.  This year I am proud to say that iSquint.net is growing.  Leading up to LDI I will be introducing some new staff members of the website that will cover LDI.

From the beginning, I have always said that iSquint.net is more then just one person, it is a community of like minded professionals sharing their views and opinions about the industry we so deeply care about. Over the pass year you have seen new columns and features written by industry insiders here on iSquint.  On the eve of the second anniversary of iSquint, the iSquint family grows and will begin to offer more insight, coverage and views from different levels and backgrounds of people within the industry.

I am extremely excited to have all of the new writers on iSquint and look forward to their coverage of LDI and and beyond.  Please join me in welcoming them to the iSquint family! If you are interested in writing for iSquint, please send me a note through the contact us page or email me directly at info@isquint.net.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank each and everyone of you.  Thank you for reading iSquint.net and making it your home for industry news. You are an amazing group of people with immense passion and charisma about our industry!

Call For Guest Writers At LDI

Are you attending LDI in Las Vegas this year? How about you share your finds and experiences of the trade show here on iSquint.net.  I am looking for anyone that is willing to share what they see and experience while in Las Vegas. It can be as simple as what you thought of a single product, service or an overview of what it was like to be at one of the leading technology trade shows for our industry.

Since the beginning of iSquint, the goal has been to be a voice of product, technology and review of our industry, and not just from one persons view.  The idea behind iSquint is to be a voice of many to share different views and opinions.

Here is your chance to be apart of that voice by being published on one of the leading industry blogs, iSquint.net.  If you are interested in writing for iSquint during and after LDI, please send me an email at info@isquint.net.