Programming Light and Sound for Children's Theater

From the booth during tech rehearsal for "12 Dancing Princesses."

In the background, MacBook running QLab;
ETC SmartFade ML in foreground

Erdal Inci's Light Pattern GIFs

The arena of light design has expanded from theater to include the corporate world. Even so, you could still only really appreciate the art of light design if you see it live. Sure, there are photographs and short video clips, but both pale in comparison to being a live witness.

Enter Erdal Inci, a Turkish multimedia artist and filmmaker.

Inci has created a series of animated GIFs that are hypnotic, mesmerizing, and -- quite frankly -- hard to tear away from. Here is an example from the new series called Light Pattern GIFs:

For more examples, and some details on how it's done, see Visual News and Behance.

The Candelier

Created by Kevin Champeny for Jellio, the Candelier is composed of over 3000 hand cast acrylic GummiBears. Yes, GummiBears! 

Check out the photos! 

  

  

  

Source:kchampeny

Team iLuminate

I never would have guessed that America's Got Talent would hip to a really cool application of light-as-artform. Well, I didn't see the show, so I suppose Mark R of Coolest-Gadgets.com actually deserves the hat tip. If you are interested in cool applications of lighting technology, don't miss this!

Team iLuminate is something to see, in the dark » Coolest Gadgets

Lighting for Mad Scientists!

For the mad scientist in your life, Schoolhouse Electric offers the Beaker Lab Light!

Just the thing lighting folks and mad scientists need

From the site's item description:

Beaker Lab Light shown with Red Twisted Cloth Cord. Two flasks included. Lamp stands 25" high. Cast iron base is 9" x 6" with an On/Off toggle switch. Includes 8 feet of twisted cloth cord.

The picture shows the lamp with Edison Triple Loop bulb which is not included (but is available here).

Wireless Room Lighting from Mr. Beams!

Over at LifeHacker, Whitson Gordon sheds some light on an inexpensive solution for adding motion-sensing LEDs to add a little more light in certain areas of your home. Because these units are supposed to go out when you leave, this solution might even be useful in our theater's work areas (i.e., non-stage areas!) that are sometimes left on long after folks have departed the space. Read more at LifeHacker:

Mr. Beams Motion Sensing LEDs Light Up Any Room Without Wires, Screws, or Hassle

Roomba Zoom Zoom

Somebody got the clever idea to use Roombas to paint with light via long camera exposures. For example:

Photo via JimOnLight.com

For more, check out JimOnLight for more pics and info!

"Hail Mary!" at Montgomery Theater

After tonight's preview performance, Montgomery Theater's production "Hail Mary" opens tomorrow night and runs through May 7. I did the sound design, and helped hang Jim Leitner's light design, for this production.

Oh, and to prepare for the show, you can also check out a Friday 80s Flashback that was influenced by it.

Hail Mary! by Tom Dudzick

From the author of Over the Tavern comes this irreverent comedy that puts the "fun" in fundamentalism.  This wonderful play is about a clash of wills between a young, plucky parochial school novice and her Mother Superior.  Mary puts her future as a nun in serious jeopardy when she dares teaching children her personal, unorthodox views of God and his commandments. Her dream of Sisterhood is further threatened by the unexpected appearance of her childhood sweetheart.  An eccentric priest adds hilarious complications to the mix. Will Mary give up her calling for the love of her man? Purchase Tickets Online or call (215)723-9984 x10

Smart Bulb?

The Insight Lamp certainly looks like a contender for brightest bulb in the room. Read more about it over at furniturefashion.com.

Roost Fixture with Edison Bulbs

This lovely Roost fixture can be found in Kimberly and John Canale's apartment in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Script Rest?

Think I could get away with using this during tech?

Book Rest Lamp