Return-Path: X-Processed-By: Virex 7 on prxy.net X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.6) with PIPE id 5076050; Sat, 20 Nov 2004 03:01:25 -0800 X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.2.6 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #201 Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 03:01:14 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.0.1 (2004-10-22) on prxy.net X-Spam-Status: No, score=-3.9 required=5.0 tests=ALL_TRUSTED,AWL,BAYES_00, LONGWORDS autolearn=ham version=3.0.1 X-Spam-Level: X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4f2 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #201 1. Out of Office AutoReply: Stagecraft Digest #200 by Mary Davis 2. Has anyone worked with Skyway in Orlando? by "Paul H. Sullivan" 3. Re: RJ45 and DMX512 by "Joe Golden" 4. Re: maintenance by "Karl G. Ruling" 5. Re: maintenance by Kyle Dugger 6. lighting Control by Kyle Dugger 7. Re: lighting Control by Jerry Durand 8. Re: RJ45 and DMX512 by CB 9. Re: RJ45 and DMX512 by Stephen Litterst 10. Re: RJ45 and DMX512 by CB 11. Re: RJ45 and DMX512 by Jerry Durand 12. Re: RJ45 and DMX512 by Jerry Durand 13. Re: lighting Control by Mike Brubaker 14. HazMat Books by "Michael S. Eddy" 15. USITT Workshop: Let's Get the Show on the Road by "Jonathan S. Deull" 16. Re: USITT Workshop: Let's Get the Show on the Road by Greg Bierly 17. Re: USITT Workshop: Let's Get the Show on the Road by Greg Bierly 18. Re: HazMat Books by "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" *** Please update the subject line of your reply to use the subject *** line of the message you are replying to! Please only reply to *** one message subject in each reply. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <93EF15B08F7DD611B4E700C09F06B9BC15A88F [at] dog.cascadelight.local> From: Mary Davis Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: Stagecraft Digest #200 Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 03:02:28 -0800 I am out of the office. Please contact Doug Oppedal (for commercial projects) or Scyller Borglum (for residential projects). Thank you Mary Davis Cascade Lighting Representatives ------------------------------ Message-Id: <5.2.1.1.0.20041119093659.00b54760 [at] pop.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 09:49:39 -0500 From: "Paul H. Sullivan" Subject: Has anyone worked with Skyway in Orlando? In-Reply-To: Greetings all; Has anyone worked with Skyway of Orlando? Were in the process of planning a major event involving a LOT of decking and I'm looking for any feedback on this company. You can reply to me directly off list if you desire. Any other recommendations of other folks that have done over-seat decking are also appreciated. Thanks The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once. Albert Einstein ------------------------------ Subject: RE: RJ45 and DMX512 Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 07:39:33 -0800 Message-ID: From: "Joe Golden" In our rental inventory we have that connector for all of our long lengths of CAT5 cable that is used for Ethernet with some of the newer consoles, like the Hog 3, GrandMA and MAXXYZ which all use some type of Ethernet to move 8+ universes of DMX on one cable. The XLR style back shell keeps the ends from snagging and the little lock tab from breaking and letting the RJ45 from slipping out from the jack. We have switches and barrels that the Ethercon will fit. We only use this for Ethernet, NOT DMX. I have more info on heavy duty types of wire for this use if anyone is interested. Joe Golden Entertainment Lighting Services >=20 > Loren has found some RJ-45 that look like XLR's They look pretty=20 > bulletproof. >=20 > ------------------------------ From: "Karl G. Ruling" Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 10:54:59 -0500 Subject: Re: maintenance Reply-to: kruling [at] esta.org Message-ID: <419DD103.28709.654B94 [at] localhost> In-reply-to: > > Ah.... So if I understand you correctly, if we peruse the fuse, > > breaker, and SCR properties, dead shorts are no problem and > > regularly scheduled equipment maintenance might not be helpful. Do > > you recommend a regular schedule of fuse, breaker, and SCR property > > perusal, or do you feel a once-in-a-lifetime perusal would be > > enough? > > You understand me correctly. If the installation has been properly > designed, a dead short at the load should cause no serious pronlems. A > new fuse, reset the breaker, that's all that should be needed. > I understood you, but you didn't understand me. You missed the forest by staring at one tree. My somewhat ironic comment was about the need for regular maintenance. We have an expression, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Unfortunately, this too often means that nothing is maintained until it is broken. Dead shorts that blow SCRs are one problem that arises from lack of maintenance, but there are other hazards that follow from no maintenance, and the light output of a luminaire that isn't tended until its broken also tends to be pretty poor. Furthermore, it's a pretty expensive waste of time to have to fix equipment on the spur of the moment because you need it NOW. Nevertheless, often no maintence until something's broken is standard operating procedure. It shouldn't be. Sure, theoretically one can design an SCR dimmer to survive a dead short on the end of the load circuit. You do this by having very fast- acting over-current protection (e.g. silver sand fuses that cost more than the SCR), grossly over-sizing the SCRs (expensive), and/or adding resistance to the system to limit the fault current (inefficient). Several decades ago I stood in a dimmer room and listened to an Electro Controls engineer complain about the salesmen who sold systems with "short-circuit-proof" dimmers and who then came back with the order and expected the engineers to actually design such a thing, the factory to build it, and the company to make a profit now that the price had been set and the sale made. That was decades ago. Now I never hear an SCR dimmer salesman claim to have a short-circuit-proof dimmer. The only sales people making such claims are selling dimmers that use IGBTs or MOSFETs for power devices. These devices can be shut off at any time; SCRs (unless some really extraordinary reverse commutation circuitry is used) are generally condemned to carry the fault current for at least the remainder of the half-cycle. A male connector with a piece of wire running between the hot and neutral pins is usually used to show that an IGBT or MOSET dimmer is short-circuit-proof. The salesman plugs it directly into the output of the dimmer, and it shuts off. The salesman unplugs it, and the dimmer turns back on. I haven't seen any SCR dimmer salesman try this. Of course, dimmers that use IGBTs and MOSETs usually cost more than SCR dimmers, but they have other advantages, besides being short-circuit-proof, that may make them a better choice for some applications. I know of no sales person or dimmer manufacturer that would argue that short-circuit-proof dimmers obviate the need for regular equipment maintenance. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <11213258.1100888288642.JavaMail.root [at] daisy.psp.pas.earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 12:18:08 -0600 (GMT-06:00) From: Kyle Dugger Reply-To: Kyle Dugger Cc: kruling [at] esta.org Subject: Re: maintenance ------------------------------ Message-ID: <5048155.1100888620798.JavaMail.root [at] daisy.psp.pas.earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 12:23:40 -0600 (GMT-06:00) From: Kyle Dugger Reply-To: Kyle Dugger Subject: lighting Control I am looking for systems that control lighting systems using wall stations. I have used the Unison System from ETC but I am looking at a new install and I am wanting to see what all is out there. If any of you have any recomendations or pros and cons of other units I would greatly appreciated hearing about them. kyle ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.2.0.14.0.20041119102807.02a03a88 [at] localhost> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 10:33:00 -0800 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: lighting Control In-Reply-To: References: At 10:23 AM 11/19/2004, you wrote: >I am looking for systems that control lighting systems using wall >stations. I have used the Unison System from ETC but I am looking at a >new install and I am wanting to see what all is out there. If any of you >have any recomendations or pros and cons of other units I would greatly >appreciated hearing about them. Depending on how complicated you want to get (as in what lights are being controlled and such), one current popular standard is DALI. You can get control panels and fixtures from any of the known architectural lighting companies. By definition it only controls florescent lights, up to 64 fixtures per control panel. Of course you could use our 4201 box to control DMX512 dimmers/fixtures as some people are doing. There are several wall panels that will emit RS-232 strings that work perfectly with us. For simpler installations, we also have switch closure inputs so you could just have a rotary switch to select "looks". ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886 fax: +1 408 356-4659 web: www.interstellar.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041119121531.0193ced0 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 12:15:31 From: CB Subject: Re: RJ45 and DMX512 >Neutrik's EtherCon series. They make both a panel mount female and a >cable mount male. Pretty darn robust. More or less robust than the XLR 5? More or less expensive? easier to build than and xlr 5 in the dark? Finding one that works is great, but changing what works now to something that works less well or costs more seems like a futile excercise. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:17:05 -0500 From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: RJ45 and DMX512 Message-id: <419E46B1.9C6A3D0B [at] ithaca.edu> Organization: IC-Dept. of Theatre Arts References: CB wrote: > --------------------------------------------------- Slitterst said: > >Neutrik's EtherCon series. They make both a panel mount female and a > >cable mount male. Pretty darn robust. > > More or less robust than the XLR 5? More or less expensive? easier to > build than and xlr 5 in the dark? Finding one that works is great, but > changing what works now to something that works less well or costs more > seems like a futile excercise. I wasn't trying to compare the Ethercon to an XLR-5. I meant they're robust compared to a vanilla RJ-45. Steve L. -- Stephen C. Litterst Technical Supervisor Ithaca College Dept. of Theatre Arts 607/274-3947 slitterst [at] ithaca.edu ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20041119122004.0193ced0 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 12:20:04 From: CB Subject: Re: RJ45 and DMX512 >1/4" and 1/8" are only high-impedance (I think). BZZZZT! But thanks for playing. We ahve some nice parting gifts for you in the back. Tell him what he's won, Johnny! While I agree, they SHOULD be only high impedence (but why?), there are low impedence inputs on 1/4". I have also seen trucks that still have a pair of banana's for 12V accessories. there is no single standard anywhere, it seems... Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.2.0.14.0.20041119112517.02a0fa78 [at] localhost> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:29:49 -0800 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: RJ45 and DMX512 In-Reply-To: References: At 04:15 AM 11/19/2004, you wrote: >More or less robust than the XLR 5? More or less expensive? easier to >build than and xlr 5 in the dark? Finding one that works is great, but >changing what works now to something that works less well or costs more >seems like a futile excercise. For a lot of applications, I don't think an RJ-45 would be that much of a problem. I wouldn't recommend changing to that as a standard other than once you start using CAT5 wire the temptation is there to use the cheap patch cords that we're all up to our necks in. As for attaching wires in the dark, I can't do that with any connector other than the flat wire for RJ-11/14 connectors. With the rest you have to be able to see the colors (we were doing an installation in a Cairo university where the building lighting was SO bad we had to use a flashlight to tell the wire colors). ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886 fax: +1 408 356-4659 web: www.interstellar.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.2.0.14.0.20041119113223.0400d958 [at] localhost> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:34:04 -0800 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: RJ45 and DMX512 In-Reply-To: References: At 04:20 AM 11/19/2004, you wrote: > >1/4" and 1/8" are only high-impedance (I think). > >BZZZZT! But thanks for playing. We ahve some nice parting gifts for you in >the back. Tell him what he's won, Johnny! While I agree, they SHOULD be >only high impedence (but why?), there are low impedence inputs on 1/4". >I have also seen trucks that still have a pair of banana's for 12V >accessories. there is no single standard anywhere, it seems... And then there's my mixer board (famous name) that uses 1/4" for both balanced and unbalanced, with and without phantom power, depending on how you wire things and what switch you throw. ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886 fax: +1 408 356-4659 web: www.interstellar.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.2.0.0.20041119143020.01d16e18 [at] mail.insightbb.com> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 14:34:15 -0500 From: Mike Brubaker Subject: Re: lighting Control In-Reply-To: References: NSI/Colortran: Dimensions 8000 Electronics Diversified Inc: Twilight Strand Lighting: Premiere Genlyte/Entertainment Technology: Vista There's a starting point. They each have strengths and weaknesses. These are all based on theatrical systems and thus integrate with theatrical dimming and controls. There are, of course, many other purely architectural systems, among those, Lutron, TouchPlate, Marlin... Mike At 01:23 PM 11/19/2004, Kyle Dugger wrote: >I am looking for systems that control lighting systems using wall >stations. I have used the Unison System from ETC but I ------------------------------ Message-ID: Reply-To: From: "Michael S. Eddy" Cc: mfinney [at] thinkwelldesign.com Subject: HazMat Books Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 17:18:43 -0500 In-Reply-To: Michael Finney wrote: Seriously though - somebody *has* nicked my copy of "Hazardous Materials in the Arts", and I can't for the life of me remember who wrote it. And Google has failed me. Any recommendations from the all-knowing list for replacement resources specifically addressing hazardous materials in the arts that my designers won't suffer brain-lock while reading? Michael, Do you mean: "Health Hazards Manual for Artists: Fifth Revised and Augmented Edition" by CIH, Michael McCann PhD? Or "The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide" by Monona Rossol? Rossol and McCann have a number of books on the topic, some written together. Let Amazon, B&N, or any number of bookselling sites be your friend. Side note: I interviewed Monona back when I was at Theatre Crafts and over lunch she pointed out all of the things that will more than likely kill me, much of which I had just drunk or eaten. She did not appreciate my point that if we are going to die anyway, why not have some fun along the way. Happy reading. Michael Eddy ------------------------------ From: "Jonathan S. Deull" Subject: USITT Workshop: Let's Get the Show on the Road Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 18:26:21 -0500 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: If you've seen my occasional posts on this list you'll know that I teach theatre production and am designing a studio theatre for a high school in Washington DC, while at the same time doing freelance production work of various kinds. This list has provided a wealth of learning for me, and I value the expertise and wisdom regularly demonstrated here. I also have the privilege of working with Clark Transfer, Inc., a specialized entertainment transportation company started by my grandfather in 1948. Many of you will know Clark Transfer as the company that moves most legit productions and tours around the USA and elsewhere. For those who don't, you can check out our website: www.clarktransfer.com. This post is not, however, an ad. It is a request for input. In the Spring 2004 issue of TD&T we did an article entitled Where the Rubber Meets the Road: The ABCs of Getting Your Show on Wheels (downloadable by USITT members at http://www.usitt.org/tdt.index/abstracts/Vol40/40-2trucks.html). We are now planning a workshop at USITT/Toronto covering some of the same territory, and I'd love to have input from the members of this group. What touring and trucking-related issues, questions, practices, pitfalls or anecdotes do you think would be useful and interesting - or even entertaining? Remember your first tour? What are the things you wish you had known then? All ideas are welcome - on or off list. Thanks in advance. Jonathan * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jonathan S. Deull jdeull [at] clarktransfer.com ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <41D3927A-3AA4-11D9-ADB5-000D936BFA94 [at] dejazzd.com> From: Greg Bierly Subject: Re: USITT Workshop: Let's Get the Show on the Road Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 22:28:33 -0500 > In the Spring 2004 issue of TD&T we did an article entitled Where the > Rubber > Meets the Road: The ABCs of Getting Your Show on Wheels Nice article. It caught my attention because I recognized the alley in the first picture (an most of the guys too). > What touring and > trucking-related issues, questions, practices, pitfalls or anecdotes > do you > think would be useful and interesting - or even entertaining? I want to know how you prep a house crew for trailer doors opening and see stuff stacked to the sky, then how do you get the loaders to stop moaning that yesterdays trucks weren't stacked. Another thing would be how we could go about getting a dock/trailer height standard at least in our industry. How about a way to transport dance floor ramps on the outside of the truck so you don't have to pull one down from loadbars above the pack. Am I being helpful yet? ;-) Greg Bierly Technical Director Hempfield HS ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <78C0949B-3AA7-11D9-ADB5-000D936BFA94 [at] dejazzd.com> From: Greg Bierly Subject: Re: USITT Workshop: Let's Get the Show on the Road Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 22:51:34 -0500 Just watched the video on the website. Looks like you have enough anecdotes to write a book (I would put it on my christmas list) ------------------------------ From: "Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson" Cc: mseddy2900 [at] hotmail.com Subject: RE: HazMat Books Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 00:06:24 -0800 Message-ID: <011c01c4ced7$d52e5350$726dfea9 [at] DrDoomsComputer> In-Reply-To: Most of my books have been given away, but I shall look for the one you mentioned. Dr. Doom ==================================================== A Masters Workshop for Entertainment Technicians, Riggers, Public Assembly Technicians, and Educational Performing Arts Personnel - Sponsored by Risk International & Associates, Inc. April 4, 5, 6, 2005 at ELCO Performing Arts Center, Elkhart, Indiana Brochure & Registration Form available at: www.riskit.com/workshops ==================================================== Risk International & Associates, Inc. - Dedicated to making the world a healthier & safer place. Website: www.riskit.com E-mail: rdavidson [at] riskit.com ==================================================== International Secondary Education Theater Safety Association (ISETSA) - Dedicated to the protection of every student in the performing arts. Website: www.isetsa.org E-mail: info [at] isetsa.org ==================================================== 960 E. Bonita #158, Pomona, CA 91767 Phone/Fax: (909) 625-5961 ==================================================== -----Original Message----- From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft [at] theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Michael S. Eddy Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 2:19 PM To: Stagecraft Cc: mfinney [at] thinkwelldesign.com Subject: HazMat Books For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Michael Finney wrote: Seriously though - somebody *has* nicked my copy of "Hazardous Materials in the Arts", and I can't for the life of me remember who wrote it. And Google has failed me. Any recommendations from the all-knowing list for replacement resources specifically addressing hazardous materials in the arts that my designers won't suffer brain-lock while reading? Michael, Do you mean: "Health Hazards Manual for Artists: Fifth Revised and Augmented Edition" by CIH, Michael McCann PhD? Or "The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide" by Monona Rossol? Rossol and McCann have a number of books on the topic, some written together. Let Amazon, B&N, or any number of bookselling sites be your friend. Side note: I interviewed Monona back when I was at Theatre Crafts and over lunch she pointed out all of the things that will more than likely kill me, much of which I had just drunk or eaten. She did not appreciate my point that if we are going to die anyway, why not have some fun along the way. Happy reading. Michael Eddy ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #201 *****************************