A Sound and Video Production Company
TL;DR: Embrace spontaneity – and actor performances – by using triggers and randomly generated cues in Qlab. The Story: Here’s a funny story I like to share. Back in the early 1990s, one of the biggest bands on the planet was U2. Their tour behind the album “Achtung Baby” – called Zoo TV – was …
Continue reading “Random triggers in Qlab, and embracing spontaneity”
TL;DR: QLab can have more than one GO button. Here is why that’s a good thing. The Story: I realized that, in the course of this blog, I have talked a lot about using hotkeys and triggers in QLab. While I have sometimes explained how to do that, I wanted to put out the definitive …
TL;DR: Control a Panasonic projector’s power and shutters using Qlab (Developed using a Panasonic D6000) The Story: In our examples in this post, we are using a Panasonic D6000 – every brand is different and uses different controls. I’ve used this with more than one model from Panasonic. This post will probably be more of …
Continue reading “Projector shutter control scripts for Qlab (Panasonic)”
I work with a lot of students, across a few schools. I count myself lucky to be able to share with them what I know – as well as learn a lot from them. Many have become just “younger peers” because I like to work collaboratively, even if I am driving the design. Last month …
Continue reading “A Brush-up on Basics – some helpful posts on Qlab and workflow”
TL;DR: Use the PDF version of your script/prompt book while running your live show. The Story: Last week’s blog post has already covered creating digital prompt books in detail – here I am going to show how I have worked those PDFs into my live show workflow. For following your prompt book during the show, you …
Continue reading “Actually using that digital script/prompt book”
TL;DR: Ditch paper scripts/prompt books for computer copies. Never lose or forget your script again, and guess what – it’s BACKLIT! The Story: I design in a lot of different theatres, often with overlapping schedules. This is a common designer dilemma. There was one time I had six shows opening within a six week window! …
Continue reading “Digital play scripts/prompt books are here!”
TL;DR: How to write cue numbers with a system that lets you skip around, know where you are in your cue sheet, and be compatible with other departments…by working in blocks of ten. The Story: Some seasons are completely insane for me. It’s a common theme for designers – you’ve got maybe one too many …
Continue reading “Cue numbering, and playing well with others”
This month, we are going to post around the theme of cues and scripts – numbering systems, digital scripts/prompt books, Applescripts for Qlab that will turn the pages of those scripts, and more. Here are the topics we will be looking at: Cue numbering, and playing well with others Digital play scripts/prompt books are here! …
Continue reading “September is Cue and Script Month on the Rocktzar blog!”
TL;DR: A primer on what you have to pay for – and what you don’t. And how it’s more affordable to use QLab than you might think. The Story: We have all been there. People use iTunes and Keynote (or, gasp, PowerPoint!) for a live production, because they don’t know what’s better out there. (That’s …
Continue reading “QLab licensing, costs, and what it all means”
The following is an email that I sent a couple of years ago, when I was advising on the video design for a production of Laramie Project. This is typically a video-heady show, and they wanted to incorporate some live cameras in the show, as well as learn Qlab. I still get a lot of …
