Tag: video engineer

Triggers and Hotkeys in QLab – a Primer

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 …

Projector shutter control scripts for Qlab (Panasonic)

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 …

A Brush-up on Basics – some helpful posts on Qlab and workflow

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 …

Actually using that digital script/prompt book

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 …

Digital play scripts/prompt books are here!

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! …

QLab licensing, costs, and what it all means

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 …

ALL THE VIDEO STUFFS

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 …

“Having Our Say” at Long Wharf Theatre

As anyone who has worked with me in the past couple of years knows, I am a fanatic about Qlab. That program has really changed what is possible, especially on the shows where I am allowed to run rampant, creatively – I can output, or control, all of the elements I come up with for …

Orange is the New Black

Greetings from Boston! I will be here for a couple of days working on an event that is a luncheon benefiting a women’s shelter called Rosie’s Place. I’m on Team Video, the governor and first lady will be here, and the keynote speaker will be Piper Kerman, the author of the book “Orange is the …