Fall 2002 S T R A N D N e w s Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall Renovation ShowNet SN110 Ethernet Nodes Key to Networking Solution
Strand Lighting is excited distribution, and new light- to be part of the recent reno- ing control platforms. vation of the Roy Thomson The lighting control Hall in Toronto. Home to the system has been de- Toronto Symphony Orches- signed to meet the ever tra, the hall is widely re- changing needs of the garded as elegant, intimate Hall. The 520 consoles and aesthetically engaging. provide rapid focusing Originally designed by Arthur and programming for the Erikson, Roy Thomson Hall new Vari*lite moving represented the leading lights quickly refocusing edge of technology and de- them regardless of their sign when it opened in 1982. trim height which varies While still regarded as “an with the position of the architectural jewel,” the canopy and the type of Hall’s acoustical perform- performance on stage. All ance has been the subject of lighting information is fierce debate for much of its distributed over a Strand history. ShowNet network using Russell Johnson of Artec SN110 dual port nodes. Consultants, one of the The nodes can be rapidly world’s foremost acousti- configured as DMX inputs cians, and Tom Payne of the or outputs allowing the Canadian architectural firm operators to connect and of Kuwabara Payne manage touring consoles McKenna Blumberg (KPMB) or add more automated were invited to update the lighting or colour scrollers. acoustic design of the build- Adding to the system flexi- ing. These two are in charge bility is a new Strand of the acoustical reengineer- wireless remote based on ing and aesthetic enhance- the popular Compaq iPaq ments to the Hall. Final cost family of personal digital of the project is expected to assistants. The new re- exceed $20 million. mote allows operators to The acoustic canopies above the stage at Roy Thomson Hall Strand Canada’s Richard access all of the functions Goode worked closely of the lighting consoles INSIDE THIS ISSUE: with the Artec team in and set up 45 SN110 specifying all of the up- nodes in the system from Roy Thomson Hall Auditorium Renovation 1 dated lighting technology anywhere in the building. New Consoles and Control Devices 2 that would be integrated The system also supports into this extensive renova- stage managers with di- New 230/240V Dimmers & Location Lights 3 tion. Enhancements in- rect access over the net- cluded the addition of work to a dozen lighting College Lighting Lab & 'Witches' Down Under 4 status reporting dimming, set ups by simple Ethernet network capabil- pushbutton stations. 'Oklahoma!' Returns to Broadway 5 ity, moving light technol- The staff can now quickly ogy, custom electrical meet the needs of all of Console Programming Tips 6 the users of the facility. New Strand Products Page 2 New 100 & 200 Series Consoles Strand introduces 2 new Joining the ‘100’ are the manual control consoles to new 200 Series portable replace the highly consoles, which offer successful LX and MX lines. enhanced control capability. The new compact 100 Available in either 12/24 or Series manual console is a 24/48 channel portable desk that quickly configurations, these come converts to rack mount as with all the features of the needed, and is ideally suited 100, plus two pages of for small venues. Designed submasters, providing up to as a 12-channel/2-scene 96 submaster memories. preset board, it can also Effects capability has been operate in 24-channel/ increased to a total of 24 single-scene preset mode, effects with 99 steps each. using a special “Hold” The 200’s have fully function that allows proportional electronic patch seamless crossfading for 512 dimmers. between scenes. All the All of the new desks are other features are there that available with either 120V or 100 Series Control Console you would expect: DMX 512 230/240V power supplies. output, split crossfader with These powerful consoles time fade, bump buttons, offer excellent value for a grand master and blackout. wide range of applications. There’s even an effect playback! New 301 Back-up Control Console Joining the popular 300 cations. The 301 can also Series consoles and Show- serve as a 12-channel man- controller is the new 301 ual console with DMX Back-up Control Console, patch. It can also receive up a versatile multi-function to 12 analog inputs, and system that can be used as uses an LCD display for set- either a back-up platform, a up and configuration. An timed event controller, or a audible ‘DMX Fail’ warning manual console. Simplicity is sounds in the event of DMX the key to this new console. interruption, and provides Back-up mode features 12 an automatic bypasses on pages of 12 back-up looks system failure. The 301 is (144 total back-up cues). As designed for either table or a timed event controller, you 19-inch rack mounting (7U have access to 12 events, high), and is available with making this desk ideal for either a 120V UL/cUL or 301 Back up Control Console Stage Manager panel appli- 230/240V CE power supply.
New 72 way DMX-Analogue Demux Looking for a simple way Constructed with a 19-inch of controlling all of those rack-mount form factor (1U effects machines and high), this device has a front analogue dimmers? Strand panel LED display showing introduces the new S72 address and operation Strand Demux. This is a mode. It has a built-in 72- DMX 512 or MIDI controlled way chase, and a single- DMX to Analogue demulti- scene back-up upon ‘DMX SS72 Strand Demux plexer, providing up to 72 +/- Fail.’ The unit is CE 72-way DMX -Analogue Demultiplexer 10, 12 or 15VDC user marked, and designed for selectable analogue outputs. 230/240V, 50Hz operation. New 230/240 Volt Dimmer Packs - Page 3 Act 6 Digital & SD 6
Strand is introducing 2 front panel keypad and LCD new dimmer packs for display. 24 back up cues 230/240V applications. The are available along with the ACT 6 Digital wall mounted capability of linking multiple dimmer pack is ideal for packs. Dimmers have indi- small permanent installa- vidual Min/Max settings and tions like churches, schools curve selection. Chase and or nightclubs. The SD 6 rack scene pattern libraries are mount dimmer pack is better on board for stand alone suited for portable or touring operation. Both packs are applications. Both of these available with numerous new packs provide six 13- output configurations. The Amp dimmers with fully digi- SD 6 has a single output per tal control electronics, and dimmer, while the Act 6 Digi- will accept either single or tal has dual outputs. both of three phase power input. these new units are CE SD 6 Rack Mount Dimmer Pack Set-up is simple using a marked.
New Lights From Quartzcolor - 6kW HMI PAR & Fresnel, Redhead
Strand introduces 2 new easy identification. Both of high-powered HMI location the heads feature LCD elec- lights under its Quartzcolor tronic hour counters for ac- banner: the 6kW Daylight curate lamp-life and service Fresnel, and the 6kW Day tracking. LITE PAR. These new HMI At the other end of the lights use the MSR 6000W location lighting spectrum is single ended lamp (G38 an update on one of our base), and have new, spe- most popular luminaires, the cifically designed lens and Redhead. reflector systems. These So how do we improve new enhancements offer upon this rugged and reli- superior optical perform- able location legend? By ance, and significantly taking it apart and scrutiniz- higher light output. Both ing every last element for heads are manufactured to ways of making it even more the same high quality stan- reliable and better function- Quartzcolor 6kW HMI Fresnel dards that you would come ing. Hardware points have to expect from Quarztcolor. been strengthened with They’re rugged, durable, brass. The lamp sockets and above all – light weight: have been improved to 40kG (88lbs) for the fresnel, make lamp replacement and 33kG (73lbs) for the easier. Even the focus ad- PAR. Other enhancements justment mechanism has include a newly designed 3- been overhauled. The end rail guide system, coupled result is a bullet-proof loca- with a centrally aligned rear tion workhorse that will last focus knob provides smooth even longer and take any and precise focus adjust- punishment you throw at it. ment. The newly designed Take one out and have a lens doors feature cast alu- look at it. We think that you minum ears with encased will be pleased with what bearings for smooth you see. barndoor or lens rotation. PAR lenses are mounted in Ianebeam 1000W Redhead colour-coded frames for UK College Drama Lab Page 4
level drama work was could experiment. can also be used for desk equipped last year, so it was Some equipment was programming and editing. decided to take a slightly recovered from the old stu- One of the reasons for different approach for the dio, curtain tracks, dimmers choosing the 300 was com- new space. and some lanterns. A series patibility with the 500 series Performances are under- of technical facility connec- desk at the Playhouse, so taken during the year at tion panels were installed that work could be done in various local venues, includ- around the laboratory to advance on shows for per- ing The Playhouse Theatre, carry audio, communica- formance there. A new and the department has a tions, video and network sound system has also been strong interest in the practi- signals as well as dimmed, Strand 300 Series Console installed. cal and technical aspects of non-dim and technical Future plans include us- performance theatre. Spe- Recently a building used power sockets. ing the network for digital cialist Technician Peter Ty- by Weston-super-Mare Col- A new Strand Lighting audio, installation of a motor- ler needed to be able to lege was sold for re- 300 series lighting control ized truss for demonstration demonstrate to students development, The Depart- desk was chosen, and a of rigging techniques and current safe working prac- ment of Creative Arts and ShowNet network estab- provision of a multi- tices and modern equipment Design needed to re-locate lished using the low cost workstation WYSIWYG 3D and techniques, which led to part of their Drama teaching SN110 nodes to output visualization educational the idea that the new space facility into the main college DMX512. The nodes can be package. The installation should be set-up as a building. The department programmed remotely over was designed, supplied and Drama Laboratory where already had drama teaching the net from a computer in installed by Stage Electrics. both actors and technicians studios, a facility for HND the supervisor’s office which 'Witches' & More Down Under
Two hit British musicals For the Australian have now transferred ‘down production, lit once again by under’ to Australia - with David Hersey and Jenny both continuing to use the Kagan, lighting programmer Strand control systems that Rob Halliday specified 500- served them well in the UK. series consoles: a 520i First to arrive was Lionel main console and a 510i Bart’s ever-popular Oliver!, tracking backup. The rig which is now playing at the underwent some changes Lyric Theatre in Sydney to make use of the latest prior to an Australian tour. automated lighting, Produced by Cameron including Vari-Lite The Witches of Eastwick at Melbourne's Princess Theatre Mackintosh and directed by VL2402’s, Martin Mac500’s, Photo courtesy of Rob Halliday Oscar-winner Sam Mendes, High End StudioColors and this production opened at DHA Digital Light Curtains. networked together to allow variety of conventionals, the the London Palladium in “AutoMod, as always, made two people to program the show is now run by a Strand 1994 and had become the adapting the show to deal show (one dealing with 530i with a second 530i as a longest-running production with the different lights very automated lighting, the backup. Bytecraft supplied at that theatre by the time it easy,” Halliday notes. other with conventional the consoles and rig. The closed in 1998. Originally Alistair Grant from the UK lighting). This converted to 530i on Witches is kept plotted on the Palladium’s was the show’s production one console plus a backup busy. The show contains Galaxy with a separate electrician, with the rig now for the run of the show. A over 350 cues, many of console running the under the care of Ed re-designed version of the which trigger multiple automated lighting, a Strand Cymerman and Paul show subsequently chases. As for the London 530 took control of the Mulcahy. transferred to the Prince of production, the lighting entire rig during the show’s The second transfer is Wales Theatre in London, designer is Howard run. A 530i was then used The Witches of Eastwick and that version of the Harrison, with Rob Halliday for the UK and Canadian which, when it opened at show is now at the Princess again programming the tour of the show that London’s Theatre Royal Theatre in Melbourne. With show and Richard Pacholski followed, using a greatly Drury Lane in July 2000 a smaller rig including as the Australian associate expanded automated rig to and had one of the largest Vari*Lite VL6C’s and lighting designer; Dale reduce the need to automated rigs seen in the 2402’s, Martin Mac300’s, Mounsey is the show’s head manually focus lanterns on West End. The show used High End Technobeams, electrician. tour. two Strand consoles DHA Light Curtains and a 'Oklahoma!' Returns to Broadway Page 5
displays in their own styles, and to interrogate cues in preview independently of each other and the main console. Different “users” (created with the Server software on the consoles), each with different access permissions to the show, satisfied the New York union requirement that the designers not be able to use the consoles to actually control the rig. “To reduce the amount of clutter in front of David, we didn’t give him a console, but instead ran Strand’s ShowNet into the back of his Macintosh laptop. He then ran the GeniusPro off-line editor through a VirtualPC For Oklahoma!, seen here during rehearsal, LD David Hersey relied heavily on the Strand 550i and 300 emulator on his Mac; this series consoles together with the flexibility of ShowNet Ethernet control. Photo courtesy of Rob Halliday was configured as a remote March 2002 saw the traveled to the Gershwin the New York rig to be and therefore picked up the arrival of the acclaimed Theatre in New York. David focused very quickly” says show information from the Royal National Theatre of Hersey and his team of Halliday. Data is carried console. His display was set Great Britain production of associate lighting designers from the console to the to only show the channels Oklahoma! on Broadway, Ted Mather and Jenny lighting rig over Strand’s active in any particular cue, and as with the London Kagan, together with ShowNet Ethernet network allowing him to concentrate production of the show, lighting programmer Rob system. The rig and only on the channels in use Strand Lighting’s 500 Series Halliday, specified the consoles were supplied by at a particular time.” Halliday consoles are in control. The Strand 550i to control a Fourth Phase New Jersey, also made use of the show received 7 Tony revised and expanded rig and installed by a team led console’s ability to save nominations, including Best that now includes 22 DHA by production electrician show files directly to his Lighting Design. This new Digital Light Curtains, 21 Mike LoBue and show Mac, through the Strand production of the classic Vari*Lite VL2402 electrician Mike Ward. Server application, to keep Rodgers & Hammerstein washlights, 14 VL2202 For the production period backup copies of the show musical originally opened at spotlights, 400 dimmers, of the show, Halliday also at the end of each day. By the National Theatre’s Wybron Coloram and CXI made use of the full Strand the time the production Olivier Auditorium in 1998, color changers, and effects 300 and 500 family to meet opened, he and Mike Ward directed by the theatre’s including smoke machines, the different demands of the had their Macs talking to the artistic director Trevor Nunn, VSFX cloud projectors and lighting team. “David, Ted, console wirelessly through with lighting by David DHA animation effects. A Jenny and I each wanted to Apple’s AirPort card and a Hersey. Since this second 550i serves as a see different combinations wireless Ethernet receiver production, the National has backup console and second of channels arranged in connected to the console. installed 500 Series programming desk. different ways,” explains The technology used in consoles in all three of their “With the show already Halliday. “Using video nodes Oklahoma! Is certainly the theatres to cope with their programmed on a 530, it didn’t allow this, as the most up-to-date in any state, busy schedule and made sense to keep using designers would always see “But you don’t feel like you increased use of moving the same type of console for the same display as the are seeing a lot of lights in musicals including the New York production. programmer. We therefore technology happening up My Fair Lady and South The automod (automatic specified 300 consoles as there,” Mather says. “We are Pacific. Producer Cameron modification), update, designer’s video remotes.” not drawing your attention to Mackintosh transferred the search-and-replace, and Strand supplied the it too much. It’s more a Oklahoma! Production to other functions allowed us production with two 300 question of color, direction, the Lyceum Theatre in to quickly and easily update consoles configured as and timing, rather than London, where the entire rig the show file to suit the remotes to the main movement.” was brought under the expanded rig and the new console, thus allowing control of a Strand 530. moving lights it contained, Kagan and Mather to Now the show has while magic-update allowed arrange their channel Page 6 Console Programming Tips - AutoMod by Rob Hallifday
AutoMod, or Automatic Modification, is a feature that has will apply AutoMod rule changes permanently to cues 1 been available in Strand consoles from back in the time of through 10. In the example above, channel 2 would now the Galaxy range. Its basic aim is to deal with situations such as “My downstage centre warm cover light has blown. I can’t have replaced channel 1 in cues 1 through 10. Alternatively: replace it now, but I need light downstage centre for the rest of the show. The cool cover light will be better than nothing!” [2]
With AutoMod on 300-, 400- and 500- series consoles, This is particularly useful when transferring moving light infor- you tell the console to replace channel 1 with channel 2, then mation such as colour and gobo reference groups from show let it do the rest! to show. For example, if you had a Pirouette as channel 1,
and you added nine more Pirouettes as channels 2 through Go into the AutoMod display by pressing: 10, you would want them all to have the same group informa-
tion, particularly for colour, so enter: {MORE} {AUTOMOD} (these are soft keys)
[2]
Turn AutoMod on by pressing: {A-MOD ON} [2]
Note: A “USING AUTOMOD” reminder will appear in the
to copy just the colour information, and the job is done! Now run some cues, and you will see that whenever channel
1 used to come on, channel 2 will now come on to the same Note: if you plan to use AutoMod in earnest, you should up- level instead. Channel 2 will, of course, continue to do it’s grade your console to the current version of the console oper- own cues as well, and if it ends up trying to do two jobs in ating software, version 2.5e, freely available from the Strand one cue, the higher level will take precedence. If channel 2’s website at www.strandlighting.com lamp is brighter or dimmer than 1’s, use:
[2] {A-MOD FROM} [1] [@] [5] [*], or Rob Halliday has been using 300, 400 and 500 Series con-
soles all over the world since 1995's Blood Brothers, on [2] {A-MOD FROM} [1] [@] [+] [5] [*] shows including Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Oklahoma!,
The Witches of Eastwick, Martin Guerre, My Fair Lady, Pan to scale channel 2’s intensity - in this case, to make it always and The Coast of Utopia. He also writes about theatre for pub- 50% dimmer or 50% brighter than channel 1. lications including 'Lighting+Sound International,' 'Lighting
Dimensions' and 'Entertainment Design'. Though AutoMod has historically provided ‘on-the-fly’ modifi- cation, it is now possible to apply AutoMod changes perma- Rob will be conducting a workshop at LDI 2002 in Las Vegas nently (perhaps if it turned out that the show looked better during which he will reviewing and discussing the program- with the cool light downstage!): ming involved with the current Oklahoma! Production. For
further details, consult the LDI show schedule, or visit their
Future editions of STRAND NEWS will be published electronically in ".pdf" format. If you would like to receive future editions electronically, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Giving us your contact information.