Jonny DMX Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Hey all, I was just wondering if anyone is using show control in any form on any shows that that they are on at the moment? If you are, in what way are you using it? Alternatively if you are not using a show control system but think you should be, let me know why you think you should be. (so you can go to the bar early does not count! :blink: ) Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 The major uses for full-blown show control are: Cruise Liners:The production shows are supposed to be the same every time, and the line cannot afford the number of staff usually required to run a show. The line I work for uses timecode driven lighting on the small ships (as there is no other automation), and Dataton TRAX driving everything via MSC on the larger ships, as everything is automated, but with local veto for stage automation.(They don't do pyro anymore, apparently because they can't afford an op to veto it) Theme Parks:Generally shows are controlled such that the op hits 'Go' and the entire show runs from start to finish with no further op interaction, apart from global (and sometimes local) "Stop" buttons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Not me, though I recently had a mild flirtation with it researching a project that didn't come off in the end. However, a good resource if you're interested in the topic is the "Show Control Mailing List". You can join by visiting: http://www.richmondsounddesign.com/sclist.html Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfitzpat Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 As Tomo mentioned, we see a lot of action in theme parks. For some reason, a self described expert in Show Control does not consider us a 'Show Control System', despite integrated SMPTE with auto rate conversion and true chase and lock, external triggering, and an API for specilized operations like interlocks - but other vendors, whose gear I helped developed, are... But I digress! I don't think it is just a matter of elliminating operators. We see a lot of users do what I would call 'hybrid' shows. For example, we have customers who specialize in corporate events. Many pre-program the 'big presentation' to external or internal timecode, then operate the awards portion and dance night (or whatever) manually. Similiarly, we have several customers that do a seemingly endless number of rodeos (there are a lot more each year in the US than I would have imagined). The laser, pyro, lighting, video spectacular is always pre-programmed to SMPTE. The nightly live acts are then run live (usually sight unseen). In both those cases, the designer is sometimes the operator. The reason pre-programming is used is high cue density and tight integration with audio - the same reasons that most fireworks shows are run off SMPTE based systems. Yes this downgrades the required operator skills, but it also provides a very consistant quality for repeated runs. That is why I think that we will start to see more show control type applications in architectural lighting and even point-of-purchase type displays. -jjf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny DMX Posted March 17, 2006 Author Share Posted March 17, 2006 However, a good resource if you're interested in the topic is the "Show Control Mailing List".Thanks for the reply Bob, I'm already signed up to that. :blink: Although I would like to hear from everyone that is currently using show control I am specifically interested in its use in 'live' shows (like the Bits/Eurovision/U2 etc) as well as its use on corporate events and theme park rides. If anyone els is interested in show control Zircon Designs is a good place to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick S Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Although I'm not using show control in actual shows at the moment, I spoke to a guy a few days ago who's researching light/sound/video events that would be automatically triggered using sensors. Rather than running with timecode, synchronised events would be triggered by a variety of sensing equipment. The idea behind this is that there are shows that can vary a considerable amount each performance but may not require an operator. For example, an impro comedy show in which the lighting changes according to how many people are on stage, brings up the house lights when a performer walks into the audience, someone makes a certain gesture which triggers a sound effect etc - all without a live op. All very interesting theory, and I'm wondering how much he'll actually manage to achieve in practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 - all without a live op. All very interesting theory, and I'm wondering how much he'll actually manage to achieve in practice. Not go for us all is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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