Stage Directions • April 2019 • Tools

The CHAUVET Ovation P-56FC is a compact, virtually silent PAR that produces a homogenized, single-source, flat and even field of light with high CRI. The bright unit utilizes the same advanced full color-mixing RGBAL LED system found in the popular Ovation E-910FC ellipsoidal to produce subtle pastels to punchy saturates and nearly any temperature of white. Interchangeable lenses are included for medium and wide beam angles and the unit accepts standard 7.5” beam shaping accessories. Ideal for theatrical and studio applications, the virtually silent PAR features extremely smooth 16-bit dimming, as well as RDM and PWM for ease of set-up.

Cuelist, developed by a lighting designer, is the first software of its kind. The process of marking and sharing the placement of cues during rehearsal has been rethought. Annotating scripts, describing cues, sharing information, and making necessary changes is now an instantaneous, collaborative, and environmentally friendly process. Cuelist works right from your browser—both Apple and PC products; no need to buy special equipment or install any software. Add, replace, or delete individual script pages as revisions occur without having to rewrite any existing cues or notes. Cuelist will instantly distribute the changes to every collaborator while you will drastically reduce your printing needs.

The solution for space-constrained environments—height or width—and rear-projection applications, the ELPLX02 ultra short-throw lens—which projects up to 1,000-inches from just a few feet away—enables 12,000- and 15,000-lumen Pro L1000 Series laser projectors to deliver large-size images from very short distances. With a 0.35 throw ratio, plus a negative offset, and an impressive lens shift range, this lens facilitates incredible installation and positioning flexibility—you can have front projection from above or rear projection from below the floor surface. This lens has an extensive lens shift range; vertical lens shift: +45% to +70%, horizontal lens shift: -15% to +15% (powered).

The Projector Hanger is a device that enables easy removal and replacement of professional projection equipment from vertical pipes. Developed to eliminate the need to manually twist heavy projector equipment around mounting pipes, the Projector Hanger makes connecting vertical pipes to projectors safer and more efficient at height. It’s one-motion lock-in mechanism can hold up to 200 lbs. of projection equipment hanging straight down from 1-½” schedule 40 steel pipe and allows equipment relocation or removal without having to unscrew the pipe coupling. The CTI Projector Hanger is constructed with aluminum and steel, spans 4.85” in height and 2.625” in diameter, and weighs 3 lbs.

The Artiste Monet, with a 45,000- lumen output, pairs a SpectraColor LED engine with traditional CMY color mixing and variable RGB flags for more saturated primary colors. With variable CTO, it produces colors from theatrical pastels to vibrant primary reds or blues. Using an 950W white LED engine (6,500K), it includes a zoom range from 6.5° to 55°; 7 rotating and 7 fixed glass gobos; a 360° bidirectional animation wheel; a high-speed iris; and two linear frost filters. It’s a combination of output, effects, and range of colors in a virtually silent luminaire. Add in the fixture’s continuously rotatable full blackout, 4-blade framing system for full control of the beam and you have a unit designed for theater.

The GLP impression FR1 a compact LED moving head which offers a soft pencil beam and continuous pan rotation. The optical system can move from a 4° soft narrow beam to a 35° soft wide wash light. Optionally it is possible to remove the soft front diffusor to get a harder edged beam of 3.7°. The Osram RGBW Quad LED emits saturated colors and white light of all relevant color temperatures–selectable via RGBW-or CT Control. The new micro Fresnel front lens has a homogenized round image for direct viewing options. It’s been designed with the GLP baseless design and an extremely compact body easily fits into the tightest spaces of set designs.

The Hog 4-18 console upgrades the popular Hog 4 with 18.5” touch screens, and an updated industrial design with aluminum encoder knobs and integrated accessory mounts. Outputting 8,192 channels (expandable with DP8K processors), Hog 4-18 has eight XLR-5 DMX outputs, sACN and Art-Net, MIDI and dual etherCON connections for HogNet and FixtureNet. The desk features five high-resolution parameter encoders, built-in tri-axis backlit trackball and 10 master playbacks with motorized faders and master control keys. Up to three external display port monitors or touchscreen monitors can be used. Also, Hog 3.11 OS is now available and includes several significant updates, including support for the Hog 4-18 console hardware.

The Lieto is the first LED light fixture specifically designed for use in full-stage acoustical shells. Features include: a newly added asymmetrical beam distribution and below-fixture adjustability and aiming features; a three-axis beam positioning provides tool-free pan, tilt, and rotation; 12,000- lumen output; quiet operation with no buzzing or detectable RFI, and no cooling fans; and minimal heat output and no UV, which keeps performers comfortable on stage. The Lieto includes multiple beam spread options: (18˚, 28˚, 36˚ and 70˚) as well as three-color temperature options; (2,700K, 3,000K, & 4,000K). Both features are unique to this new lighting fixture. Lieto is now available for order with Wenger’s Diva and Maestro full-stage acoustical shells.

The Rack Lightning system from Whirlwind is a rack rail lighting system that can illuminate your equipment rack in six different color settings, with an adjustable dimming control. An expansion to Whirlwind’s renowned Power Link line of power distribution products, the Rack Lightning system is designed to get you out of the dark ages and into the light. The system is available as a rack rail version, or as an overhead single space unit. Attain enlightenment with the new Rack Lightning system from Whirlwind. The company stands behind its Whirlwind brand; they didn’t earn customer trust cutting corners, and they’re not about to start.

Cable Munkey is an affordable easy to use cable management tool, designed to save time and money while hanging cables in a theatrical environment. Cable Munkey also works well in many other environments to hold extension cords, backpacks, clothes, tools and much more. The Cable Munkey sprung from the imagination of Jonathan Allender-Zivic, assistant professor of theatre, lighting and sound design, and stage management at the University of South Dakota. After an Indiegogo campaign to get it kicked off, it was shown at USITT 2019 in the BMI Supply booth and the Mainstage Theatrical Supply booth. Both companies are also dealers of the new product.

So, just how much time and money can you save by using Cable Munkey? Here are some numbers: An average batten needs 20 pieces of tie line; at 2-foot a piece, that’s 40-feet per batten. With tie line, some of that will be lost on each show; with Cable Munkey, it can be re-used time and time again. Regarding time-savings, in a test, Allender-Zivic’s crew of two technicians took 12 minutes to tie up all of the cable on a batten for 20 lights. By using Cable Munkey, that same amount of cable took only six minutes, cutting half of the time from that part of the hang.

Allender-Zivic explains how Cable Munkey came about. “I am a theatrical lighting designer by trade. In 2015 I started working on a way to save time and money hanging lights for theatrical productions,” explains. “Cable Munkey is the result. It started many versions ago as a wooden CNC cutout, as it evolved, I began working with 3D printing to prototype the new designs, it has evolved over time into the configuration and shape that you see now.”

“This project has been a passion of mine for a number of years now, and through my own use and testing I have found that it cuts down significantly on the time it takes to hang and strike lights. It also significantly reduced my need to use tie line to tie up cables. As I was going through the stages of testing, I discovered that not only did it work great for my intended theatrical work, but it worked great for hanging things like extension cords, clothing and so much more in so many other places.”