Wishes, Hopes and Dreams for 2013

All I want for 2013 is an accident-free year in the live event production industry. After that, everything else is just gravy. But it’s the gravy, and maybe some dessert, that make things interesting. Here are some of my wishes, hopes, and dreams for 2013.

More RDM

Remote Device Management has been around since December 2006, but it’s just now reaching the stage where it’s more common for new gear to support it than not. 2013 might be the year that we look back on in the future and remember that RDM made its “debut.” Why should we care? It helps make setting up a rig quicker and easier. No, it won’t replace planning and preparation, but it will make correcting mistakes as easy as changing intensity or color.

Easier Interfacing

If Siri can tell me how to get from point A to point B, why can’t she tell my lights what to do? Voice control and gesture control is in our reach, and all it would take is an enterprising individual or organization to put voice recognition technology with control technology and it will be the next generation of control.

Better Quality of Light

LEDs have come a long way in a relatively short time, but they still have that last mile to go when it comes to color rendering. Lots of companies are working on recipes for better phosphors that will render colors better, and it’s a matter of time before white LED light is indistinguishable to most people and cameras from white incandescent light. 

Self-Terminating Fixtures

In my experience, most techs think automated lights are already self-terminating even though they’re not. But it wouldn’t be terribly difficult or costly for automated lighting manufacturers to build in self termination.

Fractional-Load Transceivers

And while we’re on the subject of automated lighting, it would be nice if manufacturers started using fractional-load transceivers. The conventional transceiver has a load limit of 32 units, meaning that if you have more than 32 devices like automated lights or dimmer racks, then you need to use an amplifier or data splitter to avoid loading the data link too heavily. But there are transceiver chips that count as 1/4 load, allowing you to connect up to 128 units before you need to boost the data signal. 

Bigger Flexible Displays

LG Electronics will soon release a 55” OLED television that is much thinner, lighter, more efficient, and higher in contrast than LCD or plasma. It’s also much more flexible. When this technology matures, it will be ripe for application in the live event production industry. 

Smaller Luminaires

Ever since the first automated lights were commercialized in 1981, they have been getting smaller and more efficient. LEDs have helped extend the trend into the 2000s, and with any luck, it will continue for the foreseeable future.

Cheaper Luminaires

Just as LEDs have been better and brighter, they’re also getting less expensive. Can they continue to drop in price? I hope so, although I’m ambivalent about this because I think it’s important that manufacturers have enough profit to allow them to invest in R&D for the sake of innovation. 

Higher Pay for Everyone

Ticket prices are high, so why not let the entire live event production community share in the prosperity? I know it’s challenging to produce a show, and it’s often financially risky. Those who take the biggest risk should get the biggest reward, but part of producing an excellent show is having an excellent crew. And the best way to insure excellence is to pay for it. 

Lower Stress for Everyone

In our business, high production values and stress often go hand in hand. But it helps to keep everything in perspective. Years ago, David Davidian was the lighting designer on a huge concert tour, and I visited him during sound check. Things were not going well, as one technical problem after another presented itself, but Davidian kept his cool, never stressed, and exhibited almost perfect calm. I’ll never forget his words during that potentially stressful time: “It’s not brain surgery. No one is going to die if we mess up.” 

As we go through the New Year, remember the wisdom of one of the most prolific lighting designers/video directors in the business. Unless someone’s life, health, or safety is at stake, keep it in perspective. 

I wish you world peace, inner harmony, and lasting prosperity in 2013 and beyond. 

PS - Please support the Event Safety Alliance in 2013! (http://eventsafetyalliance.org)