The programme has been designed by some of the industry's leading names and presents an opportunity for visitors to broaden their specialist knowledge and contribute to discussions about innovative projects and techniques, say organiser PLASA Events.
"Giving people the opportunity to develop their professional knowledge is key to the success of PLASA Focus: Austin 2012," comments PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths. "We're creating an opportunity to talk about the choices behind major projects in the region, from the Austin City Limits studio and The Long Center for Performing Arts, to seminars as broad and far-reaching as the use of lighting in Hollywood."
The programme kicks-off with Green Theatre Initiatives Around the World, which is presented by the Broadway Green Alliance. This seminar is for anybody interested in sustainability in the entertainment industry and Charlie Deull, co-chairman of the Broadway Green Alliance, will unlock some of the great resources available to tap into, and explore the common approaches and differences between groups in the US and EU, including Julie's Bicycle, the Broadway Green Alliance, and The Centre for Sustainable Practices, as well as talk about the newest alliance, the International Green Theatre Alliance.
Austin City Limits Live! Is a seminar about the live music venue that is home to the KLRU-TV produced PBS program Austin City Limits, the longest running music series in American television history. The venue also plays host to 100 concerts a year and lighting designer Walter Olden, production manager Billy Heaslip, and lighting consultant William Strother will discuss the challenges, opportunities, joys, and heartaches of designing the lighting and technical systems.
Another scoop for PLASA Focus is Josh Thatcher. One of the top lighting control programmers working in Hollywood today, his credits include Iron Man, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Thor, and Star Trek. He is currently working on the next Star Trek film, directed by JJ Abrams and is taking a day off to fly to Austin to present a seminar entitled Advanced Lighting Control Technology for the Big Screen, using photos and video to illustrate some of the incredible lighting effects that he has been central to creating.
Staying with lighting, the Palmer Auditorium served many years as a venue for everyone from Elvis to the Clash. When it was completely renovated in 2008, much of the building materials were recycled and reused in the new construction, but the building was re-designed from top to bottom. As the lighting supervisor, Todd Drga is intimately familiar with the lighting system and operations. Drga will host a lively discussion of the venue, how the lighting system works for the events in the space, and the lessons learned from building a green building.
For theatre and staging professionals, It's About the Art... Not the Technology, is a special seminar presented by the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas, the insightful discussion will debate the role of technology in stage productions.
There are dozens of audio networking protocols, most of which are not interoperable, meaning you need specific brands or lots of interfaces to connect them together. Practical Applications for Digital Audio Networking is a seminar created by Bob Vanden Burgt of Link USA to discuss the digital audio networking technology, including what it is, how it works, where it's going in the future, and the obstacles facing the industry.
For producers, camera technicians, and rental house employees, Data Transfer is a must-see. The widespread adopt
