Source Four Drama

I am currently in the process of trying to find the simplest and cheapest way to convert two ETC Source Four lights into makeshift follow spots that I can use to follow just actor's faces in most scenes.  Luckily, with the help of @TechieTalk and their website, I was able to figure out some of the equipment I will need in order to get this final product:

I will definitely need the large lens tube in the front, the follow spot handles, and the drop in iris.  Ideally, I would love to get the yolk on an axis so that it can move and function like a real follow spot, but unfortunately, that particular part is over $600.  All I need to do now is convince work that this is some equipment we ABSOLUTELY need.  Wish me luck!

Thoroughly Modern Millie

     I will be starting a new project for the next couple of months.  My old high school has hired me back as lighting designer and technical director for the drama department.  Luckily, I will no longer be working in the luxurious Raskob Center for the Performing Arts (the gym).  Instead, I will be doing my first musical in the brand new Graham Theater.

     Earlier this week, I was informed that the musical this year will be Thoroughly Modern Millie.  While not my favorite show, it should be fun.  I have decided that this year, I am going to document every step I take in designing for this show.  Starting with sketches and making it all the way to actual show photos and everything in between.

     This ought to be a fun and exciting exploration!

I was feeling a little nostalgic, so I decided to post a couple photos from past shows.  Here is a picture from my very first show 42nd Street.

This one is from Grease.

Here are several pictures from the best show I worked on, Cabaret.

Cliff arrives in Berlin by train

"Tomorrow Belongs to Me"

Nazi Kickline

The title number "Cabaret"

BuckyBalls, Keyboards, Puppets, and Classic Literary Drinks

My latest toy came in the mail last week.  A 216 set of BuckyBalls/Neocubes straight from Beijing.  I've been playing with them to make cool different shapes and just as a stress ball.  Each .5 mm metal ball all have a ridiculously strong magnetic pull.   These things sure are addictive!

I also just bought myself a present which I am using right now as I type.  I decided I wanted to get myself a bluetooth keyboard to pair with my Macbook Pro, and what better BT keyboard than one developed by Apple???  I love this thing.  It is exactly like the keyboard on my MBP, except I can lean back in my chair and use this one while my screen stays up at eye level.  I already have a BT mouse, and next I am looking to get a nice stand for my laptop.  I am leaning towards the mStand by Rain Design.  My final goal is to be able to use my MBP as a desktop when I am at home and as a portable notebook when I am out and about.

And yesterday I went with one of my friends and my family to go see Avenue Q the Musical at the San Jose Center for Performing arts.  It's a show that satirizes children's shows like "Sesame Street".  The whole cast is made up of regular looking people holding puppets that very much resemble characters developed by Jim Henson back in the 70's.  Think of this show as Sesame Street for adults.  All of the songs are highly inappropriate and there is a ton of vulgarity... so it's right up my ally! But underneath that tough exterior, the show actually does have a very good message about life after college and looking for ways to find your purpose.  Here is my uber illegal shot of the stage before the show started:

And here is a cropped version so you can really see the set:

And finally, I've spent the past week working with my newest Twitter friend, @manwiches, to come up with a continuing line of classic literature mixed with alcoholic beverages.  Here is our list so far:

• Tequila Mockingbird (To Kill a Mockingbird)
• Cyrano de Cognac (Cyrano de Bergerac)
• The Catcher in the Rum and Coke (Cather in the Rye)
• The Picture of Dorian Grey Goose (Picture of Dorian Gray)
• Who's Afraid of Virgin Daiquiris? (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?)
• The Turn of the Screwdriver (The Turn of the Screw)
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Seabreeze (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea)
• The Red Pony Keg (The Red Pony)
• The Last of the Mojitos (The Last of the Mohicans)
• Gone with the Gin (Gone With the Wind)
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Highball (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
• Where the Red Rum Grows (Where the Red Fern Grows)
• Oliver With a Twist (Oliver Twist)
• Frangelico and Zooey (Franny and Zooey)
• Taming of the Shrewsbury Slammer (Taming of the Shrew)

That's it for our list for now, but I am sure there will be more to come. Haha.

New Years, Jailbreaking, and Class Registration

Its a new year, and while I'm too lazy to come up with some resolutions, I am not too lazy to write a new post.  I spent new years at my friend Lindsay's house and had an overall good time.  I've also jailbroken my iPhone for the 4th time since I've owned it.  I used Blackra1n this time.  All I have to say is, good God has jailbreaking come a long way since I first did it almost two years ago.  Wow! Only one click and I was done!  But as of right now, I am really only enjoying the benefits of SBSettings:

I would use a theme in the Winterboard, but it just makes my phone so slow, and I am not a patient person. :)

And today, I had to register for the rest of my classes, and I did so by making my really nifty schedule calendar.  I was pretty proud of my organizational skills. Haha.

Oh God I need a life....