Comprehensive Lighting Training at LDI2002

What better place to celebrate the 15th anniversary of LDI than Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world. As North America's largest entertainment technology show, LDI encompasses all aspects of professional lighting, both on the exhibit floor and in a comprehensive program of skills-oriented training. It all starts October 14-17 with the fifth annual LDInstitute, four days of intensive education in one- and two-day hands-on training sessions using the hottest cutting-edge technology on the market.

For the first time, the Basics of Automated Lighting: Systems and Design will be followed by an advanced course in Automated Lighting Programming, both led by Jim Waits with participation by numerous console manufacturers and automated luminaires provided by Vari-Lite. Additional console training includes programming Flying Pig's exciting new Wholehog® III console, taught by Vickie Claiborne of High End Systems, as well as grandMA University and grandMA 3D In-Depth, brought to you by the folks at A.C.T Lighting.

The LDInstitute also offers a wide range of software and visualization courses including: LD Assistant Ac and AutoCAD; Fundamentals of AutoCAD Design; four days of WYSIWYG Training; VectorWorks Spotlight Training for Technical Production; and Autodesk's 3D Studio VIZ. Specialized training is also available with such courses as Principles of Architectural Lighting, taught by LD Dawn Hollingsworth of Visual Terrain; Creating Experience Architecture led by AIA architect Gregory Beck, and followed with Inside Las Vegas, an on-site tour of entertainment venues and attractions around town.

ESTA returns to the LDInstitute as well with a revised field service session, Troubleshooting Techniques in the Real World, to be held at Fourth Phase Las Vegas, and Jolts and Volts: Power and Electrical Safety, a full-day session with real-world knowledge for everyone working with electricity including designers, electricians, and technicians.

Designers Christina Giannelli and Clifton Taylor join forces with projection designer Lisa Cuscuna and Anne Johnston of Fourth Phase to lead a Scenic Projection Techniques workshop, with an in-depth look at the wide range of projection technology used today. Special events include a Club Crawl of new Vegas nightspots, led by Adam Steyh of Fourth Phase, a special lunch and tour of the Jubliee! Theatre at Bally's (which has a new state-of-the-art lighting system by ETC installed by 4Wall Entertainment), and a trip to Cirque du Soleil to see “O” and meet lighting designer Luc LaFortune, lighting director Jeanette Farmer, and technicians of this incredible show at a post-performance panel and party.

Then, October 18-20, LDI offers three days of seminars and roundtables in various disciplines, from entertainment lighting and production techniques to architectural lighting, projection design and technology, and club systems. High points of the conference program include a session on Lighting the Mega-Event, moderated by Jack Calmes of Syncrolite with a panel of the top LDs in the biz (including Peter Gaspar, Troy Eckermann, Steve Cohen, and Peter Morse), and a look at the career of television lighting designer extraordinaire Bill Klages. A complete schedule of LDI sessions and special events, as well as online registration information, can be found at www.ldishow.com.

The LDI show floor may be bigger than ever, but LDI's training program deepens the show experience, offering hands-on options and in-depth discussion of entertainment technology at work. What better way to celebrate LDI's 15th anniversary?

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