LDI, the ultimate sandbox for live-event gearheads, creatives, and innovators, presents the second annual Lighting Programming Summit, November 16-19, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Organized in conjunction with Sovereign Candle Collective, these sessions tackle lighting console programming and busking in a big way. Register today and use promo code INST20 for a 20% discount on Wednesday's Hands-On Busking or The Lighting Programming Summit on Friday and Saturday, and get a bonus, 50% off the LDInnovation Conference at checkout.
This four-day experience kicks off on Wednesday, November 16 with Hands-On Busking On Lighting Consoles. Led by Brandon Gauthier, founding member and principal designer at Sovereign Candle Collective, this full-day session, 11am-6pm, teaches you how to approach lighting programming in a live setting. Come prepared with a show file and get hands-on, cumulative experience with the console of your choice. Sessions include: a panel of lighting designers discussing their experiences with busking, a software-based session to program the ultimate busking show file, and a session to put your show file into practice on a console and show off your busking style!
Day Two is The Art Of Programming, one of the most well-attended parts of the LDInnovation Conference on Thursday, November 17. Moderated by Luther Frank, founding partner at Sovereign Candle Collective, these four sessions cover all aspects, from building a cue to building a career:
• Mastering Effects, Pixel Mapping, Networking, and Non-Traditional Programming
“After 2020, most programmers know how to push buttons after all the online classes and tutorials. I feel like a lot of programmers want to hear how “the pros” approach the first cue and how they handle time constraints, designer requests, and tech issues along the way. Very rarely do we address and share how we get through roadblocks, hurtles, and the daily struggles of how to be a programmer that does NOT deal with smashing buttons," notes LD/programmer Tiffany Keys, who took part in the Lighting Programming Summit in 2021.
The Lighting Programming Summit, led by Wes Richter, founding partner and principal designer at Sovereign Candle Collective, takes center stage on Friday and Saturday, November 18 & 19:
• Friday, November 18, things kick up a notch with The Battle of the Busk, 2-6pm: This two-day seminar and workshop covers live lighting programming across multiple industry-leading consoles. Experts will provide hands-on demonstrations of their skills, methods, and insights into their programming language of choice. They will also share career-building and networking advice to those new at navigating this highly in-demand field. New programmers should be ready with their best questions and ideas and potentially be ready to show off their skills in front of their peers. Experienced designers and programmers are encouraged to participate as well and come meet the up-and-coming talent from across the industry. Finishing with a live show of the best of the buskers!
“2021’s Battle of the Busk was extraordinary. Programmers always talk about getting their desk of choice and going head to head against one another, but it’s not really practical out in the field. Finally getting the best of the best to show off their skills, all on the same rig with many different consoles, and have them share their unique expertise and opinions with the audience was something only possible at LDI. After the show, watching attendees and famous programmers sit together and hash out tricks and tips was awesome. A truly special experience," says Frank.
"It was a pleasure hosting Rane Renshaw, Christian Jackson, Jason Bollock, and Brandon Gauthier for The Battle of the Busk 2021! It felt like a unique LDI experience to have such a performative event that could be so educational and laid-back at the same time," notes Richter. "Rarely does a lighting designer get to say they designed a rig for such a diverse array of busking talent, but it's even rarer to get a chance to hear all of them chat about their craft together. The whole Sovereign Candle team is gearing up for an even bigger show this year!"
• Saturday, November 19: Cue4Me, 2-6pm: Live participants will be chose first-come, first-served followed by a waitlist. Approximately 15 will be chosen. Required materials: Personal show file for console of choice.Come put your programming knowledge to the test under the direction of industry-leading designers. Using the same lighting rig and console options from the day prior, participants will have the opportunity to work live with a designer: taking direction, building looks, and openly sharing strategies and methods for working out in the field. Professionals from all segments of our industry—theatre, film, and live music—will all be present to offer their unique perspectives on programming workflow and philosophy.
“Cue4Me is about real experience. Teaching a programming language is one thing, but navigating a lighting fast tech is another," Frank points out. "In 2021 this workshop was fascinating in unexpected ways. We witnessed the best programmers in the business build 3 minute concert shows with brand new programmers on the desks. The results were excellent, and watching these teams overcome each struggle live was incredibly enlightening.”
