STRAND News - Strand Lighting

Strand 500 Series Master Classes
By Bobby Harrell
Many new features have been added to the Strand
500 series consoles over the course of its 10 year
development. So much so, in fact, that official
training has been requested by operators that have
been using the desks for years! Compared to the
functionality of the consoles from the late 1990s, it’s
like having a brand new desk for some users. Many
of the features that have been recently enabled
allow for much smarter use of conventional fixtures
and so many more of the features increase
functionality of automated luminaire programming.
Philadelphia Local 8 Training
I have developed a
training course that I
teach for user groups
all over North
America. This
summer, I was
brought in by IATSE’s
Local 8 in
Philadelphia for a 3
day masterclass at
the Kimmel Center.
This was taught to
users of all levels that
work with the 500
series consoles all
over the city.
IATSE Local 8 members
discussing moving light programming.
Each class starts with conventional lighting
programming and then moves into automated fixture
programming. We had full use of the Kimmel
Center lighting rig with 5 Strand 500 series consoles
all linked together on the same network running
conventional lights, scrollers and movers.
Here is what David W. Cecil, a participant, had to
say about the class…
“Although I had been operating Strand Lighting Consoles
for several years I found Bobby Harrell's instruction for
the Strand 520i and 550i to be invaluable. In his course,
Mr. Harrell outlines an efficient approach for the
operation of intelligent lighting fixtures.
His demonstrates how to edit fixture libraries, attribute
filters and profiles. His methods for organizing
groups and macros proved to be most illuminating. His
comprehensive methodology enables you to
successfully integrate moving and conventional fixtures
on a single console and still program complex lighting
presentations. It is, without a doubt, one of the best
professional courses I have ever attended.”
Many thanks to Michael Sweeney, Master
Electrician of the Kimmel Center and Jim
Utterback from Local 22 for their help.
Canada Training in Edmonton & Calgary
In September, I traveled to Edmonton and Calgary
to teach master classes for Canadian users.
Always starting with conventional programming
then moving into automated fixtures, each class is
customized to the students’ level of experience.
Each Canadian class lasted one day but I have
taught extensive 5 day classes. That gets very
hands on and finishes with a single day design
and cueing project for the students.
The Masterclass in Edmonton. 5 – 520i consoles,
4 - Technobeams with xConnect and WYSIWYG.
Thanks to Rob Montgomery and Richard Goode
for all their help.
If you have a need for training in your area, don’t
hesitate to contact your local union. Many have
education programs for funding of training. For
non-union training of designers, programmers,
electricians and students…contact me directly or
sign up for my classes at future trade shows!