Professional Development Program for PLASA Focus: Austin 2013 Expands

Six new sessions have been added to PLASA Professional Development Program taking place in Austin, Texas, a two-day program of free educational seminars and workshops running alongside PLASA Focus: Austin, at the Palmer Events Center, on September 10-11, 2013.

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the biggest and most technically advanced productions in the world. In "Eurovision: Mega Production, Mega Budget, Mega Fun" technical director Ola Melzig, a part-time Austinite, will discuss some of the triumphs, challenges, highpoints, and low points of putting on this year's production which took place in Sweden.

Audio engineer Rich Davis will present "Audio Engineering for Live Performance - Across the Board." For the past decade Davis has been the sound man for Jimmy Buffett, and has previously worked with entertainers including Doc Severinsen's Big Band, Melissa Etheridge, Boz Scaggs, and Brian Wilson. Davis will talk about integrating pro tools for live sound reinforcement as all Buffett shows are simulcast on Sirius XM, and share the experiences of doing shows in far-flung locations such as Hawaii and Paris.

Marc Stephens of MPS Studios will explore new camera formats and digital motion picture producing in "The Current State of Technology in the Motion Picture Industry - a Location Production Overview." This session provides an opportunity to learn what the major manufacturers are making and how the gear is used in high-end motion picture production today.

"Introduction to Avolites Titan Version 7" will provide an overview of the various features of Avolites latest Titan software, including show import, RDM, pixel mapping, and set list creation. The session will be presented by Brad White, an Avolites veteran who currently heads the Avolites US division of Group One Ltd.

In "How Many Pixels Can Dance on the Head of a Pin?" Jeremy Kumin of Enttec Americas will discuss the tools and thought processes that can be used to help decide what technology is required to execute the design of your project, and will explore the creative approaches that can be used to break out of the traditional choices.

Chauvet Professional will present "How to Blend LED with Traditional Fixtures." Deanna Padgett, national sales manager of Chauvet Professional and Illuminarc, will review the process of transitioning and replacing existing lighting with energy-saving LED fixtures. Padgett will also discuss narrow band versus broad emitting in relation to color, and explain why using the right tools is important.

For further information on these sessions and the others taking place, visitors should go to the PLASA Focus: Austin website at the URL below. Visitors need to register for their free ticket in order to sign up for the seminars they wish to attend -- seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitor registration is open now at the URL below.