The Automated Lighting Programmer's Handbook

by Brad Schiller

This guide helps lighting designers with the creative and operational challenges they face in their rapidly evolving industry. Providing respected and clear coverage of the process of programming automated lighting fixtures, the author brings the designer from basic principles to preproduction preparations. Concepts, procedures, and guidelines to ensure a successful production are covered as well as troubleshooting, much needed information on work relationships, and technology including LED lighting, console networking, digital lighting, and more. Chapters are peppered with advice and war stories from some of the most prominent lighting designers of today.

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for anyone in the entertainment lighting industry. Brad Schiller uses real-world experiences to teach and guide the reader to be a better designer, programmer, and collaborator. He breaks down every detail of being a lighting programmer and designer, from how to set up your console to how to be professional with the people you will work with. He also shares his personal journals from large shows he has worked on, so you get to a first-hand account of the hours, stress, and time it takes to make a great show. This book looks like a textbook, but it does not read like one. I read every word, cover-to-cover, and Schiller wrote in a way that made it easy to grasp the knowledge he wants to give you.

[Julius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent, yet quite concise - I read it in a day. The internal divisions are done well, and things are easy to find in it. The final section, the author's notes on how he worked with 15 other programmers to run the Syndey Olympics opening games, is mind blowing and opens up a realm of possibilities.

I highly recommend it to anyone interested in design or programming - worth the money to own.