From basic principles of automated lighting, to pre-production preparations, the text details concepts, procedures, and guidelines to ensure a successful production. Then the author continues with in-depth explanations for beginning, intermediate, and advanced programmers. Additional sections explore troubleshooting principles, working relationships, and future technologies. For the final chapter of the book, the author interviewed many respected lighting industry veterans including John Broderick, Christian Choi, Laura Frank, Jim Lenahan, and Arnold Serame.
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.
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.