played host to the most recent WYSIWYG Retreat, which was held November 21st thru November 24th at Upstaging headquarters in Mundelein, Illinois. Over 30 lighting designers and programmers from around the country were in attendance for the four-day event. WYSIWYG programmers Nook Schoenfeld and David Irwin were onsite to lead the event, offering individualized training and programming advice.
The retreat gave designers and programmers a hands-on-experience to learn and polish their skills on Cast Lighting’s WYSIWYG system and the power of virtual programming. Upstaging provided a unique element to the Chicago retreat by interfacing multiple consoles in the WYSIWYG studio, eliminating the need for participants to wait for programming time.
Participants were able utilize the Flying Pig Systems Whole Hog II™ and MA Lighting grand MA™ consoles, along with the newest series consoles such as Martin Maxxyz™ and Whole Hog III™. Upstaging’s WYSIWYG studio included the use of High End Systems Turbo Cyberlights, Studio Spots 575, Studio Color 575, Martin Mac 300 Wash, Mac 2000 Wash, Mac 500’s, Mac 600’s, Mac 2000 Profiles, Atomic 3000 Strobe, Coemar CF 1200 Wash, CF 1200 HE, and Panorama Super Cycs. With the extensive studio set up, users were able to playback live the product of virtual programming.
Included in the Chicago retreat were the new Electronic Theatre Controls Emphasis™ Lighting Control System and the Martin Maxxyz™ console. Rob Cross from ETC offered demonstrations on the Emphasis Control System through the Expression 2X console. Also onsite was Carl Wake from Martin Professional demonstrating the new Martin Maxxyz™ console.
And if all this technology wasn’t enough to overload their minds, the High End Systems Catalyst™ system was there to finish the job. Designers and programmers were taken for a wild ride with a demonstration of the Catalyst system. Those brave enough to get behind the wheel had the chance to experience first hand the unique effects and programming capabilities of Catalyst.
Upstaging continues to provide its clients with the benefits of virtual programming. Tours such as Creed, Marc Anthony, John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, James Taylor, Lenny Kravitz, 311, Gloria Estefan, to name a few, have all taken advantage of the Upstaging WYSIWYG studio. WYSIWYG’ing is not just for rock-n-roll, Upstaging’s corporate and special event clients, such as Sea Doo, Rotary International, and PBS, have also realized the benefits of virtual programming.