A CLOSER LOOK ABOVE THE STAGE . NOTICE THE TRUSS ALONG THE BACK WALL
system is also scalable , but the thing that ’ s amazing about the control software is you can build up these Shot Thumbnails . When you ’ re putting a show together with multiple cameras and a bunch of different shots , keeping track of that is very complicated . With Shot Thumbnails you can select camera three , for example , and see all the shots set up for that camera on your screen , then , using the touchscreen , choose which meets your needs , put that into preview , and / or do a live transition between [ shots ]. And it ’ s very fast to program .”
SKAARHOJ was chosen owing to the need for third-party shading controls . “ Our configuration is unique and to get that control comprehensively through all the different camera and head setups , SKAARHOJ was the most consistent solution . They ’ re also a manufacturing-agnostic control device – kind of like the Ross system – in that you ’ ve got hardware with all the capabilities you need , but with the software and their configuration utility you can set it up for your preferences .”
In every case , class-leading support was also a critical consideration . That came into play with SKAARHOJ , even before the project finished out , he explains : “ We ’ d specified a model that seemed like the best option , but they ’ re constantly improving , developing , and releasing new iterations of products . After delivery and installation , SKAARHOJ actually released something more appropriate for our application and when we reached out to them about that new product they immediately said , ‘ Send us the old one back ; we ’ ll send you the new one .’”
When it came to adding and integrating new lighting equipment and electrical infrastructure , Arts Commons head of lighting , Kris Ladd , took the point . Although Ladd has worked as an operator in Arts Commons since he first came on board in 2007 , increasingly , his focus has been on infrastructure projects throughout the complex .
“ The lighting project was completely separate from video / broadcast ,” he explains . “ This was , first and foremost , a dimmer replacement project with significant re-circuiting in JSCH .” The project also included significant fixture purchases for JSCH and Arts Commons ’ other venues . Lighting was designed and specified in-house , with Matthew Labrie at Christie Lites in Calgary supplying the dimming / power equipment and Christie , as well as Brian Cloutier at Sapphire Sound , Abbotsford , supplying a significant portion of the fixtures .
“ This is really the second of three large lighting projects in the building , all motivated by aging equipment and changing LED technology . We started in 2018 with the Max Bell Theatre ( MBT ), which was designed with all LEDs overhead and conventional lighting for FOH . However , FOH is ready for LED fixtures to be added when appropriate . This time we focused on JSCH , while also improving the inventory in MBT , the Martha Cohen Theatre , and the Engineered Air Theatre . JSCH ’ s infrastructure has now been designed to accommodate conventional and LED fixtures throughout .”
Given JSCH was designed primarily for orchestral concerts but also hosts so many other types of events , Ladd notes : “ It differs from a typical roadhouse .”
That ’ s putting it mildly . JSCH is a worldclass orchestral venue , which boasts a massive pipe organ located behind the choir loft , and a 50-ton , spruce-wood acoustical canopy above the stage that raises and lowers to tune the hall according to the needs of a given performance . While those elements set JSCH apart from other venues of its ilk , they also present challenges , which factored into decisions about upgrades , fixture choices , and placement .
“ Sightlines can be an issue due to seating that runs along the sides and extends upstage beyond the downstage edge of the stage , but these design features don ’ t prevent us from presenting many types of performances . We have 20.5-in . box truss that allows us to hang lighting fixtures , soft goods , et cetera , over the stage , and computer-controlled motors permanently rigged in the void above the hall .” Granted , he continues , “ Permanent lighting positions are limited due to the acoustical needs of the hall ; the trusses are only hung over the stage when needed , and although the options for FOH positions are limited as well , we have enough fixtures there to meet any show ’ s needs .”
A significant amount of the electrical infrastructure throughout Arts Commons was original to the building and dating back to 1985 , he explains . While some work had been done since then , they were well overdue for an upgrade . “ The original consultants viewed this as an orchestral concert hall , which , of course , it is . But they were fixated on that and didn ’ t consider the fact that the venue can ’ t spend its whole time just presenting orchestral shows .” Orchestral shows , he adds , which also have evolved substantially over time and typically require more infrastructure – in terms of both audio and lighting – than when the venue was built .
“ Some things were inadequate from day one for anything other than an acoustic symphony show ; circuiting throughout the venue wasn ’ t good , and circuits were duplicated in places – the balcony rail and the lower mezzanine rail were on the same circuit , for example . And the circuiting for the trusses , what little they provided , was above everything else so you could drop it in , but then there ’ s the canopy , which meant we had to drop it to the canopy and then to the truss .”
In the past , improving electrical infrastructure , circuits , dimmers , and so forth , was a piecemeal rather than comprehensive effort . “ The original system had 170 dimmers . In 2000 , they brought the total up to 230 dimmers and added and moved some circuits around , but it was still quite a mess . This was about cleaning all that up and getting new equipment .”
Among the upgrades : four ETC Sensor3 48-Module Advanced Features Rack , loaded primarily with ThruPower Modules ; one ETC ELTS2 Emergency Lighting Transfer System ; and five ESL Power Systems ShowSwitch Company Switches ( including two with isolated ground ) were installed . “ We ’ d already installed an ETC Paradigm for the house lights in 2017 when we installed ETC D60 Lustr + [ fixtures ] to light the main orchestra section of the audience , as well as some D22 Lustr + [ fixtures ] to backlight some [ architectural ] columns .”
Additionally , new ETC consoles were brought in – an Eos Ti as the main control surface , and an Ion Xe 20 as a backup / on deck console . Connectivity has also improved with variety of Pathway Connectivity products : five VIA12 Ethernet Switches , one eLink Network Protocol Converter / Router , and six Pathport QUATTROs , as an addition to their pre-existing inventory of five OCTOs and one QUATTRO . “ The
24 | Fall 2021