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#WeMakeEvents Call To Action

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The following is a call to action from the #WeMakeEvents North America movement: In this dire time, we, the entertainment community of North America, are asking for your support. Live events have been completely halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because our business is rooted in large group gatherings, we were one of the first industries to be completely shut down (early March) and will be one of the last to return to any operations (well into 2021), let alone restore former prosperity (likely not until 2022 or beyond). The live event industry in North America directly employs more than 12 million people and includes hundreds of thousands of businesses with a combined economic impact of over $1 trillion USD. This likely includes someone you know, are close to, or it may even include you. If WE do not receive government assistance, the live events industry will literally collapse, including all of the people involved. We are asking for your support to help raise awareness in hopes that the government will provide the appropriate support by way of relief funding and necessary legislation. The RESTART Act is a bill that is currently moving through congress, but has stalled. We?re organizing a widespread PR event by lighting up as many buildings in RED as possible and posting pictures and videos to social media and news outlets in hopes that this will help push the bill through. We have also partnered with ExtendPUA.org and are requesting a continuation and expansion of the PUA, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and FPUC, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which supplement earnings per week for those on unemployment and open up unemployment to 1099 workers. A similar event was held in the UK on Tuesday 8/11/2020 which was hugely successful and included 715 buildings/structures glowing in red. Below is a link to an aerial video showing downtown London that night as well as a really well done example: Aerial Drone Footage – Link# WeMakeEvents Red Alert Building Footage – Link We are charging all willing participants to light their building(s) exteriors in RED on TuesdaySeptember 1, 2020 from 9p-12a in your local time zone and to post pictures or video using the hashtags #WeMakeEvents, #RedAlertRESTART, and #ExtendPUA. You can help in three ways: If you have a commercial or residential building that can be lit in RED (whether or not youhave the equipment to do so). If you have equipment and or services that you?re willing to offer for those that need it tofacilitate. Spread the word by forwarding this letter on to anyone that you know who can help.Thank you in advance for your support and efforts. You may never truly understand the impact it brings. Please contact WeMakeEventsNorthAmerica@gmail.com if you are able to help with any of the above or for more information. Sincerely,The entertainment community of North America –Official press release is as follows: For Immediate Release NEW DATE: #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART #ExtendPUA To Light 1,500 Buildings In Red On Tuesday, September 1, 2020 #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART and #ExtendPUA represent a major call to action on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, imploring the US Congress to pass the RESTART Act (S.3814) as quickly as possible, offering economic relief to the Live Events Industry, which has been shuttered since March, 2020, putting millions of people out of work. Additionally, the movement is to support ExtendPUA.org in their efforts towards continuation and extension of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to provide relief to those without work due to COVID-19. The initial date of August 27 coincides with the closing of a national political convention and the organizers of #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART want to make sure their message is heard loud and clear and gets the media attention it deserves. ?We had no intentions to piggy back on the convention, and we began receiving feedback from several US cities with concern about having our event on the same day. Therefore, a decision was made to move the date in order to expand our exposure,? says #WeMakeEvents North American director, Brad Nelms. ?In the meantime, the group has managed to gather incredible support for this important movement, signing on more than 30 regional directors to lead the initiative in markets nationally. This team have been so fired up and already have commitments from hundreds of incredible venues and iconic locations nationally who will show support.? The new date is September 1, 2020, when buildings, structures, and residences will be lit in red from 9pm-12am (local time in each market) as the event rolls across North America. The goal to raise public awareness that the Live Events Industry is on Red Alert for its very survival, and create congressional pressure to act now. #BeAnArtsHero, a grassroots coalition of arts and cultural workers, reports: ?The Arts & Culture sector employs 5.1 million people and provides $877 billion value added to the U.S. economy. It adds more value to the economy than transportation, agriculture, or tourism. The Arts & Culture sector is a cornerstone of the larger U.S. economy, making up 4.5% of GDP. Despite their out-sized cultural and economic contribution, the Arts & Culture sector of the U.S. economy is in grave danger. Due to Covid-19, 62% of Arts Workers report that they are fully unemployed. 94% of Arts workers report income loss; to date, the average Arts worker reports $23,500 in lost revenue this year. Due to Covid-19, 66% of Arts workers report they are unable to access the spaces, staff, resources, or supplies needed to perform their work.“ The targeted list of cities for the #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART #ExtendPUA event on September 1, 2020 across North America includes Washington D.C., Huntsville, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, Baltimore, Las Vegas, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Boulder, Fayetteville, Lexington, Louisville, and Canadian neighbors including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. The North American event comes on the heels of the August 11 event #WeMakeEvents Red Alert Day Of Action when over

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A Sad “State of the Union” for the Entertainment Industry

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Originally posted by the owner of R90 Lighting, Joe Cole, on the company’s official Facebook page. As a sad “state of the union” for the entertainment industry, yesterday we tendered our first official resignation. It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye and wish luck to one of our account reps, Davis Alexander. He’s been looking at the current state of the industry and has decided to try out the construction industry for a bit. We have a sneaking suspicion that he’ll be back in the entertainment industry at some point but in the meantime it creates a window to the sad state of affairs here in the entertainment industry. On the outside all of us companies are clinging on. We’re presenting our bright shiny faces, trying our best to sound chipper and smiling on your zoom meetings while you tell us about your exciting projects that are coming up in 2021. We have PPP loans, EIDL loans, some sales, some installations, even a small rental here and there. The company will survive, but Mr Alexanders resignation is a sign of the times. Our industry is in trouble. Very deep trouble. There are countless darkened warehouses and venues across the country. The darkest side is not the real estate, the dormant gear, or the lack of entertainment. The darkness is the soul of the industry. It’s the people. This industry has always been about the people. Every time a live production of Peter Pan plays out the audience claps out loud to save Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell is usually played by a follow spot operator, so for me that part of the show has always been about the people behind the scenes. These days it sort of feels like every time a band plays a live stream from their storage closet with no production somewhere there’s a talented lighting tech who just drops…. I don’t think people outside of the industry quite understand what it’s like to suddenly have everyone you know be dependent on unemployment and the welfare of the state. We’ve talked to our peers in this and other markets, it’s the same everywhere. Anyone who tells you their business is fine is lying through their teeth. Even the states that are “opening” have the same issues. Our shops are shuttered. Our venues are closed. Our shows don’t exist. Some of us are very lucky but a lot of us are going to seek employment elsewhere. At this point we’re all pretty sure that the industry will return, but when it does we’re not sure how many people will still be a part of it. Right now there’s not just follow spot operators, programmers, ME’s, lighting techs out of work. There’s sales managers, warehouse managers, shop leads, over hires and everyone else who checks gear in, out, peels tape off of your cable looms, finds broken and damaged gear, fixes that gear and gets it back out the door. A heartfelt thank you to everyone in the industry who is normally unnoticed and underappreciated. Thank you. Davis, good luck in the construction industry. We’ll see you on the other side of the tunnel.

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Keeping Live Music Alive in the Era of a Global Pandemic

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Without a doubt you’ve probably been affected by the Covid-19 global pandemic. Those of us who make our living in the live events industry were gearing up for another eventful spring and summer season full of music festivals, concert tours, weddings, and corporate events. Much of our industry relies on these critical months of warm weather to carry us through the winter period when the event industry slows down and work becomes more scarce. The shelter in place orders came down right as many of us were ramping up our businesses to be able to handle the coming influx of shows that would be the lifeblood of our industry. We all watched in disbelief as our entire industry collapsed overnight. By the end of the first week of March we watched all of our upcoming events cancel well into the end of May. By April, we began seeing our prospects dwindle further as events began cancelling as far as October. As time continues to progress, it’s become clear that the entirety of 2020 will be a complete wash for our industry and even spring of 2021 seems to be up in the air. The entertainment industry is one of those resilient entities that can pretty much withstand anything thrown at it. Economic downturns, natural disasters, disasters of human nature; people can always find an escape in the form of entertainment. It’s a coping mechanism. One thing the entertainment industry cannot withstand is a global pandemic. Those of us who rely on public events as our lifeblood very quickly learned that lesson as the world came to a screeching halt.  These days, we’re still left feeling an overwhelming desire for information. How long will the lockdowns be in place? When will it be safe for people to congregate in public again? When will there be a vaccine? It’s been increasingly difficult to get clear answers on many of the questions affecting us. We’ve been provided with parameters in which to operate in, but there’s been no concrete sign of just how long we’ll be required to operate within them. Many of us in our industry have been trying to come up with ways to adapt to this new and uncertain way of life in order to simply survive.  Enter The Covert Bat. Its mission is clear. Keep live music live, alive, and safe in the era of a global pandemic. Covert Bat is a non-profit entity with the goal of producing live events while adhering to the constraints of social distancing. This concept is achieved by creating event spaces that can be viewed from the safety of the audience’s vehicles. Covert Bat is currently operating as a conceptual experiment. The shows are invite only. Donations are suggested, but not required. The show itself is staffed and operated by a number of industry volunteers who have all agreed to give up their time to come help make this concept a reality. The equipment and staff are provided by a collective of local Seattle companies that have been directly impacted by this pandemic. R90 Lighting is proud to be apart of that collective, offering our support through the use of our state-of-the-art lighting equipment and facilities. Other organizations and people involved in Covert Bat are: Gleam Law PLLC Bending Lite Productions The DJ Sessions Christian Jackson Covert Bat has thus far managed to produce a number of live DJ concert showings with abundant success. It’s been featured on a variety of local news stations and was recently featured on Emerald City EDM. Covert Bat is currently looking to expand on this concept by offering live bands in addition to its DJ events. You can find out about when those upcoming events are going to take place by checking the covertbat.com website. Covert Bat is also looking for new locations to expand upon this show concept. The current venue that it is currently being housed at is ill-equipped for the potential size and interest that events like these have. If you have an open lot or know someone who has an open lot who might be interested in getting involved in these kinds of shows, please email that information to thecovertbat. We will get through this together. Live music as we once knew it will return. While this is certainly not an ideal situation, it is an opportunity to provide a feeling of normality and familiarity. Until we can all get back to safely partying it up at The Gorge Amphitheater, we’ll have to make due with what options are available to us, and right now that option is The Covert Bat. Stay safe. Stay Distant. Stay Dancing.

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Extreme Realism Pre-Viz Contest Winners

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The time has come to finally announce the winners of this years Extreme Realism Pre-Vis Contest! Due to the quarantine and a severe sense of reality loss, it took us a little longer than we had hoped to get these contest entries judged and ranked. This is partially because we have no idea what day or month it is anymore, but primarily it’s because of the sheer unexpected volume of submissions that we received.  Suddenly we faced the EXTREMEly difficult task of ranking each contest entry. Luckily, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were able to invest the time and energy needed to carefully examine each entry for the level of realistic quality that we had outlined in the contest. Each entry was reviewed by a number of judges here at R90 Lighting. Our brilliant master electrician Terra Duggan placed the paperwork of each entry under a microscope to make sure the utmost quality level’s were achieved.  This would be as good a time as ever to give a warm shout out to Flavio Menis. We loved your unashamed style of paperwork. You have no idea how many of our designs were drawn out on napkins or paper plates in bars using condiments! We didn’t love it enough to consider it a winning submission, but good on you all the same! (Absolutely brilliant!) The actual pre-vis presentations were reviewed by a team of our very own show leads, lighting designers, and one disgruntled operations manager to make sure that each entry received a fair shake from a wide range of industry backgrounds. These brave individuals included Rachid Schultz, Davis Alexander, Josh Fulcer, James McKenna, and our very own evil genius and contest brain-child Joe Cole, the owner of this flaming circus known as R90 Lighting. Pre-vis entries were judged based upon the following criteria: Technical understanding/programming ability, timing, color choice, and music selection. The winners were selected based upon how well all of these elements were combined to forge a solid final product. It is our absolute pleasure to announce the winners of this years Extreme Realism Pre-Viz Contest! The winner for best pre-vis lighting presentation goes to Michael Berger!  We collectively felt that Michael’s pre-vis presentation stood out above the rest of the contest submissions. It was both thick as steak and smooth as butter. His programming, color choice, and song choice all flowed together in a fluid manner as if they were made for each other. It is for that reason that we decided that Michael Berger would be this years winner for pre-vis entries. Please check out his submission below. I think you’ll agree that he did a phenomenal job working within the parameters of the contest! (Music Credit: Payson Lewis, Lighting Design: Michael Berger) As a result of his tremendous victory in this competition, Michael will be taking home the following contest loot: (1) American DJ Vertigo Hex LED(1) Magic Dongle Full compliments of Chamsys(1) Swag package compliments of Elation Lighting and ADJ. ————- Now, on to the winner for the Extreme Realism Pre-Viz Contest paperwork portion of the competition. It’s one thing to create a dazzling pre-vis performance on your computer, but what good is it if it’s impossible to actually build? For some reason we assumed that whoever won one half of the contest might come up short when it came to the other half.  We were wrong. Congratulations to Michael Berger for successfully beating out the rest of the competition with his paperwork submission. Of course, this means that he wins an additional American DJ Vertigo Hex LED, a second helping of swag from Elation Lighting and ADJ, and a Robe PATT desk lamp compliments of Robe Lighting. Honestly, it’s sort of the best turnout anyway. We know how important symmetry is in lighting design. Think of how EXTREME your set up will be with not one, but TWO Vertigo Hex LEDs! ?Muy caliente! If you’d like to see Michael’s EXTREME paperwork, here’s a zip file containing all of the submitted pdfs.  Congratulations again on your conquest of the Extreme Realism Pre-Viz Contest! If you’d like to check out what Michael is working on, check his work out at: Instagram – @mlbergerld Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/innovativeintensity/ Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqsvr7BfGZ5EZDHhdeWurGw Website – www.innovativeintensity.com —— As for the second place submissions. We were convinced that only one person was capable of winning both sides of this contest. There’s no way that two people could dominate the competition so completely. Again, we were wrong. I think it qualifies as a theme now. Congratulations to Erik McCandless for his second place victory of both the pre-vis performance as well as the paperwork submission. For his EXTREME achievement in demonstrating his lighting prowess, he will walk away with: (2) 8″ Mirror Balls(1) Swag package compliments of Elation Lighting and ADJ.(1) Magic Dongle Basic compliments of Chamsys. Please check out Erik’s submission below: (Music Credit:YourVoice. Lighting Design: Erik McCandless.) As you can see, it was a tough decision between the winners. I’d like to take the time to give Erik a special nod for the camera angle additions to his pre-vis presentation. Way to go the extra mile for production quality! You can check out Erik’s paperwork submission that also netted him second place in that category here (zip file). If you’d like to check out what Erik is all about, please do so: Instagram: @erikmccandless website: www.mccandlesslighting.com Enjoy those dual mirror balls! —— There were two runner-ups in each category that we felt deserved honorable mention, as well as some EXTREME swag for their efforts. All runner-up winners will receive: (1) Misprinted and randomly sized Anti Lighting Lighting Club hoodie courtesy of the fabled Christian Jackson.(1) Swag package compliments of Elation Lighting and ADJ.(1) Magic Dongle Basic compliments of Chamsys. Pre-vis presentation runner-ups: (Music Credit: Corpo Docenti. Lighting design: Flavio Menis You can check out what Flavio is up to: Instagram: @flavio.menisYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzaGtBAt7XALQTg0EDsZjAg (Music Credit: Maze. Lighting design: Zacharie Filteau.) You can check out what Zacharie is up