TLDR: Watch the video, sign up for Tech25’s email list and keep posted for more info on future artist residency programs. What is Tech25? (A training place for people interested in running live events).
Recently I got to collaborate with Reba Meyers on her first solo tour, which also doubled to pilot a new artist residency program at Tech25. I have a lot of passion for seeing the Tech25 space double as a place for artists to develop their tours. A future space for audio & visual collaborations. Lots of possibilities on the horizon, but for now check out this video to learn more about it.
Me & Tech-TwoFive…
Tech25 is a Pittsburgh-based training center for the event production and broadcast industry.
For the past year I’ve been teaching workshops, representing them at conferences (LDI, NAMM, USITT) to build brand partnerships, and brokering future training opportunities. At the same time, I’ve also benefited from being a student in their courses, from Pangolin Laser Systems to Obsidian Onyx training, and I can attest to the immense value of their programs.
There’s a lot of discussion around which jobs AI will replace, but in an industry that is constantly evolving, Tech25 is teaching in-demand skills for live entertainment that will not likely be replaced by AI and robotics.
Like when the mic goes out, who do you call, a robot, or a sound person who you can yell at!?
(Please don’t yell at your sound person, they have sensitive ears…)
I first crossed paths with Reba during the COVID when I collaborated with her band, Code Orange, on their groundbreaking livestream, “Back Inside the Glass.” You can see a promo for that project here and the full performance here. I documented that experience in a previous blog post.
Earlier this year, Reba reached out to me for help in developing the visuals for her first solo tour. Serendipitously, at the same time, I was in discussions with the Tech25 team about creating residency programs for artists. The idea was to provide a space where musicians and visual artists could develop their shows, prep for tours, and engage with students. Reba’s project fit right in.
Over the better part of a month, Reba and I made Tech25 our creative home. We’d come in for the afternoon and evening, and in that dedicated space, we brought her show to life. As Reba mentions in the video, Tech25 gave her the invaluable opportunity to get the look and feel of her show dialed in before the tour even started. Having access to a state-of-the-art facility and equipment in a supportive environment was a game-changer.
Reba’s Tour Package
We had access to an NX-4 in the space, but Reba wanted a completely DIY tour (D-I-Reba?), I tried to make my case for Obsidian to modify some of their licensing options, but it was unlikely that they would budge. Knowing that Reba would use Ableton Live to drive the show, we needed MIDI and OSC to initiate the changes in the lights, so we opted for one of my favorite pieces of software on the planet! MadMapper 🙂
I set Reba up with a 1-month MadMapper rental license and an Enttec DMX USB device. We sourced all of our par and strobe lights from Amazon (so they could be quickly replaced if one broke on the road). I knew I wanted some sort of visible lighting that wouldn’t blind the audience, but increased the atmosphere, so I 3D printed a cover to place over the lights that would block the center of the LED source.
I modified an old Marshall cab of Reba’s to hold the rear strobe wash, and also be the space to transport all the lights and cables while on tour (basically a place to cram everything in), with some nice laminated stage plot cards for peace of mind! (see video walkthrough below):
The Future: A Vision for a Tech25 Residency Program
This experience with Reba has solidified my belief in the power of a residency program at Tech25. I envision a future where we can bring in bigger artists to work directly with students, creating a unique and invaluable learning experience. This program could also fund local talent, providing them with the resources and mentorship to explore their creative potential in the live events industry.
I’m incredibly proud of what Reba and I accomplished at Tech25, and I’m even more excited about the future possibilities. Thanks for reading! -Cornelius (Neil)
The Instagram Promo:
0 Comments