There's No Such Thing as Blacklight Gel

This is the time of year when I get a great many calls asking for a black light gel. People want to create spectacular black light effects for parties and events without the expense of real black light. I hear you. I totally do. The thing is, there really is no such thing as a black light gel. (Actually, in 2008, there is no such thing as "gel" but that's a whole other blog.)

Our eyes detect visible light in a spectrum ranging from red through orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Roscolux #59 Indigo is a very deep purple with a transmission value of only 2%. In a pinch, and under just the right circumstances, you can use this filter to simulate black light. But in truth, it is really just a violet color dense enough to begin to border on ultraviolet.

Beyond violet light is ultraviolet light, which we cannot see. Ultraviolet light picks up phosphors. A phosphor is any substance that emits visible light in response to radiation. A phosphor converts the energy in the UV radiation from a black light into visible light. What you are seeing when you use a "black light gel" is the few phosphors that are able to be detected with the little tiny bit of ultraviolet light escaping through the filter.

To create a true black light effect, you will want to use a fixture that actually emits ultraviolet light. Fluorescent tubes have a bit of mercury in them (which is why we can't just toss them in the trash). Mercury gas gives off green, blue, and UV light. Black Light Fluorescents are coated with a purple dye to keep the blue and green light from passing through, thereby letting just the UV light pass. Fluorescent Black Light lamps are good for short range applications and low budget, low impact effects.

For better effects, I recommend the new UV LED PAR from American DJ. LED's generate very little heat and this one has 151 LED's for a nice, even field of light. This is a big step up from fluorescents, but due to the nature of LED's these are best for medium throw, medium budget, medium impact effects.

For really great effects, you need to get out the big guns. Most manufacturers of black lights use mercury vapor or metal halide lamps. Wildfire makes a long throw, maximum impact fixture that uses an Iron Arc Metal Halide lamps specifically designed for black light emission. It peaks at about 365 nanometers for a truly stunning black light effect.

But remember, you get what you pay for. A sheet of Roscolux #59 is $6.75. An inexpensive 4' Fluorescent Black Light fixture runs about $50.00. The American DJ UV LED PAR will cost about $240.00. And the Wildfire fixtures range from $1,300.00 to $3,200.00.

So while there is no such thing as a true black light gel, there are many ways to create stunning black light effects. Give me a call at Musson and I will find the product that is just right for your budget and your effect.

The Worst Day at the Best Job in the World

I love my job. Love it. Even after more than 19 years, I get up happy to go to work every morning. I have the glorious distinction of being able to make my living in the industry that I love, helping artists create great theatre, restoring forgotten palaces of entertainment, making schools better environments for learning in the arts, and building communities through cultural participation. Yea for me!

Today, I hate my job. Hate it. Today I had my third site visit to Diablo Vista Middle School in Danville. It is a simple project; an upgrade to an existing Strand dimmer rack, adding a few surface mounted circuit boxes, and increasing the client's inventory of lighting fixtures to be focused into a useful repertory light plot. David Lindberg, my Audio Specialist, has designed a very nice sound reinforcement system for the music department to complement the lighting upgrade. The customer, the San Ramon Unified School District, is a dream to work with. So why is this the third time I have left this building running to my car in tears?

Let me tell you the story of Devon Marvin. A lovely child of 13 and a half years with gentle nature, quick wit, great smile, and loving personality. An honor roll student, Devon had an affinity for music and literature and a great love for animals - even snails. How do I know Devon? I don't. I can't. She decided to leave this world of her own accord and on her own terms on February 9th of 2008. Why a little peanut with the whole world in front of her would take her own life is absolutely mysterious to me. And since she left no note, it will always be a mystery to all of us. You can see her obituary and sign her guest book here.

Her parents, Scott and Jane, have decided that a proper memorial for Devon is to upgrade the stage on which she used to perform as second violinist at the middle school she attended. I see Scott Marvin at every site meeting. His pain is palpable, and each time he visits the school it is a cruel reminder that he will never again sit in an uncomfortable metal chair, in an acoustically inappropriate room, drink weak coffee, and joyfully listen to his tiny daughter create beautiful music. Scott is often on the verge of tears when I see him and, like Truvy in Steel Magnolias, I have a strict rule that no one cries alone in my presence. Today is the worst day at the best job in the world.

This is not the first loss of a young person to suicide I have encountered this year. My friend Bill Groener, who you may know from PRG and ESTA, recently lost his son, Chris, a mere 19 years old. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old. Bill raised over $17,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide prevention on June 7th at the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk-A-Thon in New York City. If you would like to learn more about suicide prevention, you can visit the AFSP website.

The Diablo Vista Middle School Project, which has understandably become dear to my heart, is being funded by a memorial fund. Contributions can be made to:

Devon Marvin Memorial Fund
c/o Silicon Valley Community Foundation
attn: Gift Administration,
2440 West El Camino Real, Suite 300
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 450-5400

I am headed home now to a glass of old vine Zinfandel, which I will raise to a better tomorrow - for all of us.

There Is No Such Thing As An Intelligent Light

I have long been of the opinion that there is no such thing as an intelligent light. There are certainly automated lights, and motorized lights, and even robotic lights. But lighting is not intelligent. Lighting designers and programmers are intelligent, and that can be hotly debated in certain circumstances.

Merriam-Webster defines intelligence as follows...

(1): the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations
(2): the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria

If there is a manufacturer currently producing a lighting fixture that has the capacity to think abstractly, I would like a demo in my show room ASAP!

However, Merriam-Webster defines intelligent as follows...

(1): having or indicating a high or satisfactory degree of intelligence and mental capacity b: revealing or reflecting good judgment or sound thought : skillful
(2): possessing intelligence b: guided or directed by intellect : rational
(3): guided or controlled by a computer; especially : using a built-in microprocessor for automatic operation, for processing of data, or for achieving greater versatility

Now, it is #3 that obviously gets me. Is this what we now consider intelligence? Is it possible that concept of intelligence is no longer the private domain of living, sentient creatures but rather easily replaced by a built-in microprocessor?

I reject this last definition. I choose to cling to my belief that intelligence cannot be manufactured less expensively in China. It is at the core of the human spirit and innovation. Technology is all well and good. I need it. I like it. I sell a ton of it. But as a theatre artist, I will take one truly intelligent lighting designer with a current swatchbook and pattern catalog over 50 "intelligent lights" any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Don't mistake - I love automated lighting. Used properly in the right circumstances, automated lighting can make a production or environment really pop. There are plenty of great lights on the market, each with its own set of features and attributes. Give me a call any time and I will gladly share my intelligence with you about the various options in automated lighting. Just don't ask for an intelligent light! As far as I'm concerned, there's no such thing.

Help Me Support Behind the Scenes

It is no secret that I am heavily involved in ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association. And now I challenge you to get involved too. I have signed up to support the ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes Program with the Parade Magazine Fundraising Challenge. The more unique donations I can raise, the closer we get to winning a $50,000.00 donation! Can you imagine how many people Behind the Scenes could help with that amount of money. It doesn't take much to help - Just a $10.00 donation to this extremely worthy cause!

Hey. Do you even know what Behind the Scenes is?

Behind the Scenes provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals when they are ill or injured. Individuals and organizations contribute money to the program, and Behind the Scenes provides grants for emergency situations. With this initiative, our industry can make sure our colleagues are cared for when tragedy strikes.

Many people in the entertainment technology industry lack health insurance and other financial support systems that are common for professionals in other fields. Behind the Scenes helps industry members through crises, such as serious illness, injury or death by fitting each grant to the recipient's needs. Funds can be used for medical care and living expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, food, transportation and child care.

Behind the Scenes is working to raise $5 million to create an endowment so our industry will be able to help our colleagues for many years into the future. Please contribute today. Any amount will be appreciated. Every contribution will help.