Live Design International (LDI) 2024

Join us for a meaningful stride towards positive mental health and substance use support at our annual 5K Rise and Shine Walk/Run. Lace-up your running shoes and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference. Every step counts as we come together to support a worthy cause, Behind the Scenes. Run with purpose, run with heart – let's go the extra mile for BTS!

Route will be around the LVCC and convention center hotels - Starting point location TBA

***All participants must sign a liability waiver on the morning of the run.

Start the morning with an eye-catching array of new lighting and laser products from LDI's leading exhibitors. A sneak preview of the hot technology on the LDI 2024 show floor. Take it all in with a cup of coffee and a breakfast goodie...

TAUGHT IN SPANISH Clase en Español
En este seminario de 4 horas aprenderá técnicas para importar archivos DWG y PDF, overlays e implantaciones. En esta clase cubriremos temas como manejo de capas, y clases para programar Viewports, administración de listas de inventarios, “Data Visualization”, configuración de Titleblocks. Y finalizaremos con una presentación de AI y VR.
Público objetivo: diseñadores de iluminación, gerentes de producción, dibujantes.

Prerrequisitos: ESTA NO ES UNA CLASE PARA PRINCIPIANTES. Los participantes deben tener conocimientos básicos de Vectorworks o haber asistido a la Introducción a los conceptos básicos de Vectorworks.

También recomendamos tomar el seminario Getting Started y completar el curso de certificación básica en línea.

Debe traer su propio ordenador portátil. Los detalles de los requisitos del sistema se han actualizado en Vectorworks 2025 aquí: https://www.vectorworks.net/sysreq

Come to this session if you want to learn about working with Augment3d, a suite of tools which adds a 3D programming and visual environment to the Eos Family of consoles, as well as Eos Software on Mac and PC.

With Augment3d, you can control your rig directly on your console, or from a tethered graphics-centric computer. You can even focus lights, preview your lighting looks in 3D space, and control your rig from your phone using augmented reality. Taught on the new Eos Apex console, this class takes you through getting Augment3d operational, introduces you to 3D environments and Augment3d zones, and how to build and use a model and lighting rig.

You’ll also learn about the Augment3d Scanner App and how it can make simple room-scanning a breeze.
Using your phone or tablet’s built-in AR tools, you’ll be able to instantly create a functional working model of your space – complete with floor, ceiling, walls, doors, windows, and proscenium so that you can start placing lights in Augment3d within minutes of walking in the door.

Prerequisites: Attendee should have a solid programming foundation with an Eos family lighting console. Level 1 – 3 are highly recommended before taking an introduction to Augment3d. Online classes are available at: https://learningstage.etcconnect.com/

Check out the other Eos family training sessions offered at LDI 2024!

This intensive, hands-on half-day course provides a solid introduction to Vectorworks for Entertainment Rigging. The Braceworks™ add-on module for Vectorworks Spotlight and Designer allows design, production, and rigging professionals to gauge the performance of temporary suspended structures under load. Learn how to model and present a design and conduct structural analyses on suspended system loads. Attendees will also explore how to create a 3D data model and generate rigging plans, documentation, and design presentations.

Target Audience: Live event design, production, and rigging professionals.

Prerequisites: THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER CLASS. Attendees must be comfortable drafting in a 3D environment and have a general understanding of entertainment rigging.

Must bring own laptop. System requirements have been updated to Vectorworks 2025 here: https://www.vectorworks.net/sysreq

RIGZ is an all-new, two-day rigging intensive programmed in conjunction with expert riggers Tracy Nunnally and Eric Rouse for all riggers, facility managers, technical directors, designers, and all those interested in the ins and outs of rigging safety and practices. RIGZ carries ETCP renewal credits.

The two days include the following sessions featuring industry experts as well as a complimentary reception at Park on Fremont on Saturday evening, December 7. Please RSVP for the reception when you register for RIGZ.


RIGZ schedule:
Saturday, December 7:
9:00am: Welcome
9:30-11am: Rigging For Designers
Tracy Nunnally, Brandon Wardell & Kristi Ross-Clausen
Creative designers from all disciplines intersect with rigging at many points (pun intended) in their process. Often, the creative team does not have the information that the rigging designers need in order to effectively serve the project. Join professional riggers for a discussion of how creative designers can effectively include rigging designers into their process so that the interaction with the rigging team is positive and effective. In this session, we will discuss the most important information that rigging designers need in order to maintain the safest environment and what the creative team can expect from a rigging designer during the process. The successful participant will have a greater working knowledge of rigging design and the process by which a creative design gets rigged.
11:30-1:00pm: ANSI Standards & OSHA Codes
Jonathan Deull & Tyler DeLong
The entertainment industry has made great strides in structuring and codifying our processes. We now have documented guidance, by way of ANSI standards, that help us work efficiently and create safer worksites. While that was all being created, most of us also had to abide by OSHA codes created by federal and state governments that are also meant to create safer working environments. During this session we will discuss how ANSI and OSHA now work together to have a targeted effect on the entertainment industry. How do we navigate both of these bodies and which one do we really have to pay attention to? Well, as it turns out....both!
1:00pm-2pm: Lunch
2:00-3:30pm: Where Are We With Fall Protection Today? How Did We Get Here?
Bill Sapsis & Courtney Nichols
Falls are still the most highly cited accidents on job sites across many industries. Thanks to many pioneers in our industry, the level of awareness and understanding of providing protection for people working at heights has improved by leaps and bounds. However there is always room to improve. Why is it that we always seem to default to designing fall arrest systems vs fall restraint systems? What can we learn from today's entertainment venues and tours to help us design better fall protection systems for our workers? During this session we will discuss how fall protection has changed and where we can go from here.
4:00-5:00pm: What Do I Need To Know?
Eric Rouse, Tracy Nunnally, Tyler DeLong, Ethan Gilson, Courtney Nichols & Kristi Ross-Clausen
A look at the industry, employment trends, where the jobs are from beginner to expert, ETCP certification, and how to negotiate your career.
6:00pm: RIGZ reception at Park on Fremont (506 Fremont Street). Food and drinks will be served (please RSVP when you register for RIGZ)

Sunday, December 8:
9:00am: Welcome
9:30-11:00am: Mechanized And Automated Drum Hoists In Entertainment 
Rebecca Knipfer & Gareth Conner
Mechanized and automated rigging have become prevalent in our venues. The systems we encounter can be designed for one-off applications or for long-term installations. During this session we will look at two different approaches to mechanized or automated rigging. We will discuss the building blocks for these pieces of machinery to better understand the differences between them, and we will also explore maintenance and inspection. This session will also explore what the "must haves" are in any mechanized or automated system.
11:30am-1:00pm: Risk Assessment & Risk Reduction In Performer Flying & Aerial Rigging: Tools to Determine Levels of Risk. 
Jonathan Deull, Ed Leahy & Tracy Nunnally
Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction is a process that riggers have been doing for decades. However, we have not always been the best at recording the process in writing, so there is really no proof that we actually did it, and nothing after the fact that can be examined to see where an omission might have occurred. Written RA/RR assessment are becoming more commonplace for all types of installations, so having a somewhat uniform process is desirable. This session will take the participant through the process of identifying hazards and risks, evaluating and quantifying the probability and severity, mitigating the probability or severity or both, quantifying the residual risk, documenting the process, and repeating it until the risks are acceptable. The successful participant should be able to repeat this process and develop an RA/RR plan for their own facility or activity.
1:00pm-2pm: Lunch
2:00-3:30pm: Video Wall Rigging - Negotiating Reality vs What The Engineer Specified.....Can We Negotiate?
Mike Viehmeyer, Elmer Veith & Jeff Reder
High-resolution video walls are now so common that if a show doesn't have them the audience is completely lost on where to look. While there has been amazing progress in the design of the LED panels and the rigging, there can still be a cavalier attitude to some of the finer details that affect the safety of the production. The discussion here will be on those finer details that can mean the difference between a successful or unsuccessful outcome during load-in, strike, or inclement weather. What flexibility does the rigger have to make changes on-site when they are faced with reality? Do they need to check with the engineer on every little detail? Let's see what the engineer has to say about that!
4:00-5:00pm: Closing Panel: An opportunity to wrap up the discussions and provide an open forum for conversation about all that was discussed over the two days. There's no agenda for this one. We just want to see what people are thinking.

Join us at 10am on Sunday, December 8 as the doors to LDI 2024 open !

Uh oh! Show starts in a few hours and the site you are working on has some brand-new fixtures that are not in the console! You search the fixture hub, but there isn’t a profile already made. Looks like you need to make a working profile on the console.
This 2-hour course will cover what to do in this situation.

Session outline:
• Online Fixture HUB
• Updating Console libraries
• Fixture builder Basic Tab
• Fixture Builder Advanced Entries
• Fixture Builder Functions
• Compound Fixture Types
• Importing/Exporting Fixtures via XML

Attendees with some basic knowledge of the Hog 4 console, and familiarity with fixture DMX charts will gain more from the session.

Online classes are available at: https://learningstage.etcconnect.com/
Check out the other Hog sessions offered at LDI 2024!

Instructor:  Noah Allen, Product Support Specialist and Hog 4 Trainer, ETC Austin

Location: Association Lounge, LDI Expo Hall

Designers and technicians! Present your work, and network with graduate school recruiters and potential employers. Presented by the University Resident Theatre Association, there is no additional cost to participate in the showcase.
Please pre-register to reserve your space at the showcase here. Pre-registration deadline, Friday, November 22.
 
All pre-registered participants will receive a code for a free LDI expo hall pass

We’ve got a safe, alcohol-free space for you at the Behind The Scenes Wellness Lounge, located on the LDI show floor and open from December 8-10, during show hours.

Being an individual in the hardest working industry can leave you feeling empty. If you are curious about yoga and meditation, you can fill yourself up with our “no experience required” yoga and meditation each morning. In the afternoons, industry colleagues offer insight in their short presentations on sleep, nutrition, mental health, physical health, recovery, and mindfulness. Visit the Behind the Scenes booth in the Wellness Lounge to learn about our Mental Health Initiative and receive valuable information you can post at work. Our safe space provides an alcohol-free environment where attendees have opportunities to talk one-on-one with the presenters and ask questions about nutrition, sleep, mindfulness, physical health, and mental health.

Experience these sessions at the Behind The Scenes Wellness Lounge (check back for day-by-day schedule):

• Overview of Mental Health Tools & Resources: BTS Executive Director Lori Rubinstein will provide a 20-minute overview of the many tools and resources available under the charity’s Mental Health Initiative, including suicide prevention resources, substance use information for all those impacted, the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder, resources to fight bullying and harassment, Mental Health First Aid Training, an anonymous self-assessment tool, and sample language on mental health for safety briefings and meetings.
• Staying Sober at the Bar: ETC Vice President of High-End Systems and International Operations David Lincecum asks, “Are you sober or sober-curious?”  One of the more challenging times may be when you are in social situations – parties, bars, and dinners. This 20-minute talk will offer strategies for having a great time – and being sober while doing it.
• Dealing With Substance Misuse In The Workplace – Why and How to Help Your Colleagues: We have all come across a situation where someone you worked with showed clear signs of problematic use of drugs or alcohol in the workplace. Have you wondered why you might want to help – and how you could help? Have you wondered if you have obligations based on your position? This preview of a webinar being developed by the Behind the Scenes Substance Use Task Group will provide answers to some of these questions and help prepare you to take positive action. Presented by task group member David Lincecum, ETC Vice President of High-End Systems and International Operations.
• Agency and Power: Navigating Mental Health In The Workplace: What kind of say do we have in our mental health at work? How can we make our own choices to better our current well-being? Here, we will address the concept of Agency and how we apply it to the complicated power dynamics of the entertainment industry. Please join Mental Health First Aid instructor and IATSE Local One member Kayleigh Truman for this informative 20-minute talk.
• Tactics for Positive Change: Taking the Cost Out Of Improving Mental Health: Mental Health First Aid instructor and IATSE Local One member Kayleigh Truman answers these questions and more in a 20-minute talk: How do you begin to better the mental health culture in your workplace? Where do you start? How do you broach change? Kayleigh will discuss various options, including no-cost and low-cost options, that you can use right now to better your workplace. You can take actionable steps to get the ball rolling, along with helpful tips to encourage your employer to get on board.
• Bystander Intervention: Do you know how to safely intervene if you see a co-worker being bullied or intimidated? Did you know there are different ways to intervene to match your comfort level? Learn about practical techniques to assist yourself and others in these all-too-common situations in the workplace as Behind the Scenes presents the 5Ds of Bystander Intervention developed by Right To Be. This 20-minute session is presented by Jillian Beggs, IATSE member and Founder of Creative Minds Coaching.
• Mind Body Balance: The Benefits of Supporting Good Mental Health: Although the mind and body are often viewed as separate, mental and physical health are closely related. Good mental health can positively affect your physical health. Similarly, poor mental health can negatively affect your physical health and seriously impact your everyday life. In this 20-minute session, learn some techniques for helping balance your mind and body backstage, on set, or in the office. Join Jillian Beggs, IATSE member and Founder of Creative Minds Coaching for this presentation.
• The Biology Of Sleep: What Goes On In Our Brains And Bodies While We Sleep: Most of us are woefully unaware of the myriad of processes in our bodies while we sleep. In this session, we will talk briefly about why we get sleepy and some of the healthful things that occur in the various stages of sleep. This 30-minute session is presented by retired Safety & Training Director of IATSE Local 16, Eddie Raymond.
• The Effects Of Sleep Deprivation In The Entertainment Industry: In an industry structured around “efficiency” and pragmatism, little or no credence is given to the long-lasting damage done to our brains and bodies when we are regularly deprived of proper sleep. In this session, we will look at various afflictions caused by this reality and some strategies to get better sleep. This 30-minute session is presented by retired Safety & Training Director of IATSE Local 16, Eddie Raymond.
• A Layman’s Guide to Eating Healthier on the Road: Luther Bell, Corporate A/V Consultant and consistent traveler, offers easy-to-implement information to guide you through the basics of making better food choices.  From gas stations to grocery stores, you'll learn about food combinations that you can adapt to your situation. Join us for this 30-minute session.
• Do We Need Them? Mental Health Guides and Standards in Entertainment: More than ever, individuals and organizations working in entertainment need support in creating mentally healthy workplaces. For leadership and our co-workers, embracing mental health as a priority can be challenging. In this session, we discuss available resources, guides, and standards to help establish mental health and wellness policies and procedures for organizations and companies. Join us for this 20-minute presentation and discussion with Steven Michelman, co-chair of ESTA’s new Mental Health and Well-Being Working Group.
• Cup of Coffee Yoga: If you have time for a cup of coffee, you can do this brief yoga practice. No special costumes, props, yoga mats, or experience are required. This simple combination of small movements and breathing can be the same as your first cup of coffee every day. Come wearing jeans, a business suit, or a skirt/kilt. It will only take 15 minutes of your day!

If you have time for a cup of coffee, you can do this brief yoga practice. No special costumes, props, yoga mats, or experience are required. This simple combination of small movements and breathing can be the same as your first cup of coffee every day. Come wearing jeans, a business suit, or a skirt/kilt. It will only take 15 minutes of your day!

In this insightful presentation, our exploration aims to reveal the nuanced distinctions between two pivotal domains: entertainment lighting and architectural lighting. The primary goal is to unravel the distinctive characteristics, challenges, and creative considerations that define each sector. By comprehending the unique requirements of production lighting and architectural installations, participants will gain valuable insights into the dynamic nature of lighting design, fostering a deeper understanding of the sectors, including product differences, personnel requirements, ways to market, and how to successfully merge the two where appropriate.

Topics: Enhanced Understanding of Distinctive Verticals; Insights into Sector-Specific Variations; Deeper Knowledge of Product Differences; Holistic Insight into Industry Dynamics

Go behind the scenes with lighting designer Stephen J. Lieberman, principal of SJLIghting, as he shares his experiences designing for large-scale festivals and nightclubs around the world.

Mary Franck and Jake Pinholster give attendees a lightning-fast overview of the latest trends in XR, AI, and other emerging technologies for live experience as well as an overview of what to expect from the rest of XLIVE.

Have you ever been curious about the different paths in Audio Engineering careers? Are you an artist or producer looking to grow and perfect your craft while also learning how to communicate with engineers, producers and promoters? Tech25 will be hosting a 4-hour workshop teaching the basics that apply to all disciplines. We will explore the history of recording mediums, sampling, DJing, and Live Event Production. Come learn the fundamentals and get your hands on gear, setup basic PA’s and network with other like-minded attendees. If you are a producer or musician this is a perfect opportunity to learn more about refining your skills, as well as playing your tracks through the provided PA.

Schedule* (4 hours total - 1/2 lecture and 1/2 hands-on):
+ 1 hour of lecture-style learning science of sound, sampling and audio signal flow
+ 45 minutes of hands-on learning with microphones, turntables, samplers and analog synths
+ 15 minute break
+ 45 minutes of lecture-style learning of PA setups, live event specific signal flow, the tools of the trade and career pathways
+ 65 minutes of hands-on learning, setting up PA’s, microphone techniques and listening to tracks
+ 10 minutes Q&A
• Subject to change

The target audience is beginner to intermediate engineers.

This class will utilize a projector and screen, 11 folding tables, 11 mic stands, 10 measurement microphones, 10 digital consoles, 10 2-channel interfaces, 11 sets of headphones, 5 sub-snakes (ideally 12-channel), FOH console w/ digital stagebox connected via Cat5e snake connected to stage PA system, 10 laptops, Tech25 provided Turntables, Samplers, and Synthesizer’s. Feel free to bring your own gear!

RIG Rope Access is hosting a general Introduction and Q&A session on Industrial Rope Access and SPRAT's Work at Height training course and certification.

Explore the re-lighting of one of Las Vegas’ longest running and most iconic shows, Mystère at Cirque du Soleil. Join Luc Lafortune, Mystère’s lighting designer, as well as Sean Jensen, head of department for lighting, as they walk you thru the process and logistics of turning around an entire rig while running shows. Learn about Luc Lafortune’s original vision for Mystère as he and Jensen discuss some of the challenges of relighting an early 90’s classic for a 21st-century audience. Learn about the challenging technical and logistical considerations.

Read all about the relighting of Mystère:
Plot Luck: Luc Lafortune Relights Mystère
How I Did That: Relighting Mystère, Part One
How I Did That: Relighting Mystère, Part Two
Backstage Las Vegas To See Mystère at LDI 2024

Catch a live recording of the Artistic Finance podcast as we dive into the process of designing and producing live shows tailored to specific music artists. Join creative directors, lighting designers, and project managers as they share experiences in balancing the creative vision of an artist with the logistical realities of large-scale budgets. Attendees will gain insight into the workflow behind developing unique narratives and visual elements that reflect an artist's identity, while ensuring sustainable budgets. From initial concept to execution, learn how to navigate the dual challenges of storytelling and budget control in the world of high-profile live entertainment.

Five years ago, we brought together a panel representing the cutting edge of tracking technology and visual computing.  This Panel returns to discuss how far visual computing, and 3D-tracking and 3D synchronization technology has come in the entertainment industry, and to discuss where it is trending. Returning are Peter Thompson (as moderator) Box of Wishes with leading innovators and power users in the field, Emric Epstein (VYV), Sam Hillyer (Tait), Aria Hailey (Zactrack), and Chris Lose (Follow-Me).

1. Explanation of how tracking, computer vision, and visual computing works in entertainment.
2. Use cases and examples of tracking and visual computing in both large and small scale shows and immersive experiences.
3. Open and frank engagement with leading professionals in the field allowing for direct access to some of the minds responsible for developing the technology.

Using real and relevant examples (including a presidential inauguration and televised sporting events) we will go through how to create the highly produced audience experience. Build a show flow, manage timelines, and effectively bring together your team behind the scenes. This session is good for an experienced team leads looking to better understand how effective stage management skills can work in this environment.

Most of us are woefully unaware of the myriad of processes in our bodies while we sleep. In this session, we will talk briefly about why we get sleepy and some of the healthful things that occur in the various stages of sleep. This 30-minute session is presented by retired Safety & Training Director of IATSE Local 16, Eddie Raymond.

Ana Estarita-Guerrero uses XR to transform the way we interact with the world around us, and will present case studies that highlight the creative and human-centered side of XR.