This video was inspired by Maximum Ironthumper, who made a video featuring books he found useful. I thought I'd show the small selection of books in my own technical library.
Unlike the pre-Internet era when books were the only way to get condensed knowledge, it's easy to find information on demand now. But there are some books that I regard as technical bibles. All the required information in a single block.
I'd just like to clarify that there is a 1-day version of the BS7909 course aimed as a simple refresher for long-term experienced electricians already fully competent in the area of outdoor electrical work. My issue is with the "training companies" who present it as a box ticker for general casual labour in the event industry, and in doing so put them at risk by giving them false confidence in their electrical skills. (The Dunning Kruger effect.)
The books I look at are:-
Neon techniques and handling. (Samuel C. Miller.)
A very old, but still completely valid book that is the definitive guide to neon lighting.
You can find it at your local amazon site by searching for 0944094279
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=0944094279
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=0944094279
Show networks and control systems. (John Huntington.)
A complete guide to the myriad of network systems used in show control in live events and theme parks. The book also provides information about the design of attractions and tips to avoid awkward moments. John has been in the industry for a very long time, and teaches the subject.
You can find it at your local amazon site by searching for 0692958738
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=0692958738
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=0692958738
Set lighting technician's handbook. (Harry C. Box.)
An old book, but one that provides so much technical information about film and television lighting equipment that it is valid for all current and future lighting technologies. It also gives an insight into the older (heavier) equipment. Thanks to eBay it's never been easier to set up a decent small studio yourself. This book gives a lot of information about lighting angles and tricks for best results.
You can find it at your local amazon site by searching for 0240810759
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=0240810759
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=0240810759
Temporary power systems. (James Eade.)
An essential book if you're involved in temporary power at events and other applications in the United Kingdom. It's a thorough guide to BS7909 which relates to event power and the way it's installed and tested.
Just a UK link for this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=1849197237
James Eade also runs courses in BS7909 to bring existing electricians up to date. These courses are not a replacement for a proper formal electrical training. I always recommend you try to get a real (not college based) apprenticeship in a relevant trade (electrician, joiner, plumber, painter, metal fabricator etc.) before attempting to get involved with the entertainment industry. That way you'll have a real trade to fall back on when the novelty wears off, and you won't get trapped in an industry which is notorious for exploitation.
If you work in the industry then you may find local courses hosted by the BECTU union.
https://eade.uk.com/
Maximus Ironthumper's YouTube channel is at:-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iNSo8ml7fq31t3K6m5Vgw
He's a blacksmith and general tinkerer who lives in an off-grid workshop/home.
Art-net was originally presented by a UK lighting technology company called Artistic Licence who are firmly up there in the hall of fame with Mode Lighting and Pulsar as being an iconic British lighting company.
https://artisticlicence.com/
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
Unlike the pre-Internet era when books were the only way to get condensed knowledge, it's easy to find information on demand now. But there are some books that I regard as technical bibles. All the required information in a single block.
I'd just like to clarify that there is a 1-day version of the BS7909 course aimed as a simple refresher for long-term experienced electricians already fully competent in the area of outdoor electrical work. My issue is with the "training companies" who present it as a box ticker for general casual labour in the event industry, and in doing so put them at risk by giving them false confidence in their electrical skills. (The Dunning Kruger effect.)
The books I look at are:-
Neon techniques and handling. (Samuel C. Miller.)
A very old, but still completely valid book that is the definitive guide to neon lighting.
You can find it at your local amazon site by searching for 0944094279
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=0944094279
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=0944094279
Show networks and control systems. (John Huntington.)
A complete guide to the myriad of network systems used in show control in live events and theme parks. The book also provides information about the design of attractions and tips to avoid awkward moments. John has been in the industry for a very long time, and teaches the subject.
You can find it at your local amazon site by searching for 0692958738
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=0692958738
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=0692958738
Set lighting technician's handbook. (Harry C. Box.)
An old book, but one that provides so much technical information about film and television lighting equipment that it is valid for all current and future lighting technologies. It also gives an insight into the older (heavier) equipment. Thanks to eBay it's never been easier to set up a decent small studio yourself. This book gives a lot of information about lighting angles and tricks for best results.
You can find it at your local amazon site by searching for 0240810759
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=0240810759
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=0240810759
Temporary power systems. (James Eade.)
An essential book if you're involved in temporary power at events and other applications in the United Kingdom. It's a thorough guide to BS7909 which relates to event power and the way it's installed and tested.
Just a UK link for this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=1849197237
James Eade also runs courses in BS7909 to bring existing electricians up to date. These courses are not a replacement for a proper formal electrical training. I always recommend you try to get a real (not college based) apprenticeship in a relevant trade (electrician, joiner, plumber, painter, metal fabricator etc.) before attempting to get involved with the entertainment industry. That way you'll have a real trade to fall back on when the novelty wears off, and you won't get trapped in an industry which is notorious for exploitation.
If you work in the industry then you may find local courses hosted by the BECTU union.
https://eade.uk.com/
Maximus Ironthumper's YouTube channel is at:-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5iNSo8ml7fq31t3K6m5Vgw
He's a blacksmith and general tinkerer who lives in an off-grid workshop/home.
Art-net was originally presented by a UK lighting technology company called Artistic Licence who are firmly up there in the hall of fame with Mode Lighting and Pulsar as being an iconic British lighting company.
https://artisticlicence.com/
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
They should make e-book versions of these that you can buy and download to your notebook. I always wished for something like that when I was working in network administration. Instead I had 5 or 6 physical books to lug around.
SMPTE! i used to be a member as a young “engineering boy”
I still prefer hardcopy to the Internet but in the end both media are useful.
I took a show control course with John this past year. Really nice guy. He's coming into my venue later in the month to build the big bus for the Radio City x-mas show.
Science and Electronics will always be my bibles. 🙂
And is why this channel is eye candy as lots of stuff is taken to bits and reverse engineered right in front of me. 🙂
Thanks Clive, that's a very relevant and practical video.
We love books, apologies cellulose.
If ya don't mind I would like to share a bit around the entertainment industry and our involvement here in South Africa.
All of our theater's in South Africa were populated with Aeg machinery and controls for the stage movement as well as the upper stage machinery to work the lighting booms and scenery.
During the embargo's and sanctioning of SA by European suppliers the support for the installed equipment fell on technicians who had worked for the internationals.
I began my career working for the locals who took over the Asea thyristor controlled rectifier products and then moved on to Control Techniques.
Wagner Bureau did a new install at the Artscape in Cape Town and our vsd's were put in as that is the flavour they like.
That's when we got to know the Aeg guys and they have used us for the upgrades in the rest of the country, we get on well.
Anyhows, you mention the interference issue.
We had that at Artscape in Cape Town.
They installed some point hoist winches for "War Horse" and had hassles with the encoder feedback from the motors.
We lent them a sine wave motor lc filter to check if it was noise and yes it was.
We has some surplus braided screen power cable which we gave to them and problem solved.
The cable once it has been used can not be sold as new, so we keep it on hand and "donate" it for a "pro bono"' like in this case.
It pays us back, these guys order 100 drives from us and pay for it cash with order.
I love the arts work, pity I watch so few of the shows.
Yea, thanks for sharing this talk and I hope you enjoy my tiny share on what we see on the motion side of the showbiz side of things.
I also highly recommend "The Backstage Handbook", and "The Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook". Many others, but those are two definite bibles.
One of my Bibles ("The Science and Practice of Welding by AC Davies") which I used to borrow from the Library (6th edition)
got a bit chewed up by my Dog — So I bought a new book (7th edition) for the library.
I never refer to such informational books as "bibles" because they are based on verified facts while the bible is a glorified Mother Goose fairy tale collection.
A Big Clive custom shiny led accessory for project Awesome? Please?
PSA: WARNING! Do not read old book… Especially books not pre-approved by the Ministry of Truth, they can harm your thought process and give you head-ache.
Wow, off-grid but active on youtube! pure skill
Grounding on a generator? I keep being told that you shouldn't ground a portable generator…and searching for OSHA rules it sounds like its not needed. Makes me wonder why they bother to even put a ground connector on them?
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket"…I can't help but wonder if there are shows using "the cloud" for control of stuff yet. Oops, the Internet went out, show is over!