Circuit and Gear: Recent Episodes
Creative Conners, Inc.
Join Gareth and Mike as we chat about the technology used in scenic automation. We dive into machine design, programming, and electronics, and how all that stuff can be used on stage to bring motion into live performances. We also might take an occasional detour to talk about other interesting gadgets.
Kody, Mike, Christian, and Gareth are back with plenty to share! After spending some time getting hands-on with Vantis, they dive into what the future might hold. From making interfaces simple and intuitive for facility users to keeping powerful control options for live performance pros, they explore how to balance it all. Plus, they chat about some cool custom projects and brainstorm what a new Stagehand FX could look like.
You might have heard the big news that Creative Conners was acquired by Wenger Corporation in April, and this month Kody, Christian, Mike, and Gareth get to chat with their new boss Dave Thomas.
Kody, Mike, Christian, and Gareth are back to talk about a “quick” install in NYC that turned out to be not so quick. They also talk about some of the work that’s being done on the dual servo chain lift and some cool new features in Off The Shelf. They’ve also got some cool new Surface Laptops!
Kody, Christian, Mike, and Gareth are back talking about another quick turn around LED video wall project as well as the new Spikemark Console. They also dive into some new Cable and Chain Motor improvements.
Gareth, Mike, Christian, and Kody are back and boy do they have a lot to say. Turns out a lot happened in January. Everything from custom machines to internal processes to new toys and so much more.
Mike, Kody, Christian, and Gareth are back chatting about a few different dual motor projects, Canadian tech support, LDI, a few different tangents, and recapping 2024.
The first units of the new Floorpocket v2 have shipped and Kody, Christian, Mike, and Gareth are finally ready to talk about it. Also while the Floorpocket was finishing up there was a surprise trip to Hawaii for Mike, Gareth, and Christian.
We’ll also be at LDI booth 2009 to show off the new Spikemark 6 and Console!
There were some quick projects this month and some extended on site trips. Everything from SNL to residential art spinners to Hawaii (again), and Mike, Kody, Christian, and Gareth are back to chat about all of them.
Turns out there has been more than just the Hawaii job happening in the shop. Mike, Christian, Kody, and Gareth chat about some of the other projects that have been going on at the shop. Everything from retrofitting controls in NYC, to building the new four post chain hoist lift, to Slushi machines and new cameras.
The episode may be a little bit late (what is 16 days really) but it finally happened! The project Mike, Kody, Christian, and Gareth have been talking about for months got installed! On this episode they dive deep on all the ups, downs, and bumps along the way.
We are just wrapping up™️ development the next version of Spikemark. Besides changing how cues are written, how many GO buttons are available, live speed adjustment mid-move, and a new authorization model, not much has changed 😂 Listen in as we dig into the details. Oh, and Christian got a new TV. And Gareth bought (another) lens.
The gang is back to chat about a big project heading to Hawaii (sshh… it’s secret, just between you and us). We’ve been tackling woes of absolute encoders and precision load cells. Laugh along as we cry.
Gareth, Kody, and Christian got the chance to sit down and chat with Joe Jeremy! They started with Joe’s impressive career starting as a carpenter all the way through founding Niscon. Along the way they also got to talk about some of the cool projects Joe’s worked on all around the world.
Mike, Kody, Christian, and Gareth have been squashing lots of bugs over the last month and have lots to say about them. In the midst of bug squashing Gareth also built a 6-axis show and Kody designed a new Stagehand.
Mike, Kody, Christian, and Gareth get together to chat about CAT1 stopping and brake sequencing for an upcoming job in Hawaii. Kody and Mike also recount some of the fun from USITT this year, all of which leads to an impromptu discussion about our headphones.
Gareth, Mike, Kody, and Christian are back discussing some of the ever-green tech support issues and some of the new products that were proposed during Creative Conners’ annual product summit. All of this set to the dulcet tones of general contractors renovating the new offices.
Gareth, Mike, Christian, and Kody are back discussing bringing New features to old controllers, big New Spikemark features, and the New ways they’re looking at the company and what they do.
Kody, Christian, Mike, and Gareth are here to look back on 2023 in this very special bonus episode.
Kody, Christian, Mike, and Gareth chat for 4 hours about the Geffen Vortek retrofit that Kody and Christian were just on site for, and even in this abridged version they follow all the tangents.
Mike, Kody, Christian, Harry, and Gareth are back at it introducing some new service offerings from Creative Conners. In the midst of all the new they(Kody) experience some technical difficulties and really lean into the “other cool tech” part of the show with some tangents about Windows and cameras. Finally they say farewell to Harry as he moves on to new and exciting things.
The gang's all here! Kody, Christian, Harry, Mike, and Gareth are back this time discussing the upcoming improvements to Spikemark groups, the brand new Spotline Mini, and some cool new features in Fusion 360. Along the way they get distracted with Christian’s impeccable naming skills as well as a few other things.
Gareth’s back on the podcast with Christian, Kody, Harry, and Mike. They have lots to say about some custom jobs, new products, cool sensors, and much more.
On this episode Kody, Christian, and Harry talk about the influx of custom projects. From building lifts in the parking lot to tricky servo installs. Oh yah and on top of all that we’re moving shops!
Kody, Christian, and Harry are back talking about the myriad of custom design and stock product design going on in July. In between all the design talk they also squeeze in some Spikemark feature teasers and a really really really cool Spikemark pro tip. Additionally they get another perspective on how to name a four post lift and a book recommendation from a listener.
The Stagehand Pro 5 is officially released! With the Pro 5 out in the wild Harry, Kody, and Christian talk about the last push of development and testing on it. As well as some of the custom projects working through the shop right now.
Mike, Kody, and Christian chat through how Spikemark and the Stagehand convert the encoder feedback into usable distances and then how the Stagehand remembers that position. They also explore how target tolerance, max position error, and position lag time all play a role in motion.
Kody, Harry, Mike, and Christian continue the series of peer interviews this time with Brian Fauska. Brian recently joined the team at Creative Conners but before that he worked for Seattle Rep for over a decade, and he recounts some of the cool effects he’s done as well as some unfortunate baths in hydraulic fluid.
Mike, Kody, Christian, and Harry talk about a couple quick turn around projects, recount USITT 2023, and then dive deep into the top tools to bring onto site.
Mike, Kody, and Christian talk about how the development of Spotline v2 and Stagehand Pro 5 are coming along, and Mike shares some insights from installing some of the gear on site. They also tease some new features in Spikemark and new swag that will be shown off at USITT both 339.
Kody, Harry, Mike, and Christian continue our peer interview series with Bo Bogaev. Bo recently joined our merry band of automation misfits, settling here in Rhode Island after nearly a decade on the road as head carpenter for numerous Broadway tours.
Kody and Christian dive deep on some exciting Spotline and Stagehand developments while Mike recounts some of the big tech support woes from last month.
We are trying something new! Kody, Harry, and Christian kick off a new series where we invite peers in the industry to chat about automation. This time we talk to Ben Clark, Assoc. Professor at SDSU and freelance Technical Designer. We talk about how he got his start in automation, why he wrote a book and some of the cool stuff he’s worked on over the years.
Links from the episode
Ben’s Book https://www.modernstagecraft.com/
Angels in America http://www.showmotion.com/angels-in-america
Kody, Mike, Harry, and Christian talk about some new Spikemark UI updates coming soon, check in on how the development of Stagehand vNext is coming along, and talk through some troubleshooting pro tips learned this month from tech support.
Mike, Christian, and Harry talk about some cool product iterations, training happening for us and for you, and then round out the episode with our most favorite segment camera talk.
Kody, Mike, and Christian get together to talk about some cool Spotline vNext accessories, some Spikemark wishlist features, and lots of tech support. Also Mike and Kody finally did it. Did what? Well listen and find out.
Kody, Mike, Christian, and special guest Gareth chat about the happenings around the shop and chat a bit about the company turning 18 in this svelte one and a half hour episode.
Kody, Mike, Christian, and Harry are back at it talking about all the recent VFD and Stagehand vNext development going on. In addition Harry and Mike talk about the new free turntable template now available for download.
Listen along to Mike and Kody talk about doing an upfront in New York and Christian ramble on about VFD parameters.
Kody, Mike, Christian, and Harry are all in Rhode Island and chatting about this month's onsite work as well as some new cool product development with a hint of lasers thrown in for good measure.
The guys talk about the new four post lift design as well as the new pivot. Mike and Kody also recap USITT and talk about all the job openings at Creative Conners.
Kody digs deep on the custom lift for a Las Vegas spectacle. Christian gives the update on Stagehand vNext. Mike is still mired in turntable troubles. And the gang is heading to USITT!
Mike stops by to walk through 8 turntable stories from the fall. Kody & Christian get new cameras.
The guys wrap up 2021 with a discussion of lifting safely with Stagehand control, a recap of LDI 2021, Kody’s camera quest, and gear for next year.
• Lifting safely with Stagehand control • LDI recap • Kody’s camera quest continues • Black Friday buys • Christmas gear
Kody, Christian, and Gareth are back to chat about:
Split accel/decel and Stagehand vNext
Modbus improvements on the horizon
Crazy component shortages
Product Summit 2022
New cameras!
Christian, Kody, and Gareth are back with our second episode of 2021 (yeah, yeah, we know…). But we had a lot of fun chatting about a giant donut for a game show, a not-a-Floorpocket lift for a show in Las Vegas, and waffling about buying new Macs.
[Warning] We get a little salty in this one.
This episode is best watched on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GDdG7WlW6O8
Christian and Gareth have a video podcast treat: a tour of Spikemark 5! Watch to see the new Spikemark 5 features in all their glory.
Christian is back on the show to talk about big new features that are coming to both the next iteration of Stagehand motion controllers and Spikemark software. And then we talk a lot about cameras too.
Fixing the Cue Grid in Big Show Mode
Extending the Stagehand motion controller for load cells
Adding dedicated cross-groove detection inputs to the Stagehand
Improved jogging
Addressable E-Stops
Falling down the camera rabbit hole
Mirrorless vs DSLR
Nikon, Sony, Fuji options
Full-frame or APS-C
Mike is back joining Gareth to talk about:
Training with the Trainee
Mike’s new video training series
Austerity measures in the shop to conserve costs and carry on
This one gets a little salty in spots, especially in the blooper reel. You’ve been warned.
Kody and Gareth get excited about the launch of Trainee (a new educational kit for scenic automation) and discuss its genesis in detail.
Kody & Gareth dive deep, really deep, on new development work inside Spikemark to make it better to use on large shows with many axes. Problems: - Cue grid side-scrolling - Slow loading - Jogging - Facility vs production needs Solutions - New cue sheet - Jog screen - Filtering and tagging - Theatre vs Show
Bridget Katzanek joins Gareth this month to chat about her new role heading up the Creative Conners West Coast Rental Office. Though we’re still bumbling around amidst the COVID pandemic shutdown, listen in to meet Bridget and learn about our Los Angeles rental operation!
We’ve got a gaggle of automation junkies this month on the show. Join Steve, Zep, Mike, Harry, Christian, and Gareth as we talk about how we’ve been bumbling through the pandemic work-wise. The past 4 months have been adventures in broadening horizons as the live events have been shut down. We’ve been working on new designs for the eventual re-opening, and new products for new markets. What have y’all been up to?
This weeks episode we dive, (or is it move?) into the world of automation with Gareth and Ethan Gilson. We discuss the differences between traditional rigging and automation, how it's implemented, and how and when it can be a useful tool.
Kody joins from NYC to talk with Gareth about:
March 2020 COVID early days
The final chapter in summer 2019 hydraulics
Spotline Mini installation in Chicago
CCI West!! We are opening an office in LA (whenever LA opens again)
Harry is back to chat with Gareth about:
A new deck winch – The Pushstick Zero
Autodesk University
RARR – Real world risk assessment for kooky machinery
Kody & Steve join Gareth to discuss some non-automation cool tech tools. We chat about: - Cameras - Basecamp - OTS - Off the Shelf - Wrike - Notability
ody Green sits to down to talk about:
Theatre Calgary’s Christmas Carol and Sky Turtle
Kinetic sculpture spinner
New Showstopper products
Harry puts on the cans, scoots up to the mic, and chats about mechanical design at Creative Conners.
Christian pops into the podcast studio to talk about software development. Specifically, we dig into: Spikemark features, the Pendant, and some custom Beckhoff controls.
While Mike takes a breather, Steve Hnath hops into the podcast studio to chat about his role at Creative Conners, a little personal history, and the development arc of the Pushstick Mini.
Mike and Gareth are back and bettah than evah.
Topic include: - Custom camera lifts for ESPN
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Spotline Mini final design and execution
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Custom Floorpockets and sunroofs in California
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Sky Turtle flies to Calgary
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Middel East chain motor challenges
Eek! This was recorded back in April, but got stuck in editing because of some sound quality issues. Enjoy the delayed release. Mike and Gareth discuss:
A new hoist design for the Marriott resort in Chicago Fox News studio automation Jesus Christ Superstar custom machinery Challenges providing full-service automation
Mike and Gareth are joined by Pete and Nicole on the show floor at USITT in Louisville to chat about automation. Topics include: - 14 2T chain hoists to pick a big wall - Pushstick Mini and the Houston Ballet - Rental inventory is bulking up - New super-cool OSC features in Spikemark to integrate with QLab and other show systems.
Mike and Gareth are back in the costume shop/podcast studio to discuss more automation on the night of the CCI Holiday Party. • Rush controls transplant for Ellen • Chain motors, get your chain motors here • iPad Pro and sketch tools ◦ Concepts ◦ Notability ◦ MS Whiteboard ◦ Scrble ◦ Bamboo Paper ◦ Autodesk Sketchbook ◦ Drawboard PDF • Stagehand Parameters internal confusion and gnashing of teeth • Vintage Stagehand challenges in support-land • Joining the support team!
Mike and Gareth are back to talk about:
New products shown at LDI
Our stock Turntable
ACP/APP
New web site
FX firmware updating
MPE and Position Lag
New project for 7 Fingers with a big center-drive
In-shop training for Christmas tours
The Pushstick Mini is coming
Job posting: Support
Mike and Gareth chat about a rush job involving hydraulics, another Floorpocket installation, Thern, training, the new web site, and belatedly mention LDI.
Mike and Gareth burn a little midnight oil to record this episode in the CCI shop. Topics include: The Scenic Automation Handbook is finally published! ETC Foundation Control with Pushstick winches ESPN's new studio has some new machinery Bunch of new people have joined the CCI team Mike and Rada have been busy on the road Documentation Spikemark 4 features Stage Manager and Stagehand Architectural and Pendant Collaboration with Thern Our new machine shop
WARNING: WE HAD SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES AND THE AUDIO IS BELOW OUR NORMALLY SUBPAR STANDARD. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
Mike and Gareth chat about:
Ordway Deck Chiefs Houston Nutcracker 5th Ave Mama Mia ESPN TV Studio Disney fiasco Spikemark 4.0 / Stagehand update
Mike and Gareth chat about: - Tour tech support - Running JLG lifts on Spikemark - Training - LDI - Relative vs Absolute positions - Electronic sketches on iPad or Surface - Gareth's iPhone
Mike and Gareth are back (almost) on-schedule to chat about more automation! Topics include:
- Stagehand Servo
- Scenic Automation Handbook
- Mitsubishi Easy-Gain
- Short-notice service call
Mike and Gareth finally sit down again to discuss the Spring and Summer projects. Topics include: Sing China!, Hong Kong Performing Arts Academy, ESPN, Spotline Practical
Mike and Gareth chat about the USITT show, dig into details of the Spotline Practical and offer tips about working with turntables.
Mike and Gareth are back from LDI and itching to discuss the new products taht we rolled out. Enjoy the conversation about Stagehand Apprentice, Smart Chain Hoist, Revolver v2, and Floor Pocket!
Mike and Gareth discuss fleet angle on the Pushstick v2, Mike's trip to Japan, questionable cabling, redesigning the Trickline, and AutoDesk Fusion 360.
Mike and Gareth discuss encoder voltages (again), redundant brake philosophy, and a couple of kinetic art projects.
Mike and Gareth tackle encoders again before chatting about running Chain Motors on Spikemark.
Mike Wade, Production Manager for the Atlantic Theater, joins Gareth to discuss the Pushstick v2 and the automation on These Paper Bullets.
Gareth and Royal discuss the construction, testing, and installation of a 6x12 sunroof & elevator for Steppenwolf. Royal fills us in on a marathon troubleshooting session in Dallas.
Royal and Gareth dig into Spikemark 3.3 bug fixes and features. They also explore how to defeat limits on the Stagehand Pro.
Royal and Gareth discuss some follow up, Royal fills us in on the details of the Bellagio Fountain job, and we chat about Windows 10.
Gareth and Royal discuss the basics of acceleration, velocity, and the math that goes along with it. They then wrap up their discussion about Nord gearmotors from a couple of episodes back. The episode is wrapped up with a quick discussion on the Showstopper 3 system and Spikemark 3.3.
Royal and Gareth chat about the load-in of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Trucking, installation, and a couple of Spikemark bugs discussed.
In this week's episode Gareth and Royal discuss the differences in fabrication versus manufacturing for both the mechanical side and electrical side. The episode is finished up with a quick discussion on what is in Gareth's and Royal's backpacks and tool bags when they hit the road for a gig.
In this week's episode, Royal and Gareth discuss some feedback on CAD tools from last week's show and then finish the CAD chat with a look at EDA tools for circuit design. Next up, they chat about the shop test of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang rig heading out to Colorado. Finally, they wrap up with a quick look at the new Mitsubishi A800 VFD.
This week, Royal and Gareth talk about using the d3 projection software with Spikemark on a recent corporate event. Then the guys dive into a conversation about the design process at Creative Conners and the CAD tools we prefer.
Royal and Gareth revisit NORD gearmotors and discuss the advantages and disadvantages compared to SEW. Next up, they discuss different uses for the Stagehand FX. They finish with some advice for stage technicians that want to learn a little more about programming.
Royal and Gareth fill in a little personal history before digging into the discussion of 3 upcoming projects, how to make curved deck tracks, and some more thoughts on PLC's
In the inaugural episode, Royal and Gareth talk about PLC's, WATCHOUT software, and the next version of our Pushstick winch.