Techno Fandom University

Techno-Fandom University - The Masq. Tech Track at Balticon 31

Technical Theater Basics:: Walk backstage during a live show or, worse yet, into the masquerade room while the stage, lighting, and sound are being put together and it is immediately obvious that you are walking into another world. It is a world with different vocabulary, different rules, and different customs. Find out what you need to know to visit this alien world safely, converse with crusty but lovable inhabitants, and maybe even help them in their mysterious native rituals. This panel is designed for anyone who has ever wanted to help set up the masquerade, but could not figure out how.
Fran Felix, Denise McMahon, Larry Schroeder

Instant Presentations - Just Add Costumes:: Taking a costume and turning it into a stage presentation with lighting and sound is a difficult art that requires knowledge, experience, and talent. Watch our panel of experts combine their skills to transform hall costumes out of the audience into complete stage presentations. Who knows, you may see the idea behind next year's Best of Show' created before your eyes...
Larry Schroeder, Denise McMahon, Betsy Marks

Backstage at the Masquerade:: How to organize and manage a green room to make sure that the contestants are safe, comfortable, and happy and STILL get them to the stage on time. When you are dealing with 30 or 40 nervous contestants, this can be amazingly hard to do. Then there are the judges - and the MC. Come find out how the experts manage to keep them all happy without breaking a sweat.
Steve Lesnik, Ann Lesnik, Leticia Wells
Video 101:: Video production can be a black art, with hundreds of cables, countless boxes full of costly electronics, and countless hours spent getting the details just right. Find out how Balticon is doing the job this year in a detailed tour of the cameras and electronics used to tape the masquerade.
Eric Fleisher, Megan Gentry, Skip Morris

Practice Masquerade:: An unjudged, non-competative masquerade on Saturday afternoon, designed for PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN ON STAGE DURING A MASQUERADE before. If you are interesteded in finding out what it feels like to be under the bright lights, this is your chance. All you need is the willingness to show up and walk across the stage. (It is also a chance for some of the newer members of the tech crew to practice on live people while still giving the costumers in the competition on Friday night our best, but don't worry about that. It won't hurt. Honest.)
Larry Schroeder, Members of Techno Fandom

Masqerade from Sign-up to Photo:: Masquerades are complicated operations. LOTS of people are involved from beginning to end - as the endless list of credits at the end of the show can demonstrate. Find out just what all of those people do, and why the show cannot go on without them.
Steve Lesnik, Betsy Marks, Larry Schroeder, Leticia Wells, Ken Warren, Marty Gear

Lighting 101:: Have you ever wondered just how all of the bright lights we use during the maquerade work? This is your chance to find out. Join the Balticon tech crew for a detailed, hands-on walk through of the lighting equipment we are using for Balticon this year, conducted by the people who put it all together.
John McMahon, Fran Felix
Microphone Techniques:: Everyone has used a microphone. Few of us really know how to make them work their best. Find out how from the experts who do. They will show you how to make a clear, intelligible, tape that really sounds like your voice, teach you how to talk into a microphone without causing shouts of Louder!' to echo from the back of the room, and even help you overcome the temptation to tap on the microphone and say Is this thing on?' next time you are on stage.
Alex Latzco, Marty Gear, Susan de Guardiola

Sound 101:

Have you ever noticed just how complcated a professional sound system is? Join us for a detailed walk through of the sound equipment used at this year's Balticon, conducted by sound techs who really know what all those little knobs do.
Alex Latzco

Follow Spot Techniques:

How to use a photon cannon (also known as a follow spot)
Fran Felix

Hands on Skills (or) Tech for the Neo-Tech:: We have talked about technical theater all weekend. Here is a chance to actually do it - actually get your hands dirty and play with all of the neat toys. Join us for a hands-on seminar aimed at teaching the skills you need to help during setup and strike. This panel is for people who are interested in helping but do not have the experience needed to just pitch in without some direction. It will include things like proper handling of lighting instruments, cables, safety rules, and eveything else you need to know to help safely. This seminar will be occur just before we tear down the lighting and sound equipment and pack it awayy. Of course, if anyone wants to practice their newly learned skills...
Members of Techno Fandom

Balticon 31 Home Page.
Go to the BSFS Home Page.

Techno Fandom University

Techno-Fandom University - The Masq. Tech Track at Balticon 31

Last modified - 1997 by Jeff Poretsky