Bill and Ted’s Excellent Controls Adventure
Presented by Lighting Services Inc.
1:30pm-2:30pm
Advanced
SPEAKERS
Ted Mather IALD, LC, Managing Principal, New York Studio
Bill Ellis, Co-founder and Owner, Candela Controls
Nick Downham, Control Systems Manager, Lighting Services Inc.
During this round table session, we bring together a lighting designer, integrator, and track manufacturer to explore advanced lighting control options like DMX, DALI, 0-10V and wireless technologies. They will discuss the cost, features, benefits, and limitations of each. Drawing from their varied experiences, they will debate and advocate the merits of each protocol based on actual projects.
Beginning with the development of a clear, concise and defensible controls narrative, the speakers will explain the control design process from schematic design through system turn-on all the way to post installation service and maintenance. Attendees will learn when and why a dedicated controls team may be required including what their individual roles are and how interact to make a team.
Why this topic is of interest
With the proliferation of advanced lighting control systems, professionals, their customers, and the end-users are faced with sometimes overwhelming and complex choices. Lighting professionals in any industry role should be able to distinguish between the various protocols including how and when to use them. Using case studies from their diverse backgrounds, this round table will share insights, oversights, unknowns, and best practices based on lived experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Gain an advanced understanding of how these advanced, unique protocols operate.
- Learn how to write a concise controls narrative & sequence of operations.
- Evaluate & select the best protocol for each project type.
Ted Mather IALD, LC
Managing Principal
New York Studio
By design, Ted Mather’s career resides at the intersection of theatrical, entertainment and architectural lighting. Ted’s dramatic flair and technical expertise merge seamlessly to create striking, dynamic environments and state-of-the-art installations. Ted’s decades of experience—working around the globe—means that his creative vision is balanced with what is truly practical and possible. Mr. Mather’s theatrical pedigree shines through in his architectural practice; his work is brimming with excitement, color and animation.
An accomplished theatrical lighting designer, Ted has transformed the Architainment industry with ground-breaking projects such as The International Spy Museum, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and both the Prow Sculpture & Under The Stars installation at the Time Warner Center in New York City. Ted began his training at the University of Illinois and received his MFA in Stage design from NYU. Before joining forces with Available Light, he was the Principal & President of Ted Mather Lighting Design. Ted is Lighting Certified by the NCQLP, a professional member of the IALD, United Scenic Artists, DLF and IESNA. He has taught and guest lectured for NYU, Drew University and the renowned Broadway Master Class Series.
Theatrical projects include working as Associate Designer on over 20 Broadway productions including Miss Saigon, Beauty and The Beast, Les Miserables, Chess, Art, Aspects of Love, Oklahoma!, Swan Lake, Equus, and God of Carnage.
Bill Ellis
Co-founder and Owner
Candela Controls
Bill Ellis is an industry expert in lighting systems integration and is very proud of Candela Controls Inc.’s enduring history. He is a member of IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America), and sits on its Theatre, Television and Film Advisory Committee and Museum Lighting Committee. Bill is also a member of Control Protocols Workgroup for ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association. He is a Certified Low-Voltage Systems Specialty Contractor in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, New Jersey, Mississippi, Louisiana and Rhode Island.
Throughout his tenure, Bill’s knowledge and experience has garnered him respect in the industry for his innovative thinking and problem-solving approach to the unusual project. Some of his most challenging projects include: The Sky Church and Artists Journey at Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA; The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, IL; The Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at The Kennedy Space Center, FL; and The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, MD. In addition, there have been over 19 casino projects in 7 states, the Bahamas, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as multiple themed projects for the Walt Disney World Company, SeaWorld Entertainment, and Universal Orlando.
Bill has been approached more frequently to participate in panel discussions, seminars and workshops that have ranged from industry fundamentals to DMX512 to PoE. He has received positive reviews from LightFair International, LDI and IESNA, for his ability to present complicated content in a cohesive and unbiased way. He has also presented at IALD Enlighten Americas 2019 in Albuquerque, NM and at NATEAC 2020 in New York.
Bill is also dedicated to community service in Florida as well as giving back to the industry at large. He has been a volunteer reservist with the Orange County Fire Rescue Department in Central Florida since 2003, primarily photographing scenes to use for marketing, training and investigation purposes. Bill holds a BFA degree in Lighting and Audio from the North Carolina School of the Arts and has participated in several of the school’s job fairs, and has taught a masters class there as well. Candela Controls has been proud to sponsor the industry charity, Behind the Scenes, since 2014. The charity supports entertainment technology professionals who have fallen on hard times.
Business credits and recognitions include Systems Integrator VANCO Lighting; Systems Engineer BASH Lighting South; Master Electrician, Walt Disney’s World on Ice; PLASA’s Volunteer of the Year 2014; and an Archi-Tech award winner for Technology Integration in 2010 for the Carolina Herrera store in Las Vegas, NV.
Bill has two daughters, Rachel and Alexandra, and resides in Montverde, FL with his wife, Jocelyn.
Nick Downham
Control Systems Manager
Lighting Services Inc.
Nick Downham Is a member of the IESNA where he sits on the Lighting Control Systems Committee and The Museum and Art Gallery Lighting Committee. With over 15 years in the entertainment lighting industry, Nick’s unique combination of experience in system design, installation, project management, and sales allows him to think multi-dimensionally to overcome the day-to-day challenges we experience as lighting professionals. Notable projects include event facilities at Google, interactive experiences at Lionsgate Entertainment World, and the theatrical systems at The Lewis Center for the Performing arts at Princeton University.