Tech Rider: A Synesthete's Atlas
tl;dr
I need–
- a digital projector and a screen or unblemished wall, ideally 8ft/2.5m high or higher
- a chair and a sturdy, 3 x 2ft/90 x 60cm table, in view of the audience
- three power outlets and an HDMI cable drop to the table
- audio connection to the house PA using ¼ inch mono TRS cables from my mixer or ⅛ inch stereo from my laptop's headphone jack
Musical collaborators will have their own requirements which differ from performance to performance.
Staging details
I need a chair and a small, sturdy table capable of holding a MacBook Pro laptop, a small audio mixer, an iPad, and a cue sheet; a 3 x 2ft/90 x 60cm surface is typical. I have, on occasion, performed standing at a podium. Three power outlets should be nearby, either from an extension cord or a power strip. I prefer to work using a reliable, in-house WiFi connection but it is possible to use a hotspot or to create my own private network; the venue's situation should be clearly disclosed well in advance of the performance.
If I am performing with a musical collaborator their requirements will be specified on a case by case basis. Electronic musicians often require a similar table setup while acoustic musicians may not.
Performers should be in line of sight of the audience and of each other. Ideally the stage area is wide enough that performers can be outside of the projection although at soundcheck/rehearsal they may decide to be move in closer and be partially lit by the beam. Typically, I am to one side of the image and my collaborators are on the other but it's fine if the space dictates a different arrangement.
Video details
Ideally I will be projecting onto a cinema-sized screen or floor-to-ceiling onto a relatively unblemished, light-colored wall. Projection should be immersive for at least the first few rows of the audience. This is a function of the venue's size but the image should be 8ft/2.5m high or higher. Screens that are normally used for PowerPoint presentations are not sufficiently large.
I travel with a long HDMI cable and adapters but it is best if the venue can run their own HDMI cable to the stage or offer a reliable, wireless projection system.
Audio details
I travel with a small mixer having ¼ inch mono outputs that can feed into the house PA system. Alternatively, audio can originate via the headphone jack of my MacBook Pro.
If I am performing with a musical collaborator their requirements will be specified on a case by case basis. For smaller venues, musicians' own amplification can sometimes suffice.