CAST Software’s wysiwyg lighting design and previsualisation software has been instrumental in bringing one of the world’s most popular TV shows to Israel.

Having first aired in Japan in 1997, Ninja Warrior has rapidly become a must-watch TV show around the globe. The format requires contestants to use a combination of strength, stamina, skill and guile to attempt to complete an extensive obstacle course. The most recent country to join the franchise is Israel, with the Ninja Israelshow debuting in July this year.

The set for Ninja Israel is the ancient port of Haifa. An atmospheric location, it is transformed for the show by an extensive lighting installation that features over 4.5 tons of trusses together with no fewer than 800 fixtures controlled by a Compulite Vector Blue (http://www.compulite.com/products/consoles/vector-family/vector-blue) console and 350 conventional fixtures controlled by a Compulite Vector Ultra Violet (http://www.compulite.com/products/consoles/vector-family/vector-ultra-violet) console using 21 DMX universes and Compulite e-Port 41 (http://www.compulite.com/products/ethernet/eport-41) converters were used. An Ethernet network provided the required connectivity.

Entrusted with the lighting design were world-renowned LDs Ofer Jacobi and Avi-Yona Bueno (aka Bambi). According to Jacobi, designing the lighting for Ninja Israel was challenging because of the enormous location. The set lighting for the obstacle course needed to be combined with, and balanced against, the existing industrial lighting for the port complex as well as the television lighting.

Jacobi and Bueno turned to freelance lighting programmer/operator Ronen Ben-Harosh – an acknowledged master of Vector programming, with numerous theatre, opera, dance and TV events among his credits - for the production, not least for his expertise in 3D simulation programming using CAST Software’s wysiwyg.He also works for Danor Theatre & Studio Systems, Compulite's official distributor in Israel. Ben Harosh noted the difficulties involved with the incredible size – 150 metres x 60 metres – of the set, and the significant challenges involved in the mix of fixture types.

"When Ofer Jacobi told me that we would be doing this project together, we knew that a 3D simulation would help us choose the lighting set and show Keshet TV's managers how it would eventually look in real life. The maps I took out from wysiwyg helped me and the crew to set the lights very easily,” said Ben-Harosh.

“With a lighting set this huge and this complex, and working to very tight timescales, there is absolutely no room for error,” said Dino Mazza, Product Manager for wysiwygat CAST Software.

“It has to be right first time – which means that the entire installation needs to be previsualised before a single fixture is hung. That’s where wysiwygcomes into its own: what you see on the screen in front of you is exactly how the lighting will look in reality. Beyond this, as Ronen points out, it allows producers to see what the finished article will look like beforehand. For a show of this size, a tool like wysiwygis an absolute pre-requisite.”

The premiere of Ninja Israelwas a substantial success for Channel 12 (Keshet TV), with an excited live audience joined by a multitude of TV viewers to give the show great ratings.

Compulite Equipment list:

2 x Compulite e-Port 41 converters

2x Luminex 8 Port

23x Robe Robin BMFL Blade

17x Robe Robin BMFL WashBeam

50x Robe Robin MegaPointe

28x Robe Robin Spiider

12x Robe Robin 1200 Led Wash

8x Robe Robin MMX

16x Robe Robin Pointe

116x Eco Stage Beam 200 5R

60x Eco Stage V-715 Moving Beam Led 100 RGBW

12x Led Zoom 300

24x Eco Stage Stormi 3000 CCLED

24x Eco Stage RGBW BarLed

24x Eco Stage Top Bar 18 RGBW

21x Eco Stage Sunstrip Active (10x75w Halogen)

400x ParLed and RGBW for all The Trusses.

Conventional types included:

60x Led Profile Spot 120

36x Soft Led Panel

250x Par 64 MFL

Video courtesy Compulite: https://www.facebook.com/ninja.israel.kehset/videos/412297265962358/

Video, images and renders: © Ronen Ben-Harosh.

With such a complex show, which was designed to be a compelling visual feast and which would require absolutely perfect synchronization between performers, stage elements and effects, a producer’s thoughts quickly turn to the capabilities of BlackTrax real time tracking technology.

That was certainly the case for Redline Technology.

The overall design concept for “Zhao 2018 Chaoyin Release Night”saw a falling planet as the centerpiece of the production, with its motion initiating a range of startling lighting effects that powerfully amplify the story with its themes of love, loneliness and impetuous youth.

Redline used a disguise gx2 media server in combination with Panasonic PT-SRZ31KCprojectors and a BlackTrax system. The tracking setup included 13 infrared tracking cameras and 11 infrared LED tracking points positioned around the sphere to track it during the performance.

"Redline's creative design proposal for the show was a moving planet, which was achieved by integrating the BlackTrax tracking system and disguise system on the moving planet in the centre of the stage,” recalls Jack Sun, founder and managing director of Redline.

“As the planet moved, images changed in response to the movement in real time – which amazed the audience. Its flexibility, mobility and openness made BlackTrax a perfect choice for this project."

BlackTrax demonstrated once again that, for anyone looking to create an immersive, engaging, thrilling visual spectacle, it is truly indispensable.

Editor's note: HT to @Mr_Casal the purveyor of geekery who reviewed and revised this post to help ensure it was technically accurate.

Livestreaming has been around for awhile making its debut with platforms like UStream and Livestream. While those platforms were powerful, they didn't take off like the next wave of livestreaming platforms which have advantages of being ad free, cost free, and a built in audience.

Livestreaming's day has finally come and every innovative educator should begin exploring the power of the stream to provide students with meaningful and real learning experiences. In this post we look at three major streaming providers vying for you (there are many others…) and I provide my take on which platform is best for what you are trying to do.

Periscope

Periscope is a cool app that seems mostly to be used by the account holder to share what they are experiencing or doing. Periscope allows viewers to write comments that appear in the livestream providing a great platform for those recording to speak to their audience.

What I like
One feature I like about Periscope is that it is integrated with Twitter, so you just log in to Periscope with your Twitter credentials. You livestream from your phone and it posts directly to your Twitter account. It’s IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER TO USE HASHTAGS. This way your livestream goes not just to your followers, but to anyone interested in the topic about which you are streaming. This means when you go live you’ll always have people watching you live. What I also like is that if you are viewing a stream you can tap the screen and hearts will appear to show your support for what you are viewing. What I also like is that viewers can comment and those comments can be moderated. In addition, once the broadcast is complete the app will give you some minor analytics; duration of broadcast, number of viewers, viewers Twitter handles if applicable, average view time, etc. They are not deep analytics but they are great to use as teaching points when discussing audience and reach.

What I don’t like
A feature I don’t like is that you can’t type back to your viewers. I mean I guess you could just talk to them, but that’s not always appropriate, for instance if you’re taping a speaker. I also don’t like that there is no way to get the link to your livestream in advance. You only get the link once you begin recording. That makes it a bit difficult to tell people where to go to watch. You have to have them follow your Twitter feed or go to the Periscope app and find you.

What this is good for:

• Teachers: Posting instructional / educational videos. People can go to your account and watch your videos and follow you so they will be notified when you are live. Teachers can post themselves or share learning they observe such as at a workshop or conference.
• Students: Perform, cook, discuss a topic of interest. Periscope gives students an authentic live audience who can give them immediate feedback. The educators role is ensuring they know how to do so safely and responsibly and that they are aware of features such as comment moderation.

Feature List

• Share a link in advance: No
• Watch recording without having an account: Yes
• Edit the recording: No
• Record from phone: Yes
• Record from computer: No

Example You can check out my Periscope videos without logging into Periscope or Twitter here: https://www.periscope.tv/InnovativeEdu/1DXxylpgplyJM#

Blog post: Periscope the school by @mr_casalhttp://blog.mrcasal.com/2015/07/periscope-school.html

Facebook Live

Facebook Live is great for sharing something with people you are friends with or members of a group or page. You livestream right from your phone (here’s a how to) to your selected audience. If you want a broad audience and want your livestream to be shared, remember to make it public. Also, remember to tag people when you create the post. Tag anyone in the video and anyone who may be interested. Then the broadcast will show up on their timeline too unless they have selected a setting to prevent that.

What I like
What I like about Facebook Live is that while you’re recording you can see people’s reactions to your video as well as their comments. Unlike with Periscope you can comment right back to commenters.

You can see what it looks like below. You see 1) number of views, 2) number of reactions, 3) number of shares. In the comments you will see people from all over the world joined and discussed. Then viewers added helpful information such as urls, books mentioned, and more.

What I also like is that it is soooo easy. Of the three options shared here, this is the easiest. You just go to make a Facebook comment and select Live. Here’s how:

What I don’t like
That said, What I don’t like is that my Facebook Live option flat out disappeared on my Facebook app on my phone and I can’t figure out why! I can’t find a way to ask or report that to Facebook, and even the most tech savvy folks I know, can’t figure out why either.

I also don’t like that you don’t know the link in advance, so you have to have a system set up for a livestream that you want a particular audience to follow. However, some strategies to do that, may limit who views. For example, you may want people in a group to know about it, but also want it viewable by the world, so if that is the case, if you post it in a private group, only those people will see it. If you post it on a page, the world could see it, but they’d have to know to go to that page. If you just post it to your Facebook Timeline it wouldn’t be as easy for all members of a page or group to find it. Especially if they are not friends with you on Facebook.

Finally I don’t like that it is not easy to find your Facebook Live videos after they’re recorded. You can get to them by going to your “videos” on Facebook, but they’re combined with all videos. Better would be if there was a choice for just “Facebook Live” videos.

What this is good for:

• Teachers: This is great for streaming a lecture at a conference or a speaker at a workshop. Those who can’t attend live, can attend via livestream.
• Students: Have students stream a poetry reading or presentation. Depending on the intent it can just be shared with a group or page that includes students and families of the school, or it can be shared with an appropriate audience of those who would be interested.

Feature List

• Share a link in advance: No
• Watch recording without having an account: Yes
• Edit the recording: No
• Record from phone: Yes
• Record from computer: No

Example:
You can see the first time I filmed someone on Facebook Live here https://www.facebook.com/InnovativeEdu/videos/10210088128101738/?permPage=1. This is Alan November speaking to leaders which is mentioned above.

Google Hangouts On Air

Google Hangouts On Air (GHOA) has been around the longest, but it doesn’t seem to have taken off as quickly as the other two. That may be because it got off to a bit of a shaky start when it comes to ease of use. It is easier to use today (directions to set up a GHOA), but it’s not mobile first. In fact it’s not mobile at all. You can only use Hangouts On Air from a computer. This means it’s not likely to be your first choice to record an event. Instead, this platform is good for talking heads (up to ten) that can be anywhere in the world. Caveat: while GHOA is not inherently mobile, the person who initiates the GHOA needs to be on a full OS (desktop or laptop), members of the live call can join in from mobile devices.

What I like
What I like is that you can bring people from all over together to livestream together. This is the only service that allows that. That means GHOA is a great way to hear from several people about a topic. In addition, any of the live-call participants can share their screen to do live demos. While those people are speaking, it can be viewed live by anyone in the world. Those recording can watch how many people are viewing. The people recording can chat with each other and a feature called Q & A lets recorders take and answer questions from viewers. I also LOVE that you can create a calendar invite for a GHOA. This makes it a great way to let people know when a live recording is coming. You can find all the videos by going to your YouTube account and selecting videos then “Livestream.”

I also like that you can edit the video right in the recording which you can’t do on the other platforms. You’d have to transfer them to record and your version in the platform would remain just as it is recorded. With GHOA, since the videos are saved to YouTube, you just edit with the YouTube editor.

What I don’t like
I don’t like that you can’t launch a GHOA from your phone. This may be by design as Periscope and Facebook can’t record from a computer. So this platform’s form specifically results in it functioning best when inside and you are a head talking to other heads on the computer. However, I think the fact that you can’t begin a stream from a phone is part of the reason this platform has not taken off as quickly as the others. For those out-of-the box thinkers, Robert Cortes an #NYCSchoolsTech SPOC created the hack in the video below to record Google Hangouts On Air from your phone or tablet.

What this is good for:

• Teachers: Google Hangouts On Air provide a great way to organize a virtual conference. All the sessions were scheduled on the calendar and when the hangout was to begin, you just tune in! You can see what this looks like with EdCamp Global here: http://edcampglobal.wix.com/edcamp#!schedule/c1204.
• Students: Use GHOA for book clubs. Let students in your classroom and others discuss a book together ensuring they have a list of discussion topics to hit on, then they can watch the discussion afterwards and reflect on how it went. The teacher can jump in their too with advice and strategies to focus on as well as share what went well. Think about connecting students with students from another state or country that may have a different perspective on what they’re reading.
• Podcasters (students and/or teachers): You can use GHOA to broadcast your podcast while you record it. It is a great way to broadcast the un-edited version of a podcast, and give your audience an opportunity to contribute in real-time. The Techlandia podcast uses GHOA as their main podcast creation platform and as a way to engage their audience during the production phase.

Example: You can see my Google Hangout On Air videos here https://www.youtube.com/user/InnovativeEdu/videos?flow=grid&view=2 where I talk about using GHOA versus other platforms and BYOD.

Feature List

• Share a link in advance: Yes
• Watch recording without having an account: Yes
• Edit the recording: Yes
• Record from phone: No
• Record from computer: Yes

Update: You've gotta love technology. As I put this post in the queue for publishing, Google announces that Google Hangouts on Air is moving to YouTube Live starting September 12. We can all figure out what that means in the upcoming months and readers of this blog can stay-tuned for an update on how that works. For now, details are at https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/7083786. Here is advice for schools managing YouTube: http://googleforeducation.blogspot.com/2016/04/more-ways-for-schools-organizations-to.html. Innovative educator, Chris Casal warns that in its current state YouTube Live is not nearly as easy to set up as Hangouts on Air. He shows how he put it in action in this post http://blog.mrcasal.com/2016/05/live-streaming-1st-grade-egg-hatchings.html.

I tried to make a run of it which you can see below. So far, I'm not a fan.

Lisa Nielsen writes for and speaks to audiences across the globe about learning innovatively and is frequently covered by local and national media for her views on “Passion (not data) Driven Learning,” "Thinking Outside the Ban" to harness the power of technology for learning, and using the power of social media to provide a voice to educators and students. Ms. Nielsen has worked for more than a decade in various capacities to support learning in real and innovative ways that will prepare students for success. In addition to her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator, Ms. Nielsen’s writing is featured in places such as Huffington Post, Tech & Learning, ISTE Connects, ASCD Wholechild, MindShift, Leading & Learning, The Unplugged Mom, and is the author the book Teaching Generation Text.

Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.

SSTV, or Slow-Scan Television, is a picture transmission method, used mainly by amateur radio operators, to transmit and receive static pictures via radio in monochrome or color. Most famously, SSTV was used to send back some of the first pictures of Space and the Moon. The most famous picture being this one from the Apollo 11 mission which shows Neil Armstrong descending a ladder to become the first human to step onto the surface of the Moon.

I used SSTV to make the final puzzle to end the first act of my classroom Alternate Reality Game called TwentyTwenty. After solving a coded riddle, and entering the answer into one of my character’s websites, students were given another coded message and this sound file. The coded message told them the weird sound they were hearing is something called SSTV in the Scottie 1 frequency. It took them about two weeks, but they eventually figured out what SSTV was and how to solve the puzzle. They turned the sound file into a picture, sent the picture to the main character, and brought Act I to a close!

Much like me, they were blown away the first time they saw sound turn into a picture. The Schoology discussion thread blew up as each kid posted their own video and explained how they figured out how to solve the SSTV puzzle, as it has come to be known.

I love this puzzle so much, I wanted to show you how to make one for your class.

Let’s start with the finished product. In this short video, you will see the SSTV decoder “listening” through my computer’s microphone for an SSTV signal. Once I start the SSTV signal (that weird sound you hear), you will see the SSTV decoder begin to turn the sound into a picture. The picture in this video was the picture my students had to send to one of the characters to fully solve the puzzle.

http://www.techedupteacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SSTV-Puzzle.mp4

01:22

01:54

02:06

You will need four things things to create a working SSTV puzzle. A SSTV Signal Generator, SSTV Decoder*, a microphone, and speakers.

First thing you’ll want to do is install the Generator and the Decoder somewhere on the computer you will be able to find them. Next, open the file called Sstvgen.exe. The default install path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Afreet\SstvTools\sstvgen.exe. The program looks like this when you open it.

We don’t need to do anything in the way of clicking here, there is nothing you need to change in this program, but what we do need to do is create a .bmp (bitmap) picture that we want to turn into a sound.

Luckily, this can easily be done in MS Paint. Create/paste your picture in MS Paint, size the image pixels to 320×256 and make sure you save it as a .bmp.

Here is the .bmp I used for this puzzle, if you’d like to practice with it first.

Once you have your 320×256 .bmp picture, click on the folder in the SSTV Gen program and find the picture you just created and open it.

Next, click on the floppy disk and decide where you want to save your SSTV signal and what you want to call it. I named mine Scottie 1 since that is the SSTV format we are using and helped clue my kids in on what to do (many Googled Scottie 1).

You don’t need to touch or do anything else. Once you have the picture loaded in and the sound file named, hit the generate button. This will create a .wav sound file at the location you chose.

Congratulations, you’ve created an SSTV signal! Your picture is now sound!

Now to make sure it works and show you how to decode it:

Open the SSTV Decoder. It looks like this:

First thing you want to do is click on the Scottie 1 button since our signal is a Scottie 1 signal. It won’t work if you don’t select Scottie 1.

Next, make sure you have your microphone turned on and your speakers are turned up. Clicking the big RX button will force the program to start and stop listening for your signal. Most of the time though, when you play the .wav file you created, the SSTV Decoder will automatically pick it up (through the microphone) and begin to turn the sound into a picture right before your very eyes!

Play the SSTV singal. Once you play the SSTV singal, the SSTV Decoder should turn the sound file you are playing into the picture you encoded earlier! How cool is that?!

While you are playing the sound file, if the picture becomes distorted, you can stop the sound file and restart it or hit the ReSync button on the decoder, both of these should make for a clear(er) picture.

Whether you are making a classroom ARG or you just want to show your classes something cool, I have no doubt they’ll enjoy a SSTV puzzle as much as my students did.

Until next time,

GLHF

*There are more SSTV Decoders than the one I’ve linked to in this article (Generators, too), but I feel these are the best. Feel free to try other decoders/encoders if you’d like. Most of them are Freeware.

cross-posted at Teched Up Teacher

Chris Aviles teaches English at Barnegat High School in New Jersey. He presents on education topics including gamification, technology integration, BYOD, blended learning, and the flipped classroom. Read more at Teched Up Teacher.