The Hidden History of Moving Lights: From Cyclops to Cyberlights
In this episode, Richard Cadena shares a rich history of entertainment lighting, from early innovations to modern advancements. He discusses the evolution of moving lights, the story behind the Cyclops, and insights into the industry’s technological breakthroughs and business strategies. In this engaging interview, Richard Cadena and Geezers Of Gear explore the evolution of lighting technology, the challenges of battery power at festivals, and the transformative potential of AI in the industry. They share insights on sustainability, technological advancements, and the future of entertainment production.
Geezers Of Gear Episode 348
This Episode we’re joined by a returning friend of the show who literally wrote the book - several of them, in fact - on how we light the stage and power the show.He is an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician with over 36 years in the trenches, a technical editor for L&SA, and the mind behind the industry-standard text, Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light.
Richard is here to set the record straight on some "lighting lore" from our last chat with Jeff Alder. We’re going deep into the origin of the Cyklops lights, the pioneering days of moving mirrors with Grand Funk Railroad, and the real story behind those High End Systems Intellabeams on the Dire Straits '91 tour.
Plus, we’re talking about his latest work with sustainable battery power at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion and why he’s embracing AI to supercharge his technical writing.
This epsiode is brought to you by Inner Circle Distribution, ClayPkay and ETC
Chapters
00:00 The Psychology of Pricing
07:35 The Evolution of Automated Lighting
10:21 The Cyclops and Its Impact
13:22 Historical Innovations in Lighting
16:17 The Journey of Richard Cadena
21:04 Influential Figures in Lighting Design
32:08 The Rise of IntelliBeam in Rock and Roll
36:24 Transforming the Industry with Innovative Lighting
43:23 The Economic Impact of Moving Lights
47:42 Advancements in Battery Technology for Events
52:18 The Future of Green Energy in Live Events
01:00:05 Navigating Technology and Skepticism
01:01:51 The Role of AI in Writing and Editing
01:04:20 AI as a Tool for Improvement
01:08:39 The Evolution of Jobs in the Age of AI
01:09:46 The Shift in Value: Ideas vs. Execution
01:15:17 Innovative Uses of AI in Everyday Tasks
01:19:52 The Future of AI and Its Challenges
01:26:15 Training and Education in the Industry
01:29:06 Geezers Outro Video.mp4
Richard Cadena is a true titan of the "trenches," bringing over 36 years of hands-on experience to the forefront of the entertainment lighting industry. As an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician, Richard has spent decades mastering the complex intersection of power, data, and artistry that defines modern live events. He is perhaps best known as the author of the industry-standard textbook, Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light, a seminal work that has educated generations of technicians and designers.
Beyond his technical prowess, Richard serves as the Technical Editor for Lighting & Sound America (L&SA), where he continues to shape the discourse on emerging technologies and safety standards. His career is a masterclass in evolution—from the early days of manual rigs to the AI-integrated future. Richard’s unique ability to translate high-level physics and electrical theory into practical, "road-ready" knowledge makes him an invaluable voice for anyone looking to understand the past, present, and future of the concert touring world.
Related Web Sites:
www.rcad.me
www.electrics.tech
www.automatedlighting.pro
www.APTXL.com
www.lightingandsoundamerica.com
www.lsionline.co.uk
www.esta.org/Protocol/protocol.html
