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Education

Kennesaw State University · Course

Special Topics: Production Software

Spring

A working tour of the digital tools a modern production team uses, from FileMaker and Lightwright through QLab, Vor, network tools, and a closing build-your-own NodeRED unit.

Download syllabus (PDF) ↓

Overview

Production Software exposes students to the variety of software tools modern productions rely on, and to how those tools are used across departments. A special emphasis is placed on core concepts: how data is stored and manipulated, and how systems communicate with each other across a production network.

Some of the software covered is discipline-specific, but the course is designed to be accessible to students in every discipline of technical theatre. A working baseline of computer literacy is essential before enrolling.

Over the semester students explore and develop projects in FileMaker, QLab, Lightwright, and Vor; work in network configuration tools (ETC Concert, Pathscape, Dante Controller, and Wireshark); gain a working understanding of show-control signals and protocols such as OSC; use cloud sync and collaboration platforms; and finally explore Node-RED, building their own mini-applications to solve real-world production show-control challenges.

Units & topics

A scaffolded sequence: each unit builds on the work of the one before it.

  1. Unit 01

    Cloud services and software installs

    Setting up the working environment students will use all semester.

  2. Unit 02

    FileMaker

    Multi-week unit on databases for production paperwork: schema, layouts, scripts, and a project students design themselves.

  3. Unit 03

    QLab: sound and video

    Two sessions on QLab as a sound and video playback engine, including its show-control hooks.

  4. Unit 04

    Vor

    A session on getVor.app, the lighting capture/replay tool, and how it fits into a tech process.

  5. Unit 05

    Vectorworks & Lightwright

    How designers move data between drafting, paperwork, and the console.

  6. Unit 06

    Network tools

    ETC Concert, Pathscape, Dante Controller, and Wireshark: what each one is for and how to read what they tell you.

  7. Unit 07

    Node-RED & DIY

    Two sessions building small mini-applications that solve real production-show-control problems.

  8. Unit 08

    Final project

    A student-chosen project applying the term’s tools to a real production scenario.

Required materials

Books, tools, software, and supplies for the course. Buy / download links are carried over from the syllabus where the syllabus listed one.

A baseline of general computer literacy is essential before enrolling.

Other courses

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