ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.) announces that it is expanding its extensive Unison control system family again, introducing the Mosaic line of show controllers. In an agreement with Pharos Architectural Controls Limited, ETC’s Unison Mosaic Show Control System is based on the award-winning Pharos™ show-control technologies, comprising a range of software, controllers, and accessories. Richard Mead, Managing Director of Pharos, says, “ETC are market leaders in system integration and lighting control for large-scale projects. They have been a great partner for Pharos as our distributor in North America, and we are delighted to be collaborating on this new venture with the launch of Unison Mosaic worldwide.” ETC Architectural Market Manager Joe Bokelman adds, “Taking this next step allows us to merge the strengths of the Pharos products with the advantages of our Unison architectural control line. And, we leverage our sales and service networks — across the globe.”

Show control is in demand as special effects go well beyond the stage into architecture and daily life. “The goal now is to differentiate a structure or venue and turn it into a dynamic landmark or memorable event by creating wonder and captivating people’s senses and attention. With our new Unison Mosaic Show Control System, any venue can now be the staging ground for a multimedia experience that might include interactive lighting shows, audio and visual spectacle, and more,” says Bokelman. “Mosaic integrates architectural and entertainment technology — triggering and managing different technical elements like LEDs, moving lights, and other effects.”

Mosaic combines innovative software and hardware. Mosaic Designer Software™ provides the framework for creating art, while Mosaic Show Controllers™ (MSCs) are the compact hardware solution, running events reliably and precisely, show after show. Engineered with unique environments in mind, Unison Mosaic Show Control presents a comprehensive control solution for architectural exteriors, retail, museum and themed spaces, art installations, special events, and innovative projects yet to be imagined.

Says Bokelman, “by bringing these Mosaic show-control products into the Unison brand — alongside our Paradigm and SmartLink offerings — ETC puts it all together with the most comprehensive range of products for controlling LEDs and creating energy savings.”

Lighting technicians and programmers love their iPhones® – and they want to use them everywhere. ETC is answering the call by allowing them to turn their Apple handhelds into miniature lighting-controllers. We are now introducing the iRFR (Radio Focus Remote for iPhone and iPod Touch), while donating all the proceeds to industry-aid organizations Behind The Scenes and Light Relief. The iRFR will offer all the functionality of an ETC Net3™ Radio Focus Remote unit, interfacing to ETC’s Eos®, Ion®, Congo® and Congo jr lighting control desks. The iRFR is supported in the current Congo software release (v5.1) and will be supported in the upcoming Eos release (v1.5).

Senior Product Development Manager Dennis Varian says ETC had continual requests for a device like the iRFR: “While we were asking ourselves how to price an application like this, Luke Delwiche from ETC Tech Services in London suggested we give the profits to Behind the Scenes [US/ESTA] and Light Relief [UK/PLASA]. We thought that was a great idea.”

While you are purchasing the iRFR application from the iTunes store you’ll designate the aid organization of your choice. The Light Relief or Behind the Scenes logo will appear as the iRFR start screen.

ETC software engineer Chris Mizerak developed the application with a view to making it as user-friendly and direct as any Apple application, with added peace of mind. Varian explains: “Since anyone who has an iPhone or iPod Touch can download the iRFR application, they have the potential to take control of a lighting system. So we implemented full security controls to lock out all unauthorized users.”

And because the iRFR application is purchased through iTunes, for iPhones and iPod Touches people already own, they install it and have it immediately — no hardware or special factory-coding required.

“ETC also makes purpose-built remotes, of course — like the RFR — for more rugged, collective use,” says Varian, “but this is a great personal device.”

And an added benefit: if you misplace your lighting-system remote – just call your phone and find it.

The riot of people at the ETC booth will be viewing a riot of color — from ETC’s new Selador™ Series x7 Color System™ LED fixtures. ETC waited to get into LEDs until LEDs could be real stage lights, offering a color quality and light output that would blend with and complement the gel colors of professional lighting rigs. Energy-saving and beautiful, the Selador Series’ Paletta™, Lustr™ and Vivid™ LED fixtures offer cool and warm hues, saturated colors, bright white light, and finally – natural-looking light for skin tones.

Getting back to lighting-control basics, but with cutting-edge innovation, ETC will reveal the newest console in the award-winning Eos® family. Designed for modest rigs dominated by conventional lights and a need for more hands-on fader control, this new board contains a roster of lighting-control fundamentals. Channel faders, submasters, cue lists, effects, plus control of devices like motorized accessories for conventional lights, LEDs and small numbers of moving lights – all the right, user-friendly tools for smaller venues such as schools relying on single board operators and volunteer staffs.

ETC recognizes that USITT is a critical career-networking opportunity for students and educators. As a free resource this year they will provide a special on-site service center: the unique ETC-sponsored Portfolio Workspace to help people make last-minute adjustments and updates to their portfolios and résumés. Located in the ETC Connect lounge [Duke 252 room], the Portfolio Workspace will provide all the finessing tools needed, including Mac and PC computers (loaded with Microsoft Office®, Photoshop®, Vectorworks®, and AutoCAD® Lite), plus CD burners and blank CDs, color printers, and layout tools — like cutting boards and rulers. Not to mention quality résumé and photo paper, inserts, slip covers, labels, colored pencils, glue sticks, and more. ETC will even provide card stock for generating business cards, as well as 17×22 photo-quality prints — all free. ETC‘s popular mentors Doug Tuttrup and Durrell Ramer will be on hand for on-the-spot portfolio advising.

And, as every year at USITT, ETC will host their standing-room-only famed Student Session, where students have the chance to meet ETC and ask good questions for great swag prizes. And, if all that’s not enough – students will have the chance to win one of three sleek professional portfolio cases. The date and time to put into cell-phone calendars: ETC Student Session, ETC USITT booth #1100, at the close of the show, approximately 5:00pm, Friday, March 20th, 2009. To attend, students must stop by the ETC booth or ETC Connect Lounge ahead of time to receive a VIP Student Pass that allows them to remain on the show floor after show hours.

Applications for ETC’s LDI Student-Sponsorship will also be available at the ETC booth, as well as free USITT-exclusive ETC Selador T-shirts — destined to be some of ETC’s coolest collectible tees yet (and available only as long as quantities last!).

ETC also reminds people that free USITT show floor passes are available from ETC and USITT. Follow this link:http://www.xpressreg.net/eReg/?ShowCode=EUST039 and enter ETC1100 in VIP Code box.