Comments on: Multi-Media Shows at UT Austin – Media 70

By: Kenny Meyer

Kenny Meyer — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:30:14 +0000

Hello Pete!

Last Xmas Barry dropped me a note from the blue. Since then we’ve contacted Bill, Judy and Kay. It would be nice to reach others who were involved.

As Barry mentioned, we’ve been trying to reconstruct some of the old stories. We created a time line that you can find on the link Barry provided. If you’d be willing to make any corrections, additions or suggestions let us know–we’ll give you write permission. Also it would be great if you had any photos from the era.

Hope you’re well. Glad you found Barry’s Blog.

best regards,
Kenny

By: barryeverett

barryeverett — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:55:35 +0000

Thanks Pete. Kenny and I have been piecing the story back together. Check out the network we set up at http://media70.ning.com/

By: Pete Peters

Pete Peters — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:48:00 +0000

Barry … i though the review was very good … great stimulus to remember those days /pete

By: barryeverett

barryeverett — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:04:17 +0000

What can be so important about events that happened 38 years ago? Some would say nothing, but we can never tell where paths take us until we walk down them. bce

By: Kenny Meyer

Kenny Meyer — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:33:01 +0000

Back then multi-media meant showing a bunch of things at once. The Media ‘70 version of mult-media was, in large part, defined by the venue–AC 21, the auditorium. It was an amazing place.

The AC audiorium had two large rear projection screens on stage right and stage left at stage level. It also had a drop down front projection screen at center stage. Overhead at center stage, there was a large front projection screen that was flanked on both sides by large white walls that were designed for projection.

The were 3 booths. A center booth at the back of the hall with a 16mm projection aimed at the overhead center screen. A pair of slide projectors for cross fading images was set up next to the booth. (early shows were done with pieces of cardboard; later shows with electonic faders.)
There were also two “translation booths” that faced the flanking projection walls. Each translation booth was outfitted with a pair of projectors for cross-fading slides.

The “heavy” equipment was located behind the rear projection screens. This included a pair of 2×2 slide projectors, a pair of 35mm projectors, a 4×5 glass slide projector, an early video projector, and a 16mm projector. The 4×5 glass slides where often hand crafted abstractions, montages or slogans made for each show. The rear projectors were controlled from panel about 4 rows up in the audience. For the most part the shows were run from there.

All in all it took at least 6 people to run the show. On some occaisons, the screen at center stage was replaced with a scrim used for a rear projection and or a shadow screen for a live performer. On those occasions the show was run by 10 people.

In order to take advantage of all the gizmos, a Media 70 multi-media show included 16mm film, 35mm slides, 2×2 slides, 4×5 glass slides, and a custom mixed sound track.
The result was a blast at the senses. It was quite trippy, and amazingly enough, often moving.