The Art of Labeling

[@Logan.]

I'm not in the film game, I work in construction. Completely stumbled across this video... and my God this is such good advice that applies to so many industries. Awesome video

[@blackoutapp]

Wild. Thanks for watching!

[@4sightfilmsLLC]

This is an incredible video! And these tips are essential for any working professional to consider! Wow. Thank you for taking the time and sharing! 🔥🔥🔥

[@colorado_gaffer]

Hell yeah, Jeff!

[@robbgosset674]

Great tips. Uk theatre tech so already do some of this but great info, none the less.

[@andymiller54]

Really appreciate this Jeff! I picked up a Canon Tr-150 per your rec recently. Definitely adding Vinyl tape to my mix now.

[@thehomedepothouseplant9986]

DUDE THIS IS AWESOME!!! I was wondering what tape they used!! Ahhhh amazing

[@crwndblessed1130]

You just improved my game so much🧠, Thanks again Jeff

[@chadstrohmayer541]

Great video! Labeling is most definitely well worth the effort. Huge difference between crews (both rigging and shooters) that identify and execute the need for labeling such as you describe here and those crews that just scribble and often omit. Making a schedule for your patch is also very helpful and handy, perhaps this is a video you already made or could be one to tackle as well. Keep up the great work Jeff

[@gorillaproductions73]

says a lot that on May 6th 2023 there are 237 thumbs up and no thumbs down! Most importantly, be Professional.Very useful tips and let me add that when a project scales these things matter in the most crucial way. Also, I have a strict schedule color coding system to differentiate networking, dimmed power and raw power... cloth tape comes in a rainbow of colors

[@cobralyoner]

great tips man! currently still doing the gaff tape method but that might change soon! for the zip ties, there are also zip ties with places for labels on them they are quite handy for cables and stuff like that (:

[@CinematographyDatabase]

this is lovely

[@meetthegaffer]

So good.

[@ammreulrich]

I make google sheets that i share with everyone on my crew including the regular rigging crew that has all the universes i run, each light in that universe, its mode, its address, its channel number. I keep a few addresses for some generic mode 6 skypanels, so if the riggers set some up they can refer to the sheet for what addresses and channels to label them. They also have their own universe so if it is more extensive of a set up they know i have a patch in universe 15 for them. I came from off broadway/industrial/and arena work, i was just a day player for a long time with 52 until the pandemic killed live events. I went to check out the shooters truck as a dayplayer and then... i was still there at the wrap day because i was quick with the multi parameter fixtures.

[@ammreulrich]

I also redraw the sets from the construction layouts in illustrator so i can make them the background in my magic sheets, so everything on our sets is laid out. If we have multiple of the same light, i have labeled lights with sctual names. So like, that s30 is shakira. The light, its frames, its ballast, its cables, all shakira. That way if a light isnt working and it gets swapped out in a rush, ill know it was shakira's ballast that was acting funny, not beyonce's, or madonna's.

[@jonathankey1092]

Love this! Thank you for sharing about the black vinyl and clear vinyl- the link in the labeling game that I was missing! Jeff- the advanced labeling question is- is there a way to automate printed labels from the .csv file generated by blackout to a label printer or a label template? I label for every short term job- if the job is over 2 days I will print nice labels. I can’t imagine not labeling- It would be so nice if there was a way to have them automated. I enter everything manually although I have a basic look set. And have made my own saved fixture number templates- everything else is manual.

[@andymiller54]

Second on this! I’m trying to find a way to make labeling work on short term jobs (1-3 days). I’m currently playing with the CSV import into the Avery print and design. It’s not the best but I can’t find any better CSV importing software that will work on an ipad. Curious what others in this little group have found useful.

[@blackoutapp]

Great question. I don't have a good workflow for Blackout, but now that you mention it, I think this is a nice feature request.

[@mattfrazer7945]

What clear vinyl tape did you use? Can’t seem to find a good one online that’s wide enough. Link would be awesome if you have it!

[@blackoutapp]

www.tapeplanet.com/clear-vinyl-tape-2-x-36-yard-roll

[@CortexGaming]

How does the vinyl do on lighting fixtures that get hot? Like a source 4

[@etentertainment4157]

6:57 oops - 36 yards, 108 feet

[@juliankranzbuhler1344]

Hello @all ... sorry but i don t get the right tape on amazon ... can someone please share a link ... Peace

[@blackoutapp]

www.tapeplanet.com/clear-vinyl-tape-2-x-36-yard-roll www.tapeplanet.com/black-vinyl-tape-2-x-36-yard-roll

[@michaelkrug]

Has anyone found a good label that will stick to an SKB rack case? I can’t find any adhesive that will stay stuck to the plastic.

[@garywilkins6412]

Acetone wipe and/or flame treat. Be careful with either process, and only do the area under the label, it will change the look of the plastic

[@michaelkrug]

@@garywilkins6412 Thanks. I will give it a shot!