How to Nail a Hybrid or Virtual Halloween

It's time for Halloween (sort of)

It's time for Halloween (sort of). 

Halloween event

Any Halloween expert knows it's NEVER to early to start planning your Halloween bash. While October is months away, now is the BEST time to schedule any equipment rentals or event planning services you might need. We all know having the right audio and lighting can set the tone and add that spooky factor to your event. Whether you are planning a family party or even a haunted house- our experts are here to help!  

Lighting

Lighting is EVERYTHING when it comes to Halloween. Having black lights is a great way to change your event's mood, amplify the impact of your Halloween decorations, and add that extra element of fun to your party. It gets your guests excited, makes dancing a heck of a lot more fun, and you honestly can't go wrong with this lighting effect. We offer everything you need for the perfect lighting and effects! Black lights are not the only option for your event. We also have LED lighting fixtures, trussing and support structures, image projection, or full-on concert lighting if you need it.  

Audio

Want your guest to get the full effect of your decorations? Let's talk audio! Whether you have a killer band showing up or have sound effects that need a high-quality and realistic feel, we've got you covered. You don't just want your sound effects to be loud; you want them to be realistic and high-quality. Our equipment rentals and professional technicians can easily set up your event to feel like those ghost sounds are next to you. You don't want to cheap out on audio because it takes away from the mood you want to set at your Halloween event. If you are not sure what sound needs you might have, let our experts help you out! 

Keeping it small

If you are looking to hist a more intimate Halloween event, might we suggest turning your backyard into a spooky oasis? We have beautiful pool covers to give you extra room. We also specialize in unique staging rentals so your guests can dance the night away to monster mash. Small doesn't have to mean boring. Let our experts help you get the most out of your space with creative solutions that add that WOW factor to your event.  

Next level

Need something different? What about having horror movies streaming in your backyard or on stage at your event? If you want to take things up a notch, consider an LED video wall! LED video walls are light, high-quality, and the perfect addition to your event. Alongside audio and lighting, adding an LED video wall can amplify your event and elevate the mood of your guests. The best part is, our team will help you set up and stick around (in the background, of course) to make sure everything goes to plan. You don't have to worry about set up or technical difficulties when working with In Depth Events.  

 Virtual events 

Taking your event online? We have you covered with high-quality video streaming and the right technology to host your event from afar. Whether you want to host a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual elements or monetize a live stream or video concert- team up with In Depth Events. 

What's next 

Our team has over twenty-five years of experience in the events industry. We are professional, creative, and offer top of the line service. Let's schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss your event and how we can have your guests talking about it for years to come.  

 


How can you run a corporate meeting online?

virtual meetings, corporate meetings, virtual events

Make your corporate meeting virtual

Has 2020 shaken up the way you run your business? As states continue to close down and social distancing takes center stage for business models, how do you keep moving forward? The good news is, running a successful virtual corporate event can be effortless and successful if you have the right equipment and experts on your team. You have a few options for your corporate event. Your event can be hosted as a hybrid event, pre-recorded event, or live stream event. Each of these options requires similar equipment, but offer varying outcomes.

 

Which virtual event type is right for me?

 

A hybrid event is perfect for having both in-person and virtual components. This model works well when you have guest speakers or other members of your business that need to be included in the video. Another popular option is to pre-record your event and stream it as though it were live. This option allows for better production value and less chance of technical difficulties. We all know that awkward moment when your technology malfunctions or you accidentally say something embarrassing while live. A pre-recorded video gives the appearance of being live while allowing you the time and focus to concentrate on moderating comments, interacting with attendees, and addressing anything else that might come up. Your third option is to live stream your event, and this will take a little more effort and precaution.

 

What equipment do I need for my virtual event?

 

While your event might have virtual components, you still want a high-quality production value. The experts at In Depth Events can help you determine what you need for your virtual corporate event, but here are some ideas to get you started;

If you happen to rent out a space for your event, they might not have the proper equipment for you to live-stream. Our team can help build out a stage, set up your lighting, perfect your audio, and record your event. While it is a virtual event, we are still offering the same services and following the right guidelines and procedures for safety. We have a full range of virtual event services we can offer your business. Find out more about corporate meetings here. (link to coproate meetings page)

 

How do I get started?

 

Whether you need support for planning, production, or equipment rentals- we are here to help. Your next step is to reach out to our team today to answer any questions and get started on planning. We will continue to keep an eye on the changes in social distancing, the state re-opening, and any other changes we might face. We pride ourselves in moving with the changes and finding creative solutions to support them. We want to hear from you, what changes are you facing, and how can we help? 

We are strictly adhering to CDC guidelines to ensure we offer safe and sanitary equipment, service, and guidance. 

 

 


Image of Truss and Ballast

Truss and Ballast for Outdoor Events – A New Product Showcase

The staff at In Depth Events like to flatter ourselves that we engineer products that improve the production industry as a whole.  Occasionally, we’re right!  Some of our innovations really have been influential to the industry.  The best example is our LED Dance Floors – which was one of the first available in the rental market when we began designing them seven years ago.  It’s in this spirit that we are beginning a New Product showcase series.  Sign Up Here to receive information on our New Products as we discover them!

“Necessity is the mother of invention”

The Development of the Rental Truss and Ballast

About three years ago, a tour with a 5K run required a more immersive experience for their attendees.  This client asked us to design a series of outfield towers that could be placed up to 200 feet from the stage.  Each tower would be required to hold a significant amount of lighting as well as holding signage.  It would also require certified engineer documentation.

Engineer Drawing of Truss and Ballast Design

A side view from one of the engineered drawings used in the initial product design.

Our engineers got to work.  Using trussing from our rooftop department, we began with 20 foot vertical truss towers.  This pin-together truss (sometimes called fork truss) is 30 inches x 24 inches and is part of the perimeter truss of our monster 70’x50′ rooftop.  Now, we have the vertical space and strength.  But how do we anchor it to the ground to keep it from falling over?

Using the concept of a typical truss and base (which uses 70 pound steel plates as ballast) we set to design the mother of all truss and base.  Using 3/8″ steel plate, our welders built a box 4 feet x 4feet x 36 inches tall with fork lift receivers.  Then, using rebar and a piece of the perimeter truss, we set a die for the fork ends.  Finally, our stagehands mixed 3200 pounds of concrete, and poured it into each box.

The end result is a surprisingly good looking product with more than it’s fair share of weight.  The steel base is painted black and looks great on site, but it can’t disguise the 3600 pound nature of it’s being.  Our final engineering review allows the towers to be used in almost any weather environment with virtually no danger of them falling over.  Of course, the trussing looks great – it’s a vertical tower of aluminum that holds several hundred pounds of lighting in the air as well as flat vinyl banners with three times the signage space as mini-beam towers.

The multiple uses of Truss and Ballast in outdoor events

Image of Ballast and base supporting lighting and signage

Ballast and base supporting lighting and signage during a spring 2016 tour stop not too far from the Vegas strip.

When we unveiled the new Truss and Ballast, the client was thrilled.  Our engineers had created a product that allowed for the immersive experience their attendees demanded (later, we carried that design to over 150 cities in the United States – but that’s another story).  However, as we started using them on other shows, other advantages of our 3600 pound Truss and Ballast started to present themselves.  Take a look at the list below:

Image for lighting placementLighting Placement:

This should be obvious, since it was one of the main initial specifications.  However, the sheer ability of our design to accommodate lighting fixtures became an asset.  Rather than just holding a few fixtures, these towers can hold hundreds of pounds of weight – meaning more lighting.  Our Truss and Ballast towers have been used with moving lights, conventional 6 bars, lekos and FX lighting – many times all at once.  They are a vast upgrade compared to the traditional usage of scaffolding or truss and base for outdoor lighting!

 

Banner Placement using truss and ballastBanner placement:

The banner sizing is where this product really shines.  Before, spot signage at festivals had to be either scaffolding towers or towers using 12 inch mini-beam.  With our Truss and Ballast, signage is 30 inches wide x 20 feet tall!  This allows for readable signage for logo placement or directional signs.  Since our bases are stand-alone units, you can erect a square signage tower literally in the center of your main thoroughfare, and it provides a easy to read signpost that has very little effect on traffic patterns or slowdown.

 

Commercial Bulb StringersSupport for Commercial Bulb Placement:

Commercial bulb stringers are a mainstay for weddings, receptions and corporate outdoor events.  However, commercial bulb stringers can be difficult to have in open areas.  Our Truss and Ballast make commercial bulb stringers a dream to setup and install.  Our towers can support multiple strings – or use as a corner piece without worrying about wire tension.

 

 

Inverted U gatewayGateways and Gantries:

In January of 2017, a good friend and client asked us about building a gateway entry.  These are usually built with mini-beam, but in this instance the gateway footprint had to be minimized.  We designed two corners and a spanning truss to go with our Truss and Ballast, and in doing so, created a new use for our towers.  These new gateway structures boast a limited footprint, while providing exceptionally wind tolerant signage.  Multiple sections can also be used to create ticket gantries.

 

Using experts to help with your next event

Do you have a idea that you don’t know how to make work safely?   Contact our experts and let us turn your idea into a reality! Look no further!  At In Depth Events, our staff and technicians can help provide staging, audio and lighting, and electrical distribution for your next event.  Ask Us a Question to get started on your next event!


Image of Mudbug Bash at Main Street Gardens

Concert Production Services for CBS Radio Live Events

The staff at In Depth Events has a long history of working with broadcast companies.  Our unique blend of turnkey concert production services along with our marketing company experience is a natural match when working in terrestrial radio.

Thank you for all of your work this past weekend. Things went off without a hitch and your crew was great!  Andy Brooks

The Dallas office of CBS Radio is a recent addition to our client list.  However, after a successful series of events in 2015, we feel confident that CBS Radio will be a repeat client in the future!

CBS Radio called us to provide concert production services for several events in 2015 including the Mudbug Bash and Sausage Fest (both held at Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas) as well as support for a live event at Panther Island Pavilion in Ft Worth. We were also asked to provide concert production services at Fair Park in Dallas and a Christmas event at Farmers Market in Dallas.

Full Production Christmas event at Dallas Farmers Market for CBS Radio

CBS Radio Christmas event at Dallas Farmers Market

CBS Radio maintains several radio stations in the Dallas market and each radio station plays a part in the production and sponsorship of each live event.  As a result, every event for CBS Radio is completely unique.  Our logistics team makes sure that all the audio rentals, staging rentals, lighting rentals and video rentals arrives on schedule and our operators and stagehands provide the necessary skills to make sure the talent and audience has a great time.

Ask Us a Question today and find out why In Depth Events has one of the highest rates of repeat business in the industry.  We look forward to hearing from you and working with you!

 

CBS-mud-bug-production