1999 Forbes/Gilder Telecosm
Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Digital Image by Kendrik Johnson

1999 Forbes/Gilder Telecosm
Technology's Top Minds Meet In Tahoe
A Field Report From Kendrik Johnson and Jeff Dooley

The Telecom - It is more than an annual Conference for some of the best minds in technology to discuss current and future trends. Telecosm is the title of the book written or being written by George Gilder, the host for the conference. Although the book was released at last years conference, it was announced that it is being rewritten for re-release soon.

This, the third Telecosm event (held for the second time at Squaw Creek) is sponsored by Forbes Publishing and Hosted by the Gilder Group. With Speakers ranging from Presidential Hopeful Steve Forbes, and the CEO's of top technical companies such as AOL, Nortel, UsWest, and Global Wire to religious Philosopher and movie critic Michael Medved, this conference truly explores the policies and ramifications of Technologies and their implementation.

Wedgewood Productions has always kept the MSI video dept on its toes, pushing the envelope on client expectations while further expanding our technical expertise. For the third year MSI was the supplier for all of the Lighting, Sound and Video.

This year saw Jeff Dooley at the Helm of the Echolab switching system (an upgrade from the GVG110). He called shots from 2 - Sony D30 cameras, up to 8 - computers, and Beta and SVHS playback decks as well as elmo slide to video and overhead presenters. Due to the nature of the show he had to simultaneously manage the routing to 2- Power 5 GV video projectors (an Upgrade from the Barco 8100.) 3-27" monitors, 2 - Director monitors as well as a program switched to record. Aaron Hubbard managed CCU's and the video playback and record decks as well as the routing to a 90" x 120" Video wall that lived on stage (supplied by Gearhouse). We also had to provide video and audio feeds to Broadcast.com who did a live broadcast both from the Forbes web site as well as their Broadcast.com site.

As our staging element was fairly limited (a video wall, 5 black chairs and Plexiglas Podium and Table) the lighting and the Backdrop really became the focus of the room. As The LD Iain Bible convinced me that this show needed 4 - Martin MAC500 moving head units adding a very nice texture to the overall high tech look of the theme.

In audio we totally filled our 40ch. Yamaha PM3000 audio mixer with wireless mic inputs, playback decks (CD, Video, and Computer) as well as Q & A mics placed the in audience for conversations with the speaker panels. Scott Gould's audio design implemented 8 - Meyer UPA's, 2- Ramsa 80's and 2 - Woodworx MX6's time aliened throughout the house.

This Event was very successful, Both for MSI and for the Forbes/Gilder group. All Attendees had a very productive week and I got several good comments with regards to the presentation and professionalism of our staff. It was truly a pleasure working on this event with this production team. Thank you for your efforts.