Sew What? Star of the Month – Oct. 2009

Meet Alberto, Sewing Machine Operator

Alberto has been with Sew What? for 7 years

If you could take a vacation to any place in the world, where would you go, and why?  I would go to Mexico, because I haven’t been in a long time, and I’d like to go remember the good times I had in Mexico City D. F.  I’d also like to go visit the graves of my loved ones who have passed there.

Who is your favorite music artist?  Ray Conniff and Santana

Do you have a special talent?  I sew.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  The Six O’Clock News in Spanish.  I never miss it.

What is your favorite memory from Sew What?  When I went to a job in Las Vegas, because I won $600 from $20 I had.

What project have you worked on recently that was interesting or challenging?  The one we worked on last week where we had to glue acrylic pieces on soft goods.  It was tedious and required lots of manuevering, but I thought it was different and I loved it. (Note: Alberto is referring to a mixed media project using mirrors that we did for the Maxwell tour).

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Focus On: Single Kabuki Drapes

Picture this.  You are at a concert.  The opening act has just finished playing, and the crew has removed all of the band’s instruments and equipment, leaving only the drape that the band played in front of.  The music starts, signalling that the main act is about to appear.  Suddenly, the headlining band appears on stage, as if from nowhere.  What just happenned?  Another piece of stage magic, called the Kabuki. 

There are two types of Kabukis, the Single Kabuki and the Double Kabuki, but they both work on the same principle – the use of electrically-powered magnetic systems called solenoids.  A solenoid resembles a small box with a pin sticking out.  A series of small solenoid boxes are attached in a daisy-chain row on a truss.  At one end, this chain of solenoids is plugged into electricity and attached to a controller switch.

For a Single Kabuki, the drape is sewn with loop velcro on the top, on both front and back.  D-Ring Velcro attachments are then made by taking a single piece of hook velcro, looping it through the flat edge of the D-Ring (with the hook side facing in), and then sewing the Velcro together tight to the edge.  This leaves a D-Ring with an upside-down V-shaped piece of Velcro attached.

The D-Rings are then attached to the top of the Kabuki Drape by sandwiching the top of the drape, with its loop velcro on both front and back, with the hook velcro on the D-Ring.  (Think of the Velcro on the D-rings as the bread and the top of the drape as the filling).  The result is a drape with adjustable D-Rings across the top.  Adjustability is key as solenoid placement on the truss can vary, and it is essential that the drapery D-Rings line up to the solenoid.  This is why this velcro system is generally used, rather than sewing the D-rings directly to the top of the Kabuki.  The best thing about using a Velcro D-ring is that the drop can be manually pulled down if a solenoid fails to release.

The Single Kabuki is then hung on the solenoid pins, appearing to the audience just the same as any other drape.  However, when the time comes to reveal to the audience what is behind the drape, the crew pushes a switch.  The switch causes the pins to retract and, as a result, the pins release the D-rings and the Kabuki drops to the ground.  And the band appears as if from nowhere.

So that’s a Single Kabuki.  I’ll tell about two other similar pieces, the Double Kabuki and the Poor Man’s Kabuki (also called a Tear-Away) in a future post.

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Thinking about Technology

I was in New York City just 2 weeks ago – a wonderful opportunity – to speak to some media about our business and the importance of technology in our business model.  We are thrilled and delighted to have been recognized by Dell Computer as a “Trailblazing” company.  Indeed – we do choose our own path and always have.  We did not always choose Dell – not in the early days when I first started – but ever since we discovered the important role that technology plays in a small business.

I am a big fan of the Internet – ever since we lost a large contract some years ago – when the US car manufacturer said to me “your numbers for your theatrical drapes are great, your staging product is perfect – but we just can’t award you the special event contract as you don’t have a website.  Having a website is one of our vendor authentication criteria.”

WHAT? Did you just say that we did not get the job despite being the most competitively priced because we don’t have a website?

Bah humbug.  Some tears and a few beers later, I had a website all right.  By that weekend’s end, I had built one – clip art and all.  To no avail – it was too late, and they weren’t interested in reopening the bid.

Thanks to my homegrown website, clients began to find us ever so slowly on the Internet – now, we are talking the early 2000’s, so it was not the norm to “google” things.  Phone books and directories were still relatively cool.  And hard-copied printed resources were still go-to must-haves.  It didn’t matter, did it, that I had clip art?  It was cute!  Really cute…..like needles and thread, thimbles and buttons.  Oh – there aren’t buttons on drapes – I knew that – but I did not think that my web visitors did.  WRONG.

WHAT? Did you just say that we did not get the job despite being the most competitively priced because we have clip art on our website?

Right then.  Just watch me – enter Cindy McMahan of Search Engine Pros and Chris Sandberg of Star Marketing.

Now – armed with a flurry of experts in SEO and design, we finally nailed it – and the clients came!  No clip art.  Complete credibility.  We were a real company!

So the phone rang and the Internet inquiries arrived in our inboxes.  But we had no infrastructure…….so they called, but I had no record of who they were.  They requested a quote from me and then separately from a coworker – we had no idea that we were both servicing the same account.  Nor were we consistent with our pricing.  The clients were confused.  How could we forget them…..or not know their mailing address.

WHAT? Did you just say that we did not get the job despite being the most competitively priced because we had no technology on the front end and were still writing orders in #2 lead pencils on the back of cocktail napkins?

So – we decided to find a resource.  One strong and reliable resource that would be there when we needed them.  Not a fly-by-night whose gear would not be compatible with anyone else’s, and not the cheapest.  Rather a resource that would fill our needs from there on.  So we chose Dell.

WHAT? Did you just say that we are now a player in the Theatrical Drapery Manufacturing marketplace because we are credible, believable and organized?  WOW.  This is fantastic news.

This has been a real adventure to say the least – to get from there to here.  I’ve loved every minute of it and am so thrilled to have brought so many friends, family and clients along for the ride.

Sew What?  Sew This!

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Another link – Manage the Tour

I recently discovered a cool blog called “Manage the Tour.”  The purpose of the blog is to provide “an online resource of stories, suggestions and ideas for aspiring tour managers.”

Despite working for a company that makes custom stage curtains, digitally printed backdrops, and a host of other soft goods for the tours of bands and artists big and small (and despite the fact that Sew What? Inc was founded by a former “roadie”), I myself have never toured with a band.  So I am fascinated to read Bradford’s suggestions for aspiring tour managers (including small bands that are doing the tour management themselves). 

I know how “glamorous” the life of a touring with a band sounds to those of us who have never done it – you can read a few of Megan’s recent posts to see that its not all fun and games!  The thing that I like about Manage the Tour is that Bradford gives practical advice to aspiring tour managers but also manages to be interesting to those (like me) who only dream.

I found this post particularly interesting, although I have to admit that it first caught my eye because of the similarity in the title to Sew What?

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Sew What? Star of the Month – Sept. 2009

Meet Daniel, Quality Control Lead. 

Daniel has been with Sew What? for two years.

If you could take a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go?  Rome, because that is where Jesus Christ travelled.  I want to get to know the holy land.

Who are your favorite music artists?  Mariachi Vargas, the best in the world, and Los Hermanos Martinez Gil.

Do you have a special talent? I am a businessman.  I learned here in the United States.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  The news.

What is your favorite memory of Sew What? All of you

What project have you worked on recently that was particularly interesting or challenging? I give all projects the same enthusiasm, be they large or small.  They all interest me equally, and I love getting organized to complete my daily tasks.  I want to always give 100%.

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The Sew What? Family

Here at Sew What? we think of ourselves as a family.  Many of us have been working here for five or more years – and the very first employee, Maria, is still with us after more than 11 years!

We thought that you, our readers, might like to get to know the Sew What? family as well.   So, I’d like to introduce you to Silvia Soler.  Silvia is our Human Resources Manager and is a new contributor to this blog.  Each month, Silvia will be presenting to you the Sew What? “Star of the Month,” a feature in which you can get to know our employees.

I hope you enjoy learning more about all the dedicated and talented people here at Sew What? Inc.

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More on Metal Mesh

Back in July, I posted a photo of a cool drape that we made for our sister company, Rent What?, from aluminum mesh.  Well, I thought it was time that I told you more about it.

If you are looking for a cool industrial look, a metal mesh drape is a great option.  It is very dramatic and provides a textured background for effective and unique lighting effects.  It is also available in different tints, giving interesting color and texture even when in an unlit condition.

It is also surprisingly light – a 30′ h x 10′ w leg weighs just 15 pounds (compare that to an unpleated Commando leg of the same size – which weights about 25 to 30 pounds). 

And when you are loading out the show, just push the mesh drape into a hamper – no folding required.  When you get to the next venue, pull it out, hang it, and “fluff it” to size.  After all, wrinkles are not only expected – they’re preferred with a metal mesh drape!

This really is a great option for a tour – as a matter of fact, it was just what legendary rock band Journey wanted for their 2009 tour, and Rent What? was ready and able to provide them.

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Memories on the Road and at Home

I am still working the deal for Fantasy Rock Camp.  I am told that my personal hero Mr Meat Loaf will be the host.  I am very excited to say the least.  LOL.  No – you can never be too old to appreciate such an opportunity.  You love him too – I just know it.

Speaking of opportunity – I have lately been thinking about the various artists whom I have had occasion to come in contact with over the 20+ years that I have been in the industry.  “Why?” I hear you ask, “would you possibly want to remember the night when the audience rushed the stage at an Anthrax concert while you huddled up the truss in a follow spot seat above the crowd quivering with fear and mild excitement?”

Hmm – good question.

The newer members of the Sew What? family tend to be infinitely amused by these stories, and the old-timers know them verbatim and can repeat them on cue on my behalf when required.  Not to mention the fascination that our son William has developed hearing these road warrior stories.  There is much reason to reminisce.

Joe Gallagher and I once pushed the bus (literally) up Wilshire Blvd when King Crimson’s tour bus broke down.   On the very same tour, I think I may have even fallen asleep up on the dimmer rack mid “thrak-attack” at a show at the Greek.  Any genuine King Crimson fan would appreciate how very difficult that would be.  To achieve a degree of exhaustion capable of blocking the volume and the vibe is noteworthy.

More memorable moments – sitting with Rod Stewart on the stage steps in front of the custom draperies we created for him.  I posed for the photo opportunity – he did not need to – casual and cool, he looked like a rock star without any effort.

Meeting Queen Latifah in her blue jeans and striped sweater top – shaking hands – “Hi, I’m Dana.  How are you?”  WOW – amazing, talented, genuine and beautiful.  What a pleasure to work with such artists.  I am truly fortunate.

I have been told that success begets those who surround themselves with successful people.  We have not only successful clients, but successful employees too.  I love to see creativity and talent at every turn.  It is another great day for us at Sew What? – living the high life on the sunny side of Compton.  So, back to work for me now – and let me see from whom, and what, I might learn today.

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Mixed Media Backdrop? What’s that?

I seem to recall way back in grade school, doing “mixed media” art projects.  The fact is, I can’t really say that any of these “art” projects of mine were very artistic.  The best you could say about them was that they were “crafty” – bits of macaroni glued on a paper plate, bits of ribbon and sequins – something only a mother could love!

Here at Sew What? we have been exploring a new meaning for the term “Mixed Media,” and in my mind it really is a form of art.  In a stage backdrop context, “mixed media” refers to combining a number of different textural elements to make one dramatic piece of stage scenery.

Not sure what I mean?  Rather than trying to explain it, I’ll let some of our recent projects do the talking:

Mixed Media – Lady Gaga Style

• Digitally printed backdrop, with cut elements appliqued to scenery netting
• Attach to that a front projection screen for low res moving imagery
• Embed some LED lights on a basic battery pack, along with some smoke lines, for the gift that keeps on giving
• One backdrop and about 100 looks!  That’s Mixed Media Lady Gaga Style!

Mixed Media – Motley Crue Style

• Translucent poly substrate, digitally printed with bold graphics
• Take out various elements  and fill with mesh
• Add a backside applique in areas to reduce transparency strategically
• Rock it Crue-Style with front lighting looks and back lighting blow through, and then whip it away kabuki-style when you’re done!

Mixed Media – Soulja Boy Style

• All-American Red, White, and Blue backdrop on a traditional cloth substrate
• Step it up a notch with glossy lenses – digitally rear-printed clear vinyl elements appliqued into the design strategically to give the appearance of reflective sunglass lenses
• The result?  A dramatic backdrop that looks back at the audience! 

These are just a few examples of the huge diversity of looks that are achievable with a mixed media backdrop.  In the past, a scenic backdrop was simply fabric and a printed or painted image.  Now, with mixed media, a backdrop can be so much more. 

Mixed media is a concept that was introduced to us here at Sew What? a few years ago, and since then we have run with it and are continually “pushing the envelope” to find better and better ways to achieve the client’s vision in better and more innovative ways.  It’s not just about the fabric anymore!

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Dell’s “Take Your Own Path” campaign

Recently, Dell Computers announced its selections for business owners to be featured in its “Take Your Own Path” campaign.  In the campaign, Dell spotlights inspiring entreprenuers from small and medium sized businesses around the world.

Megan Duckett, President & Founder of Sew What? Inc., was selected as one of seven “inspiring entreprenuers” in the United States – a group that Dell calls “Trailblazers” that includes founders of companies as well-known as Lonely Planet and LinkedIn. 

Here we are, a small company making custom stage curtains for churches and schools, rock tours and special events.  Most people have never heard of us, at least not in the way that people have heard of Lonely Planet, for example. What an honor for Megan, and for all of us here at Sew What? Inc., for her to be included in such company.  

But even before the Dell campaign, those of us here already considered Megan an inspiration – she never stops thinking and planning and dreaming of ways to make this little company become the best it can be!

Make sure to read the stories of all of the U.S. Trailblazers selected for the “Take Your Own Path” campaign – they truly are inspiring.

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