--- title: ETC equipment freeing for immersive Cages – et cetera... description: Cages is a story told with holograms, multi-screen projections, and jaw dropping illusions in an immersive environment all controlled with ETC gear image: https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WoolfAndTheWonderShow_Cages_8-750x500.jpg --- - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [ABOUT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [AUTHORS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [CONTACT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [![EtCetera_319x104](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "EtCetera_319x104")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) [![ETC Blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "ETC Blog")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) Search ## [![blog-header](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.png?width=476&height=155&name=blog-header.png "blog-header")](https://www.etcconnect.com) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [✕](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2020/03/etc-equipment-freeing-for-immersive-cages#gwen-offcanvas-primary) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) # ETC equipment freeing for immersive Cages ![Marshall Bissett](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/marshall-bissett.png?width=34&height=34&name=marshall-bissett.png)By [Marshall Bissett](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/marshall-bissett) 3 Mar 2020 ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WoolfAndTheWonderShow_Cages_8-750x500.jpg)   In theatre, the word “immersive” is often tossed around to describe the flimsiest of attempts to create a pre-show atmosphere. It’s a gamble that mostly comes up short. By contrast, Woolf and the Wondershow’s production of [*Cages*](http://www.cagesdtla.com) succeeds in spectacular style. The show takes place in a downtown Los Angeles warehouse that has been transformed into a Victorian wonderland. The audience enters through a stylish, highly-decorated “Study”— complete with whimsical rain effect projections and air perfumed with a custom scent, and stern governess—into the performance space. Hard to categorize, the show tells the story of Anhedonia, an allegorical world where emotions are banned and hearts are confined to cages. The story is told in holograms, multi-screen projections, and jaw-dropping illusions. Actors interact with projected characters in a fluid balletic dance, all with a throbbing sound design that puts music and special effects everywhere. ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WoolfAndTheWonderShow_Cages_7-1024x683.jpg?width=1024&height=683&name=WoolfAndTheWonderShow_Cages_7-1024x683.jpg) A moment from “Cages” from Woolf and the Wondershow in DTLA. An [ETC Ion Xe](https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Consoles/Eos-Family/Ion-Xe/Features.aspx) handles more than 1,000 lighting cues in the 90-minute show, all triggered from a SMTPE feed. “It took a long time to program, and the performers have to hit their marks consistently,” says R.S. Buck, the lighting designer for the show and a CalArts grad. And, despite the large number of cues, “the lighting is intentionally discreet.” Discreet, but highly technical. Because of all the projections, illusions, and multiple screens, dealing with light spill became a big deal. “The focus and shuttering are very precise,” says Buck. “We even 3D printed our own barn doors to get the control we needed.” Production Manager and Associate Producer Monica Vandehei watched the show take shape from the idea stage. “We used the empty warehouse for all the pre-production. We built the props, filmed everything in miniature, and used green screen to create the holographic characters—it was very long and very detailed.” The Ion Xe doesn’t just handle the show, either. The lavish “Study” that welcomes people into the show also operates as a bar (nicknamed “The Chemist”) during nights without a show. So Laura Green from L.A.’s [Kinetic Lighting](https://kineticlighting.com/) specified a control system that is multi-functional, allowing for the board operator to control the Ion Xe Console during the show, while during non-show nights, the wait staff can control the lighting in the bar using ETC’s [Unison Echo Inspire button stations](https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Architectural-Systems/Echo/Control-Stations/Inspire-Control-Stations/Features.aspx). This way, the venue only needs one control system, but the staff doesn’t have to be trained on a console. They just press a button on a wall switch, and an [Echo DMX Scene Controller](https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Architectural-Systems/Echo/Interfaces/DMX-Scene-Controller/Features.aspx) plays back snapshots from the console. [Unison Foundry dimmers](https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Architectural-Systems/Foundry/Zone-Controllers/Phase-Adaptive-Dimmers/Features.aspx) send power to chandeliers and sconce practicals in the elaborate space. [ETC ColorSource PARs](https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Lighting-Fixtures/ColorSource-PAR/Features.aspx) light the lobby area and ETC [Source 4 Mini LEDs](https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Lighting-Fixtures/Source-Four-Mini/Features.aspx) cover the stage. To learn more about Cages, visit [www.cagesdtla.com](http://www.cagesdtla.com) ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WoolfAndTheWonderShow_Cages_1-1024x684.jpg?width=1024&height=684&name=WoolfAndTheWonderShow_Cages_1-1024x684.jpg) A moment from “Cages” from Woolf and the Wondershow in DTLA.  - - - 0 [#SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) [#FEATURED](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/featured) [#Kinetic Lighting](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/kinetic-lighting) [#ColorSource PAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/colorsource-par) [#Echo](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/echo) [#Woolf and the Wondershow](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/woolf-and-the-wondershow) [#Echo Inspire](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/echo-inspire) [#DMX Scene Controller](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/dmx-scene-controller) [#Cages](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/cages) [#Ion Xe](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/ion-xe) [#Unison Foundry](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/unison-foundry) [#immersive](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/immersive) ### ETC and High End fixtures together in La Jolla [Previous article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2020/03/etc-and-high-end-fixtures-play-together-in-la-jolla) ### ETC Lands at Phoenix Airport [Next article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2020/02/etc-lands-at-phoenix-airport) [Marshall Bissett](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/marshall-bissett) ![Marshall Bissett](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/marshall-bissett.png?width=180&height=180&name=marshall-bissett.png) Marshall Bissett grew up in Central Scotland and studied theater direction at the Old Vic Theatre School. He worked on the original productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and toured with such acts as Chicago, Neil Diamond, and The Rolling Stones. In 1983 he founded TMB, a worldwide supplier of lighting equipment. He’s kept his hand in directing, which in retirement now vies for his time along with freelance writing and fly-fishing. #### You may also like [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Radiance-Lightworks-Jabbawockeez-web-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/06/radiance-lightworks-driven-by-performance) [SoCal](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/socal) ### [Radiance Lightworks: Driven by performance](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/06/radiance-lightworks-driven-by-performance) By [Marshall Bissett](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/marshall-bissett) 20-Jun-2017 Rob Fritz is delighted with ETC’s recent union with High End Systems. “I always was a Hog guy and now I can say I’m an ETC Hog guy,” he states with pride. As a senior lighting designer, focusing on... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/06/radiance-lightworks-driven-by-performance) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Patton_Oswalt-02-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/08/tom-beck-paints-in-close-up) [SoCal](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/socal) ### [Life after rock ‘n’ roll – Tom Beck paints in close-up](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/08/tom-beck-paints-in-close-up) By [Marshall Bissett](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/marshall-bissett) 24-Aug-2017 The entertainment industry abounds with “right place at the right time” anecdotes, and lighting designer Tom Beck is the first to admit that he caught a lucky break early in his career. [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/08/tom-beck-paints-in-close-up) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/FrostAmphitheater_006-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2021/09/frost-amphitheater-looks-to-etc) [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) ### [Frost Amphitheater Looks Back to the Future with ETC](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2021/09/frost-amphitheater-looks-to-etc) By [Marshall Bissett](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/marshall-bissett) 2-Sep-2021 The word “iconic” is often used to describe the natural amphitheater in the grounds of Stanford University. Joan Baez, The Grateful Dead and Crosby Stills and Nash are a small sampling of the... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2021/09/frost-amphitheater-looks-to-etc) - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [About](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [Authors](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [Links](https://blog.etcconnect.com/links) - [Contact us](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Privacy Policy & Legal Notices](https://www.etcconnect.com/Privacy-Policy-Terms-of-Use-and-Acceptable-Use.aspx) [CA Transparency Act & Transparency in Coverage](https://www.etcconnect.com/About/California-Supply-Chain-Transparency-Act.aspx) [Do Not Share My Personal Info](https://www.etcconnect.com/Do-Not-Share-My-Personal-Info/) [CA Privacy Rights](https://www.etcconnect.com/CA-Privacy-Rights/) ![ETC blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/ETC-logo_footer-wh.png)   ![ETC 50 anniversary](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedimages/Main_Site/Images/50yr_160x80.png "ETC 50 anniversary") [![ETC social networks](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedFiles/Main_Site/Images/social_Footer.png "ETC social networks")](https://www.etcconnect.com/Get-connected.aspx) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Marshall Bissett", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/marshall-bissett" }, "dateModified" : "2022-11-29T15:58:04.220Z", "datePublished" : "2020-03-03T06:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "ETC equipment freeing for immersive Cages – et cetera...", "image" : [ "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WoolfAndTheWonderShow_Cages_8-750x500.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/2020/03/etc-equipment-freeing-for-immersive-cages", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Logos%20-%20Icons%20-%20Design%20Elements/ETC_4c.png" }, "name" : "ETC" } } ```