Studio Gear Hosts HOG4 Training At USITT 2017

At the recent USITT Conference & Stage Expo, High End Systems and Studio Gear once again partnered to offer a two-day HOG4 console and software training course. Ten participants received accelerated hands-on training with HOG4 consoles, which were connected to Light Converse visualizers, allowing the students to run a virtual show. 
The class qualified participants for six ETCP renewal credits, and covered HOG4 fundamentals such as console layout, patching, editing fixtures, programming, palettes, recording cues and cue lists, timing options and many other areas. Studio Gear has hosted HOG training seminars at USITT since 2013, and was one of the first companies to participate in USITT’s Presents Program. Studio Gear’s General Manager Mike Atkins comments, “We immediately recognized that the Presents Program was a great outreach opportunity to continue building a user base, and get the consoles in front of up and coming designers and programmers. I am passionate about the HOG brand and I really enjoy teaching it. Those eight hour days fly by - the console has grown so much in the last few years that it’s a challenge to get through all the material I want to cover!”
Atkins says each session typically brings a unique mix of participants interested in honing their HOG chops. “We have undergrad students, graduate students. professors, operators, IATSE, etc. I first spend a little bit of time getting to know the students and their background. Knowing where they are coming from makes it a bit easier for me to structure the course, and having a diverse class allows for a collaborative environment where we can all learn from each other. Once the students start to get the hang of the language and style, they are always amazed at how fast and intuitive HOG is. It is easy to ‘wow’ them with all the new features like pixel mapping, plot view, and batch masters. I’m always surprised by how excited the students get for some of the more simple features that advanced users take for granted.” 
In closing, Atkins points out, “These HOG4 classes represent a tremendous value, and offer training at a fraction of the cost of what you would pay elsewhere. I go in to each session with the goal that every student can walk away from the class and confidently sit behind a HOG desk. In fact, we’ve hired two students out of our previous training classes! We are hoping to get another class scheduled in our Milwaukee offices late this summer, and I encourage colleges to reach out to us if they would like to hold a course at their location.”
USITT Director of Education and Training Christine Troscher adds, “The opportunity for USITT members and professionals to gain hands-on experience from top notch instructors is part of our educational mission. Companies like High End Systems are updating and releasing new technology constantly, and we are excited to partner with them and Studio Gear to get that technology in to the hands of people who wish to grow and reinforce their skill set. The two-day Hog4 class added measurable value for USITT Conference attendees in St. Louis. I look forward to being able to work with them on many more events in the future.”