First Fridays @ Fusion Studio
First Fridays @ Fusion Studio one-hour virtual workshops provide a monthly opportunity to discuss emerging trends in technology in the entertainment industry, engage with industry experts and practitioners, and explore scholarly works.
Help Shape the Future of First Fridays @ Fusion Studio! Share what topics, trends, or guests you’d love to see featured in our monthly webinar series.
First Fridays @ Fusion Studio events are typically held monthly during the academic year, September to December and February to May. You can register to participate in them in real time from this page (when registration is available). You can also watch recordings of previous First Fridays @ Fusion Studio events through the links below.
2025-2026 First Fridays @ Fusion Studio
Industry Spotlight: A Conversation with Matt Jackson of Adirondack Studios
Matt Jackson talks to us about his extensive career in the live entertainment and themed entertainment industry.
Entertainment and Engineering: A Discussion with Bill Gorlin of McLare, a Division of KCI
Bill Gorlin share valuable insights into the work of live entertainment engineering from his extensive experience as an industry professional.
A Career in Motion: Project Highlights and Strategies for Theatre Technology Professionals with Paul Brunner
Paul Brunner shares highlights from key projects throughout his career and discusses the management strategies and professional insights that have guided his work across academia and industry.
Coordinating the Ride – Systems Integration in Themed Entertainment
Chuck Filson, Senior Control Systems Engineer at Prism Systems, delves into the complex orchestration required to make theme park rides function seamlessly. From safety and network systems to show control and creative direction, he’ll unpack how multidisciplinary collaboration drives project success—illustrated through a recent major ride refurbishment and the unique challenges it presented.
Designing Solutions for the Stage with Matt Jordan
Matt Jordan, Product Manager at PRG Scenic Technologies, explores how custom mechanical and technical solutions are designed for live performance environments.
From Campfire to Concert Hall: Human Instinct, Shared Experience, and the Design of Listening Spaces – with Scott Pfeiffer
Rather than focusing on metrics alone, this session emphasizes intuition, communication, and experience as essential tools for creating spaces that support clarity, connection, and collective response.
Behind the Scenes of Broadway: Engineering, Fabrication, and the Art of Making with Ashley Bishop
Ashley Bishop, rising president of ShowMotion Inc., joins us to explore the intersection of scenic design, engineering, and large-scale production in the live entertainment industry.
Spatial Audio: Shaping Sound, Story, and Audience Experience with Jordan Tani
Join Jordan Tani for a conversation on how spatial audio is transforming storytelling and audience engagement in live entertainment, exploring its creative potential as a three-dimensional tool for shaping immersive experiences.
