PDA Stage

At the onset of Charleston Fashion Week I am always taken by the event team’s ability to deliver fresh looks year after year. I have to say that this year is my favorite yet. Clean lines, great visuals, unique video elements – all focused on the art and artists. You will even see music video style designer profiles edited with custom DJ tracks. They have really put the rock in fashion this year.

Last night’s kickoff was highly entertaining and the standing room only crowd was electrified. With the Style Lounge and bar services in a separate tent this year, all of the main tent’s energy is directed at what is happening on the stage. And there is a lot to see. Each night this week has a great draw, so you will not be disappointed if you plan to go every night. Tonight’s featured designer is Project Runway’s Mychael Night. Check the CFW schedule for more lowdown.

PDA is proud to provide Charleston Fashion Week with technical event production and video production services.

Nicole Garrigan nicole@pdastage.com

Charleston International Film Festival – Trailer by PDA Video on Vimeo.

The 3rd Annual Charleston International Film Festival  is on the horizon and is bringing with it four days of films from all genres, as well as industry panels and workshops. A great place for film lovers and filmmakers alike. Visit the CIFF Facebook page for program updates and interesting film related articles.

Priding ourselves on unique and original work, PDA Video is known for delivering an artistic message designed to engage an audience and deliver results for the client. In a world where video can appear stale, staged and flat, PDA Video delivers cinematic impact on each project it produces. Contact tim@pdastage.com to learn more.

Thankfully the Charleston Symphony Orchestra hosted two nights of Quentin Baxter and Friends for the McCrady’s Restaurant Charleston Pops series at Memminger Auditorium. I, along with an assorted, sold out crowd caught  the second night. The auditorium became an intimate setting of warm lighting and a modern, accessible stage set with the music as the focal point. And it was fantastic. A range from classical to Coltrane-like improvisation without seeming like a stretch. Compliments to the Charleston Symphony for an inventive ensemble.

Photos by A Spot in Time Photography

Nicole Garrigan nicole@pdastage.com

PDA is a proud supporter of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. 

One Company, Many Solutions.  PDA is a leader in providing lighting, sound, video production, staging and skilled technicians for our customers. PDA’s attention to detail and investments in the latest technology assure that every project makes its mark with excellence.

PDA is seeking a Project Manager to join our team of Production professionals.  A PDA Project Manager’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, communicating with clients to assess their specific technical, creative and logistical needs; building quotes and negotiating pricing; leading the load in of shows and events to manage crews and provide quality control and customer service on site; operating and maintaining equipment integrity during shows and leading load-outs to manage crews and insure accountability of all PDA gear and overall show parameters including show profitability.  A Project Manager must possess a high level of technical expertise in the areas of audio, video, lighting, staging, power distribution and rigging.  The ideal candidate should also display strong communication and interpersonal skills in order to provide the highest level of customer service to our clients on each and every show.  Education in Production and Production related fields is preferred but not required.  Previous experience in Production and Project Management is required.  Salary is commensurate upon experience and benefits are available.

Please apply for this position by emailing a resume and references to shanon@pdastage.com. No calls please.

 Production Design Associates (PDA) is a leader in providing lighting, sound, video, staging, sets and trained technicians for events and system installations.  Visit www.pdastage.com for more information.

A sense of community:  In this installment, we see highlights of the retail runway shows and hear commentary on the Charleston fashion community.

The fourth annual Charleston Fashion Week®, owned and produced by Charleston magazine, is a five-night celebration of the region’s flourishing retail and design community. Held March 16-20, 2010 in the historic city of Charleston, SC, CFW will feature more than 30 runway shows, the Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast, and a number of chic after-parties. Named a Top 20 Event for March by the Southeast Tourism Society, the event will feature the Style Lounge, the Catwalk for Kids auction and luncheon, Rock The Runway Model Competition, the Stiletto Stampede, and the Bridal Couture Show.

For information on PDA Video services, contact: Nicole Garrigan, PDA Marketing Director nicole@pdastage.com

In support of Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure, we put our resources to good use last night and colored the Customs House in Komen pink.  With Race for the Cure slated for this Saturday and Breast Cancer Awareness Month underway, it was great to add a little buzz on the street and in the media.

There’s still time to join the Race.  Race Hotline: 843-556-3343

Our Vision…A World without Breast Cancer.

Contact: Nicole Garrigan, PDA Marketing Director nicole@pdastage.com

A huge congratulations to Pecha Kucha Beaufort vol. 1. Last night the event premiered at The Shed in Port Royal to a standing-room-only crowd.  Ian Leslie of Lowcountry Economic Network , Carrie Carper of Adagio Creative and Holly Davidson of  the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce assembled a series of presenters that brought the Beaufort Arts community together and to life. PDA had the opportunity to create lighting, audio and video projection, as well as the live twitter feed and presentation timer.

Being a part of events like this reminds me why so many of us are in the event business: the moments when the presenters send out a spark in response to the audience’s engagement. That feeling you get that something electrifying is happening right at this very moment, and we are uniquely connected to each other.  It’s hard to achieve that on Facebook.

Contact:  Nicole Garrigan nicole@pdastage.com

How can you see Tosca at The Metropolitan Opera without hopping a plane to NYC? Try the Charleston County Public Library. The PDA Installation Team completed a satellite installation at our local library, so that opera lovers can experience the Met and nine productions from October 31 through May 15.  While tickets for Aida at the Met are as much as $295.00, you can enjoy Verdi’s masterpiece for free…and in high-definition video with 7.1 surround sound.  What a deal.

Contact Nicole Garrigan, PDA Marketing Director nicole@pdastage.com

In Charleston we don’t have to look far to find kindness. Encounters can be as simple as someone holding the door open for you or as impressive as the story of a life spent in service to our community.  Charleston Magazine brings together a group of unique citizens each year to honor them for selfless, often serial acts of kindness. This year’s Charleston Magazine Giving Back Awards was held September 24 at McCrady’s Restaurant.

PDA Video produced six video profiles tell the stories of hope, kindness and true dedication.

PDA is one company with many solutions. We specialize in state of the art productions and installations, providing lighting, audio, video production and special effects. Priding ourselves on unique and original work, PDA Video is known for delivering an artistic message designed to engage an audience and deliver results for the client. In a world where video can appear stale, staged and flat, PDA Video delivers cinematic impact on each project it produces.

Contact:  Nicole Garrigan, PDA Director of Marketing nicole@pdastage.com

The PDA Event Production Team is hard at work this week on the Family Research Council show in Washington, DC. For the fourth year, Project Manager Todd St. Onge and crew will be managing the three-day conference at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Conference speakers include a who’s who of the nation’s political right, including Rep. Mike Pence—Chairman, House Republican Conference (R-IN), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Stephen Baldwin and Kevin McCullough—Hosts, XTreme Radio, Bill O’Reilly—Host, The O’Reilly Factor and Gov. Mitt Romney.

Questions? Nicole Garrigan nicole@pdastage.com