Obscured Reasoning

The Steel City. Three Rivers. Precision architecture. Tackling The NFL Draft @nfldraft just sorta appeared on my desk one day. It gave me the chance to reunite with a few friends, make many new ones, and again try my hand at conquering chaos on a grande scale. A special thanks to Tony Hauser and his team, Glenn & Dylan. Our team succeed because of their direct support. =================== RockForce Rigging Team @wearerockforce =================== Director of Rigging, RockForce: George Wilson Head Production Rigger: Loren Ovieda Production Rigger: Enrique Gonzalez Production Rigger: Jason Frisk Production Rigger: Daniel Ortiz SPRAT Level 3 Super: Daniel Ortiz =================== Shout Out to @iatse IATSE Local 3. Patience was a daily exercise. Many veterans decided not to come back after spending only one day with us. But those who stayed, and to those who kept coming back… you will forever have my respect. 2026 NFL Quick Facts - Arch Base Detail: 828,000 lbs (estimated) @stagefx - Total Roof Load: 296,634 lbs (calculated) - Heaviest Crane Pick: 48,500 lbs (OTW) - Heaviest Rigging Load: Hero Wall, 35,728 lbs (Includes Spanners/Hoists/Hardware) - Number of Lights: ~2000 - Number of LED Tiles: ~1100 - Shackles Used: 1,850 - GAC Flex Used: 680 - STAC Chain: 260 - Spanners Systems: 102 (88, Theatre. 14, Great Hall) - Active Hoists: 434 (352, Theatre. 82, Great Hall) @4wall @filmwerksllc @jitacam @petzl_professional @vectorworks #rigging #vectorworks #dixonchalk #petzl

From Africa, For Love I’d do well to remember all those that helped me get here. Continuously working at your goals does NOT guarantee anyone anything. But perhaps it does deliver you the chance to capitalize on an opportunity when it finally presents itself. All that guidance, all those hours grinding, every late night and early morning, the miles of patience your mentors impart on you, the grace your friends and family honor you with while you’re out pursuing your dreams; the focus required that borders selfishness. It’s these countless moments of sacrifice that have no promise of paying off - and that’s exactly the point. You have to do this stuff for YOURSELF. And if you ever get so lucky as to make a reality of those dreams, you should take stock of the factors that played in your arrival. No matter how hard you worked at it, never forget the many souls who have put their time in supporting you. There’s a laundry list of people who played critical roles for me to even glimpse what has become the greatest honor of my life: Returning to Africa for Love, not War. I named my company after the first moment my Father was actually proud of me. And when I finished hanging the show in South Africa a few days gone, he brought me to tears when he again conveyed how happy he was that I never gave up. All the words of the world will not help me describe what that felt like. I must thank both Robert Dugan and Alex Feld, who have humbled me in their own ways. They advocated for me - and are truly responsible for my return to “Africa with Love.” It’s rare to get to do what you want with your life, and these two not only set the stage for me to do that, but encourage me to always be exactly who I am - letting those efforts speak for itself. And I’m Grateful. #arenarigging #dixonchalk #vectorworks #bridgesix

The Ghost is who I left behind. I got pretty lucky That this intensity, brought out the best in me. Too long I had lived feeling so boxed in, Like having natural pace and hustle, is some sort of sin. Hating my discipline Until you need those results, Your body language jonesing To get out those insults. No, you can’t do that! No, we’re not going there! No, you’re dumb! Do you need a good smack? Oh, and what’s that cost? Don’t talk! Slow down! Get lost! No! Because: no! No, just sit over there. Also, no, we’re not doing it “like” that. And, no that’s a stupid idea! ARRRRRRGGGGHHH. Look!! You’re a Hater, what the fuck is that? Am I a threat to you? Do you think the earth is flat? I don’t got spare time For you to be avoiding reality Or making up facts. Ring ring? ‘Hello! Yes, this is Science Always happy to call you back.’ Geosynchronous orbit? That’s because someone did the fucking math… I’m on the hunt, But not pressuring you to work. [Fast] is slow, slow is fast, But if we could just get this point hung, I’d really be having a blast. Manage your rope, See the next project in line, See that scoring on the floor, That one’s on the beam, That point is yours, And that point is mine :) My demons, Have you seen them? Can you free ‘em? What will it take to go Full Send? We got some pressing things to deal with, So how about you make less of a fuss. And when we’re done, we can see where that leaves us. Right now, I’m thinking three links, but it’s written as one, Go find the Tour Rigger, let’s see if we can get that shit done. I get it, at first glance I seem a little off. But that’s how all of us, Found ourselves aloft. I drank that Kool-Aid. And certainly joined the team Whose life ‘Rigging has saved.’ The saying goes: “As above, so below” Being the best I can be Is now my only goal. Perhaps when we’re outside, Maybe while on the roof, Perhaps when it’s over, And you’re filled with pride? Perhaps you’ll see that sign. Me? I’m fine. It’s the Ghost I left behind. #inmotion

Vegas has since come and gone. Crisp mornings, chilled nights. Producers: @productionclub Lighting: @voltlites Video: @nightlight.production Staging and Rigging: @aspectlighting Production Rigging: RockForce Rigging Head Production Rigger: George Wilson (RockForce Rigging) I ate a lot. It was a special gift to be joined out here on the road by @studioumbralux for some LDI fun. #vectorworks #dixonchalk

Riggers are objects in motion, they don’t stop. It’s a hustle to make this lifestyle work. Days off are uncommon, perhaps we like to say “no days off, just no show days.” I snuck in a BBQ for my 42nd birthday, beating out the rain by popping canopies in the backyard. But if you worked in entertainment you couldn’t make it. Annddddddddddddddddd, I exploited that fact a few weeks later, finding everyone I missed (friends and colleagues alike) at @chasecenterevents for @salesforce “Dreamfest”. It was super fun being back with the home Local. Only a few ninja moves required for this one, sadly only back stage stories as we didn’t take any pictures of the team’s magic. Video at the end is certainly a highlight moment of 2025. Venues: @chase_center Head Production Rigger: Phil Ho - Villan Productions Assistant Production Rigger: JMO - Villan Productions Local Labor: @iatse_local16 Gallagher Lead: @lostboyz.co Delay Tower Vendor: @gallagherstaging Production Vendor: @fusetechnicalgroup Rigging Vendor: Villan Productions #dreamfest #dreamfest2025 #bensonboone #vectorworks #dixonchalk

Spent a week doing a commercial back in September of 2025. Marking out on the ice is fun, hot steel touching the ice is NOT. I have not seen the commercials myself, but the content has been used and is out there so I can finally share the pictures I snapped. Venue: @americafirstcenter Lasers & Content @precisionlasers Rigging Vendor: @stagerigginginc Rigging Design: Bridge Six Head Rigger: Jason Frisk @jasonfrisk Rigging Grip: Trey Callender @maui_tre #nhl #silverknights #goldenknights #disney #vectorworks

The challenge is what draws me in. It’s the constant want to push it just a little further that gets me. Barely 10 days ago I accepted another challenge: take an idea from “concept” to a Center Court in-the-round arena show. - 4 days to design it - 3 days to prep it - 2 days to rig it - 1 day to rehears it - A Show - And some long hours to take it all down Weight Total: 112,780 lbs. - 148 Points - 28 Wireless Broadweigh Loadcells (4.75T) - 80% Bridles, 3 different size bays - 97’ to the low steel - I-Beams the size of the I-5 freeway - Power Barge made of GT (thanks Trey & Ethan!) - 12’ automated stage lift - Some last minute pyro even! Rigging Team: =========== Jason Friesen @kaiservonkrap Casey Eurs @caseycme Erik Montiel =========== Short write up in the comments section. #zenithlighting #bridgesix #vectorworks #vectorworksspotlight #broadweighsystem #dixonchalk #tampabaylightning #christielites #solotech #unrealsystems #arenarigging #tourlife

Portland is such a treat, and we flew into @moda_center The Moda Center with quite the project. Shout out to @iatse Local 28! Amazing job on the ground and in the roof. Quite the project: @sgpsshowrig 151 Points 32x 2 Tons (all bridles but 2) 93x 1 Tons (27 Deadhangs) 26x 1/2 Tons 30x @broadweighsystem Wireless Load Cells 989 Roe Tiles (CB5 and GP2) 351 Fixtures 122 JBL Speakers & Subs 1 Defy Dactyl 152 sticks of Truss (GT, 20.5”, 12” - all black) ~1820 Shackles System Weight: 124,472 lbs We asked a lot out of Head Rigger, Joel Gburek, but him and Dave Saintey delivered. Mad respect to the rigging crew. A tip of our cap to Barney, our Steward - it was a welcome sight to see him again too! ===================================== We were brought into this project by @voltlites , and they introduced to us two absolute ACES - Ethan Fleek @ethan_fleek and Trey Loney @trey_lon21 ; from the makeshift power barge that was so clean and compact, to their chain slider and look deployment, we learned from these young men! They had a whole crew with them that are a shinning example of a top quality production house. This was a reunion for me and Joseph Vig @theviglebowski - We ventured with the whole crew to @groundkontrol Ground Kontrol to seek out some redemption on Magneto and Shredder - all of us displaying that boyish charm in our brief blast to the past. Many thanks to @conceptpixels Concept Pixels and Liam for trusting us to bring this project to life. The design was compelling, and we are suckers for a good challenge. A 3 sided rectangle video wall suspended over the downstage thrust with 3 fingers of lighting truss inside the hollowed out bottom. Fun! This wasn’t possible without Jason Friesen @kaiservonkrap , Assistant Head Rigger, whose tireless dedication to his craft makes installs like this just another day at the office. We deployed 30 of our own wireless Broadweigh Load Cells to monitor the multiple systems that were all playing together. There’s no better way to know what’s going on with a rig. #vectorworks #vectorworksspotlight #dixonchalk #rigging #arenarigging #tourlife

It’s come and gone now, but I FINALLY crossed The Pond. I was blessed by another phone call from one of my new favorite humans Alex @felddd - and without much hesitation I found myself at Glastonbury’s Park Stage. Tour busses over there are far superior to US Busses, what a treat this was. I wasn’t able to break away mentally and go exploring. My focus was trying to lock in this client, although that didn’t quite work out. The victory for this one was in the experience, for sure - all smiles from me. I got to hang with Alex, Bryan, JJ, and Chad for a brief reunion of our Fall 2024 tour team. If we’re lucky, touring together will happen again soon! #glastonbury #theparkstageglastonbury #dreamlandmargate #haim #haimtheband #vectorworks #vectorworksspotlight #dixonchalk #rigging #tourlife #nosleepnoproblem

Lightning In A Bottle 2025. The Builders and Technical Production Crew have my deepest respect. I don’t have pictures of all of you to share, but I know your contributions add up, and without your tireless efforts we’d not have the chance to inspire so many. The rigging done here isn’t a walk in the park. It’s quite honestly the coolest rigging I get to be around (and I done get to rig an inch of it). 24+ hour shifts, multiple job sites and multi role positions, heat and dust that only a festival site can produce. The things that detour most workers from coming here is what they sign up for. Nothing about it is easy. Yet they grind it out every night, welcoming the morning sunrise either in route to camp or head back out onto the grounds. @ian__xavier with open arms you always welcome us, your vibe matches your heart @jupit3r4 @jpmc024 @dominic_schiele @daveclayseyeball @brandondnilles - your whole diverse team is legendary @spektrm @bong0man @jmagellan @dsclight @andrewisolabayarea @jakeejolley @alpheusunderhill @leading_edge_productions_ @trevorcampa @maui_tre - way to roll with it; and a special thanks to Dom & JP for stepping in to do the container stack. Let the record show that the Lightning Stage Rigging Crew swag is still #1 at LiB. I’d honestly be lost this year without Layil Umbralux @studioumbralux . The year has already been long and she rolled in, built our courtyard and home palace with a smile - and then fed me (just not at commissary). #lightninginabottle #lightningstage #thunderstage #thewoogiestage #fullspektrum #bridgesix #mindfulmassive #4wallentertainment #vectorworks #vectorworksspotlight #vectorworksarchitect #dixonchalk #rigging #rigginglife #riggingstage #riggingthedream

Sony Screenings LA 2025 A few weeks back we wrapped the Sony Screenings LA 2025 - an annual event I’ve taken part in as it has grown from the sleek reveals of Cary Grant Theatre to full blow sound stages on lot at Sony Pictures Studios. I even got dressed up and got a haircut! Sony Events Coordinator: Vanessa Bass @vanessajewel Producer: Sid King Director: James Piccirillo Production Designer: Brady McGowan @deca.la Technical Director: Loren Ovieda Production Rigging: Bridge Six Lighting Designer: Mark Butts & Kelly Shih Rigging & Lighting provided by: Acey Decy @aceydecylighting Projection & Audio: CT Camera: MCS Show Design: Valencia Production Partners Shoutout to Dan Nowack @ Sony Grip! @sonypictures Mad respect to the Bridge Six team, in the sky or on the ground. Hustlers, all of you! #sonypicturestudios #sonyscreenings #bridgesix #rigging #averylabels