9781422275153

WHAT IS ENTERTAINMENT ENGINEERING? Every time you ride a roller coaster, visit a waterpark, or attend a mind-blowing theatrical show, you can thank entertainment engineers. These engineers have a unique combination of engineering know-how and art and design skills. Entertainment engineers are both practical and creative. They design, build, troubleshoot, and repair roller coasters; water park rides; interactive exhibits at museums and aquariums; stage components for musical acts, theater performances, and sporting events (such as Super Bowl halftime shows); audio and lighting systems; and many other types of structures and systems that are used to entertain people. Some people classify entertainment engineers as those who create structures and systems for live entertainment, while others believe that the field of entertainment engineering also includes engineers who perform these tasks for films, television shows, non-live museum exhibitions, and in other settings. This book covers entertainment engineers who work in both areas. Entertainment engineers typically have degrees in a wide variety of engineering and science disciplines. They often have degrees and training in computer science; civil, structural, industrial, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering; robotics; acoustics (sound), and other areas. They also have experience and education in art, design, and other creative fields. Depending on the size of their employer and their job title, entertainment engineers may focus on design, project management, research and development (creating new systems or processes), quality control (making sure everything is built correctly), field service (maintaining and repairing existing

CHAPTER 1: WHAT DO ENTERTAINMENT ENGINEERS DO? 13