So Ben, I get that you have a tremendous amount of experience, talent, and expertise. I know the people you work for really do communicate on your level. I don't think many of the people I work for get the lingo... in fact I'm not sure I do either...
I understand you don't like umbrella light... but help me out here... if you were gonna use an umbrella, where when and how would you use one?
Also would you please share an image, that illustrates what you do like for lighting and share how you lit it, and why your clients (who appear to be much more sophisticated than mine) buy in?

darlene, whatcha got for equipment?
I'm riding my motorcycle out to your area soon, and i gotz some stuff you may wantz...

in a darkened room, should be no problems.. I was doing some ballon bursts a while back and found it worked with wein peanut slaves, and vivitar 283's and pentax 500ftz, and a couple 360's

pc socket adaptors like this:

from adorama..

but optical slaves should work...

yep..very nice shot!!

studio strobes with ultra short flash durations can get expensive....
I'd suggest looking at new or used vivitar 283 or 285's... you can short out the sensors with a jumper wire to get the lowest power setting possible which would also be the shortests flash duration possible...
you get more flash power by adding more flashes... 4 flash units are better than 1!

rarely ever off manual....occasionally tav...

aperture, elements, cs4..

excellent.... now to kick it up another notch.... try milk, oil and polarizers (both lights and lens....)

Hi.
where abouts in Canada?