Intro to Lighting Intro to Lighting DesignDesign

Club SodaClub SodaOctober 1, 2003October 1, 2003

Rob SiemborskiRob Siemborski

OverviewOverview

Intro to Lighting DesignIntro to Lighting Design Basics of LightBasics of Light The Lighting Design ProcessThe Lighting Design Process

Interaction with other Design StaffInteraction with other Design Staff Interaction with your Master ElectricianInteraction with your Master Electrician

Building a PlotBuilding a Plot Designing for Scotch ’n’ SodaDesigning for Scotch ’n’ Soda

What are we not What are we not covering?covering?

How to be a Master ElectricianHow to be a Master Electrician Cable PlotsCable Plots Crew ManagementCrew Management

How to physically Hang / Focus an How to physically Hang / Focus an InstrumentInstrument

Specifics of particular types of Specifics of particular types of instrumentsinstruments

Specifics of using a Light BoardSpecifics of using a Light Board

In Short….In Short….

Today is all theoreticalToday is all theoretical Please accept the lighting BSPlease accept the lighting BS

There’s a lot of territory to coverThere’s a lot of territory to cover

All of these “rules” can be brokenAll of these “rules” can be broken

Some of these photos are old, sorry!Some of these photos are old, sorry!

What is Lighting Design?What is Lighting Design?

Goals of Lighting DesignGoals of Lighting Design Enabling the Enabling the

Actors to be Seen!Actors to be Seen! Directing FocusDirecting Focus SettingSetting

LocationLocation Season / Time of Season / Time of

DayDay Set Creation “On Set Creation “On

the Cheap”the Cheap” Creating Mood and Creating Mood and

AtmosphereAtmosphere

What does the LD Do?What does the LD Do?

Reads the Script / Score (if any!)Reads the Script / Score (if any!) Attends RehearsalsAttends Rehearsals Coordinates with the Director and Production Coordinates with the Director and Production

StaffStaff Performs necessary researchPerforms necessary research Generates / Communicates Design IdeasGenerates / Communicates Design Ideas Creates a Light PlotCreates a Light Plot Determines / Writes Cues for the ShowDetermines / Writes Cues for the Show Coordinates implementation through Master Coordinates implementation through Master

ElectricianElectrician

(OK, This isn’t quite what is in the SnS Responsibilities Document)

Basics of LightBasics of Light

The Lighting Designer has Many Tools!The Lighting Designer has Many Tools!

FocusFocus AngleAngle IntensityIntensity QualityQuality ColorColor MovementMovement

Basics of Light (Focus)Basics of Light (Focus)

Focus: What gets litFocus: What gets lit If it can’t be seen – It’s not on stage!If it can’t be seen – It’s not on stage! Lighting is as much about shadow as Lighting is as much about shadow as

it is about light!it is about light!

Strongly influences instrument Strongly influences instrument choicechoice

Washes vs SpotsWashes vs Spots

Basics of Light (Focus)Basics of Light (Focus)

Think AboutThink About Highlighting the set Highlighting the set

but keeping the but keeping the actors darkactors dark

Having one actor Having one actor well-lit but the other well-lit but the other in the shadowsin the shadows

When is a followspot When is a followspot appropriate?appropriate?

Using tools to draw Using tools to draw focus in different focus in different waysways

Basics of Light (Angle)Basics of Light (Angle) Angle: Where is the Angle: Where is the

light coming from?light coming from? The type of performance The type of performance

can affect angle choicecan affect angle choice Dance prefers sidelightDance prefers sidelight Rock concert prefers Rock concert prefers

backlightbacklight Think about:Think about:

How do lights from How do lights from multiple angles interact?multiple angles interact?

SilhouetteSilhouette How “interesting” is a How “interesting” is a

given angle?given angle?

““Normal” Lighting Normal” Lighting AnglesAngles

45 degrees is the typical “magic number”45 degrees is the typical “magic number” Both vertical and horizontalBoth vertical and horizontal

Basics of Light Basics of Light (Intensity)(Intensity)

Intensity: How bright is the light?Intensity: How bright is the light?

Think AboutThink About Directing focus using varying intensityDirecting focus using varying intensity

Basics of Light (Quality)Basics of Light (Quality)

What is quality?What is quality? Soft/Hard Light? Soft/Hard Light? Textured Light? Textured Light?

(Gobos!)(Gobos!)

Dependent on Dependent on Instrument ChoiceInstrument Choice Also strongly Also strongly

affected by affected by DiffusionDiffusion

Basics of Light (Color)Basics of Light (Color)

One of the hardest One of the hardest tools to mastertools to master

Additive MixingAdditive Mixing Primaries:Primaries:

RedRed BlueBlue Green Green

Think About:Think About: Color Mixing and Color Mixing and

Angle interactionAngle interaction

Using ColorUsing Color Warm Side / Cool SideWarm Side / Cool Side

““Coloring the Coloring the Shadows”Shadows”

WarningsWarnings Avoid Complimentary Avoid Complimentary

Color MixingColor Mixing Colors to be careful Colors to be careful

withwith No Color (a.k.a. N/C)No Color (a.k.a. N/C) Yellow (somewhat)Yellow (somewhat) Green (always!)Green (always!) Note: This is a pigment

color wheel.

Choosing ColorsChoosing Colors

What is the source? (more on that What is the source? (more on that later)later)

How will that color mix with others How will that color mix with others on stage?on stage?

Gel books are your friendGel books are your friend HueHue Transmission PercentageTransmission Percentage SpectrumSpectrum

Basics of Light Basics of Light (Movement)(Movement)

Not just “Intelligent Lighting”Not just “Intelligent Lighting” Primarily Timing of CuesPrimarily Timing of Cues Heavily affected by type of showHeavily affected by type of show

Musicals – Follow the MusicMusicals – Follow the Music Fast light changes need motivationFast light changes need motivation

Think About:Think About: Split Fades, Part Cues, and MoreSplit Fades, Part Cues, and More

What is a Light Source?What is a Light Source? Something that motivates a light in a sceneSomething that motivates a light in a scene

MoonlightMoonlight Car HeadlightCar Headlight SunsetSunset Reflection off waterReflection off water

No correspondence to lighting instrumentsNo correspondence to lighting instruments Sometimes multiple instruments are a single Sometimes multiple instruments are a single

source.source. Sometimes one instrument can represent Sometimes one instrument can represent

different sources in different scenes.different sources in different scenes.

Key and Fill SourcesKey and Fill Sources Key SourceKey Source

Primary source of Primary source of lightlight

The SunThe Sun Indoor LightingIndoor Lighting

LampsLamps WindowsWindows

Fill SourcesFill Sources Coloring the shadowsColoring the shadows Reflections off of wallsReflections off of walls

Can have multiple Can have multiple Key or Fill SourcesKey or Fill Sources

Realistic and Unrealistic Realistic and Unrealistic SourcesSources

RealisticRealistic Directly from Directly from

setting/time of setting/time of dayday

E.g. Sun, Lamp, E.g. Sun, Lamp, etcetc

Mood still applies!Mood still applies! UnrealisticUnrealistic

Primarily by moodPrimarily by mood

Design ProcessDesign Process

The Early Design ProcessThe Early Design Process

Read the ScriptRead the Script Talk to the DirectorTalk to the Director Re-Read the ScriptRe-Read the Script Read the script looking for lighting Read the script looking for lighting

“clues”“clues” If there is music, listen to the musicIf there is music, listen to the music Talk to the Director againTalk to the Director again RepeatRepeat

How to Read the ScriptHow to Read the Script

Read it at least once in its entiretyRead it at least once in its entirety Go through and highlight lighting “clues”Go through and highlight lighting “clues”

Explicit stage directionsExplicit stage directions Time of day/Seasonal referencesTime of day/Seasonal references Location referencesLocation references

Think about each scene in detail – where Think about each scene in detail – where is the lighting coming from? What does is the lighting coming from? What does it feel like?it feel like?

You may need to invent a timelineYou may need to invent a timeline

How to Talk to The How to Talk to The DirectorDirector

Often times, Directors don’t know Often times, Directors don’t know what Lighting can do for them!what Lighting can do for them!

Offer them your ideas and see how Offer them your ideas and see how they respond.they respond.

Don’t talk in terms of specifics, but Don’t talk in terms of specifics, but more in terms of general looks / more in terms of general looks / scenes.scenes.

Come to the director with Come to the director with interpretation questions.interpretation questions.

How to Talk to The How to Talk to The DirectorDirector

Pictures that convey your ideas Pictures that convey your ideas accurately can be very helpful!accurately can be very helpful!

When attending rehearsals, talk to When attending rehearsals, talk to the Director afterwards, not during.the Director afterwards, not during.

Read the script at least once before Read the script at least once before ever speaking with the directorever speaking with the director

Interaction with otherInteraction with otherDesign StaffDesign Staff

One of several One of several unique viewpointsunique viewpoints

CollaborationCollaboration Colors!Colors! Scene ChangesScene Changes Space in the venue Space in the venue

for lights/set/propsfor lights/set/props Use design tools to Use design tools to

describe your describe your ideasideas

Design ToolsDesign Tools

Lighting ConceptLighting Concept Visual ResearchVisual Research Scene AnalysisScene Analysis Color KeyColor Key

Developing a Lighting Developing a Lighting ConceptConcept

Traditionally a short written statementTraditionally a short written statement No need to be formal!No need to be formal!

You should be able to answer 3 You should be able to answer 3 questionsquestions What does the script say?What does the script say? What is the director’s interpretation?What is the director’s interpretation? How will your lighting convey the above?How will your lighting convey the above?

Lighting Concept forLighting Concept for“Peter Pan”“Peter Pan”

““Peter Pan” takes place mostly in the idylic Peter Pan” takes place mostly in the idylic island world of “Never-Never Land.” This island world of “Never-Never Land.” This tropical setting is your basic island paradise.tropical setting is your basic island paradise.

Captain Hook is the source of all evil in the Captain Hook is the source of all evil in the lives of the Boys. This evil slowly encroaches lives of the Boys. This evil slowly encroaches on their world until they have no choice but to on their world until they have no choice but to feed him to the gator.feed him to the gator.

The lighting for the play will start out warm The lighting for the play will start out warm and friendly, however as the pirates start to and friendly, however as the pirates start to encroach on the world of the boys, parts of the encroach on the world of the boys, parts of the stage will darken and disappear until Hook is stage will darken and disappear until Hook is finally defeated, when the world will be finally defeated, when the world will be revealed again.revealed again.

Other ToolsOther Tools

Visual ResearchVisual Research Helpful to get ideas or give examples to Helpful to get ideas or give examples to

the directorthe director Pictures can convey better than wordsPictures can convey better than words

ColorColor AngleAngle QualityQuality MoodMood

Not presenting anything is better than Not presenting anything is better than presenting the wrong thing!presenting the wrong thing!

Other ToolsOther Tools

Scene AnalysisScene Analysis One per “scene”One per “scene” Color, direction, and description of all Color, direction, and description of all

sourcessources Brief description ofBrief description of

Setting / Time of DaySetting / Time of Day MoodMood Key and Fill sourcesKey and Fill sources QualityQuality Other Motivating FactorsOther Motivating Factors

Other ToolsOther Tools

Color KeyColor Key Shows colors/angle of all washesShows colors/angle of all washes Useful to have actual gel piecesUseful to have actual gel pieces Helps to talk about color choiceHelps to talk about color choice

Cue ListCue List Lets you organize what cues you need Lets you organize what cues you need

in advancein advance Location, Description, Timing, etcLocation, Description, Timing, etc Useful to mark cues in scriptUseful to mark cues in script

The SnS Tech Production The SnS Tech Production ProcessProcess

Show ApprovalShow Approval ““Design Phase”Design Phase” BudgetingBudgeting ““Implementation Implementation

Phase”Phase” Board PreviewBoard Preview Tech WeekTech Week ShowShow StrikeStrike

Brief Overview of Tech Brief Overview of Tech WeekWeek

Load-inLoad-in HangHang FocusFocus CueingCueing

RehearsalsRehearsals Cueing / Focus Cueing / Focus

NotesNotes Work CallsWork Calls Work with the Stage Work with the Stage

Manager to get Manager to get timing righttiming right

ShowsShows Let go of your Let go of your

design when the design when the first curtain goes first curtain goes upup

StrikeStrike Domain of the Domain of the

Master ElectricianMaster Electrician

What about theWhat about theMaster Electrician?Master Electrician?

Master ElectricianMaster Electrician Makes the Makes the

production happen!production happen! Assists with budget Assists with budget

and equipment and equipment arrangementsarrangements

Schedules crew callsSchedules crew calls Manages all Lighting Manages all Lighting

Equipment during Equipment during the productionthe production

Creates a “cable Creates a “cable plot”plot”

Working with an MEWorking with an ME

Get the ME Get the ME information early!information early! Lighting Plot!!Lighting Plot!!

Rough drafts are okRough drafts are ok Instrument / Gel Instrument / Gel

schedulesschedules The ME can generate The ME can generate

these these Often easier for LD Often easier for LD

to doto do Concepts for Concepts for

PracticalsPracticals

Working with an MEWorking with an ME(Production Process)(Production Process)

You can make the job of the ME easierYou can make the job of the ME easier Better experience for both of you!Better experience for both of you!

How you can helpHow you can help Be familiar with the space you are inBe familiar with the space you are in Have a rough idea how the design will be Have a rough idea how the design will be

pulled offpulled off Pick and choose your focus notesPick and choose your focus notes

Don’t needlessly sacrifice your designDon’t needlessly sacrifice your design

Working with an MEWorking with an ME(Tech Week)(Tech Week)

As an LD, stay out of the way at callsAs an LD, stay out of the way at calls You have creative inputYou have creative input The ME has control over the “practical” The ME has control over the “practical”

issuesissues The ME Manages HangThe ME Manages Hang The LD Runs FocusThe LD Runs Focus

With the advice of the MEWith the advice of the ME Keep the ME apprised of Focus NotesKeep the ME apprised of Focus Notes

Board Preview?Board Preview?

You generally should You generally should have an almost-final have an almost-final light plot with youlight plot with you Don’t go into deep Don’t go into deep

detaildetail Discuss your design Discuss your design

conceptconcept Discuss your color Discuss your color

keykey Mention any Mention any

potential problemspotential problems

The End ResultThe End Result

Lighting PlotLighting Plot Instrument / Gel SchedulesInstrument / Gel Schedules

Possibly with assistance from MEPossibly with assistance from ME Cue List (including Followspots, if any)Cue List (including Followspots, if any)

Useful to have cues denoted in script as wellUseful to have cues denoted in script as well Arrange for Rental EquipmentArrange for Rental Equipment

More important to communicate this More important to communicate this information effectively than “do it right”information effectively than “do it right”

The Production The Production NotebookNotebook

Keep a notebook of everything related to showKeep a notebook of everything related to show The ScriptThe Script The Light Plot (if it fits, otherwise keep it nearby at The Light Plot (if it fits, otherwise keep it nearby at

all times)all times) Scene AnalysisScene Analysis Color KeyColor Key Cue ListsCue Lists Instrument / Gel SchedulesInstrument / Gel Schedules Invoices / Rental OrdersInvoices / Rental Orders Work / Design NotesWork / Design Notes Equipment Notes (especially moving lights!)Equipment Notes (especially moving lights!) (etc…)(etc…)

Break Time!Break Time!

The Light PlotThe Light Plot Conveys information from Designer to Conveys information from Designer to

Master Electrician (and the rest of the Master Electrician (and the rest of the Production Staff)Production Staff)

Details information about every Details information about every instrumentinstrument TypeType PositionPosition OrientationOrientation ColorColor AccessoriesAccessories CircuitingCircuiting

The Light PlotThe Light Plot

Overall layout personal to the LDOverall layout personal to the LD Drawn by hand or with CADDrawn by hand or with CAD Typically drawn to scaleTypically drawn to scale

Scale helps with creation of plot as well Scale helps with creation of plot as well as hangas hang

Should contain enough information to Should contain enough information to execute the hang in the absence of execute the hang in the absence of the designer.the designer.

Other Contents of a Light Other Contents of a Light PlotPlot

Sketch of set in relation to hang Sketch of set in relation to hang positionspositions

Trim height of hang positionsTrim height of hang positions Location of other equipment such as Location of other equipment such as

foggersfoggers Other lighting equipment related notesOther lighting equipment related notes

Works in concert with Instrument, Gel, Works in concert with Instrument, Gel, and Dimmer schedulesand Dimmer schedules

Lighting Instrument Lighting Instrument BlocksBlocks

Instruments drawn Instruments drawn by symbol for by symbol for simplicitysimplicity

Convey all the Convey all the applicable applicable information for a information for a given instrument.given instrument.

Include a key to Include a key to map symbols to map symbols to instrument types!instrument types!

Ellipsoidal

PAR 64

Sample Lighting BlockSample Lighting Block

Gel Color(s)

Contains a Template

Instrument Number

Channel Number

More?

Key Plot ComponentsKey Plot Components Title BlockTitle Block

Production (and Production (and Dates)Dates)

DesignerDesigner DirectorDirector What does this What does this

plate describe?plate describe? LegendLegend

What do the What do the symbols mean?symbols mean?

What is the data for What is the data for each symbol?each symbol?

Hang Position Hang Position NamesNames Trim Heights if you Trim Heights if you

carecare BoomsBooms

Location in planLocation in plan Profile view of Profile view of

instrumentsinstruments General Notes General Notes

SectionSection E.g. “Gel before E.g. “Gel before

focus”focus”

Creating a light plot the Creating a light plot the Right WayRight Way

Finish your Color Key and Scene Analysis Finish your Color Key and Scene Analysis firstfirst

Instrument ResearchInstrument Research Look on Manufacturer websitesLook on Manufacturer websites

Sketch Plan View of SetSketch Plan View of Set Decide on acting areasDecide on acting areas

Lighting SectionLighting Section Check throw distances and anglesCheck throw distances and angles Don’t cut off headsDon’t cut off heads

Draw the PlotDraw the Plot

Light Plot SimplificationsLight Plot Simplifications

The “Dot Plot”The “Dot Plot” Don’t draw symbols – just use color-coded Don’t draw symbols – just use color-coded

dotsdots Skip the Lighting SectionSkip the Lighting Section

Section is most useful in unfamiliar venuesSection is most useful in unfamiliar venues Don’t draw to scaleDon’t draw to scale

Be sure to note this to your MEBe sure to note this to your ME Requires more involvement during HangRequires more involvement during Hang

Our Example Light PlotOur Example Light Plot

Simple Color KeySimple Color Key Warm Side / Cool SideWarm Side / Cool Side Several Angles:Several Angles:

Diagonal FrontlightDiagonal Frontlight Straight BacklightStraight Backlight

Venue similar to McConomyVenue similar to McConomy

R33(N/C Pink)

R62(N/C Blue)

R54(Pale Lavender)

Scotch ‘n’ Soda: HintsScotch ‘n’ Soda: Hints

Talk to past SnS LDsTalk to past SnS LDs They have experience in the spacesThey have experience in the spaces They know solutions to common They know solutions to common

problemsproblems Don’t expect significant DirectionDon’t expect significant Direction

SnS directors are often new, and don’t SnS directors are often new, and don’t know what lighting can do for themknow what lighting can do for them

Attend lots of rehearsalsAttend lots of rehearsals Ask the director or stage manager any Ask the director or stage manager any

questions you havequestions you have

Scotch ‘n’ Soda: HintsScotch ‘n’ Soda: Hints

Light plots don’t have to be formal!Light plots don’t have to be formal! Not to scaleNot to scale Brief SketchesBrief Sketches Schedules not requiredSchedules not required Find what works best for you and your MEFind what works best for you and your ME

Know your venuesKnow your venues Resources – especially dimmers – are limitedResources – especially dimmers – are limited Some venues come with “in house” Some venues come with “in house”

equipmentequipment

Scotch ‘n’ Soda: HintsScotch ‘n’ Soda: Hints

RentalsRentals This is generally done by you, not the This is generally done by you, not the

ME.ME. Contact ABTech EarlyContact ABTech Early Contact Vincent EarlyContact Vincent Early If you are shipping expendables, do so If you are shipping expendables, do so

VERYVERY early early

Have Fun!Have Fun!

Photo CreditsPhoto Credits

Photos in this presentation were Photos in this presentation were taken from the following taken from the following sources/photographers:sources/photographers: Adam PenningtonAdam Pennington Rob SiemborskiRob Siemborski Alex OrgeraAlex Orgera The Scotch ‘n’ Soda GalleryThe Scotch ‘n’ Soda Gallery

ReferencesReferences

Photos:Photos: http://www.coed.orghttp://www.coed.org

Lighting Instrument Specs:Lighting Instrument Specs: http://www.altmanltg.comhttp://www.altmanltg.com http://www.etcconnect.comhttp://www.etcconnect.com

Rentals:Rentals: http://www.vincentlighting.comhttp://www.vincentlighting.com

(Call the Pittsburgh Office)(Call the Pittsburgh Office)

Questions?Questions?

Come Back for Come Back for Lighting II!Lighting II!

October 15, 6-8pmOctober 15, 6-8pmMcConomy AudotoriumMcConomy Audotorium

““Things to know for Electrics Things to know for Electrics Crew”Crew”