The The Theory and PracticeTheory and Practiceofof

Stage Lighting Stage LightingGordon HughesGordon Hughes

SCDA Workshop – Feb 2010SCDA Workshop – Feb 2010

BackgroundBackground

These slides were originally used for a workshop These slides were originally used for a workshop at at St Serf’s Hall St Serf’s Hall given in Feb 2010 for the given in Feb 2010 for the SCDASCDA..

The workshop was highly practical, and the slides The workshop was highly practical, and the slides only indicate the structure of the talk, rather than only indicate the structure of the talk, rather than a complete training course.a complete training course.

After the talk this presentation has been After the talk this presentation has been extended to include other useful information in extended to include other useful information in line with the discussions at the workshop.line with the discussions at the workshop.

The dominance of Strand equipment in the The dominance of Strand equipment in the presentation reflects the equipment available in presentation reflects the equipment available in Edinburgh Theatres.Edinburgh Theatres.

ContentsContents

IntroductionIntroductionTheory of Stage LightingTheory of Stage LightingCoffee BreakCoffee BreakLighting Design in GeneralLighting Design in GeneralLighting for the SCDA 1-Act FestivalLighting for the SCDA 1-Act FestivalQuestions and Wrap UpQuestions and Wrap Up

IntroductionIntroduction

Stage Lighting has been around since Stage Lighting has been around since the beginning of theatre, and used the the beginning of theatre, and used the lighting technologies of the periodlighting technologies of the periodSunSunCandlesCandles / Fire torches / Fire torches - floats- floatsOil / ParaffinOil / ParaffinGasGas - size of lighting bars- size of lighting barsElectricityElectricity

ProcessProcess Flow for Show Flow for Show LightingLighting

LightingDesign

Resources(equipment)

Constraints

Requirements

LightingSynopsys

Queue List

Lighting Plan

RigCableColour

FocusPlot

Running Qsduring Show

ResourcesResources

EquipmentEquipment

Budget (money)Budget (money)

Time (design time + theatre Time (design time + theatre time)time)

Equipment Equipment ResourcesResources

Theatre lanterns availableTheatre lanterns available Lanterns owned by the theatreLanterns owned by the theatre Group or Personal lanterns availableGroup or Personal lanterns available Borrowed or Hired lanterns availableBorrowed or Hired lanterns available

Number of dimmers + control circuits Number of dimmers + control circuits availableavailable

Other equipment requiredOther equipment required Accessories (depending on Lantern)Accessories (depending on Lantern) Coloured Coloured GelGel RiggingRigging equipment equipment Cabling + AdaptorsCabling + Adaptors

Types of LanternTypes of Lantern Flood LightsFlood Lights Par Cans (and Birdies)Par Cans (and Birdies) Spot lightsSpot lights

Soft edge – Soft edge – FFresresnelnel Spot Spotss Hard edge – Hard edge – ProfileProfile Spots Spots (fixed or variable) (fixed or variable) PC Spots and Beam LightsPC Spots and Beam Lights

Intelligent Lights – multiple controls per Intelligent Lights – multiple controls per lanternlantern LED based technologyLED based technology Moving Head and Moving MirrorMoving Head and Moving Mirror

EffectsEffects

See also: See also: en.wikipedia.org/en.wikipedia.org/wikiwiki/Stage_lighting_instrument/Stage_lighting_instrument

Flood LightsFlood Lights

Optical system of Lamp + ReflectorOptical system of Lamp + ReflectorCovers a wide areaCovers a wide areaLimited control over shape/area Limited control over shape/area

coveredcoveredGood forGood for

Colour washesColour washesLighting cyclorama Lighting cyclorama (from top or bottom)(from top or bottom)Working lightsWorking lights

Examples of Flood LightsExamples of Flood Lights

Old Strand Old Strand Patt 137 Patt 137 + + Patt 60 Patt 60 + + Patt 4Patt 499

NewNewerer Strand Strand Coda/Coda/NocturnNocturn 500/1000 500/1000

Grouped together to form BattensGrouped together to form Battens for for lighting cycloramas or acting area lighting cycloramas or acting area washeswashes

Par TechnologyPar Technology

Appeared during the 1970s when Appeared during the 1970s when range of sealed lamps with Parabolic range of sealed lamps with Parabolic Aluminium RAluminium Reflector eflector were were developed.developed.

Made popular with pop concerts, then Made popular with pop concerts, then started to appear in theatresstarted to appear in theatres

A cross between a flood light and A cross between a flood light and spotlightspotlight

Asymmetric bright regionAsymmetric bright regionDifferent sizes and powers availableDifferent sizes and powers available

Examples of Par LightsExamples of Par Lights

Par 64 – 1000WPar 64 – 1000WPar 56 – 500WPar 56 – 500WPar 16 – BirdiePar 16 – BirdieAll lamp sizes available with different All lamp sizes available with different

beam anglesbeam anglesNow available with LED based white Now available with LED based white

lampslamps

Soft Edge Spot LightsSoft Edge Spot Lights

Addition of a low quality lensAddition of a low quality lensLight gives a bright area and a spill areaLight gives a bright area and a spill areaControl over area covered by moving Control over area covered by moving

lamp position relative to the lenslamp position relative to the lensBright area can be shaped by barn doorsBright area can be shaped by barn doorsUsed for general lightingUsed for general lighting In larger theatres also used with wide In larger theatres also used with wide

angle beams like flood lightsangle beams like flood lights

Examples of Soft Edge SpotsExamples of Soft Edge Spots

Old Stand : Old Stand : Patt 123Patt 123, , Patt 223, Patt 743Patt 223, Patt 743

Newer Strand : Newer Strand : PattPatt 803 803RecentRecent Strand : Strand : Prelude FPrelude F, , Cantata FCantata F,,

(also (also Quartet FQuartet F, , Harmony FHarmony F, Alto F, , Alto F, etc.)etc.)

Many others makes including CCT Many others makes including CCT Focus Spot rangeFocus Spot range

Hard edge Spot LightsHard edge Spot Lights

Profile spotlightsProfile spotlightsBetter optical system to give a well focused Better optical system to give a well focused

beambeamWith multiple lenses can give variable beamWith multiple lenses can give variable beamAccessories such as Iris or Accessories such as Iris or GoboGobo or shutters or shuttersUsed for:Used for:

Highlighting actionHighlighting actionProjection of gobosProjection of gobosFollow SpotsFollow Spots

Examples of Hard Edge SpotsExamples of Hard Edge Spots

Old Strand: Patt 23, Patt 264, Patt 76Old Strand: Patt 23, Patt 264, Patt 7644Newer Stand: Newer Stand: PreludePrelude, , CantataCantata, Alto, , Alto,

etc.etc.Prelude 16/30Prelude 16/30 + + Prelude 28/40Prelude 28/40 at St Serf’s at St Serf’s

Recent Strand: SL rangeRecent Strand: SL range(fixed and variable beam models (e.g. CHT))(fixed and variable beam models (e.g. CHT))

ETC Source 4 – ETC Source 4 – more modern profile rangemore modern profile range

Other types of SpotlightOther types of Spotlight

PC Spotlights use a Prism-Convex PC Spotlights use a Prism-Convex lens and can offer a wider range of lens and can offer a wider range of beam angles. The Festival theatre beam angles. The Festival theatre has some, as well as a number of has some, as well as a number of schools, but they are not common.schools, but they are not common.

Beamlight or Pageant lanterns give a Beamlight or Pageant lanterns give a very intense soft edged beam of very intense soft edged beam of light. Adam House Theatre has some light. Adam House Theatre has some old Patt 58 ones. old Patt 58 ones.

Intelligent Lights - LEDsIntelligent Lights - LEDs

Allows colour change control + flashingAllows colour change control + flashingMany options available for number of Many options available for number of

control channels usedcontrol channels usedE.g.E.g.

1 – Red Intensity1 – Red Intensity2 – Green Intensity2 – Green Intensity3 – Blue Intensity3 – Blue Intensity4 – Preset colour settings4 – Preset colour settings5 – Strobe Control5 – Strobe Control6 – Sound to Light control6 – Sound to Light control

Intelligent Lights - MoversIntelligent Lights - Movers

Moving HeadMoving HeadMoving MirrorMoving MirrorCome in soft and hard edge versionsCome in soft and hard edge versionsAll use multiple control channelsAll use multiple control channels

Lighting EffectsLighting Effects

Mirror BallsMirror BallsFire FlickersFire FlickersUV Tubes and UV SpotsUV Tubes and UV SpotsDisco LightsDisco LightsPractical Lights (e.g. Standard Practical Lights (e.g. Standard

Lamps)Lamps)

ProcessProcess Flow for Show Flow for Show LightingLighting

LightingDesign

Resources(equipment)

Constraints

Requirements

LightingSynopsys

Queue List

Lighting Plan

RigCableColour

FocusPlot

Running Qsduring Show

RequirementsRequirements

Read the ScriptRead the ScriptDiscuss with DirectorDiscuss with DirectorDiscuss with Designers (esp Set Discuss with Designers (esp Set

Design)Design)Results of Research into time or Results of Research into time or

locationlocation

ConstraintsConstraints

Limited Number of CircuitsLimited Number of CircuitsLimited Number of LanternsLimited Number of LanternsLimited Power available (per dimmer)Limited Power available (per dimmer)Limited Power available (total)Limited Power available (total)Limited BudgetLimited BudgetLimited (unrealistic) time schedulesLimited (unrealistic) time schedulesCommunications IssuesCommunications Issues

Outputs from Design ProcessOutputs from Design Process

Lighting Synopsis – what effects and Lighting Synopsis – what effects and moods are required during the showmoods are required during the show

Lighting Plan –Lighting Plan –what lanterns are requiredwhat lanterns are requiredwhere are the putwhere are the putwhat will they dowhat will they dowhat colour will they bewhat colour will they bewhat accessories are requiredwhat accessories are required

Making the plan a realityMaking the plan a reality

Physical/EngineeringPhysical/EngineeringRig – mount on the rig (2 mountsRig – mount on the rig (2 mounts/lantern/lantern))Cable – connect each lantern to a dimmerCable – connect each lantern to a dimmerColour – Add colour and other accessoriesColour – Add colour and other accessories

Artistic – likely to need input from Artistic – likely to need input from directordirectorFocus – Make each light point as requiredFocus – Make each light point as requiredPlot – record all states required for by showPlot – record all states required for by show

Effect of Angle of lightEffect of Angle of light

The angle at which the light points towards The angle at which the light points towards the actor or the stage will affect the mood the actor or the stage will affect the mood created by the lighting (examples in created by the lighting (examples in reference books)reference books)

Beware of actors facing downwards where Beware of actors facing downwards where all the lighting is from above, e.g. most all the lighting is from above, e.g. most raised stages where audience look upwardsraised stages where audience look upwards

Remember to consider where the spill from Remember to consider where the spill from the light will fall (examples of effects from the light will fall (examples of effects from the recent drama festival)the recent drama festival)

General LightingGeneral Lighting

Idea of Splitting the stage into areas Idea of Splitting the stage into areas and lighting each area with one or and lighting each area with one or two spotlights depending on two spotlights depending on resource.resource.

9 Areas (3 x 3) typically used at St 9 Areas (3 x 3) typically used at St Serf’s for SCDA Drama festivals.Serf’s for SCDA Drama festivals.

Floods or Pars to produce colour Floods or Pars to produce colour washeswashes

SpecialsSpecials

A “special” is any light which is used A “special” is any light which is used for a special purpose, usually a for a special purpose, usually a special effect, in other words that is special effect, in other words that is not part of the general lighting. E.g.not part of the general lighting. E.g.Highlighting actors or items of setHighlighting actors or items of setProjecting images such as gobosProjecting images such as gobos

Historical BibliographyHistorical Bibliography

1930s1930s C H Ridge and F S Aldred: Stage Lighting Principles and Practice, C H Ridge and F S Aldred: Stage Lighting Principles and Practice,

Pitman 1935Pitman 1935

1950s1950s S Selden and F S Sellman: Stage Scenery and Lighting, HarrapS Selden and F S Sellman: Stage Scenery and Lighting, Harrap

1960s1960s F Bentham: The Art Of Stage Lighting, Pitman, 1968 (2F Bentham: The Art Of Stage Lighting, Pitman, 1968 (2ndnd ed 1976) ed 1976)

1970s1970s R Pilbrow: Stage Lighting, Studio Vista, 1970R Pilbrow: Stage Lighting, Studio Vista, 1970 F Reid: The Stage Lighting Handbook, Pitman, 1976 (2F Reid: The Stage Lighting Handbook, Pitman, 1976 (2ndnd ed 1980s) ed 1980s)

1980s1980s T Streader and J A Williams: Create Your Own Stage Lighting, Bell T Streader and J A Williams: Create Your Own Stage Lighting, Bell

& Hyman, 1985& Hyman, 1985

Other Information on lineOther Information on line

WiWikipediakipedia: : Stage_lighting_instrumentStage_lighting_instrumentThe Strand ArchiveThe Strand Archivehttp://www.onstagelighting.co.uk/http://www.onstagelighting.co.uk/http://www.blue-room.org.uk/http://www.blue-room.org.uk/

Beware that some on-line resources Beware that some on-line resources use American terminology which does use American terminology which does sometimes differ from European terms.sometimes differ from European terms.