Here is a basic introduction to stage lighting for theater, dance and musicals.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Evaluation of the Event
Step 1. Know the kind of representation and the simple principles related to the lighting of that type of event
A normal stage show has a great deal of dialogue. The audience's ability to follow him is directly connected with being able to see the speaker's face. Make sure you have a lot of light focused on the actors' faces.
- Dancing is the situation where the movement of the body plays the most important role. The side light is the one that most of all highlights the fluidity of movements. Experience it from different heights and from different angles.
- Musicals are a mixture of both, as they contain elements of acting and dancing. Usually the rules of both are amalgamated into the same lighting scheme.
- The concerts are a mixture of colors and effects. You will often have natural-colored lights following your artists, but most other lights will be dedicated to color, motion, and effects. Focus on symmetry, bright colors, and wash light.
Step 2. Consider the location of the event
This will help you figure out how many lights you need, and where you can place them. Check how the trusses are arranged - it will give you an idea of where you can hang things. Can you place the lights on the floor? Or can you set up a vertical stand and mount them on the sides?
Step 3. Check the equipment you may have available
Most locations have a stock of basic equipment available. Make sure you know what they are and how they work. Forget the technical names if you don't know what they mean, two are the most important differences to know: FRESNEL lamps are for the Wash effect. They have a particular type of lens (called Fresnel's) that gives the light a soft edge and usually covers a very large area. You can often adjust the spot size, but the edge will always be soft. These lights are usually shorter than the PROFILE spot. PROFILE spots are usually used when you want to illuminate something in particular - a person in a specific spot, etc. They have the characteristic of having a sharp edge. Some have the option to "zoom", which means you can change both the size and the edge (blurry or sharp) of the light output. They are usually longer and thinner than FRESNEL.
Part 2 of 3: Event type considerations
Step 1. Think about the script, dance piece, musical or concert type
For scripts in particular, consider the mood, the atmosphere, the locations, and the time of day. Enlightenment can help you establish any or all of these things.
Step 2. Think about how you need to illuminate
Lighting is all about angles, especially in plays and ballets. The angle refers to where the light source comes from and how it hits the subject. Get a small directional light - such as a flashlight - and observe how radiating it from different directions creates different atmospheres around the subject. Consider how these angles can compliment your performance and how you would fit them into the script.
Step 3. Consider using colors to help create moods and moods
Dark blues for night scenes (particularly when used from above or behind actors, as 'fill light'), yellow for warm, sunny scenes, etc. You should be able to get a color swatch book from any theatrical equipment store, and pick the ones you like best.
Part 3 of 3: Setting up the lights
Step 1. Decide which lights to use and where to place them
It is always a good thing to draw a diagram of the stage and the position of the trusses on which you can fix your lights. Then, based on this, decide where to place the headlights and where they will point, what color they will be, etc. If you have equipment available, you can add more stands or use floor stands. If the venue does not have enough lights, look for service agencies where you can hire them for a fee.
You can also install a DMX controller after hanging the headlights. Connect them via a DMX cable and prepare the scenes by including brightness and colors that you think are best suited to the type of event
Step 2. Hang up the headlights and connect them
This is usually done via a DIMMER RACK. With a Dimmer Rack you can adjust fade in and fade out smoothly using a dedicated control desk / console.
Step 3. Aim the headlights according to the points you want to illuminate
The PROFILE spots have shutters with which you can obtain square beams, or obscure the light in the parts of the scenography you want to hide. The FRESNEL headlights are fitted with an accessory called the "light blade" which has the same purpose.
Advice
- Study and keep doing research! If you really want to make a good lighting setup you need to know a lot more than is simply described in this article. The best way to learn is to volunteer and see how a lighting designer works.
- Experiment.
- Ask questions.
