intro to lighting design club soda october 1, 2003 rob siemborski
TRANSCRIPT
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”