ABSTRACT

This guide to the fundamentals of stage lighting includes a series of projects to allow experimentation, discussion and analysis. The necessary equipment is described in relation to its purpose, along with checklists and hints for practical use.

The practical handling of light, with observation of the relationship of cause to effect, is central to the study of stage lighting. Rehearsal pressures usually restrict the time available for experimenting with lighting for a performance, but laboratory-style projects can be used to enable specific lighting problems to be solved.
The core of this book is a series of 'discovery' projects using minimal resources, to explore the use of light in the theatre, with particular emphasis on the interaction of conflicting visual aims. The projects cover all the major scenarios likely to be encountered by lighting students and have been tried and tested by the author, who has taught lighting students all over the world for over 30 years.

The book has been updated to include more on safety and the latest technology including:
- fixed instruments using the new lower wattage high efficiency lamps in combination with dichronic reflectors
- an increase in the availability, reliability, range and usage of 'moving light' technology based on remotely controlled instruments.

New lighting projects have also been added.

If you are studying the art and craft of stage lighting this book is an excellent working manual that will provide you with the technical knowledge and skill to cope with a range of lighting situations.

part |58 pages

Fundamentals

chapter |5 pages

Discovering light

chapter |32 pages

Discovering lighting equipment

chapter |2 pages

Lighting safely

chapter |13 pages

The lighting process

chapter |4 pages

Analysing lighting

part |66 pages

Projects

chapter |4 pages

Introduction to the projects

chapter |4 pages

Project 1 Objects and actors

chapter |3 pages

Project 2 Covering smoothly

chapter |3 pages

Project 3 Selecting space

chapter |3 pages

Project 4 Creating space

chapter |3 pages

Project 5 Cool, neutral or warm

chapter |3 pages

Project 6 Atmospheric space

chapter |4 pages

Project 7 Musical space

chapter |4 pages

Project 8 Areas and atmospheres

chapter |3 pages

Project 9 The magic of gauze

chapter |4 pages

Project 10 Non-orthodox minimalism

chapter |4 pages

Project 11 Figaro's garden

chapter |4 pages

Project 12 Macbeth's witches

chapter |3 pages

Project 13 Tape and light

chapter |6 pages

Project 14 The twenty spot opera house

chapter |3 pages

Project 15 A traverse stage

chapter |3 pages

Project 16 Light and life

chapter |3 pages

Project 17 Light as language