ABSTRACT
Many live shows performed for a live audience are created, from their inceptions, as television productions. This puts the “live” in “live for broadcast”. These programs do not require modifications of a prior design, but instead are formed and fashioned for the camera from conception. They can be stand-alone specials, events or presentations, or in some cases, weekly series such as the many popular talent competitions that are filling the airwaves. These shows, just like non-televised programs, strive for visual excitement. They utilize most, if not all, of the same principles that would guide the design of any production. However, they do it within the realm of technical and aesthetic models that work for a multi-camera television shoot. Every light is positioned with the camera in mind and how it will appear on-screen in a close-up or wide shot. Every color is chosen similarly. And each cue is built for the dynamic range of the camera, as well as for the needs of the director to design shots that have focus, layering, and dimension in the entire frame. This chapter explores the techniques and philosophies that influence the designer’s decisions. Two very experienced live television lighting designers—Allen Branton and Bob Barnhart—share their thoughts and methods for developing a design.
