Lighting Design: Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Approaching a Design -factors -type of show -artistic concept -staffing -time commitment -things to ask for -ME -expections
3. Initial Show Conceptualization -script work -1 quick reading -1 closer reading -discuss w/ director/designers -research images -keep options open -practical considerations (e.g. scene changes, actors entrances, etc) -nail down overall themes, concepts -should ideally come from script -prep for interview
4. Breaking Down the Show -Natural divisions -script work, note lighting notes -clear up any confusion with dirs/designers -cuts -wacky stuff
5. Visualizing The Scenes -six controllable qualities of light -intensity, color, distribution, direction, coherence, change -more in-depth discussion, references (sep) -relativity of light -selective visibility -source visuals -inter- vs. intra-scene consistency -opposing ideas of realism vs. abstraction -emotional content of light -practical considerations -necessity of visibility -relative importance of basic lighting over FX -what can and can't be done -back-up plans
6. Lighting Key and Systems -tool for summarizing repeated patterns of direction, color -acting areas -necessity for angle consistency -creation of lighting "systems" to symplify design -basic methods used for "area" lighting -McCandless -Sidelight -focus on basic looks, provide flexibility, conserve instruments
7. Creating a Rough Plot -1st, instrument types (sep) -2nd, plot conventions (sep) -3rd, instrument selection (sep) -replication of acting areas -accuracy of angle -nearest hang point -additional units -cyc washes -stage washes -set lighting -specials -practicals and effects -other options -creating new hang points -tracking inventory, renting units
8. Finalizing the Plot -checking inventory -checking circuiting -channeling -accessories -specifying notes
9. Creating Other Paperwork - look in books to find standard paperwork - magic sheet - hook-up - channel/circuit map - describe how to create and what they are used for
10. Preparing for Load-In - putting together the paperwork - checking that your crew is ready - checking that your rental is ready - scheduling
11. Load-In - Preparing and teaching your crew - Running load-in, what you need to do as a designer - resolve problems with locations, where they should point - ensure that things are being set up correctly - Checking that instruments work (not just on, but correctly tuned)
12. Focus - preparation - gather gels, accessories - do dimmer check - Step by step thru focus of a single instrument - Crew should loosen instrument, make sure that it will go to approximate area - tighten focus as much as possible - Precisely point and lock down (tips to avoid lengthy stupidity) - Set focus and color and accessories - tips for different types of instruments - checking focus and blend
13. Writing Cues - Preparing to write cues - magic sheet, scene breakdown - setting up the board (patch, submasters, etc) (assume memory board) - discussion w/ director (can he/she be there?) - Two approaches: rough out show, then tune; do everything in order - Building a cue - setting timing and other changes - building effects, loops, etc - running through the cues
14. Teching The Show - Four techs, paper, dry, wet, "tech week" - paper tech, who's there and how it runs - SM in charge - how the dry tech should run - SM in charge - Run through cues, take time to rewrite timing and simple looks, but don't stop to completely rewrite scenes - Don't make people wait for you - write in dummy cues just to get timing - get timing...get it? - go back and rewrite cues before wet tech - Wet tech, similar to dry except with actors (duh) - concentrate on timing issues relating to the actors - also look at what having people onstage is doing to the design - take careful blocking notes checking what you already have - again, don't make people wait - director will likely change ideas here - Continue to refine cues, add cues, work on timing, etc, until run
15. Run - Can still make small changes during run - regular dimmer check - run through cues occasionally
16. Strike - Preparing for strike - rental equipment list - crew - Running the strike - LD job is not really relevant - Just make sure things go smoothly - Ensure rental is gathered and returned - gather and sort gels, other accessories