💡Lighting Design for Stage Unit 9 – Stage Lighting: Configurations and Venues

Intro to Stage Lighting Basics

• Stage lighting involves using various lighting instruments and techniques to illuminate performers and sets on a stage
• Three primary functions of stage lighting include visibility, selective focus, and mood
• Visibility ensures the audience can see the performers and action on stage clearly
• Selective focus directs the audience's attention to specific areas or elements on stage using light
• Mood involves using color, intensity, and angle of light to evoke emotions and create atmosphere
• Stage lighting designers work closely with the director and other members of the creative team to develop a lighting plan that supports the overall vision of the production
• The lighting designer creates a light plot, which is a detailed diagram showing the placement, direction, and type of lighting instruments used in a production

Types of Stage Venues and Their Challenges

• Proscenium stages are the most common type of stage, featuring a large arch that frames the stage and separates it from the audience
  • Lighting for proscenium stages often involves front, side, and back lighting to create depth and dimension
  • The height of the proscenium arch can present challenges for hanging and focusing lighting instruments
• Thrust stages extend into the audience on three sides, with the audience seated around the stage
  • Lighting for thrust stages requires careful consideration of angles to ensure all areas of the stage are adequately lit without blinding the audience
  • Lighting instruments may need to be placed in unconventional locations, such as on the ceiling or on the sides of the audience seating
• Arena stages, also known as theatre-in-the-round, have the audience seated on all four sides of the stage
  • Lighting for arena stages must be designed to illuminate the performers from all angles without creating shadows or dark spots
  • Lighting instruments are often hung from a central grid above the stage or placed on the floor around the perimeter of the stage
• Black box theaters are versatile spaces with no fixed stage or seating arrangement
  • Lighting for black box theaters can be highly flexible and adaptable to different configurations
  • Challenges include limited hanging positions and the need to create a lighting design that works with the specific layout of the space for each production

Essential Lighting Instruments and Equipment

• Ellipsoidal reflector spotlights (ERS) are the most common type of lighting instrument used in theater, producing a bright, focused beam of light
  • ERS instruments come in different sizes and beam angles (19°, 26°, 36°, 50°) to suit various needs
  • Shutters on ERS instruments allow for precise shaping of the light beam
• Fresnel lights produce a soft-edged, diffused light and are often used for wash lighting or to illuminate backdrops
• PAR (parabolic aluminized reflector) cans are compact, inexpensive lighting instruments that produce a strong, oval-shaped beam
• Cyclorama (cyc) lights are used to evenly illuminate large background surfaces like curtains or walls
• Automated lights, such as moving heads and scanners, can change color, position, and gobos remotely during a performance
• Lighting consoles are used to control and program the various lighting instruments in a production
  • Modern lighting consoles often use DMX (Digital Multiplex) protocol to communicate with lighting instruments
• Dimmers control the intensity of the light output from each instrument and are typically rack-mounted or built into the lighting console

Standard Lighting Configurations for Different Stages

• McCandless Method is a classic lighting configuration that uses two front diagonal lights (one warm and one cool) to illuminate an actor from both sides at a 45° angle
  • This method provides good visibility, depth, and modeling of facial features
• High side lighting involves placing lighting instruments on the sides of the stage at a steep angle to create strong shadows and depth
  • This technique is often used for dramatic or mysterious scenes
• Backlighting is used to separate performers from the background and create depth on stage
  • Colored backlighting can also be used to create silhouettes or special effects
• Three-point lighting is a common configuration used in smaller venues or for more intimate scenes, consisting of a key light, fill light, and backlight
• Wash lighting is used to provide even illumination across a large area of the stage, often using multiple Fresnel lights or PAR cans
• Specials are individual lighting instruments focused on specific areas or elements on stage, such as a prop or set piece
  • Specials can be used to highlight important moments or create visual interest

Color Theory and Gel Selection in Stage Lighting

• Color temperature describes the perceived warmth or coolness of white light, measured in Kelvin (K)
  • Lower color temperatures (2700K-3200K) appear warm and inviting, while higher color temperatures (5000K-6500K) appear cool and clinical
• Gels are thin, colored sheets of plastic placed in front of lighting instruments to change the color of the light
  • Gels come in a wide range of colors and are often referred to by their manufacturer and color number (Lee 201, Roscolux 62)
• The color wheel is a tool used to understand the relationships between different colors
  • Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel (red and green, blue and orange) and create high contrast when used together
  • Analogous colors are adjacent to each other on the color wheel (blue, green, and yellow) and create harmonious, balanced looks
• Additive color mixing involves combining colored lights to create new colors
  • The three primary colors of light are red, green, and blue (RGB)
  • Mixing two primary colors creates a secondary color (cyan, magenta, yellow)
• Subtractive color mixing involves using gels to remove certain wavelengths of light, resulting in the appearance of a new color
  • The three primary colors of pigment are red, yellow, and blue (RYB)
  • Mixing two primary pigment colors creates a secondary color (orange, green, purple)

Creating Mood and Atmosphere with Light

• The intensity of light can be used to create different moods, with bright light suggesting happiness or energy and dim light suggesting intimacy or mystery
• The angle of light can also affect mood, with steep angles creating dramatic shadows and flat angles creating a more neutral or realistic look
• Color is a powerful tool for creating mood and atmosphere on stage
  • Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) can suggest passion, anger, or comfort
  • Cool colors (blue, green, purple) can suggest calmness, sadness, or mystery
• Contrast between light and dark areas on stage can create visual interest and guide the audience's focus
• Gobos (metal or glass templates placed in front of a lighting instrument) can be used to create patterns or textures on stage, adding depth and atmosphere
• The use of haze or fog can enhance the visibility of light beams and create a sense of depth or mystery on stage
• The timing and movement of light cues can also contribute to the mood and atmosphere of a scene, with slow fades suggesting a gradual change and quick blackouts suggesting a sudden shift

Troubleshooting Common Lighting Issues

• Blown lamps or non-functioning instruments should be replaced promptly to maintain the integrity of the lighting design
  • Always ensure you have spare lamps and fuses on hand
• Dimmer failure can cause lights to flicker, remain stuck at a certain intensity, or not turn on at all
  • Check the dimmer rack and individual dimmer modules for any signs of damage or overheating
• DMX signal issues can cause lights to behave erratically or not respond to console commands
  • Check DMX cables for proper connection and damage, and ensure the correct DMX addresses are assigned to each instrument
• Color inconsistency between instruments can be caused by using different brands or batches of gels, or by uneven aging of lamps
  • Use high-quality gels from the same manufacturer and replace lamps on a regular schedule to maintain color consistency
• Shadows or dark spots on stage can be caused by improper instrument placement or focus
  • Adjust the position and focus of instruments to ensure even coverage and eliminate unwanted shadows
• Glare or light spill into the audience can be distracting and uncomfortable
  • Use barn doors, top hats, or other accessories to control the shape and direction of the light beam and minimize spill
• Overheating instruments can pose a fire hazard and cause premature lamp failure
  • Ensure proper ventilation around lighting instruments and avoid exceeding the recommended wattage for each fixture

Advanced Techniques and Special Effects

• Automated lighting can be used to create dynamic, moving effects and quickly change the look of a scene
  • Automated lights can be programmed to change color, position, and gobos in sync with music or other cues
• Pixel mapping involves using LED lighting fixtures to create complex, animated patterns and images
  • Pixel mapping software allows designers to map video content or images onto the individual LED pixels of a lighting fixture
• Projection mapping uses video projectors to display images or video content onto irregular surfaces or objects on stage
  • Projection mapping can be used to create immersive, interactive environments or to augment physical sets with digital content
• Laser effects can add a high-tech, futuristic element to a production
  • Lasers can be used to create precise, colorful beams or patterns in the air or on surfaces
• Strobe lights create a pulsing, flickering effect that can be used to create a sense of chaos, energy, or disorientation
  • Strobe effects should be used sparingly and with caution, as they can trigger seizures in some individuals
• Haze and fog effects can be used to enhance the visibility of light beams and create a sense of depth or atmosphere on stage
  • Different types of haze and fog fluids can be used to create various densities and textures of atmospheric effects
• Blacklight (ultraviolet light) can be used to create glowing, fluorescent effects on stage
  • Blacklight-reactive materials, such as fluorescent paint or tape, can be used to create hidden or surprising visual elements that are only visible under UV light