Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Site Assessment
• Method 2 of 3: Considering the type of event
• Method 3 of 3: Setting up lighting
• Tips
• Warnings

A basic introduction to stage lighting for theaters, dance floors, discos.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Site Assessment

1. 1 Know your genre and the simple principles behind lighting in that genre. The standard show contains many dialogues. The audience's ability to understand dialogue is directly related to the visual connection with the speakers' faces. Make sure a lot of light is focused on the actors' faces.
   • Dance is when body movement is the most important thing. The best will be light from different directions, which emphasizes the smoothness of the movement. Experiment with light that comes from the side. Try different heights and different angles.
   • Musicals are a fusion of both genres, as they have elements of both drama and dance. Typically, the principles of both genres are combined in one lighting design.
   • Concerts are a play of colors and balls with effects. Often you will use flesh-colored spotlights that follow the speakers, but most of the rest of the lighting will be colored, moving and with effects. Think symmetry, bold colors and wash lights.
2. 2 Rate the venue. This will help you determine how many spotlights you need and where you can place them. Look at where the lighting is. This will give you an idea of ​​where to hang your belongings. Can you place lighting on floor stands? Or install a vertical pipe and hang spotlights from different sides?
3. 3 Look at this what you have. In most cases, venues already have a basic set of equipment. Make sure you know what the hardware is and what it does. Stay out of the technical jungle if you are not sure what they mean, there are two most important differences: FRENEL lamps are wash-type lamps. They have special types of lenses (called Fresnel lenses) that cause the light to have blurry edges. This leads to the fact that they illuminate a large area. You can often adjust the size of the spot, but the edge will always be blurry. These spotlights are generally shorter than PROFILE spotlights. PROFILE spotlights are usually used when you need to highlight something specific - a person in a certain place, etc. They have a crisp edge. Some have the ability to 'zoom', which means you can change both the size and the border of the light (blurry or sharp). They are usually longer and thinner than Fresnel lamps.

Method 2 of 3: Considering the type of event

1. 1 Think about your script, dance, type of music, or type of concert. In particular, think about the mood, atmosphere, location and time of day in the scenario. Light can help enhance all of these things.
2. 2 Figure out how you need to cover everything. Lighting is the science of angles, especially in performances and dances. By angles we mean the direction at which the light flux comes out, and at which it falls on the subject. Take a small directional light - like a torch - and see how lighting from different angles creates a different atmosphere around the subject.Consider how these angles can help your presentation, and where you can use them in your script.
3. 3 Consider how colors can help create mood and atmosphere. Dark blue light for a night scene (especially when used from above or behind actors, as 'fill light'), yellow for warm sunny scenes, etc. You need to buy a color swatch book from any store that sells theater equipment and choose your colors.

Method 3 of 3: Setting up lighting

1. 1 Decide where you will place which spotlights. It is a good idea to draw a sketch of the scene and any places where you can hang your spotlights. Then, based on this, decide where you want to place your spotlights, where they will be directed, what color they will be, etc. If you have funds, you can add more racks, or use equipment on the floor. If you don't have enough floodlights in your space, look towards companies that can rent floodlights to you for a fee.
   • After you have placed your spotlights, you can also set up the DMX controller. Connect the lights via DMX cable, and adjust the scene, including brightness and color (which you think will be the best choice for your event).
2. 2 Hang up your spotlights and turn them on. This is usually done using a DIMMER STAND. Dimmer stands allow you to smoothly light or dim your lights using your console or remote control.
3. 3 Focus your light wherever you want. PROFILE spotlights have a shutter that you can use to square the beam or not illuminate unnecessary parts of the scene or walls. FRENEL spotlights have an add-on called 'curtains'. They serve the same purpose.

Tips

• Explore, Explore, Explore! If you really want to create good lighting, you need to know a lot more than what is covered in this article. The best way to learn is to collaborate with companies, or observe what a lighting designer is doing.
• Experiment.
• Ask questions.

Warnings

• BE CAREFUL - you work with electricity. Electricity can be dangerous if precautions are not taken. There is a whole world of electrical safety that is not covered in this article. Make sure you are working with someone who understands power consumption and electrical safety.