Lighting Design 101 Days 1 & 2

Today… Objective: Explain the basics of stage lighting in terms of it’s qualities and functions. Objective: Explain the basics of stage lighting in terms of it’s qualities and functions. Agenda: Journal; Guided Notes; ID game; Summary and Reflection. Agenda: Journal; Guided Notes; ID game; Summary and Reflection. Journal: Please describe how and why your homework pictures show good and bad lighting. Journal: Please describe how and why your homework pictures show good and bad lighting.

A Brief History Really though, it’s brief. Lighting Design has only been around for about 100 years. Really though, it’s brief. Lighting Design has only been around for about 100 years. Started with candles, then gas fixtures, then electricity was discovered and harnessed… Started with candles, then gas fixtures, then electricity was discovered and harnessed… Designing lights fell to whoever would volunteer to get it done. Designing lights fell to whoever would volunteer to get it done. Computers continuously revolutionize the field. Computers continuously revolutionize the field.

Why Design Lights? Create Mood Create Mood Establish a Scene Establish a Scene Enhance Scenic Design Enhance Scenic Design Replace a Set Completely Replace a Set Completely

Functions of Stage Lighting Selective Visibility: Seeing what should be seen; directing the audience’s attention to what you want them to see. Selective Visibility: Seeing what should be seen; directing the audience’s attention to what you want them to see. Composition/Revelation of Form: Lighting objects and people onstage in such a way as to manipulate spatial relationships and the actual form of said objects and people (using angles, shadows, etc). Composition/Revelation of Form: Lighting objects and people onstage in such a way as to manipulate spatial relationships and the actual form of said objects and people (using angles, shadows, etc). Establishing Mood: Remember what color can do? (blue light = nighttime OR sad OR cold // red lighting = danger OR heat OR passion) Establishing Mood: Remember what color can do? (blue light = nighttime OR sad OR cold // red lighting = danger OR heat OR passion) Reinforcing Theme: Compliment the director’s overall vision by helping the audience to see it (don’t just light the actor; light them in a way that helps the audience see the character the way the director sees the character). Reinforcing Theme: Compliment the director’s overall vision by helping the audience to see it (don’t just light the actor; light them in a way that helps the audience see the character the way the director sees the character).

Lighting and the Elements of Design Color: Light reveals colors in the sets, props, or costumes and can itself be colored (gels). Color: Light reveals colors in the sets, props, or costumes and can itself be colored (gels). Line: Light reveals line and can itself show lines (beam focus; gobos). Line: Light reveals line and can itself show lines (beam focus; gobos). Texture: Light reveals texture and can be used to create the illusion of texture (gobos). Texture: Light reveals texture and can be used to create the illusion of texture (gobos).

Some Vocabulary Gel: Sheets of colored material that go in front of the light to alter the color of the light. Gel: Sheets of colored material that go in front of the light to alter the color of the light. Beam Focus: This term refers to how clearly defined the edge of the light is. soft focus = the light just fades away; hard focus = the light has a clearly distinguishable edge (you can really see where the light stops). Beam Focus: This term refers to how clearly defined the edge of the light is. soft focus = the light just fades away; hard focus = the light has a clearly distinguishable edge (you can really see where the light stops). Gobo: A metal disc with a pattern cut into it that is placed in a stage light to project an image. Gobo: A metal disc with a pattern cut into it that is placed in a stage light to project an image.

Aspects of Light Intensity: Brightness; measured in “foot- candles.” Intensity: Brightness; measured in “foot- candles.” Distribution: Understood as how light is reflected off a surface; depends upon the light source’s direction and quality. Distribution: Understood as how light is reflected off a surface; depends upon the light source’s direction and quality. Direction: The source of light is from above, below, one side, or behind. Highlight and Shadow will change with direction. Direction: The source of light is from above, below, one side, or behind. Highlight and Shadow will change with direction. Quality: Related to texture; diffused light is softer, while non-diffused light is sharper and crisper. Quality: Related to texture; diffused light is softer, while non-diffused light is sharper and crisper.

More Aspects of Light Color: Considered the most effective and dramatic aspect of light; created using gel. Color: Considered the most effective and dramatic aspect of light; created using gel. Movement: A change in intensity, distribution, or color. Also physical movement of a beam. Light cues denote movement. Movement: A change in intensity, distribution, or color. Also physical movement of a beam. Light cues denote movement. Cue: The movement of light from one look to the next; usually numbered and stored in the light board. Cue: The movement of light from one look to the next; usually numbered and stored in the light board.

Direction

What’s My Motivation? Motivational Lighting: The theatrical use of lighting that is inspired by an actual source existing in the world of the play. Ex: street lamp light coming in through blinds; sunlight; moonlight through trees. Motivational Lighting: The theatrical use of lighting that is inspired by an actual source existing in the world of the play. Ex: street lamp light coming in through blinds; sunlight; moonlight through trees. Nonmotivational Lighting: Light used purely as a part of the production design, without reference to any actual source existing in the world of the play; often based on emotion (mood). Nonmotivational Lighting: Light used purely as a part of the production design, without reference to any actual source existing in the world of the play; often based on emotion (mood).