A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 2nd Edition

A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 2nd Edition

by Steven Louis Shelley
Released May 2013
Publisher(s): Focal Press
ISBN: 9781136083815

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Book description

The new edition of the bestselling favorite that you have been waiting for! This is the same nuts-and-bolds look at the construction and implementation of theatrical lighting design that you need, but with a unique focus on design with a combination of theory and application that can't be found anywhere else. A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting has handy step-by-step illustrations of the technical tools and methods used for lighting design along with real life examples showing why some techniques succeed while others fail.

With Shelley's Notes, Notes from the Road, and Shelley's Soapbox, this book finds a way to deliver complex information with a lightness and humor that captivates and helps you learn without bogging you down with boring and heavy information.

Topics covered:
* Defining the parameters that affect any lighting design: the contract, the budget, the type and size of the production, the production schedule, and the performance facility
* An analysis of the concepts of light console programming
* Setting up
* The light plot
* Safe construction

Table of contents

  1. Front Cover
  2. A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Table of Contents (1/2)
  5. Table of Contents (2/2)
  6. Foreword
  7. Preface
  8. Acknowledgments for the Second Edition (1/2)
  9. Acknowledgments for the Second Edition (2/2)
  10. Introduction
  11. Chapter 1: A Review
    1. Introduction
    2. The Theatrical Space
    3. Theatrical Stage Nomenclature
      1. Theatrical Rigging
      2. Theatrical Backdrops
      3. Theatrical Masking
      4. Theatrical Performance Surfaces
    4. Hanging Position and Focus Nomenclature
      1. Hanging Position Nomenclature
      2. Theatrical Lighting Numbering Systems
      3. Focus and Function Nomenclature
      4. System Direction Nomenclature and Analysis
      5. Frontlight
      6. Sidelight
      7. Overhead Sidelight
      8. Boom Sidelight
      9. Downlight
      10. Backlight
      11. Other Lighting Systems
      12. Backdrop Wash
      13. Overhead Template Wash
    5. Electricity and Distribution
      1. Basic Electricity
      2. The Control Path
      3. Dimmers
      4. Circuitry
      5. Load Calculations
    6. Control
      1. Manual Control
      2. Computer Control
      3. Computer Control Protocols
      4. Computer Memory Storage
      5. Computer Lighting Console Control Philosophies
      6. Shelley’s Notes: Know Your Console
      7. Cue and Memory Nomenclature
      8. Computer Lighting Console Syntax
      9. Time Fades
      10. Waits and Delays
    7. Lighting Instruments
      1. Components of Lighting Instruments
      2. The Lamps
      3. The Reflectors
      4. The Lenses
      5. The Individual Instruments
      6. Lighting Console Support Software
      7. Computer Lighting Design Software
      8. Housing and Hanging Hardware
      9. Accessory Hardware
      10. Atmospherics
    8. Color
      1. Defining Color
      2. Color Temperature
      3. Color Perception
      4. Color Mixing
      5. Color Media
    9. The Staff of a Production
      1. The Management and Creative Staff
      2. The Production Staff
      3. The House Staff
      4. The Lighting Department
      5. The Lighting Designer
      6. The Associate Lighting Designer
      7. The Assistant Lighting Designer
      8. Staff Summary
      9. The Production Schedule
      10. The Light Plot and Lighting Section
      11. Creating and Constructing a Lighting Design
      12. Properties of Light
      13. Objectives of Light
    10. Summary
  12. Chapter 2: Paperwork Overview
    1. Shelley’s Notes: The Production Book
    2. The Document Pre-Approval and Distribution Charts
      1. Document Pre-Approval Chart
      2. Document Distribution Chart
      3. The Three Document Categories
      4. Document Analysis
      5. Title Block Information
      6. Soft Copy Distribution
      7. Hard Copy Distribution
      8. Shelley’s Notes: Keeping Paper in the Notebook
    3. Summary
  13. Stage 1: Research and Analysis
  14. Chapter 3 Background Preparations and Preliminary Design Paperwork
    1. Introduction
    2. Background Preparations
      1. S Shelley’s Notes: Background Preparations
      2. The Piece: Script, Score, or Treatment
      3. Hokey: The Treatment
        1. The Story
      4. Notes for Hokey
      5. Core Design Documents
      6. Cue Master
      7. Cue Master for Hokey; Version 1
      8. S Shelley’s Notes: Cue Master
      9. Research
      10. Research for Hokey
      11. Shelley’s Notes: Doing Research
      12. Systems and Specials Sheet
      13. Systems and Specials Sheet for Hokey
      14. Meetings
      15. Production Meetings
      16. Shelley’s Notes: Tips for Production Meetings
      17. Here’s a list to consider before attending production meetings
      18. Concept Meetings
      19. One-on-One Meetings
      20. Meeting: The Director
      21. Questions for the Director:
      22. Information to share with the Director:
      23. Director’s Meeting Notes
      24. Talking Through the Show
      25. Director Meeting Notes Summary
      26. Meetings: The Creative Staff
      27. Meeting: Production Electrician
      28. Meeting: Production Stage Manager
      29. Stage Management Notes
      30. Questions for the Production Stage Manager:
      31. Meetings Summary
      32. Hokey Re-Analysis
      33. Scene Breakdown and Analysis
      34. Hokey Cue Master, Version 2
      35. Hokey Systems and Specials, Version 2
      36. Hokey Preliminary Magic Sheet, Version 1
      37. Core Design Document Review
    3. Summary
  15. Chapter 4: The Parameters
    1. Introduction
    2. Define the Contract
    3. Section One
      1. Employee versus Independent Contractor
    4. Section Two
    5. Section Three
    6. Section Four
      1. Shelley’s Notes: Contract Negotiation
      2. Shelley’s Notes: Contract Hints
      3. Shelley’s Contracts for Hokey
    7. Define the Production Schedule
      1. Production Schedule Analysis
      2. Hokey’s Production Schedule
    8. Define by the Budget
      1. Shelley’s Notes: Movers or Not?
    9. Define the Communication
    10. Define by Type and Size of Production
    11. Define by Origin
    12. Define by Movement
    13. Define by Mode of Transport
    14. Define the Performance Facility
      1. Tech Specs and Drawings
      2. A Basic Checklist to Help Define the Performance Facility
      3. Shelley’s Notes:Advancing the Performance Facility
      4. Shelley’s Notes:Advancing Venues
      5. Shelley's Notes: General Advance Questions
      6. Hokey Advance Questions
      7. Shelley’s Notes:Can’t Get to the Advance?
      8. Define the House Lighting System
      9. A Basic Checklist to Help Definethe House Lighting System:
      10. Define theHouse Lighting Console
      11. A Basic Checklist to Help Define the House Lighting Console:
      12. A Basic Checklist to Help Define the House Manual Light Board
      13. Shelley’s Notes:Measuring the Performance Space
      14. Measuring the Performance Space Tactics
      15. A Basic List of Gear Used to Document a Facility
      16. Basic Performance Space Measuring Sequence
      17. Photographing the Performance Space
      18. Shelley’s Notes:Advance Photography
      19. Shelley’s Notes:Not Enough Time
      20. Shelley’s Notes:The Hokey Advance
      21. Shelley’s Notes:After the Advance
    15. Summary
  16. Stage 2: Preliminary Documents
  17. Chapter 5: Create the Preliminaries and Send out the Shop Order
    1. Introduction
      1. CAD Drafting
      2. Scales
      3. Printing Percentages
      4. Departmental Coordination
      5. Graphic Guidelines
      6. Shelley’s Notes: Drafting Hints
    2. The Preliminary Drawings
      1. Reference Information
    3. The Preliminary Section
      1. Decisions: Which Side?
      2. Decisions: Sectional Perspective in Non-Proscenium Settings
      3. Decisions: How Much Architecture?
      4. Information Included on the Preliminary Section
      5. Shelley’s Soapbox: Sectional Need?
      6. Tales from the Road: Why Bother with a New Section?
      7. The Preliminary Section: Basic Drawing
      8. Leg Analysis
    4. The Preliminary Groundplan
      1. Information Included on a Preliminary Groundplan
      2. The Preliminary Groundplan: Basic Drawing
    5. The Front Elevation
      1. Reference Information for a Front Elevation
      2. The Front Elevation: Basic Drawing
    6. Define The Hokey Lighting Systems
      1. Step 1: Systems and Specials Analysis
      2. Step 2: Preliminary Magic Sheet
      3. Step 3: Preliminary Hookup
      4. Hookup Arrangements
      5. Hookups and Cue Screens
      6. Hookups and Monitor Rows
      7. Shelley’s Notes: Hookups
      8. Hookup for Hokey
    7. Plotting Guidelines and The Slinky Method
      1. Basic Plotting Guidelines
      2. The Slinky Formula and Method
      3. Overhead Electric Placement
    8. Construct The Lighting Systems
      1. Basic Construction Techniques
      2. Reference Worksheets While Plotting
      3. Instrument Spreadsheet
      4. Circuitry and Dimmer Spreadsheet
      5. Reference Documents While Plotting
      6. Illustration Notes
      7. Construction of the Backlight System
      8. Backlight: Cut Sheet Analysis
      9. Backlight: Front Elevations and Calculations
      10. Backlight: Downstage Zone Construction
      11. Completing the Preliminary Drafting
      12. Peripheral Lighting
      13. Peripheral Lighting
      14. Peripheral Lighting
      15. Peripheral Lighting
    9. Completing The Preliminary Light Plot
      1. Prior to Completion
      2. After the Completion
      3. After the Completion
    10. The Shop Order
      1. Selecting the Lighting Rental Shop
      2. Selecting the Lighting Rental Shop
      3. Lighting Rental Shop Analysis
      4. Lighting Rental Account Rep
      5. The Cover Letter
      6. The Shop Order
      7. The Equipment List
      8. Shop Order Tips
      9. Shop Order Analysis
      10. The Perishable List
      11. Perishable Notes
      12. Rental Shop Rudeness
      13. Rental Shop Rudeness
      14. Rental Shop Rudeness
      15. The Shop Order Complete
    11. The Labor
    12. The Masking and Scenic Rental Order
    13. Summary
  18. Chapter 6: Cuts and Changes
    1. Introduction
    2. The Bidding Process
      1. The Shop Order Arrives at the Shops
      2. The Quotes Arrive at the Management Office
    3. The Budget Gets Slashed
      1. Initial Analysis
      2. A General Plan (1/2)
      3. A General Plan (2/2)
        1. Determine a Timeline
        2. Notify All Concerned
        3. Define the Parameters
        4. Acquire Information
        5. Analyze and Compare the Bids
        6. Decide on the Number of Shops
        7. Talk to the Shops
        8. Show Analysis
        9. Systems and Specials Sheet
        10. The Cuts and Changes
        11. Changes and Cuts: Phase One
        12. Changes and Cuts: Phase Two
        13. Changes and Cuts: Phase Three
        14. Negotiations and Decisions
        15. Reaction
      4. Making the Changes to the Preliminary Light Plot (1/2)
      5. Making the Changes to the Preliminary Light Plot (2/2)
        1. The Cue Master, Versions 2.6 and 2.7
        2. The Instrument Spreadsheet, Version 2
        3. The Preliminary Light Plot, Version 2
        4. Circuitry and Dimmer Spreadsheet
        5. The Labor Spreadsheet
    4. Summary
  19. Stage 3: Preparation: The Production Packets
  20. Chapter 7: The Light Plot, Section, and Support Paperwork Packet
    1. Introduction
    2. The Light Plot
      1. An Overview of the Hokey Light Plot
      2. An Examination of the Hokey Lighting Systems
    3. The Lighting Section
      1. The Objectives of a Lighting Section
      2. An Overview of the Hokey Lighting Section
      3. The Layout of the Hokey Lighting Section
      4. The Hokey Lighting Systems in Section
    4. The Support Paperwork
      1. The Instrument Schedule
      2. The Channel Hookup
      3. The Circuitry Schedule
      4. The Dimmer Schedule
      5. Color Cards and Floor Cards
      6. Cut Color Spreadsheet
      7. Template Sheets
      8. Manuals and Cut Sheets
    5. Summary
  21. Chapter 8: The Load-In and Focus Packet
    1. Introduction
    2. The Hang Plot
    3. The Headset Layout Groundplan
    4. Computer Light Board Information
      1. Memory Review
      2. Numerical Mnemonics
      3. Disk Master Chart
        1. Focus Cue Block
        2. Act Cue Blocks
        3. Library Blocks
        4. Cue Information and Identification
        5. Act Preset Check Cues
        6. Autofollows
        7. Ghost Channels
        8. Time Stamp Channels
        9. Blackout Cues
      4. Shelley’s Notes: Key Memory Numbers
        1. System Size
      5. Infrastructure Cues (1/2)
      6. Infrastructure Cues (2/2)
        1. System Wash Memories
        2. Hanging Position Memories
        3. Submasters
        4. The Submaster List
        5. Submaster Notes
        6. Groups
    5. Focus Information
      1. Focus Point Groundplans (1/2)
      2. Focus Point Groundplans (2/2)
      3. Focus Charts
        1. Focus Charts from Scratch
        2. Focus Chart Examples
      4. Shelley’s Notes: Digital Camera Focus Shots
    6. Summary
  22. Chapter 9: The Cue Construction Packet
    1. Introduction
    2. The Magic Sheet
      1. The Magic Sheet Layout
    3. The Cheat Sheet
    4. The Cue Master
      1. The Spreadsheet Cue Master
      2. The Movement Cue Master
      3. The Script Cue Master
    5. Forms
      1. Light Board Operator Sheets
        1. Manual Light Board Operator Sheet
        2. Computer Lighting Console Operator Sheet
      2. Followspot Cue Sheet
        1. Three-Spot Cue Sheet
      3. Repatch Sheets
        1. Repatch Work Sheet
      4. Light Cue Sheet, Work Note Sheet, and Cue Track Sheet
        1. Light Cue Sheets
        2. Light Cue Sheet Layout
      5. Cue Sheet Example
      6. Work Notes Sheet
        1. Light Cue Track Sheet
      7. Distributing the Paperwork
    6. Summary
  23. Chapter 10: Prior to the Load-In
    1. Introduction
    2. Confirm Paperwork Distribution
      1. Shelley’s Notes: Confirm Paperwork Distribution
      2. Shelley’s Notes: Don’t Assume Communication
      3. Vendor Double-Check
      4. Certificate of Insurance
      5. Truck Tactics
      6. Acknowledgments and Thank-yous
    3. Reacting to Changes
      1. React to Costume Change
      2. React to Direction Change
      3. React to Producer Change
      4. React to Schedule Change
      5. React to Scenic Change
    4. Prepping the Rental Light Package
      1. Prepping a Show
      2. Substitutions
      3. Perishables
      4. Console Pre-programming
      5. Truck Pack
    5. The Production Schedule
      1. Adapting Electrics to the Production Schedule
    6. Watching the Run Through
      1. Prior to Attending the Run-Through
      2. General Run-through Tactics
      3. Alternate Run-Through Tactics
      4. End of Run-through Tactics
    7. Final Preparations for the Load-In
      1. The Day (Week) Before the Load-in
      2. The Night Before the Load-in
      3. Initial Paperwork and Tools
      4. Before the Lighting Designer Walks into the Theatre
    8. Summary
  24. Chapter 11: The Load-In and Setup
    1. Introduction
    2. Before the Load-In Begins
      1. Union Considerations
      2. Information Distribution Check
      3. The First Misunderstanding
      4. The Masking Snafu (1/2)
      5. The Masking Snafu (2/2)
        1. The Masking Snafu Analysis
        2. Sneaky Tips: Shelley’s Unwritten Rules of Masking
        3. Masking Snafu Comparisons and Solutions
    3. The Load-In Begins
      1. Shelley’s Soapbox: Keep the Hot Zone Clear
      2. Shelley’s Soapbox: Count the Gear
      3. Shelley’s Soapbox: Test the Gear
      4. Shelley’s Soapbox: Establish Your Base of Operations
      5. Shelley’s Notes: Paperwork Changes
      6. Shelley’s Notes: Keeping Paper and Keeping Track
      7. Shelley’s Notes: Keeping Archives
      8. Shelley’s Notes: Delays During Load-in
    4. Spiking the Deck
      1. Define Up Center
      2. Shelley’s Soapbox: Provide Your Own Measuring Tape
      3. Shelley’s Soapbox: My Spike Marks
      4. Tales from the Road: Spike Marks Without a Performance Surface
      5. Tales from the Road: Spike Marks Without Walls
    5. Hanging the Light Plot
      1. Before the Light Plot Is Hung
      2. Preparations to Speed the Hang
      3. Hanging Procedures
    6. Position the Booms
      1. On and Offstage
      2. Up and Downstage
    7. Programming Information into the Computer Lighting Console
      1. Set up the System
      2. Program Infrastructure Groups
      3. Program Infrastructure Submasters
      4. Program Infrastructure Light Cues
      5. Program Light Cues from Prior Incarnations
      6. Record the Contents of Memory on Older Consoles
      7. Recording the Contents of Memory on Newer Consoles
      8. Shelley’s Golden Rule: Save Early and Often
      9. Check the Light Console Contents
    8. Check the Production Table
      1. Shelley’s Soapbox: BYO Production Table Equipment
    9. Followspots
    10. Hot Test the Position
      1. Hot Test the Electronics and Their Data
      2. Tales from the Road: Get Some Cable-Grow in Switzerland
    11. Setting the Trims
      1. Shelley’s Notes: Trimming
      2. Tales from the Road: The Shrinking Legs
      3. Tales from the Road: Trim the Overhead Electrics Without Borders
    12. The First Channel Check
    13. Summary
  25. Chapter 12: The Focus Session
    1. Introduction
    2. Overview
    3. Focus Analysis
      1. The Audience Angle of Observation
    4. Focus Techniques AND Notes
      1. Paperwork Techniques
      2. A Focus Example
      3. Positioning the Hot Spot
      4. Start the Focus from Center
      5. Focusing with Ambient Light
      6. Focusing with Other Activity
      7. Focusing with Hand Signals
      8. Shelley’s Notes: General Focus
      9. Shelley’s Notes: Focusing More Than One Position
      10. Designer Do’s and Don’ts
    5. Focus Tips
      1. Sneaky Tip: Focusing Ellipsoidals
      2. Sneaky Tip: Focusing Orphans
      3. Shelley’s Soapbox: Use the Hot Spot
      4. Shelley’s Golden Rule: Is There a Light Cue Featuring This Instrument by Itself?
      5. Tales from the Road: The Un-Called-for Channel
    6. Focus Checklists
      1. The Environment
      2. The Lighting Designer
      3. Before the Electrician Departs the Stage
    7. Focusing the Hokey Light Plot
      1. Front of House Positions
      2. Shelley’s Notes: Where’s the Downstage Edge?
      3. Straight Frontlight Focus
      4. Shelley’s Notes: Straight Frontlight Tips and Workarounds
      5. Box Boom Focus
      6. Shelley’s Notes: Box Boom Tips and Workarounds
      7. Sneaky Tip: Box Booms During Bows
      8. Frontlight Drop Wash Analysis
      9. Frontlight Drop Wash Focus
      10. Leg Wash Analysis
      11. Leg Wash Focus
      12. Shelley’s Notes: Leg Wash Workarounds
      13. Overhead Positions
      14. Overhead Frontlight Focus
      15. Overhead Sidelight Focus
      16. Shelley’s Golden Rule: Cut Light off Close Combustibles
      17. Overhead Template Focus
      18. Overhead Downlight Focus
      19. Overhead Backlight Focus
      20. Boom Sidelight Positions
      21. Boom Sidelight Focus
      22. Boom Sidelight Focus
      23. Scenic Stack Focus Analysis
      24. Overhead Scenic Stack Focus
      25. Groundrow Scenic Stack Focus
      26. Shelley’s Notes: Scenic Stack Tips and Workarounds
      27. Shelley’s Notes: The Black Band
      28. The Slinky Method Applied to the Focus Session
      29. The Slinky Method of Calculating Focus
      30. The Slinky Method of Focusing
      31. After a Hanging Position Has Been Focused
      32. Shelley’s Notes: Turn off the Works Before Leaving the Position
      33. After the Focus Has Concluded
    8. Summary
  26. Chapter 13: The Light Cue Level Setting Session and Technical Rehearsals
    1. Introduction
    2. Light Cue Level Setting Session Analysis
      1. General Cueing Concepts
      2. General Cueing Tactics
    3. Before the Cueing Session
      1. Meeting with the Light Board Operator
      2. Checklists Before Cueing
      3. Working Environment
      4. Computer Lighting Console
      5. Manual Light Board
      6. Lighting Designer
      7. Lighting Designer’s Tools and Environment
      8. Shelley’s Golden Rule: Save Early and Often—Again
      9. Shelley’s Golden Rule: Avoid Unannounced Blackouts Onstage
    4. The Cueing Session
      1. The Opening: Act 1, Scene 1
      2. The Storm: Act 1, Scene 2
      3. The Beginning of Act 2, Scene 1
      4. The End of Act 2, Scene 1
      5. After the Cueing Session
    5. Followspots
      1. Followspot Concepts
      2. Followspot Analysis
      3. Followspot Tactics
      4. Shelley’s Notes: Followspot Language
      5. Followspots Before the First Technical Rehearsal
      6. Followspots Before the First Technical Rehearsal
    6. The Technical Rehearsal
      1. Prior to the Technical Rehearsal
      2. Shelley’s Soapbox: Headset Etiquette
      3. The Technical Rehearsal Begins
      4. Working with the Stage Manager
      5. The Assistant
      6. Talking: Not on Headset
      7. The Laptop During the Tech
      8. Tech Rehearsal Lighting Tactics
      9. Before the End of the Technical Rehearsal
      10. End of the Technical Rehearsal
    7. Before the Final Rehearsal
      1. End of the Final Rehearsal
      2. The Viewing Location
    8. Summary
  27. Chapter 14: The Performance
    1. Introduction
    2. Before the Performance
      1. The Preshow Call
      2. Electrics Preshow Check
      3. Shelley’s Golden Rule: Complete the Check Before Fixing the Problems
      4. Shelley’s Notes: Electrics Preshow Checks
    3. The Show Call
      1. Overhead Work Notes
      2. Sidelight Check
      3. Lighting Console Notes
      4. Final Light Board Check
      5. The Viewing Location
    4. The Performance
      1. Notes Taken During the Performance
      2. Shelley’s Notes: Identifying the Mystery Hot Spot
      3. Intermission
      4. The Bows
    5. After the Show
      1. The Departure
      2. Out of the Theatre
    6. Summary
      1. Tales from the Road: A Lifetime in Italy One Night
  28. Glossary (1/2)
  29. Glossary (2/2)
  30. Selected Bibliography
  31. Index (1/2)
  32. Index (2/2)

Product information

  • Title: A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Steven Louis Shelley
  • Release date: May 2013
  • Publisher(s): Focal Press
  • ISBN: 9781136083815