A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 2nd Edition

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Chapter 6

Cuts and Changes

INTRODUCTION

This chapter examines some of the events that take

place after the shop order has been sent to the light-

ing rental shops. In some cases, changes are some-

times necessary to a preliminary light plot in order

to make it fit within predetermined budgetary con-

straints and receive the producer’s approval.

When the shop order is sent out, each lighting

rental shop responds by producing a quote, or a bid.

Once the quotes are sent back to management for

consideration, each one is analyzed and compared to

the original shop order and each other.

If all of the bids are too high, either the pro-

ducer has to increase the size of the electrics bud-

get, or the light plot has to cost less. In order to

cut costs, the equipment specified in the rental

needs to be exchanged (or swapped) for alternate

brands, older gear, or removed altogether from the

order; the light plot gets cut. Cutting the plot usu-

ally involves downsizing the equipment list and

perishable list, and then resubmitting the shop

order. When the producer accepts a shop’s adjusted

quote, based on those changes, the two come to

an agreement. The producer then awards the bid

to the shop, publicly declaring it to be the ven-

dor supplying the equipment and perishables for

the lighting package. While there will be numerous

changes as the light plot is finalized, the lighting

rental shop that received the bid will now be the

exclusive resource for lighting or electrical compo-

nents for Hokey.

THE BIDDING PROCESS

Preparing, researching, and selecting a bid are time-

consuming processes. Choosing the best lighting

rental shop, and finding the right fit for the show

takes attention to detail, and a knowledge of lighting

equipment. In some situations the lighting designer

may not be directly involved in this portion of the

process. Other times, if no one else is representing the

lighting designer’s interests, he or she may be drawn

into active participation based solely on the instinct

of self-preservation and defending the integrity of his

or her design.

This next section is a quick overview of the

typical events that take place between sending out

the shop order and awarding the bid. All too often,

these events take place in less time than one would

prefer. Timeliness is desirable, and late is expensive.

Understanding the process, and knowing the cap-

abilities of similar types and brands of equipment,

are two tools that can help the lighting designer suc-

cessfully negotiate the best possible lighting package

in spite of cuts or changes.

The Shop Order Arrives at the Shops

When the shop order arrives at each lighting rental

shop, it’s then assigned to an account rep. For that

matter, preliminary phone calls with the lighting

designer or production electrician may have already

allowed the shop to decide which account rep to

assign to the anticipated show. All the information