A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, 2nd Edition

The Parameters

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109

The photographer makes certain there’s a photo-

graph of every FOH position, and takes the picture so

that the photo can be attached back to the first pan-

orama sweep taken of the house.

Meanwhile, the scribe is first comparing both

the groundplan and the section to be certain that

every FOH position is properly listed on them. The

scribe then places a tape measure on the ground

next to the locking rail, and aligns the zero of the

tape with the plaster line or the smoke pocket. The

measuring tape is then laid out parallel to the lock-

ing rail to the back wall. The scribe’s next step is

to write the number or letter for each line set onto

a legal pad. If there’s an assignment from the last

show, record that label as well. Then the photogra-

pher walks down the length of the locking rail read-

ing the distances for each batten in the air, or from

the lock on the rail.

No small amount of care should be focused on

this final step; if the batten’s positions have been

moved (the sheaves have been kicked), their rela-

tionship to the plaster line will no longer match the

measured distances sighted to each lock. On a regu-

lar basis, the photographer needs to visually con-

firm that the batten in the air still closely matches

the position of that same lock on the rail. If it

doesn’t match, determine the true measured loca-

tion of every tenth batten, for example, notate the

projected distances as well as can be expected, and

make plans for another more detailed visit in the

future.

That easily takes up the 15 minutes. Thank the

stage doorperson, and the pair can be on their way with

basic visual and written up-to-date information.

Shelley’s

Note s

Shelley’s Notes:

The Hokey

Advance

Now that the Hybrid Theatre’s site survey is com-

plete, here are some of the notes that were made:

•Thedirectorandchoreographerhaveagreed

that the masking legs should be set for a 36¢-0²

opening. The portal legs may need to be set

slightly wider for the near orchestra sightlines.

They would like to be provided with at least 28¢-

0² of depth, but they realize this may become an

issue.

•Theredoesn’tseemtobeenoughroominthe

spot booth for 3 spots and the lighting console;

16¢-6²W × 7¢-3²D. window is centered, 12¢-0²

wide × 5¢-0² tall. Need to check that against

followspot cut sheets and see what the shops

have available in stock. Spot focus range cannot

pickup anything in audience farther out than

row D. See digital shots.

•Datapathtobackstagedimmersoverthetopof

theceiling;2runsof5pinXLRcableinstalled

(1 backup), no Ethernet, no coax.

• Thepassdoortobackstageisstageleft;anycable

must go over. No yellowjackets; all cable off deck.

•Thebattensaretwopiecesofschedule40pipe,

21¢-0¢ each. They’re welded on centerline, and

are open at the ends.

•Thehousedimmersarequestionableandif

possible, skip using them.

•Companyswitches;DSL:2-400× 3Ø elec. USL,

electric & motors. DSR, audio (isolation trans,

share neutral with house dim).

• Hazewasusedinthishouselastyear.Accordingto

the house electrician, it should not be a problem.

Check to see what hazer was used in that show.

•Therearehouseladderstogettothebox

booms. Not drawn on the house section.

•Thehouseinstrumentinventoryappearstobein

decent condition; keep them as backup.

•Verylittleothersupportgear.Treatthisvenueas

a 4-wall house with instruments and cable.

•Allhousesoftgoodsareold,somewithfullness,

not very large. Need to bring in all soft goods.

•Themulticableisingoodcondition,recently

purchased. The rest of the stage cable is crap

and should all be burned. The 6 circuit bundles

are designed for sidelight booms. Can also be

used for electrics.

•Thebasementcrossoverisalabyrinthbutwell

marked. Upstage may be necessary for quick

crossovers.

•Sideboomsshouldbeusedbuttheyneedtobe

as thin as possible. Cable must go up, not on

deck. How tall is everyone? Any spears? Tall

sticks? Maybe supports from side walls instead

of lines to grid? How will this relate to masking?

•Gridisclean;battensingoodcondition,recent

renovation. Need pipe extensions for legs. Not

possible for electrics. Tabs may be required for

masking.

•Covemuchtoolow;frontlightwillspillonUS

scrim. Need FOH truss. How to focus? There’s

no second set of holes for a focus truss. Maybe

invert triangle truss so electricians ride up with

it for focus?

•Housecurtainred;recentlypurchasedfrom

RoseBrand; scene designer will get a swatch.

•Therearenocircuitstothebalconyrail.Why

are there no circuits to the balcony rail? Why

did they bother installing a balcony rail? Check

with production electrician about cable path; or

drop circuits from box boom?