Lighting Discussions - TheatreFace

USITT Publication: Practical Projects for Teaching Lighting Design Compendium

2016-02-11T02:36:29.421Z

I was looking for some projects to do with my high school level lighting design class, and came across a reference to this book. I have been unable to find anywhere on the inter webs to purchase or download the compendium. Does anyone know where I can find it? Or have a copy they would be willing to sell/share? THANK YOU!

Grand MA 2 Help

2015-04-23T13:56:52.145Z

Does anyone know if it is possible to move a sequence from one show to another on the Grand MA2? If it is possible, can you walk me through how to do it? Or point me to an online resource for the directions.

Thank you!

Fireworks!

2014-07-07T18:06:11.497Z

Not gonna lie, I love fireworks. I love the spectacle, and I love the great big thump they make when they explode. So the video below is pretty heavenly -- someone flew a small quadcopter into the middle of a fireworks display and recorded it in high-def. It's jaw dropping. Go ahead and watch it full-screen and in high-def.

But as much as I love fireworks, they're quite impractical for theatre. :-) So how do you create fireworks? What's your favorite fireworks gobo or strobing pattern? How do you create the flash?

VL 1000, VL 2000, Elation, or Mac??????

2014-02-11T15:56:27.886Z

Hello all,

I am looking at adding a couple of movers to our plot. We have a conventional plot, Strand SL's, S4's, Pars (Altman, S4, 64's). We have an old Mac 2000 profile (magnetic), on our 3rd FOH, and I am looking to add a couple of fixtures that are smaller and easier to move about, run on 120volts, but are bright enough to cut through the conventional stuff if needed. I have looked at the VL1000, VL 2000, the Mac 250's, and elations, all listed on various used sites. I am not sure what would be best. Any help out there? I will take any advice!

Thanks!

Ghostly Lighting Effects

2013-12-27T01:14:49.667Z

Greetings, All!
I'm currently working on a design for Blithe Spirit and I'm trying to experiment with lighting effects to make actors look more ghostly. Has anyone done this show/does anyone have tips on gels/lighting accessories that can produce a sort of 'glow' on actors when paired with the right fabric or powder? I'm looking for effects that won't stand out like a sore thumb but will give a ghostly actor that extra 'pop.' Thanks in advance!

Basic gel colors

2013-05-30T17:28:11.938Z

I am not really a lighting expert, I'm more of a set guy, so I wanted to get some opinions. I teach high school Tech Theatre, and I try to keep a basic plot hung for concerts, assemblies, etc. I don't put any color in most of the instruments because they usually just want a wash of light so they can be seen, and I don't want to burn gels needlessly. But, I would like to hang RGB washes in the event that someone does need to add some color. We don't have a huge budget and have, in the past, bought some cheaper gels that ended up not lasting long. I would appreciate any input on what gels are the best value without destroying our lighting budget. Also, what are your favorite gels for RGB wash? I know different lighting designers prefer different colors, so I just want to get a general idea of what people are using. Sometimes, the colors that are advertised as primary don't blend well, or just seem to be off somehow. I typically use PAR 64s for the washes, and we have 5 sets of Altman Sky Cycs. I, also, have not been happy using PARs in front of house for a front wash because it bleeds onto the proscenium and the front of the stage. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Anyone here ever worked for Ringling?

2012-09-13T08:04:17.934Z

Forum title says it all, really. If you've worked for Ringling, please share your general impression of the conditions. It's a given that the work is challenging at times, but what I'm more interested in is the life outside of the show- lodging, life on the train, meals, and the unusual things you come across...cheers

Shut Down Pros and Cons

2012-08-30T17:59:54.111Z

Over on the comment wall in the Lighting group, John Kimball posted an interesting question. In order to make replying a little easier, and to be able to direct people to the conversation a little more quickly, I'm moving the comment into a new discussion here. Here's John's question:

Shut down pros and cons; I'm running a show with a hybrid collection of fixtures, conventional, scrollers, movers and LEDs and am wondering if there is a definitive ansewer to daily shutdown. I shut off discharge lamps by dmx but there are still are fans and internal processors running verses cutting power and then restarting a day later with all the resetting and homing procedures of scrollers and movers. There is also the electronic issue of shutting off the console or not. My normal procedure is; turn on control (console, splitter) then power on fixtures. End of show reverse the process.

My question is; given the wear and tear of the startup conniptions does this make sense on a daily basis? When the show is dark for 2-3 days yes but daily?

So, what do you think?

New Soundcraft Si Performer Audio Console has built-in Dimmer Control

2012-08-23T21:08:48.862Z

Yes, I know that this might better go under the 'Sound' forum, however, this post is about how lighting board operators feel about their work domain being moved into someone else's workspace. Go to: www.prosoundnetwork.com/article/new-soundcraft-desks-mix-sound-lights/15346 to read about this new board and tell us what you think. Good? Bad? Cheers? Blasphemy? What are the benefits, implications, concertations that this brings to the production effort?

ETC Emphasis and Unison Problems

2012-03-05T05:18:49.270Z

Hello Everyone,

I am currently seeking advice, war stories, etc regarding a particular problem a facility I currently work in is experiencing. The problem is the ETC Unison Wall Plate and Touch Panel system has been crashing increasingly when the ETC Emphasis Console is on. As long as the lighting console is turned off the Unison System tends to operate normally. I have done much internet research and as of yet have found anyone who has had this problem in the past. One would assume systems created by and installed by the same company should theoretically play nice with one another, but in this case they simply cannot be in the same sand-box. The system was installed in 2007 and had been working peacefully with very few hiccups until this last year (roughly December 2010). If anyone has any insight, similar stories, or theories I would love to hear them. Obviously, the next step for us will be to have ETC come diagnose the problem and correct it for us if we can not fix it within a timely fashion.

Thanks in advance!