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ThePartyMagician Loyal user Bristol, UK 216 Posts |
Hello one and all,
I would like to learn about stage lighting (techniques, different types, etc.), and was wondering if you had some books or resources you would be able to recommend for a complete beginner? Web links appreciated! I'm just after something that gives me a basic understanding/overview of stage/theatrical lighting for my own interest. Many thanks in advance for your help, it's much appreciated. Mike |
Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Hi, Mike!
Try my Web site, MagicRoadie.com. It has free articles describing the basics of theatrical lighting design and common lighting fixtures, as well as articles on audio, stage plots, etc. It also refers to the theatrical standard, "A Method Of Lighting The Stage", which is in the Stanley McCandless book of that name. I'm sure there are other good resources as well. Good luck! Dan.
Dan McLean Jr
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ThePartyMagician Loyal user Bristol, UK 216 Posts |
Dan,
Thanks for the help - I don't know why I didn't think of checking your website originally. My brain is obviously melting!! Many thanks, Mike |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Mike,
Wait until you spend a day under the lights. Enjoy! Bob PS --- Take a towel. |
Nathan J. Roberts New user 38 Posts |
Most definitely take a towel.
Nathan |
adzimme New user 56 Posts |
Dan, I'm glad I ran across this thread. Great website.
Alan |
Darkwing Inner circle Nashville Tn 1850 Posts |
Boy, you guys are lucky. I need a towel before I get in front of the lights.
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Watch your amperage and circuiting. Blowing fuses in the middle of a performance ain't fun.
If you are building a stage rig, I recommend you start with a few used, "standard" stage lights, rather than going into DMX earlier -- before you know what you want to do as far as light plot.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
CNYMagician New user Central New York 27 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-10 15:11, chmara wrote: ?????????? DMX is a communication protocol. Aside from moving lights (NOT the first thing to get into), DMX is used by the dimming control system. It has nothing at all to do with most lighting fixtures. Conventional lighting fixtures, whether designed for theatrical use or work lights from Home Despot, can be controlled by a number of controllers. To control the lights, unless you plan on building a panel of simple light switches or household type dimmers, I feel you SHOULD consider DMX! Small mini-dimmer packs that control three or four circuits are either designed to be controlled by DMX or one of several other protocols. DMX is the industry standard, so there is room to grow and eventually interface with other systems. If you buy DJ-type gear that has its own proprietary communication protocol, you will be stuck with that very limited system. This may sound complicated, but basically, you have three parts to a lighting system (plus the appropriate cables, stands, etc.). The lights themselves, the dimmers, and the control board. DMX is the "electronic language" that the control board uses to talk with the dimmers. Bruce ____________________ bruce@cnymagic.com |
CNYMagician New user Central New York 27 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-25 02:03, ThePartyMagician wrote: This may be just the book you are after: "Light on the Subject: Stage Lighting for directors and actors and the rest of us" by David Hays (ISBN 0-87910-126-1) Bruce ____________________ bruce@cnymagic.com |
Face Elite user 495 Posts |
Dan, I must mention that there is a lot of interesting information on your web page.
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Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
Don't be scared of DMX. It is a user-friendly interface, and is designed to operate more than just lights. Many special effects equipment and stage equipment now can be operated with DMX. The basic idea is that you can program everything in advance to operate at specific cues, and then just hit the go command. (This is a very basic description of how it works.)
DMX is a good system and can save you money up front, as the dimming equipment tends to be smaller and use less power. You can also get more bang for your buck using Intelligent Lighting, as you can select (depending on the instrument) not only the color and intensity, but with moving lights, you actually will need less fixtures to create the effects you need. Learning the basics of lighting design is also key to using lights wisely. Knowing that lights add more than just, lets see, the stage. They set the mood and texture of the show. |
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