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IDOTRIX Elite user Darien,il 467 Posts |
I use a 16' wide stage and 10' deep. The room is small it hold about 110 people. I use 2 par 64s from the back of the room to light the stage. I use a blue unlash curtain. My question is this the best way to light the stage. I don't really need any lighting changes. Is there LEDs to mount on front of stage. Don't want to use trees next to stage because of sight lines, any help would be appreciated. Mike
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aheads Regular user Stockholm, Sweden 188 Posts |
Hi Idotrix,
I'm not a lighting expert but I've been recently thinging about this lighting also. At the risk of stating the obvious, I think only you can say if the stage is lit right for your needs and for your show. If you need to wash the stage with light, and can't rig a truss or use trees, then your only option is lighting from the back of the room or uplighters/stagebar. Stagebars will cast quite strong upward shadows however and are not very flattering. Also, lighting from underneath is sinister and used often in horror shows. LED up lighters are quite common these days here in Europe but mostly for events, mood lighting, colouring walls etc. LED stage bars cost from $100 to $1000 but as you said, you don't need lighting changes so they don't need to be controllable/DMX. Search for DJ LED strip lights. Here's the first one I found: http://www.djdepot.com/led-strips. I only use real candles and now a mini LED light bar for my show (seance show) so I don't have to worry about major lighting. I was wondering how to add more light to my face, in a dark room, without lighting up the room. I solved it with my mini LED light bar. Good luck.
All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
If your stage is adequately lit by Par 64s from behind the audience (in back) I need to ask how you are keeping the light off the audience's back of their heads (barn doors??)
While what you describe is very "enlightening" I thunk you miss a lot of the mastic that is available from lighting plots and control. Often this will take as much investment and planning as the "tricks" but can add a lot of emotion to the show, and if timed with music enhances production values to the next level. While LEDs are eventually going to be good enough for full effect -- it takes time for the new technology to "get it right: and if if what you are describing is to add color while your Pars remain on -- or even hot spots -- DJ quality and lower power LEDs might be a disappointing experiment unless you can dim or shut down the Pars when using the LEDs. Those wash lights (floodlights, really) are powerful -- even if you are using *** Amber Gels to kill some of the blue-white glare and highlight skin tones on the stage. Mounting LEDs to the front of the stage (I envision them attached low on the apron?) will also add a shadow problem both to the performance area AND YOUR MAKE-UP. Faces usually have shadows to give details seen for emotion -- and washing out shadows with low lights requires modification in stage make-up, particularly around the eyes. Since you do not wish to use trees -- and it sounds like you have a regular place to perform -- think of side mounting bars on the walls "cross firing" onto the stage. With permission of the venue these could be permanently (safely) attached. Or can you hang a single bar (truss like?) across the top of the stage. And since you mention you do not need (at this point) lighting effects -- take some time to let the LED technology develop - do not cheap it through and get as good quality lighting as you can afford. You have started with the basics (Par 64s) and can slowly add luminars (instruments) as you need them for special effects other than general lighting. There are now wonderful one-man show controls for lights and sound that were just becoming available as I was retiring and previously having to haul around a sound/lighting man in addition to props, assistants, illusions, etc. If you have some specific questions - use my Icon at left to reach me with PMs here on the Café.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
IDOTRIX Elite user Darien,il 467 Posts |
Thanks guys for the response. A whole learning experience
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thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
Mounting lights on the stage is not a good solution for a full wash for a show like yours. As others have said it will cast terrible shadows, and uplighting a person is only good if you want to create that creepy look. (alot of rock concerts use this look... ).
Honestly if you are happy with the 2 par 64's leave it at that. as was mentioned, a light amber gel can do wonders to soften the harshness of pure white on stage, will make you more natural and less pale. |
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