THEATRICAL LIGHTING | Building a Complete Stage Lighting Rig

Summary

This video script showcases a comprehensive lighting solution for theatrical productions, focusing on the diverse capabilities of static and moving head luminaires. It explains how to create different lighting effects, from downlights to key lights, backlights, and side lighting, using fixtures like the Cantata LED, VL800 series, and Leko LED. The script emphasizes the importance of color rendering, flexibility in beam shaping, and creative effects like gobos and texture for setting moods in various scenes. The use of appropriate lighting fixtures and techniques allows for the transformation of the stage, enhancing both the visual appeal and emotional impact of the production.

Takeaways

• 😀 Very Light offers a comprehensive range of static and moving head luminaires for theatrical lighting solutions, perfect for schools, houses of worship, and theaters.
• 😀 Fresnels like the Cantata LED are great for downlighting, providing a soft edge and excellent color rendering for natural skin tones.
• 😀 Motorized PARs such as the VL800 Pro offer motorized zoom, allowing users to adjust the beam size without needing a lift or ladder.
• 😀 Profile luminaires like the SLECO LED are ideal for key lighting, with a hard edge and adjustable framing shutters to focus light on the subject.
• 😀 The Leko LED offers tunable white light for high-quality key lighting, enhancing natural skin tones with the option to add dramatic colors for effect.
• 😀 Footlights like the Aurora LED are low-profile and color-matched with other theatrical luminaires, providing subtle illumination without blocking sightlines.
• 😀 Backlighting can be achieved using either soft-edge wash fixtures like the VL800 Event Wash or hard-edge profiles, such as the VL800 Event Profile.
• 😀 Side lighting, often with PAR fixtures like the VL800 Event PAR, helps add depth and color from the sides of the stage, enhancing the overall scene.
• 😀 Moving head fixtures can be used for added effects and texture, bringing both movement and color to the stage during performances.
• 😀 Backdrops, especially cycloramas, can be lit with fixtures like the Coda LED Psych, offering even coverage and smooth gradients, along with gobos for texture and pattern effects.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of using a down light in theatrical lighting?

A down light is used to provide a good wash of light across the stage, highlighting the speaker or performer and separating them from the background.

Why is the Cantata LED considered a good choice for a down light?

The Cantata LED is a great option for down lighting because it has a soft edge that allows for easy blending of multiple fixtures on stage, and it has a high CRI for excellent color rendering, especially for skin tones.

What is the advantage of using a motorized par like the VL800 Pro Par for down lighting?

The VL800 Pro Par offers a motorized zoom feature, allowing users to adjust the beam's width without needing to climb a ladder or use a lift. This flexibility makes it easier to size the beam precisely during a production.

What is the role of key lighting in theatrical lighting design?

Key lighting is used to illuminate the subject's face or key parts of the scene, typically with a profile luminaire that has a hard edge, such as the Sleco LED, to create clear and well-defined lighting.

How does a profile fixture like the Sleco LED help with key lighting?

A profile fixture like the Sleco LED has a hard edge and framing shutters that can be adjusted to focus only on the subject, ensuring clean and precise key lighting.

What is the purpose of footlights in a theatrical lighting setup?

Footlights, such as the Aurora LED, are used to provide light from below, highlighting the subject’s feet and legs while maintaining low profile to avoid restricting sightlines.

Why is backlighting important in theatrical lighting design?

Backlighting is used to separate the subject from the background, creating depth and highlighting the outline of the subject. This can be done using either soft edge wash fixtures or hard edge profile fixtures like the VL800 Event Profile.

How does side lighting contribute to the overall lighting setup?

Side lighting is used to add dimension to the subject and stage by illuminating the sides, often with par fixtures like the VL800 Event Par. This creates a nice wash of color and texture from the sides of the subject and across the stage.

What is the role of effect luminaires in a theatrical lighting design?

Effect luminaires are used to add color, movement, and texture, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the production. They can create dynamic lighting effects in the air and on the stage surface.

What type of fixture is recommended for lighting a Cyclorama backdrop?

The Coda LED Psych is recommended for lighting backdrops, particularly cycloramas, as it provides a smooth and even wash of light across the backdrop. It also allows for color gradients and blending, which are ideal for creating a variety of theatrical looks.