7th Entry – technical issues
Well we have been running for a week and a half and it has been running smoothly. The changeovers between shows has been very smooth with a lot of cooperation between the various companies. We have had some mixed reviews for the shows that have been in. The problem I think is endemic with festivals is the sheer number of acts that are on, and the audiences trying to see as many as possible. The other night we lost a bus ful of 18 members of an audience for a show. Who knows were they ended up. One thing that really is apparent the degree of technical support that they require. some have wanted to have a fully plotted show, which is what the lighting rig was designed for. These groups understood the importance of the technical element. From these I have received much thanks. When they have turned up they have an updated script. Cd’s full of their soundtrack. One has even brought their Macbook with a decent piece of software called QLAB. all of this I do not mind. It is the clients that rock up with a soundtrack on an iPod, iPhone etc or worse still they use iTunes for their playback software. And they swear by this software even when it re-organises their playlist just before the show opens. One even used Garage Band and iTunes to play back their audio. The soundtrack was not even compiled properly so they would repeat a track not edit it so that it would repeat. So hey guys have a bit of professionalism there is an audience sitting out there paying good money to see a professional show, do a professional job you are letting the art of theatre down.
6th Post – More on Opening Night
Well the first run of “Medicine Man” went well. There is only one real problem with this show and it is the performer hitting the mark. In this show is one that requires the dancer to hit that mark every-time, if not there is a chance they will not be light properly. The problem is slightly compounded by the fact he wears a hat for most of the show, thus casting shadows across his face. I have made some slight modifications to the lighting levels to try and reduce this problem. This does show up a problem with doing Fringe type events, there is never enough time to rehearse so that everybody can get their place and feel comfortable. also because it is a standard rig that has to cater for a wide variety of events these no possibility to tailor the light rig for each show, which would be the normal case. So I think the various perfomance groups are doing well to cope with the rig and limited time to change over.
Only a couple of things that I want to tidy up. That is one of the sound recordings for Shakespeare’s Mother and tidy up a cue transition for Medicine Man.
5th Post – Opening Night at the Bakehouse
Well I have bumped in another show this morning, which went well. There are now 3 shows happening each night in the studio. They have a simple, basic rig which they seem to be happy with. So the shows that I am operating are in the main theatre. This is the venue with the versatile standard rig. We had the first of many performances tonight of “Shakespeare’s Mothers: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know”. It went very well and the audience seem to enjoy it. This is only the second time that I have run the lighting for this production and as we have no Stage Manager, I am following from a script. This can be a bit daunting, especially if they skip or re-arrange the dialogue as they go. This cast is very professional and know that certain cues are on certain phrases and therefore make a great effort to deliver those lines. Well I have one more show tonight, they are just setting up their props and set now. Once that is done, we can open the doors and allow the audience in to see Chris Shepherd’s ” Medicine Man”.
4th Post
Well I installed the lighting rig, focussed and coloured. It all seems all good. The first show that I had in to use it was “Company of Muses” with ” The Life & Death of Almost Everybody”. This show worked well with the rig, and since they were the only company in, I could at least play with the rig and focus the lighting specific for the show. The client was very happy with the rig and my lighting design for their production. I had some nice complements from them, such as “it was the best lighting they have had for a number years”. It seems that they have had problems with previous designers. The show also had a couple of good reviews.
The rig is back to normal ready for the influx of official Fringe shows. I have bumped in 4 shows into both venues and have plotted 2 shows in the main theatre. The first one was “Shakespeare’s Mothers: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know”, this show was a success in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The company is pleased with the lighting for the show that I created from the standard lighting rig. A definite must see show. There has been murmuring that I should head to Edinburgh were I might be successful. This is an idea I might pursue. The other show that I have plotted is Chris Shepherd’s “Medicine Man”. This show is based on the music of Tom Waits. This is a very interesting show worth seeing s well.
So the busy season has just started, lets hope the rest of the shows prove as much fun to work on.
3rd Post
Well the lighting plan is completed and on paper it looks like it will work. I used a copy of Vectorworks to put it together. Even for simple 2D drawing like I do this program is great. Plus it looks a lot neater than me using stencils and paper and pencil. It is easy to read and I can easily make more copies. Also if I need to change the plot it is very easy to update a digital plan.
I have started to install the lighting rig and it is going well. Need to sort out the colours and make sure I have plenty, if not it will be down to the local supplier for some LEE filter. Also waiting on some new lights to turn up. This years basic rig is a definite upgrade on the previous year.
The Studio space has had a major upgrade with a new Jands dimmer, air-conditioning and better seating. The Foyer has been upgraded and there is also a foyer for the Studio. So for those that are familiar with the Bakehouse will notice many changes.
2nd Post
Well most of the clients have made some form of contact and and plan is forming. It is interesting to note that some people “get” the tech side and there are a few that do not. Some have given me great detail info about what they would like and this has made certain things easier. But I have based the standard lighting design on what I have received and the other groups are going to have to live with it. Because there is only 30 minute changeover time, there is no re-focussing or re-patching.
1st Post
Well as the year draws to a close, it is time for me to start thinking about the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2011. I am involved with the Bakehouse Theatre and will be providing technical services to the productions that have book the 2 venues within the Bakehouse. There si going to be 12 productions at the Bakehouse and therefore they are going to have to fit into some stringent guidelines to facilitate smooth changeovers. It is obvious from the beginning that there needs to be a standard lighting rig that is versatile enough to achieve enough looks to suit all companies. It then becomes apparent that the various companies can really only ask for simple effects. The change from one show to another can only take a maximum of 30 minutes. So you can see that I have some limitations. Therefore there can be no re-focussing of lanterns etc. Everybody works of the same rig.
So at the moment I am finding out as much possible information from all of the hirers to see what can or cannot be included. This can be quite time consuming. I need to then generate a lighting plan so so all of the clients so that they know what they are working with.
