In this new section I will be writing about the process of lighting design. This will be a real lighting design and it is for Unseen Theatre Company based at the Bakehouse Theatre. I will be including pictures and video as I go. The production that I am designing is “Unseen Academicals” by Terry Pratchett.
16th Entry
Had a few more dress rehearsals. The cast are making errors in different places, which hopefully means that they are learning from their mistakes. It is a bit unfortunate when they miss the odd line of two that is where the lighting or audio cue is. But I usually notice the problem. What is different about this show is that I don’t have the Stage Manager calling the cues, which is what I am use to. I am following along with the script which can be a bit difficult if I have trouble hearing the lines. Plus my eyes are down so I am not always seeing what is happening on the show. But I am getting use to that. Just hope I do not have noisy audience sitting in front of me like I did on preview night. I had a mother with a very young baby in front of me and all I could here was the baby. Very annoying – they should have sat near an exit so if baby got noisy they could remove themselves.
The Cast
15th Entry
Well things are moving along smoothly from a technical point of view. The lighting is working and I have tightened up the cue points. The show is looking good. After seeing it in costumes , my choice of colours has worked well. I use very subtle tints for the lighting. Mainly to great a slight feeling of mood, without distracting from what is happening on the stage. The Director, Pamela Munt is happy. It is now up to the gods to see if the audience and critics like it.
Kitchen Scene
View from operating postion
14th Entry
Will I have been fine tuning the lighting design and the lighting cues. It all seems to be coming together rather well. The audio has also come together nicely. Have discovered a few problems with using PC Stage as the lighting and audio software. The main problem is if you tell the audio file to fade out it will remain faded out when you restart the software for the next night. You need to get into the habit of resetting the software levels before you run the show.
13th Entry
All lanterns are hung, focused and coloured. I am very happy to see that my design is looking as good as I envisioned it. Hopefully everybody else will be happy. Now working on the paper plot and checking thru my script and notes to see that I have everything ready for a plotting session. will use a normal rehearsal to see what effect the lights have. Also need to see if the cast are comfortable as some of them are on high rostra and the light could temporarily blind them. The more the cast get use to the lights the better they will cope.
Have most of the soundtrack bits and pieces. So now to start putting it together and edit it. Some of the music needs to be trimmed to length and tweaked. Not an overly heavy sound cue show. Will be using the lighting program PC Stage to control the sound playback as well as the lights.
Should be adding some video in the next few days.
12th Entry
Well things got interesting, my Sciatica is playing up big time. This makes it extremely difficult to use a ladder, in fact the doctor has advised against me going up ladders for a while. So I am relying on the goodwill of others to help with the rigging and cabling of the lanterns. But it seems to be progressing well, thanks to Luke, Pam, Hugh and David. The lanterns are now all up and working. Now the next task is to focus the rig. Also I have started to edit the soundtrack for the show. We have all of the music bar 2 pieces for which we are busy looking for. Only a few voice overs to be recorded as well. So I am happy with the progress so far. Hoping to run some of the lighting on Sunday at the rehearsal.
Pam, the Director, discussing the play with cast
11th Entry
Started rigging some of the lights now that the set is mostly in place. I am having to re-think some of my lantern choices. But mostly it will all work. Also can think more about the colours I want to use. The set always look different from what I was visualising. Some elements are larger that what I realised.
David Good, Set Designer discussing the set
10th Entry
Well the production meeting went well and everybody seems to be happy with the way the production is heading technically. Some of the set as gone up to assist the cast in visualising what they are acting on.
9Th Entry
An other production today that I will attend. This will be very useful as it will firm up the set design in my mind. Then I can start to firm up the lighting design and get the first draft out by the end of the week. Should also be able to work out some of the cues once I get the patching chart completed from the design. Have more time than I originally thought to do the rigging, so I might try some experiments. This is a luxury that you rarely get in this industry.
8th Entry
Attended a full run through of the show on Sunday. It was probably a bit early for this, but since this is the last time we can access the venue until after the Fringe Festival, it was necessary. Even though it was not as smooth as it could be it gave me an idea on how the show was flowing. I also got an idea on cue timings. Looking at my rough ideas I can also see if lighting concepts will work and also if there is places to rig the lanterns were I would like them. Some sections of the show are going to have radical lighting changes to show two different locations in the same spot. Scene changes are going to be minimal to make sure that the play runs smoothly. I am concerned that some off the action that is on rostrum and balconies, that are to be built might be rather close to the lighting rig making it difficult to light. Will have to do a few cross-section plans of these areas and see how things pan out. There is going to be a lots of lighting cues and some of these are going to be quick, something to keep the operator happy. Still cuts and modifications happening to the script which is tightening up the pace of the dialogue. Need to start looking at colours more closely now. So the lighting design is coming along, and my cue list is growing. Once all the cues are worked out I will be able to give a cue list to the Stage Manager for them to put in the prompt copy. Soon I should have it all in CAD and the paperwork well on its way. But first to CAD the venue and to make sure I have the right symbols. Hope to get the Final Set Design Plan soon.
7th Entry
Had a very successful production meeting. Met the costume people and set designer. I have a better understanding of the period and feel of the production. The set is also clearer in my mind. I can start to do rough lighting layouts and see if there is enough equipment for what I want to achieve with the look of the show. I need the lighting to tie in with the feel that the director is after. I do not want to just achieve illumination I want to help carry the plot forward. Create the sense of time and space that is apparent from reading the script. Because are using 2 performance spaces for the show I have to think in terms of two shows. The second space is a bit limiting in terms of power etc. but I am sure to be able to achieve the look that is required in the area. I have been going thru the script looking for key words that might give me ideas on the lighting design, as I have already gone thru it looking for the obvious scene changes and blackouts.
1st Production meeting
6th Entry
Going through the script again and making notes before Sunday’s production meeting. At his meeting we will look at the Set Designer with the designer and spend a lot of time talking about the lighting and audio. The costumes are well on the way.
5th Entry
Have started to receive edits and cuts to the script.Good idea that I am using my laptop as my version of the script at the moment. Very easy to edit and make changes. Word is great for adding notes and comments to text. Better decide on which software to do the CAD drawing in.
4th Entry
Attended the first read thru and it has given me an idea of the pace of the production and some idea of the character roles. The use of the 2nd theatre and foyer as part of the show is a great idea and a nice challenge. The next stage is to attend the production meeting and get an idea of what the set is going to look like. I have a few ideas about looks and colours.
3rd Entry
Just gone through the script and have highlighted the obvious lighting cues that are already in the script. Now I am getting an idea of the feel of the writers vision. Once I have attended a few rehearsals I should get an idea on the flow of the production. The first read through tomorrow will give an idea how long the production is. It will also give me an idea on the actual characters. Then the next stage will be to sit down with the set designer and director and go through the play section by section. Time to start putting together equipment list and drawing a CAD plot of the venue.
2nd Entry
Have received an edited version of the script via email. So well read this new one as if I am reading it for the first time. Show has been completely cast and the first read through is coming up.
1St Entry
Have had initial meeting with the Director Pamela Munt and picked upped the first copy of the script. The first thing to do is to read the script to get a feel of the story. Once I have had the first initial read through it is then time that I then go through the script to get a feel of what might be required in the way of lighting.
Great stuff