Stage Lighting Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions by schools about lighting for their auditorium stages.
Q: I'm a high school teacher assigned to advise the Drama Club. What kind of lighting instruments do we need for a production?
A: That's going to depend on your lighting plan, but it's helpful to think of lighting instruments in four main categories: focused, wash, intelligent and specialty/task.
1. Focused Lighting
Ellipsoidal, reflector-based instruments allow a focused or purposely unfocused light to illuminate a specific area. Shutters allow you to “frame” the beam down to a defined area. This is the main tool of the stage lighting designer. “Mini” or “baby” ellipsoidals serve the same task on a smaller scale. A tight beam can be used for a special, and a broad beam can wash an entire area. Zoom ellipsoidals offer even more flexibility.
Fresnel instruments are most useful for short throw, small area lighting and have a soft-edged beam.
PARs are little more than a housing for a lamp and clips for a color frame; the housing reduces light spill. Their job is to add color and light to specific areas of the stage.
Followspots, while perhaps deserving of their own category, are essentially an ellipsoidal on a stand with handles added to control everything.
2. Wash Lighting
Scoops, borders and cyc lights are all intended to cover large areas with light. Scoops provide a wide-spread, soft-edged beam of flat, even light. Border and cyc lights are good for down-lighting and for drops; they can also be used on the floor. Often, they are multiple-lamp units, available in various lengths and circuit configurations. They provide soft, even light and very wide coverage.
3. Intelligent Lighting
These instruments perform a wide variety of tasks, including pan and tilt, color change, focus and iris, all controllable from a lighting console to preclude the need for multiple instruments to perform a set of different tasks.
4. Specialty and Task Lighting
This category includes music stand lights, Littlites and a wide variety of work lights for lighting everything from a sound console in the back of a dark theatre to placing a gobo or other image in the exact place you need it.
Q: How do I calculate the coverage of an ellipsoidal?
A: You can calculate the coverage from any throw distance with the following formula:
Multiplying Factor X Throw Distance = Diameter of Area Covered (MF x T = D).
The MF (Multiplying Factor) is specified by the manufacturer and is available in standard product information.
Q: Can I run my followspot on a dimmer?
A: Sorry, no. Trying to dim arc-source fixtures will damage the ballast electronics. Dimming incandescent-source followspots can damage the fan motor, warp reflectors, shorten bulb life and even damage the lenses.
Q: I want to upgrade my system but can afford only a new console right now. Can I integrate a new control console with my old dimmers?
Yes. Here are some examples of what is possible, based on our own experience:
* Seattle Repertory Theatre—Replaced an aging lighting console with a new Obsession II with full tracking back-up that interfaces with their older dimmers
* Bellevue High School —Provided a new Colortran Innovator console and NSI interface to work with their 20-year-old Strand dimmers
* North Kitsap High School—Replaced a Strand MX console with a Colortran Innovator that interfaces with their Strand dimmers
* Eastlake High School —Provided an ETC Express 48/96 console to replace an aging Colortran Encore console; also added a new remote focus unit
* Helena Civic Center —This rental house wanted to offer more bells and whistles to their rental clients. The first step was to upgrade to a console that could handle intelligent lighting. Provided an ETC Expression 3 console, which interfaces with their Colortran dimmers. Provided intelligent lights by Martin in a later round of funding.
* Lynnwood High School —Provided an ETC Express console to control Colortran D192 dimmers. Modified the dimmer rack control modules to accept the DMX control signals, which saved the school money and provided a cleaner installation than using a separate box converter
Q: Will new instruments integrate well with my old ones?
A: The difference in light output between older and newer is clearly visible. Adding new instruments by pairs into an existing system makes the difference less noticeable and is a great way to upgrade any system economically.
Q: Our PTA has donated money for a new lighting control system for the school auditorium. What should we get?
A: This will depend on your budget, space and usage. Lighting control covers a wide range of options, from simple, self-contained dimmers to computer-controlled consoles running remote dimmers in multiple locations.
This article is courtesy of PNTA, www.pnta.com .
Product Roundup
Versa TUBE by Element Labs
Versa TUBE is a robust LED fixture that delivers limitless effects from vibrant patterns to subtle, organic color flows. It is a favorite among premier designers throughout the world who rely on Element Labs technology to illuminate stages and architectural treatments. Versa TUBE is available in two versions for interior applications: standard and HD. Element Labs, Inc. is an award-winning, global leader in innovative LED technology for entertainment, architectural and signage applications.
www.elementlabs.com
Chauvet's COLORado 1
The COLORado 1, the latest addition to Chauvet's growing line of high-power LED illumination, features a sturdy die cast aluminum body with a total of 36 one-watt red, green and blue LEDs evenly distributed to create an 11.6-degree beam angle and a 24-degree field angle. The long expected life of the LEDs makes it ideal for permanent, hard-to-reach installations. The unit features light weight, compact profile, sturdy double yoke, portability, and ease of setup and use.
www.chauvetlighting.com
Road Hog Console by High End Systems
High End Systems is now shipping the newest member of the Wholehog family: the Road Hog, a new breed of lighting console designed for speed and affordability. Road Hog's simple and intuitive operations allow the following abilities related to lighting cues: create, manage, edit, and play back. Road Hog console 2048 DMX channels control, offering fast performance speed. Two internal touch screens display data and allow quick access to its many features.
www.highend.com
Elation's COMPU1024EC Available at All Pro Sound
Elation Professional's new COMPU1024EC, now available from All Pro Sound, is the simple way to create spectacular lighting effects using a PC-based computer. The COMPU1024EC is a simple USB to DMX Interface that links a computer to the dimmer packs. The system features CD-ROM bundled software for easy scene building like a pro, interfaces that control up to 512 DMX channels, with expandable option, and easy access to colors and gobos, allowing creative onscreen effects. The COMPU1024EC gives users a vivid display of scenes and shows, with the ability to name and rename all cues.
www.allprosound.com
Nexera by Wybron
Wybron's Nexera is a long-throw, tungsten source profile that is perfect for lighting and changing colors in school and house of worship applications. The Nexera offers rich colors and color temperature that works well with video taping. Color mixing is very smooth, extremely quiet and can be operated remotely. The Nexera provides the ability to change colors without the need for extra accessories, parts, multiple lamps, and gel changers.
www.wybron.com
Leviton's LEO
Leviton Manufacturing Company's LEO ellipsoidal lighting fixture is the latest addition to Leviton's line of ellipsoidal theatrical lighting spotlights. The LEO provides users with enhanced lighting quality and lighting output efficiency based on its engineered optical lens and reflector system. The result is a “next generation” lighting fixture that offers exceptional brightness, high efficiency levels, new benchmarks for both peak and cosine performance values, soft focus capability with flat or peak beam adjustment, and 360 degree rotation on its axis, with no stops.
www.leviton.com
