Lighting Designer Options

[broadway_lad]

After the disaster that was my last post - I am trying a 3rd time. I am researching the role of a Lighting Designer. I would appreciate if any one could inform me what they actually do - tried wikipedia but can't really understand it. I would also like to know please, if they program the lighting board

Thanks.

[Seano]

I am researching the role of a Lighting Designer. I would appreciate if any one could inform me what they actually do - tried wikipedia but can't really understand it. I would also like to know please, if they program the lighting board

The lighting designer designs the lighting. Specifies the kit, where its going to be and how its going to be used. (And in doing so, usually gets involved with budgets in order to come up with a lighting rig that can be supplied, installed and/or toured at a certain price.)

In theatre the lighting designer very rarely operates the board, that is done by the board operator. During rehearsals, leading up to (and sometimes after) the opening, the lighting is scripted. Lighting cues are usually written into the DSM's "prompt copy", and given verbally or by cue light during the show. Once the show is open, the lighting designer is usually no longer involved with it on a daily basis.

In rock and roll (in most cases where the gig is bigger than a pub but smaller than a stadium), the LD is a member of the touring crew. On small scale gigs, they're usually a working lampie, and will also rig something (often the front truss). The LD will then focus, program and operate the lighting. Operating is more free-form, there is no DSM and no lighting cues are formally given, though the band and/or bands' management may have instructions, requests etc., to ask of the LD. Where there is a support band, the board will usually be operated by one of the other lampies in return for a small consideration (and its a good way to gain operating experience).

[broadway_lad]

Thats really useful seano thank you. When using DMX lighting, do they program the board, or do they just pass the instructions on to the operator?

[Tomo]

You know, you could try doing some research!

I'm aware that this is a very strange concept to you, but a quick read of the production credits will tell you things like this.
For example: Mary Poppins (opening night): Lighting Design by Howard Harrison, Automated Lighting Programming by Robert Halliday.

[gareth]

The majojrity of the time (in the worlds of theatre and television, at least), a lighting designer will work closely with a programmer who actually crunches the numbers into the desk for them. On the very large shows, there might even be a couple of programmers with their own 'areas' of the rig to deal with. There are a small number of LDs who like to do their own programming, but not that many.

In the worlds of corporate events and rock'n'roll gigs, however, an LD who does their own op'ing and programming is far more common.

[woody74]

You know, you could try doing some research!

I'm aware that this is a very strange concept to you, but a quick read of the production credits will tell you things like this.
For example: Mary Poppins (opening night): Lighting Design by Howard Harrison, Automated Lighting Programming by Robert Halliday.

Wow. Your research didn't turn up who did the conventional programming, though. And are you suggesting that Mr. Harrison never touched any of the lighting consoles? Why not remember when you were green, and lose a little of the holier than thou-ness.

And also remember you are being asked a general question, yet answering from a (I can only guess) European perspective. What about New Zealand or the United States?

I have had posts removed before for, I guess, being combative. I guess Tomo gets a pass for being an elder boardsman?

-w

[Just Some Bloke]

You know, you could try doing some research!

I have had posts removed before for, I guess, being combative. I guess Tomo gets a pass for being an elder boardsman?

-w

Now then chaps, calm down!!

In fact Tomo had already answered the question in another thread.

So could we all try to ask our questions only once so others only have to answer them once, then could we all chill out when helping others?

If you've got something useful to add to the thread feel free to add it.

If you want to discuss how much help we should be giving to students, maybe you'd like to contribute to this thread in Training and Qualifications.

[Tom]

Have a look at STAGEWORKS site. Lots of good info on roles within theatre.

Yes Woody, it is entirely possible that Mr Harrison did not touch a lighting desk once during the tech for Mary Poppins. On the other hand he may well have - it's just not his job to do it. As has been stated, on any reasonable sized production there will be a board operator who will actually program the desk, following the LD's instructions.

I'm fairly sure this is standard practice on both sides of the pond and down under.

On smaller productions, with limited staff and resources (or low skilled staff) the LD may have to program for him/her self - or they may prefer to anyway. It's not ideal though as they shouldn't have their heads buried in a lighting desk but looking at the stage and talking to the director and designer.

[tokm]

On small scale gigs, they're usually a working lampie, and will also rig something (often the front truss).

Guys, excuse my naivety, but why specifically the front truss? hehe.

Just something I've never seen before to be honest..

O/P, just to ask.. you do know why your posts keep getting removed don't you? Tomo must have felt he had to say again what others have said in your past topics... WE WILL NOT DO YOUR WORK FOR YOU.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm just having a dig, but in some ways it looks like you really don't know what your doing wrong.

Tom

This post has been edited by tokm: 9 Nov 2006, 2:33 AM

[five_pin_xlr]

If you have a look on LD martin kempton's site, he has done something explaining most of the question, but only use it as research.

He also has how tv centre was designed from a smudged stamp, how intriguing.

Best Regards

Alex

[paulears]

One small thing - but quite important - the OP said:
When using DMX lighting, do they program the board, or do they just pass the instructions on to the operator?

To be fair, you've probably misunderstood DMX. We don't use DMX lighting. DMX is just the method of communication between different lighting devices - the same way MIDI connects music kit.

The term LD, as has been said, covers a huge range of activities. At one end you have LDs who don't touch a button. During the plotting sessions they might use the venue board op, who knows the control inside out and is able to make the beast do what the designer wants. So if the designer says "Right we go from this state into the red one we had earlier - BUT, this time, all the FOH starts to dim very, very, slowly until Fred is centre stage. At that point, FOH drops out with a snap, and the red MACs snap on all focussed on his upper half, then they slowly creep back to where they are in the red cue. Oh yes, and I'd like to backlight him with the two washlights on bar 5 that we used in scene 3" the board op knows how to do it. The LD may well be able to do this, but 1. he won't be as quick, and 2. his brain is already thinking about the next bit.

One thing nobody has also mentioned is the fact the LD may not around when the show is running. Depending on contractual terms, it's quite common for them to watch a couple of shows, then leave and move on to their next show, leaving the show in hopefully safe hands. Some pop back and check their design hasn't been tinkered with some don't.

I've typed LD Lihting designer into google and it isn't exactly short on hits. Many are rubbish, but I've found quite a few decent sites - HOWEVER, many are US based and use different vocabulary which will let your teacher know you've stolen it! Beware.

Can I just say to everyone that I definately am not in any shape or form anti-student - what I am, is anti the kind of teacher that sets this kind of work that encourages useless research. Let's be honest. In this case, the teacher must know the poor OP doesn't know anything about lighting - so why is he being asked to do research that is totally alien? I'm trying to picture us being asked to do work on brain surgery. Some of us would have a kind of idea, but our younger members not quite so good at turning their hands to new subjects would find it quite difficult, and I can imagine some popping into the Royal College of Surgeons forum and asking "If I wanted to remove a tumour, how would I go about it" - the results would make interesting reading.

It does seem that the internet is the only place people can turn when faced with going from 0% knowledge to exam in two weeks? Crazy. This doesn't remove the need to do proper research, of course, but I suppose makes these pleas type posts at least understandable. I think putting people in the position the OP finds himself in without and real teaching on the subject is pretty poor practice.

I guess we have to put up with these type of posts. I have ben looking through the old archives and in virtually every case - once information has been provided, these people never come back and remain active, suggesting they weren't that interested in the first place. Maybe we need a section for student questions, where anyone interested in helping them out can do it without the general membership coming accross them accidentally and getting hot under the collar? So people with an hour or two to waste by actually giving teaching style advice can do it in semi-private. They would all be together then, and make the readers job of finding out assignment type answers simpler?

Any comments - We could call it Student Corner - help and advice for assignment work

[Fletch]

I would appreciate if any one could inform me what they actually do - tried wikipedia but can't really understand it.

I've had a look at the wikipedia one and it looks quite good to me... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighting_design

Perhaps you could explain what it is that you don't understand... are you looking for a more real world example - like when working in x theatre on x show I did it like this?

Fletch

[tanko]

G;day.

I think possibly the OP might not have a grip of how a lighting system (of any scale) is set up and controlled, or indeed the correct terms used to describe lighting systems?

I could be completely wrong, but its just a stab in the dark....
Broadway, there is no harm in saying, look I haven't got a clue, but I want to learn, due to my lack of knowledge I don't understand the sources online, and my tutor/course leader is relatively hard to get hold of, please could someone in blue rooms explain the following *insert list here*.....

People tend to be a little more accepting if you accept you don't understand, the idea of the forum is to help, discuss, enjoy and sometimes learn!!!

Ta
tank

[Simon Lewis]

what I am, is anti the kind of teacher that sets this kind of work that encourages useless research. Let's be honest. In this case, the teacher must know the poor OP doesn't know anything about lighting - so why is he being asked to do research that is totally alien?

I'd agree - unless the activity is there to foster research methods? Although it helps to have a base level of understanding to start from, many research projects require students to explore subjects they have little knowledge of.

What should happen is for formative learning to take place - which generally supports the learning cycle and helps the student to progress to higher levels of cognitive thinking as described in Bloom's Taxonomy.

Simon

[woody74]

In fact Tomo had already answered the question in another thread.

And had Tomo said that, I would have kept my mouth shut

-w