Rigging

[dwh]

Hello! I've got a production of Billy Budd coming up (if you don't know it, it's all on a ship), and one of the things they're putting up is some rigging that the actors can climb. Now, I'm not sure how I'm going to light it/people on it; the majority of the play is dark (night and sinister), so it's for the most part got lots of dark blues (think 183s, 143s, 141s), but I'm at a loss as to how exactly to light the rigging. Some thoughts that have gone through my head:

 

Pretty much side-on, just ever so slightly pointing up-stage, but almost side on.

Downlighting (unfortunately, would have to be from behind due to the setup, so may look less... Good)

Uplighting from in front (uplighting would add a nice feel, but would be conceptually wrong, as the ship really shouldn't be lit much at all)

Putting two or three bulbs in home-made lanterns and mounting them on the mast (in the middle of the rigging); have them gelled that the audience don't have a bright light in their eyes, but on other sides they flood out some (suitably darkened) light.

 

Any ideas? Should I just ignore it entirely, does it really even need lighting? Or might it be more effective to just have it light by any overspill from the stage (which won't be much), and add an air of mystery to it (or, have the actors "vanish" while going up it) Cheers!

[woody74]

My two bits would be side light. But just for clarification: do you mean rigging like ropes, block and tackle, and other "ship like" items? And do you have a say in what color they are? Because as long as they are lighter than the lightest costume piece, they'll be seen (I do believe...)

 

Regardless, side lighting will give you some separation from the fore and backgrounds.

 

-w

 

Spell check hates they way I spell colour...

[Tomo]

At a guess I'd say he means this stuff, which is used to go aloft to access the yards.

[dwh]

I mean the kind of ropey rigging you get going up the side of a mast (knew I'd have problems using the word rigging!) (the kind of stuff you'd see here, but spanning the whole proscenium). And I can suggest as to colour, but who knows whether suggestions will be heeded! Worth a try Thanks a lot!

 

[Edit:] Tomo: Spot on

[tivoliproduction]

first of all it sounds like it should be a good peformance. I would say straight away that if you are having cast "climbing" the rigging then whatever you do make sure they dont have light in their eyes. this coud be a recipe for disaster. also if they are "climbing" the rigging are they harnessed made safe by some other means?? unfortunately H&S nowadays is getting more stringent on the "working at height". personally I have used lee #195 for uplighters in birdies for effects in this situation. definately worth spending a few minutes looking at. anyway,im sure other people here will have some more useful input to this project.

 

good luck.

[dwh]

first of all it sounds like it should be a good peformance. I would say straight away that if you are having cast "climbing" the rigging then whatever you do make sure they dont have light in their eyes. this coud be a recipe for disaster. also if they are "climbing" the rigging are they harnessed made safe by some other means?? unfortunately H&S nowadays is getting more stringent on the "working at height". personally I have used lee #195 for uplighters in birdies for effects in this situation. definately worth spending a few minutes looking at. anyway,im sure other people here will have some more useful input to this project.

 

good luck.

 

Yeah, I was thinking about the "light in eyes" factor myself, and it would not be desirable!! Everyone's going to be given a crash-course, but as far as harnessing goes, no one's really going to be climbing much above 2m, so I personally would think they'd be fairly safe (course we have a lovely health and safety officer who will probably tell us otherwise before the show )

 

Thanks for the input! Now, why doesn't the spell checker like 's!?

[Ekij]

Don't forget the boat itself would have running lights.

White for the top of the mast, Red (Port) and Green (Starboard). Possibly deck lights too. These wouldn't be bright but should light enough (against a 'black sky') to see the actors.

 

You could also add moonlight if the 'weather' and the mood of the act permits it.

[dwh]

Is the red/green a general suggestion, or a specific method relating to how it was done? (The action is based in 1798, incase you weren't sure)

[Tomo]

Running lights have been in use for a very long time, although I'm fairly sure they were not at the top of the mast in 1798.

 

For a night scene I'd suggest some steel blue uplight for reflections, and a little Lee 201 from the nominal direction of the moon.

 

Possibly also some yellowish candlelight casting from the nominal direction of the stern castle, where the Captain and officers lived.

 

You may want to look into a tubular ripple for the uplight, but the throw on these is very short.

[Dmills]

At a guess I'd say he means this stuff, which is used to go aloft to access the yards.

 

The diagonal lines are called the shrouds and the horizontal (often wooden) members are the ratlines. A bit further up there will be the table (which, in the example I sail, has a really 'interesting' overhang to it, much fun in a confused sea...).

 

If the running rig is made of 'hempex' (a modern synthetic that looks like hemp but is much stronger and doesn't rot), then you should be aware that it is slightly florecent under beep blue or UV which may be useful to you.

 

On the real thing, steep uplighting works well as does a few birdies mounted under the table.

 

Most standing rigging was black due to the tar used to reduce the annoying thendency of hemp to stretch and shrink with humidity changes. So if you are going for an accurate look then be aware that only the running rigging would be "rope" coloured. These days we don't use straight tar as the modern substitute is far less prone to get everywhere, but standing rigging is still black.

 

The major feature at deck level is typically half a dozen pin rails with lots of running rigging made off to them, and the chain plates where the standing rig is secured.

 

For that dark look, I would go for lots of high side in various shades of blue, possibly with some top light and breakup gobos...

 

Ohh and a note for the sound design squeeek, these ships if well maintained DONT creak!

 

Regards Dan.

[AndrewR]

IIRC the running lights are red and green as mentioned, with a white stern light. so you could tell if they were sailing at you or not. The white light at the top of the mast is only for folk under steam (or any kind of power). The port and starboard lights are not normally visible from aft (behind) the ship and the stern light should not be visible from in front... admittedly this is based on my memorys of swallows and amazons!

 

But I can sail just from having read those books! ** laughs out loud **

 

swallows and amasons forever!

[Ekij]

Drifting ... (pun intended) slightly off topic but:

 

Port and starboard lights may be visible from both the front and the rear of a vessel. That way you can tell whether the vessel is coming towards you (red on your right of the green) or going away from you (red on your left of the green).

[dwh]

Thanks guys, the general rigging knowledge has been very handy! I've chosen to go for some uplighting (will choose a suitable colour when I've seen what the rigging's made out of). I have a strange feeling the set designer's changed it on us, so that the rigging won't form a full backdrop, instead just a bit cropping onto the stage a few feet from the wings, but all the same :)