Video and Lighting Design should this be one job?

[Tom R]

Hi

 

I am investigating whether the relatively recent advances in video technology (LED displays, high powered projection etc) have caused a change in the different roles and responsibilities of the lighting and video departments within live events.

 

I want to answer the question...has this change in technology caused these two departments to merge, to create one 'visual designer' (or a lighting designer that designs the video!)? I am wondering whether this is true for some live events, whilst others require two separate departments?

 

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

My questionnaire is here should you have 5 minutes to fill it in ... http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=915688

 

I have had to modify the poll a bit because if you have multiple questions, you need to answer each question to validate! Not particularly useful in this case...

[mac.calder]

Well... Talk about a can of worms. There are so many variables in this that a simple survey cannot answer.

 

Do you need custom media created or is it just going to use canned visuals?

How much does the LD know about use of visual media?

Is there a need for IMAG/Key visuals at any point?

How complex is the setup?

The list goes on.

 

For example: Canned visuals, "Simple" setup (ie no switching required, no IMAG, no other media involved, only visualisation), there is no reason why the LD cannot do it all.

 

On the other hand, Custom visuals, you want someone who is a decent designer to make those sorts of things.

 

Complex switching environments with IMAG, it is often best to have a live switching operator to mix it all in

[Tom R]

Mac you got there just as I had began to clarify(!)...

 

Obviously IMAG is the responsibility of a video team rather than a lighting team, and this I think is a major distinction that does need to be made. If purely using visual media (movies and still images for example) then who should be responsible for designing the video displays and the content for them? Should a 'visual designer' or the 'lighting designer' acquire the knowledge and creative knowhow of a designer who can produce custom materials? Or in this case should a specialist video design team be running the video?

 

I am asking such questions not because of ignorance, more to see what responses people give!

[richard]

It is a bit of a silly question in my opinion, as it totally depends on the people involved. Some lighting designers like to design the video side, and do so when required, others have no interest in that side and so don't get involved. Sometimes the sound department will sort simple video out, sometimes the set designer and sometimes the director. There is no 'right' way to do it as it completely depends on the people involved.

[djw1981]

If you are doing IMAG, then the lighting designer has to work with video to ensure correct colour and angling of light to give a good picture for the cameras.

 

If using video playback, then I guess being able to include the screen in the backdrop (eg conferences or theatre cloths) using lights would help, also keeping lights off the screens, but most of that is just requiring interdepartmental communication.

[Psychedelic Theatre]

Surely it is similar to that of the relationship between a lighting designer and a set designer. They each influence each other, the set designer will have ideas for the way his set needs to be lit, or specifc looks that he sees when he reads the script(or hears the music etc etc). The lighting designer may have ideas of ways the set can work with his visual ideas so that the set works with the lighting.

 

From my limited experience it is just communication and building a relationship, the set designer designs the set, and the lighting designer designs the lighting, but they both influence one another and come to compromises that gets the best result. I see it as being very similar to the way lighting and video designers would work on a complex show. Obviously if it is just a simple show then they may be combined into each other, but on the larger events it is working together to create visuals that work together.

 

Just my thoughts on the matter, and I'm in no way a professional!

 

Tim

[paulears]

Tom - not having a pop, but just did the survey and you've really not thought out all the option? My job title wasn't included, so the next question makes little sense. another refers you to the answer you gave in question 3, but wha was that question - no back button to see? and when it comes to the who should section, it's meaningless. The video op could well be the best person for who should control the lighting, IF, and only if, he or she understands lighting. So it's skill base that matters, not their nominal job title. When I'm mixing live music video, I like to have control of lighting because I can appreciate what some subtle highlight adjustment can make to the picture. My usual lx op doesn't understand video, but I have another who does - I'd be happy with him firing video from his desk - something he's already planning to do for some future projects.

 

I can't see how any data I've just given you can be used? I've had to pick one box that isn't right because the one I wanted isn't there and it won't let me skip the page, but an earlier page without my prefere option allowed me to leave it blank.

 

I reckon the answer is simply the most suitable people should run th event, and stop worrying about titles. I'd just rather have the title designer - forget lighting or video, and just call the operators technical operators, and remove their 'link' tag. A lighting designer designs lights - if they design visuals too - then they are also ok with the video tag - but you can't call the lighting op something else, because at some point he hits go on the MD player?

[Tom R]

Thanks for everyones replies. I am sorry on behalf of the people who make the website that a back button hasnt been added to the page. Paulears what would you say your job is? I can understand where people are coming from, and maybe I have not been very clear. My viewpoint is this...

 

Traditionally, a lighting designer has designed the lighting and a video designer/director has designed the video. With the ease of use of modern media servers and their DMX functionality - is this making the design and operation of video a job that can be combined into that of the lighting design or operation?

 

Paulears...what you have touched upon towards the end of your post is kind of what Im getting at...but granted I had not made it clear...what has been a video or lighting designer could be a visual designer (so to speak) so that one person can create a cohesive design of the visual layout of a set - but equally good discussion between design teams would enable this.

 

I hope this clarifies a little...