Ian der Laan Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Hi, I'm after any resources or ideas for teaching colour theory to level 2 learners, specifically-Convential colours used in a variety of genres (dance, musicals, plays).Something to help explain additive/ subtractive colour mixing, wavelengths and transmission (remember these are level 2 learners!).Any help greatly appreciated! Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lyall Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 a white light and a prism quite practically can be used to demonstrate how 'white' light contains many different wavelengths of light. As well as adding 'flags' of CMY dichroic filters in front of a 'white' light Quite daunting at first but images of colour gamuts could prove a visual way of demonstrating how colour works For additive... an LED par can, or just three lights with RGB gel in front of each. Just some ideas for the melting pot, Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 3 overlapping circles from profiles, RGB and CMY - and let them use their hands to make shadows so they can see the complimentary colours in the shadows. Wavelengths for Level 2 is perhaps a little out of the comfort zone, and gets you into territory that will mean ....... maths. Divisions, such as micro won't mean anything - very difficult to comprehend, and then somebody will want an explanation of 'wave' and the shutters will come down. It does work explaining that because we see blue light, after it's been through a gel, that some gels remove all the red and green, while others leave some of it there - like those weird blues that make black go red - the little graph, labelled with blue at one and and red at the other are enough to show the spikes and troughs. 126 mauve is another good one - look through it at everything is purple, except things that are yellow, and they go red! The spec doesn't need much more than that. Waving things in beams is fun. Listening to the teacher explaining about millionths of metres isn't. As one said to me, a thousand is a lot, a million is just more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Lesson Two for beginners was, like Paul, to set up three lanterns at the front of the "stage" with R,G+B gels. They learned how to rig individual lanterns, gel and focus, run cabling etc. etc. Lesson Three was to get them to create a central spot of mixed light on each of the students in turn. Their moving forward and across the stage showed the constituent colours and was more effective than simply giving them a theory lesson. This also gave them some idea of the ambience created by differing colours and mixes. Pauls shadow puppet suggestion is another ideal demo tool for keeping it creative.They could then build on this by using the desk to show the effects of different levels and then on and on throughout the term. Doing this in a mixed technical and performance group of actors, dancers and singers gave everyone a start point in understanding the possibilities of colour. Technicalities only get in the way of effects and results whilst mixed tech/performer groups helps team building and mutual recognition. Tell, Show, Do, Cooperate. N.B. Lesson One was (after the H&S induction) getting each student to do some "caveman storytelling" in near darkness with candles and I don't know if that would be allowed today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian der Laan Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 Thanks for the replies! The prism and the overlapping profiles are great ideas and I especially like the hand shadow exercise. I think I may restructure next year and do the colour element first as it underpins other elements of the unit so well.The info on wavelengths is to achieve a distinction but, as Paul suggest, I won’t have to cover it in much depth or there will be exploding heads left, right and centre. I'll worry about that once I have covered the Pass and Merit criteria! Also, my learners have to discuss colours used in a variety of genres (dance, plays and musicals). I'm struggling to find any web links to suggest to them when they research (they are creating a colour 'work book' to evidence their understanding). Any ideas? Thanks again,Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamtastic3 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Can you not talk about colour representing mood and give thoeretical examples of how colour can achieve specific looks which can portray a specific style of mood? This could be explained in visual examples eg, colours on faces, within scenes, scenic backdrops, even using shadows and colour and open white in various intensties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian der Laan Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 Can you not talk about colour representing mood and give thoeretical examples of how colour can achieve specific looks which can portray a specific style of mood? This could be explained in visual examples eg, colours on faces, within scenes, scenic backdrops, even using shadows and colour and open white in various intensties. Yes I have done already. I could do with some actual research material for them to add to their work books and reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Ian, can you let me know the exact title of your course, please? I am with Paul in thinking that research into colour theory is a step too far for Level 2 studies. Referencing external research seems counter to good practice and any such research should be the students own practical observation. I could well be completely on the "wrong kind of drugs". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian der Laan Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 Ian, can you let me know the exact title of your course, please? I am with Paul in thinking that research into colour theory is a step too far for Level 2 studies. Referencing external research seems counter to good practice and any such research should be the students own practical observation. I could well be completely on the "wrong kind of drugs".Kerry, I have to admit that, initially, this post got my hackles up slightly. However, when I re-read my last post I think I misled you (apologies). I am only after research material - for the learners - on the use of colour in a variety of genres. The resources on colour theory are for me to create handouts etc. to help explain it to them (they won't need to reference this, just explain some of the basic detail- at distinction level). But, I think you may be slightly off when you say that 'research into colour theory is a step too far for Level 2 studies.' and ' Referencing external research seems counter to good practice...' The course specification in question includes the phrase- 'Learning outcome 3 requires learners to understand the use of colour in a performance situation. This should include research as to types of colours used in different genres of production.' Additionally, learners are required to 'produce an indexed reference portfolio of lighting and associated equipment'. (Not related but you get my drift). Just to reiterate: I was after tips for helping my learners understand basic colour theory and web links or useful resources for explaining colour conventions used in dance, musicals and plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior8 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 There aren't that many books. For my money the theory is as well explained in Rollo Gillespie-Williams book as anywhere else and he also summarizes styles for different genres along with colours - albeit for 1950! I am puzzled though by the syllabus notion that there is, in more recent times, any automatic link between genre and colour... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian der Laan Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 Thanks for the Rollo Gillespie-Williams tip. I'll check it out.I believe Francis Reid's Stage Lighting Handbook has a section on conventions in lighting techniques for a variety of genres. I can't remember off hand if it covers colour in much detail. I don't think the notion is that there is an automatic link, more conventional ideas (open whites for dance, naturalistic for musicals until a song kicks in then stylistic). However, if any of my learners took it upon themselves to discuss the fact that there is no longer a link between colour and genre, I'd be delighted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 "the art of light" avaliable from Lee is quite good every colour has a "best use" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian der Laan Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I should mention that its free. and If you call up lee / rosco they will send some education packs. Selecon .. USED to have great packs, but exactly what happens now I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian der Laan Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 I should mention that its free. and If you call up lee / rosco they will send some education packs. Selecon .. USED to have great packs, but exactly what happens now I don't know. I've just called Lee- a pack should be with us soon! Rosco and Selecon will be called shortly. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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