Cobblestone

[clapagelighting]

I am lighting a production of Oliver soon and want to create a cobblestone effect using gobos on the stage as there is no floor cloth/painted floor being used and I was just wondering how other people have achieved this, Does it work better with the gobos coming from upstage or downstage? Is a shallow or steep angle best in peoples experience?

 

Thanks.

[gareth]

If you're using gobos to create cobblestones on a stage floor, you'll need to do it from directly above, not from upstage or downstage - otherwise, the keystoning of the image from each gobo will make it impossible to dove-tail one into the other neatly.

[Shez]

Not to mention all the shadows you'll get as soon as you put actors on your beautifully lit stage if you don't do it from above.

[vinntec]

Charlie - Yes has to be gobos from above as vertically down as possible. Of course, it would be pointless unless most of the audience can see the stage floor?

[clapagelighting]

Thanks for everyones advice, The entire audience is raked in the venue and the stage is actually at floor level rather than raised.

[LXbydesign]

also if you can - use some profiles like S4's with wide angle lens. This will reduce your number of lamps needed to get a full stage cover

[smalljoshua]

I'd actually want as many narrow profiles as possible, wide profiles will introduce areas where shadow from the light is at an angle relative to where it's hitting the floor.

 

Josh

[Just Some Bloke]

I'm afraid I'd want to counsel differently. It's going to use up loads of kit and mean that the cast are walking around with their hair looking very strange most of the time (you'll see the gobos on their hair before it hits the floor). For a realistic show like Oliver, you'd do a lot better to buy some hardboard (very cheap) and paint it with a sponge. Just a thought.

[LXbydesign]

I totally agree Josh! Thats how I would prefer to do it. The wide angle was just a budget saving tip, although as JSB says - the better thing to do is paint them on. Its quite easy enough to blob around a floor with a car sponge. :D

[Just Some Bloke]

2 photos to help you out. Firstly, using wide angle gobos in a modern show.

Secondly using hardboard to create a yellow brick road.