Lighting a scenic gauze

[blenheim]

Hi there,

 

can anyone reccomend how to light a painted scenic gauze.

 

Much apreciated

[andy_s]

to show the painting off, the same way as you'd light a cyc or painted (solid) cloth - i.e. fron-light with flood battens with appropriate colours to enhance the pigments in the painting. It's usual if there is space in the grid to fly a black drape immediately behind the gauze, which is flown out just before the bleedthrough or reveal. To light the reveal, front light from upstage of the gauze (v steep, usually), or high side light if space is at a premium, and top light. To render the gauze invisible, make sure nothing spills on to it either from up or downstage.

[blenheim]

Hi there,

 

can anyone reccomend how to light a painted scenic gauze.

 

Much apreciated

 

 

Thanks Andy s

[Grahame]

Andy's basically covered it - I would only add that if the gauze is a front (show) cloth, then light it straight in if you can, from the first circle rail or equivalent. Fottlights can be good in this situation too.

It's usual to have a fade to blackout before taking out the black backing, otherwise you will see it moving, and then fade up on the scene behind.

[Just Some Bloke]

Yes, that about covers it:

 

Front light the gauze to stop people seeing through it.

Remove the front light, and just light behind the gauze to allow people to see through it.

If there's no movement behind the gauze before the bleed you should get away with not needing a 'blinder' (black drape behind gauze) as it's movement you'd notice, rather than detail.

Be careful that the lights behind the gauze don't touch the gauze itself as this doesn't look good. Side light is great for this.

Remember that side light on the front of the gauze, though, will look awful as it will show all the creases, folds etc. That's why circle front is a good lighting position for a front cloth or gauze.

 

You can do, basically, one of two things with a gauze:

1) Person in front of gauze has a dream which is revealed behind the gauze, maybe even with swirling smoke or loads of haze going on. Lighting: Gauze front lit first, then lose front light and bring up special(s) or behind-gauze state to reveal the dream, then restore to first cue. Effect: As if by magic we see a dream-like 'spectre' appear then disappear.

2) Scene starts downstage then transforms into full stage in two parts. Lighting: Front of gauze lit first, then add behind the gauze (without anything touching the gauze itself) whilst taking away the floods on the gauze but not the face light on your cast, then fly out the gauze whilst crossfading to your full stage state. Effect: We move gradually from one place to another without the need for a blackout.

 

HTH

[robertor]

I purchased a white sharkstooth gauze, which when I brought it, chose to have it rotated 90degrees to lower costs. I believe this meant you have to light the gauze from the side to make it opaque. Is it true? What is it about the gauze that makes it so different when lighting from above or from the side. Which is the best lighting position to light this rotated gauze to create the opaque look.

Many Thanks