Quiz #1 - Chapter 14 Intro to Stage Lighting

Why is research so important to developing a design?

Solid research is as important to a lighting designer as it is to the rest of the production team. Understanding the work, the point of view and style of of the playwright, the time period and locale, primarily for atmosphere, but also for technical details is essential to create the environment for the production. Visual research reflecting mood and/or environment should be discussed with the director and the design team. Music will also have a great influence on the style and mood and will greatly enhance the lighting designers work.

Name the the 1st Property of light and describe its use.

1. Intensity or brightness: The entire composition of a stage picture depends on varying intensities of light. In addition, intensity greatly effects the mood and atmosphere of a scene.

A lighting designer needs artistic talent, technical know-how and good communication skills> what is another important skill for a designer to develop?

"Learning to see" - of establishing visual memory. this not only means knowing the effect of a certain angle or intensity, color or instrument type, but creating the habit of observation: truly looking at things, how the light hits an object and effects shape, how color affects an object or a mood, how light and space affects our emotions or catches our eye - draws our attention.

One way the scenic design may influence the lighting of a play,

Scenery color and texture.

Another way the scenic design may influence the lighting of a play,

The ground plan, including size and space usage.

Name and describe the 1st of 5 functions of Stage Lighting

1. Selective visibility: it is the amount of light needed for a moment of recognition deemed appropriate for that point in the action of the play; guiding the audience's eye and attention to that moment.

Name 3 things the lighting designer creates during preproduction (paperwork)?

1. The light plot, showing all locations of the instruments to be hung. 2. the "Hookup" giving specific information fro each lighting instrument. 3. A "Magic Sheet" giving a visual map of lighting positions, uses and color for ease of writing lighting cues during tech rehearsals.

Name 4 things the lighting designer must take into account when developing an approach to a lighting design:

1. The script and research that informs and guides all decisions. 2.Scenery color, texture, style, ground plan, form (including size and space usage), plus windows, practicals (lamps, candles,etc.) and masking. 3. Costume color, texture, value (light or dark) and mass. 4. Physical plant (theater) limitations such as sightlines, lighting positions, available power and inventory. 5. Budget and time. 6. Blocking, focus, and isolation requirements.

Name and describe the 2nd of 5 functions of Stage Lighting

2. Composition: Points of visual focus, determined by the blocking and action. Lighting guides the audience's eye to that action and controls what is seen and not seen.

Name the the 2nd Property of light and describe its use.

2. Distribution: The visibility of an object greatly depends on the direction of the light striking it. A change of direction can radically alter perception of the size or shape of any form, as will the quality (soft or sharp) and texture.

Name the the 3rd Property of light and describe its use.

3. Color: Color may be considered the most effective and dramatic quality of light. It can be used to convey time of day or atmospheric conditions. It may also be heightened or exaggerated inn order to stylize the look of a production.

Name and describe the 3rd of 5 functions of Stage Lighting

3. Revelation of form: Lighting is essential to enhance dimensionality on a stage or in a film; it is especially important that the actors are 'brought forward" and given shape while moving through space.

Name and describe the 4th of 5 functions of Stage Lighting

4. Establishing mood: While color is often equated with mood, the other qualities of light also have great influence, i.e. bright light supports comedy or a happy mood, long shadows and deep eye sockets suggest tragedy.

11. Name the the 4th Property of light and describe its use.

4. Movement: This includes physical movement of a light beam, a change in intensity, distribution or color or a lighting "cue" in the form of a shift from one "look" to another. Movement can take and control the focus or attention of the viewers. Movement alters composition.

Name and describe the 5th function of Stage Lighting

5. Reinforcing the theme: the lighting of a scene must reinforce, or support, the action. As always, lighting the actor is key, but thematic lighting requires a concern with compositional revelation of the thematic forms of the setting as well.

What is "motivational" lighting?

As the name implies, motivational lighting attempts to represent the look and feel of an actual light source such as the sun, a candle or a streetlight. Such an approach tends to be appropriate in a realistic style of production.

What is the difference between a "Thrust" stage and an "Arena"?

Thrust: Seating on 3 sides of the stage. Arena: Seating on all sides of the stage or "in the round."

What does the designer gain by going to rehearsals?

To witness the development of character ad dimensions of a production's vision through the intentions of the director, as well as, timing and movement patterns, or blocking. This will allow the designer to have a strong vision for the lighting needs for the action and moods of a production.