Documentation

examples include:

· Lighting Schedule - a list of available lanterns

· Colour Call Sheets- a list of required colours

· Lighting Plan– a scale drawing detailing the exact location of each lantern used in a production as well as any other relevant information (for example its dimmer number, focus position and colour number). This is often drawn from the theatre’s ground plan.

Effects of colour

Depending on the context, this could refer to special lighting effects (gobos or strobe), special visual effects (fog machine or pyrotechnics) or sound effects (thunder, vocoder, smashing glass). It could also be audio devices designed to treat (effect) audio signals such as compressors, reverb units or equalisers.

Electrical safety

refers to the precautions and safety measures taken when using electricity or electrical devices, so as to avoid danger, damage, injury or death. Wearing insulated shoes (with rubber soles) or using fibreglass or plastic ladders are two examples of precautions which can be taken.

General wash – used for general purposes, it is desirable to provide what are called ‘washes’ of light. Washes are general, unfocused light designed to evenly light a certain area of the stage.

Lamp or lantern

The stage lighting fixture that is made up of two simple components, a globe and a lens to determine the type of light it is.

Lamp types

There are several different types of lamp (domestically called a light bulb): incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) but all of them turn electrical energy into light (and almost invariably heat as well).

Licensing requirements

Licensing requirements most often refers to the ‘hire’ of the performance rights to a written/composed work for a set period of time and the strict adherence to obligations with regard to advertising, copyright and intellectual property. There are similar conditions applied to lighting devices.

Light beam accessories

devices added onto a lantern or inserted into a lantern that are used to alter or manipulate the beam of light emanating from the lantern to create a specfic lighting effect.

Light theory

Light theory includes both the physics of light waves/beams/particles and additive and subtractive method of mixing of pigments or paint. While the primary colours of paint and pigments are RED, YELLOW, BLUE, which, when mixed, tend towards black, the Primaries of Light are RED, GREEN, BLUE, which, when mixed tend towards white. Secondaries of Light are Magenta (Purple), Cyan (Light Blue) and Amber (Yellow).

Lighting components

There are a variety of common components in a lighting system including lanterns, dimmers, patch bays, lighting desks or boards. Other lighting components may include lighting bars, stands and accessories.

Lighting control systems

These include lighting boards, lighting desks, light controllers, DMX Controllers and any other device that is used to control the lanterns being used.

Lighting design

The creation of the atmosphere through lighting for a production, considering visibility, safety and the budget.

Lighting desk (board, controller)

the main control for the stage lighting. Originally known as the switchboard or dimmerboard, it is now usually remote from the dimmers. The lighting operator for a show is often said to be ‘on the board’ and is sometimes known as the ‘board op’. In the U.S., the lighting desk is referred to as the light board.

Lighting equipment

includes everything from the lanterns to dimmers, controllers, accessories such as colour frames, donuts, barn doors and gobos, cables, stands, lighting bars, safety chains, hooks, clamps, gels and bubbles.

Lighting operations

refers to preparing for or undertaking the job of illuminating objects or changing lighting states.

Lighting personnel

includes all people involved in lighting operations: lighting hands, lighting technicians, lighting operators, lighting designers and lighting directors.

Lighting plan

a scale drawing detailing the exact location of each lantern used in a production, as well as any other relevant information, such as its dimmer number, focus position and colour. The lighting plan is often based on the theatre’s ground plan.

Lighting schedule

a list of lanterns (and other components and accessories) available for use at a particular theatre or venue.

Lighting technician

a person with the knowledge, skill and expertise to rig, set up, replace lamps, focus and basically operate professional lighting equipment.

Organisational procedures

procedures specific to an organisation which are used to ensure its proper running and appropriate administration. They may include safety audits, fire drills, maintenance audits, staff meetings, production meetings, bump in/bump out, technical rehearsals etc.

Patch location

the specific position or location of a device with particular reference to the patch panel or bay to which it is connected (usually a number).

Patching

the act of interconnecting devices in a (lighting) system, especially connecting lanterns to dimmers. Lighting circuits around the stage area can be cross-connected to a chosen dimmer, often using a cross-connect panel (sometimes called a patch bay or patch panel), which enables any stage lighting channels on the control desk to control any dimmer or group of dimmers. Some large lighting boards have the facility for soft patching - a totally electronic way of patching. Some rock desks have a pin patch which allows groups of dimmers to be allocated to a particular control channel.

Positioning point

the actual physical position in which a lantern is hung or placed in a theatre or venue, whether on bars, stands or on the stage or floor.

Production plan documentation

documents related to the preparation and planning of a production, including schedules, rosters, ground plans, site plans etc.

Pattern projection

Projecting a light pattern on the cyclorama, stage floor or set through various lighting techniques, including the use of gobos. A gobo is a thin, circular plate with holes cut in it to create patterns of projected light.

Reporting

the lines of communication and hierarchy of reporting within a team, crew, production company and/or enterprise or organisation. All workers should report to their immediate supervisor.

Rigging

the construction or arrangement of lighting equipment for a particular production as well as the act of installing lighting, (sound equipment and scenery etc.) for a particular show.

Safe work practices

Safe work practices require following correct WH&S procedures to ensure the safety of all workers doing their job. These include turning off power and disconnecting lanterns when installing or repairing units, using correct lifting techniques, wearing protective clothing, harnesses, shoes, gloves etc., as required, and ensuring appropriate noise, light and platform levels when working at height.

Scrim lighting

Scrim is a very specific seamless material – sharkstooth scrim. They can be used almost anywhere on the stage, rather than being relegated to the rear like a cyclorama. Scrims can be used to create silhouettes as they can be lit as translucent or opaque.

Specials or specific lighting

Many times it is desirable to accentuate certain portions of the stage with light. This can have a very dramatic effect, but also can be used subtly.

Subtractive and additive colour mixing

Colour mixing is combining the effects of two or more lighting gels and can be either subtractive or additive

Work health and safety (WHS)

The relevant health and safety considerations for (in this case) lighting technicians include heat, height, weight, position and the electrical current of lanterns, their installation and operation.

Video: A Good Overview of Lighting in the Theatre