Shine, Act, Communicate, Create - My ideas, my thinking
Notice: start with the ākonga
What do you want to happen?
Start by reading the script and talking with the Director of the production about what they might want.
Think about what different states there will need to be, for example:
Think about how you are going to use lighting to create visibility, manipulate dramatic focus, communicate themes and/or time, communicating image, manipulate feelings and moods, create texture, create depth, highlight costume and/or set.
Write your thoughts and ideas on this planning document.
Complete your Learning Narrative 1
Awaken our curiosity - Frontloading, immersing, connecting to ideas
Recognise - Strive to understand it
What learning will you do?
Watch a rehearsal or run through and make notes on your script. Note the positions of the actors and what lighting will be needed. Note blackouts and general wash colours as well as any special effects.
How will you create lighting to show visibility, manipulate dramatic focus, communicate themes and/or time, communicate image, manipulate feelings and moods, create texture, create depth, highlight costume and/or set.
What are the physical aspects of the venue? What equipment do you have?
Do you need to hire additional equipment?
Have a look at this site for lots of ideas.
Navigating our way - Questioning, Targeting, Provoking
Responding - Putting our understanding to good use.
What are the next learning steps?
Start your cue list and lighting plot on this plot document.
Write down each point at which the lighting will change. See the resources page for an example.
Draw your lighting plot by sketching a plan with arrows showing where the light source will come from, eg form the side, front, back light etc. Label each one so you remember why it's there.
Think about which lights (also known as luminaires or lanterns) you have and what can be used for which arrow.
Profiles are good for hard-edged spots or gobo washes
PCS and Frenels are a bit trickier. Frenels better from the front for a wash close, PCs can go a bit further and better for backlights or specials. Have a play with our lighting and see what you can do.
Draw a sketch of which lights you will use on which bars. Use coloured pens to show what will be used for different things. Point the picture of the light in roughly the right direction as well.
Write up your plan on the plot doc. You will need to show:
Complete your Learning Narrative 2
Exploring and discovering - Searching for answers, investigating, experimenting, investigation of ideas
Reflect? What is happening now?
Select, rig, patch and label equipment according to your design. You will need to use lights, dimmer pack, power source, cables, lighting desk.
Once you are rigging, check that the lights are in the right place and will do what you want them to.
You will then have to focus them.
More about Lighting Focussing.
Using your cue list, decide which state will be used at each scene. You need to think about transitions especially. Make sure you use some of the following: cross fade, fade to b/o, snap to b/o, use of preset, timed or slow build
See Lighting Rigging Positions for more information on how to represent lights rigged on floor stands, bars and booms on a plan.
Run a technical rehearsal where you will use all of the lights, but stop and start to refocus and move anything or change your cues if required.
Reflect and refine anything needed.
Review and Reflect
Complete the performance and reflect on your lighting design and how well it
Complete your Learning Narrative 3