The Lighting Guide job is to help the visiting lighting tech learn how to work with the host lighting system. The lighting guide must be intimately familiar with the lighting system and be able to quickly show visiting crew what they need to know to run their shows. Running lights in a foreign theater is one of the most frightening aspects of festival. Try to make it as painless as possible. Avoid at all cost a condescending attitude. Mutual respect is the key to success in this position.
General:
The Lighting Guide must be at the lighting control area during ALL technical rehearsals and ALL performances.
There is generally no need for the host crew to use the intercom during a performance so keep your mike off.
Do not leave during techs or shows. You need to be there in case something goes wrong.
The Lighting Guide should NOT be the person who replaces burned out lamps, hangs specials or runs errands during the festival. This work should be assigned to backstage grips through the stage manager.
The lighting guide should also be prepared to demonstrate and teach the operation of the follow spot(s), unless they are located away from the board, in which case a grip should take on this job.
Occasionally, a school will not have a lighting tech and request the host tech to run their lights. This is permissible but the show will not qualify for lighting awards.
If the lighting board is a computer board, try to provide an easy “2-scene preset” configuration or preprogrammed sub-masters for easier set-up. Avoid pushing fancy features such as recorded cues on those unfamiliar with the technology. 30 minutes is not much time for even an expert to program a computer board.
Prior to the beginning of the first technical rehearsal:
Design lights, draw a lighting plot and publish it.
Hang, focus and gel lights.
If there is a patch, (soft or hard wired) write it down in case it gets changed.
Create and duplicate cue sheets enough for each show and then some.
Label the lighting board to make it easy for anyone to use. (ex: DL warm, UR cool, Cyc blue, etc.)
Establish a Preset Condition for every control, switch and button on the console. Document this setting and post it near the board.
Arrive at least 30 minutes early and do a dimmer check at the beginning of each festival day. This allows time to make repairs as needed.
At each technical rehearsal this guide should:
Before each technical rehearsal and performance set every control, switch and button back to the Preset Condition as established on the preset cue sheet or restore from the default disk on a computer board.
Meet the guest lighting tech on stage at the start of the rehearsal.
Briefly explain the operation of the lighting console. DO NOT be condescending, but don’t assume that anyone else has a board quite like yours.
Explain the queuing that will begin the show. Determine who will take house lights out and when.
Provide cue sheets and offer to keep them on file till performance. Mark them with the name or the play & school.
Explain, demonstrate and make available the intercom system.
Explain (demonstrate) any specials that are available, especially if they were not on the published lighting plot.
Offer to turn off the house and work lights. If they are not ready, offer again later when it appears they are.
Turn the controls and intercom over to the visiting tech.
Step out of the way but stay close at hand to answer questions and provide “hand holding” as needed.
If the visiting tech is struggling with something quietly suggest a solution if you have one.
At the end of the rehearsal. File the cue sheets or save the show to disk if applicable.
During performances:
Before each performance return all controls to Preset as established on the preset cue sheet or restore from the disk for the show.
When the host stage manager gives the cue take the house to ½, & wait for the audience to settle.
Hand the intercom over to the guest tech.
Take the house out.
Step out of the way but stay close at hand to answer questions and provide “hand holding” as needed.
If the visiting tech is struggling with something quietly suggest a solution if you have one.
At the end of the show take the house lights up & retrieve the intercom.
Between performances and techs:
Get ready for the next show or tech.
Stay on intercom between performances and crews.
Be prepared to bring up light or a spot for announcers on stage.