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Stage Lighting Revealed

A Design and Execution Handbook

Glen Cunningham

Lighting is a blend of the aesthetic and the technical that can create an infinite number of dramatic effects. Good lighting design completes the emotional and literal portrayals of any performance piece, accenting words, music, and movement. Stage Lighting Revealed explains what designers need to know when creating or executing an effective lighting design, including: understanding the basic functions of lighting and the qualities of light used to carry out these functions; understanding the equipment that will be used, including its mechanics and functions; deciding what they want to create, or say, with lighting; laying out the visual messages they wish to convey; creating original interpretations with light; determining how the design can be executed.

Cunningham’s reader-friendly introduction to stage lighting and design is ideal for getting prospective lighting designers started on their own journey. Readers are encouraged to experiment and tap their creativity by selecting from the processes and techniques detailed throughout the book. Many diagrams, charts, and photographs complement and enhance the concepts presented in the text. Among the topics discussed are: using color to play to the audience’s emotions; what to consider when you place instruments in the five basic lighting positions; breaking a performance into lighting moments, laying the lighting design, and bringing that design to life; using and maintaining the many types of stage lighting fixtures; commonsense troubleshooting; stretching your lighting budget; pulling off a successful load-in, production, and postproduction.
 

$23.95 list, 176 pages

10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-262-8

13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-262-4

© 1993

“As an introduction to lighting design, this one is hard to beat.” —Stage Directions

“A clear, straightforward explanation of the stage lighting process. Its strengths lie in its clear explanation of basic electrical theory and instrument description.”  — Greg Blakey, University of Central Arkansas

“Cunningham has written an exceptional book with very clear descriptions of how to use lighting in the theater. It is an excellent work that covers everything designers need to know.”  — Michael Pearce, Westmont College

“Excellent. All the right stuff, accessible, and at a great price.”  — Steve Kelly, Red Rocks Community College

“From imaging the design to executing the design, this textbook introduces the student to the world of lighting design with detailed information that is easy to understand and simple to apply in a classroom setting. Plus, we love the price!”  — Darryl Rodriguez, Southwest Oklahoma State University

“I was delighted to hear that you were republishing this book. It is very accessible for students with little or no lighting background. It has sufficient technical detail to allow students to understand and use design concepts in practical studio situations.”  — Wendy L. Cornish, Western Michigan University

“The book is a great primer for our first-year lighting students. I also use it for my drama students taking tech theater. In simple voice, it helps them appreciate lighting and better communicate with the lighting crew.”  — Bill McCord, North Carolina School of Arts

Table of Contents

Introduction

I. LIGHTING DESIGN

The Functions of Light / Design Development / Color / Lighting Positions / Design Layout

II. EQUIPMENT

Introduction to Equipment / Lamps / Par Lights / Ellipsoidal Spotlights / Fresnel Spotlights / Scoops / Striplights / Followspots / Wiring Devices / Special Effects / Electricity / Control

III. LIGHTING THE SHOW

Paperwork / Troubleshooting Your System / Homemade Effects / Lighting on a Budget / Pre‑Production / Production / Post‑Production

Glossary

Appendices:

1. Common Lighting Symbols

2. Common Fixture Photometrics

3. Multiplying Factor Chart

4. Cable Ampacities

5. Common Connector Wiring Diagrams

6. Gel Comparisons and Descriptions

7. Troubleshooting Guide

8. Useful Addresses

9. Math for the Lighting Designer