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Let there be light

Brian Nguyen

ERWC 12 Period 4

October 14, 2016

Table of Contents

I. Part One: Description.................................................................................Page 2

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II. Part Two: Research...................................................................................Page 3

III. Part Three: Reflection...............................................................................Page 4

IV. Part Four: Works Cited..............................................................................Page 6

V. Part Five: Annotated Bibliography..............................................................Page 7

Part One: Description

My senior project is to be the lighting designer for the dance show in December. I want to

do this because it says I know what Im doing to companies that I want to work for such as

Martin. In a way I want to use this project to impress future employers. How I am going to go
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about designing lights is by asking other classmates that have designed lights for both dance

shows and theatrical shows. Then Im gonna ask the director what lights they want. Which

means I prefer every piece has a different set of lights. I want to focus on the dancers instead of

adding my own light show to their piece which I have seen. I want to enhance their dance instead

of be apart of it. When I hear what the director wants I will have to adapt to what she wants. That

means I might have to put up lights or take down lights so my layout can agree with director. If I

end up taking down lights and putting them up somewhere else, I might have to see if that

interferes with the design of my wash. I would also have to see if the lights that I repositioned

can get power and data to where they are newly located. If I cant get power or data to it then I

gotta undo all that I have done or find a different way to incorporate the lights that means I have

to redesign my wash.

I cant get too much in detail since I havent talked to the director so I cant get down to

specifics. All I have to do now is check if my wash that I designed works and power and data

wont be a problem unless Im going to add intelligent lights which will require me to run power

and data to them..

What I will be researching will be how to make a lighting plot. The lighting plot shows

what each light enlightens which part of the stage.

Part Two: Research

http://www.stagelightingprimer.com/index.html?slfs-right-frame.html&2 is my main

source on how to learn to make a lighting plot. The rest of my sources are about the origins of

lighting in theater and when certain lights were created. The article Scene Design and Stage

Lighting tells me the purpose of the cyclorama or cyc. The cyc is used to reflect lights and add
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depth. When in stagecraft they shoot lights on it during a dance or choir shows to make it not

empty, it adds depth.

This article simply titledlighting talks about the functions of different lights. LEDs are

a big part of the industry now considering they are more compact than incandescent lights and

fluorescent lights. The problem with LEDs are there lifespan is nothing compared to fluorescents

and incandescents. Fluorescents use up less energy than incandescents but produce a very

different light compared to incandescents and natural sun light. Although LEDs have their cons

they can still give off a look of sunlight better than fluorescents.

On http://www.stagelightingprimer.com/index.html?slfs-right-frame.html&2 taught me

the different types of lights and their different uses. It talks about power and which lights need a

certain amount of power. Even touches on calculating power. They explain DMX the history and

what its used for which is to send informations to intelligent lights. The most important thing

that it teaches on the site is how to make a lighting plot. To make a lighting plot I have to make a

wash. The wash is already made in the PAC I simply have to tweak it to what I want. When I get

more information from Ms Louis I can put gels into the lights. This will allow me to improve my

wash as well as add mood and tone to the show. To go more in detail about making the plot I

have to get a large piece of graph paper and draw the stage and the lights. Each light will

enlighten a part of the stage for the wash and all the other lights I will focus on the dancers.
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Part Three: Reflection

So far I havent been able to work on my project because there are too many projects

stagecraft is working on that I cant have time to work on the lighting board. I cant move any

lights that will mess up the The Wind in the Willows. I have begun making my lighting plot for

my wash. All the lights in the PAC are staying in position except I might add or reposition 6

lykos. I havent added gels to the lights since I dont know the mood of the show. Im expecting

my project to run smoothly due to the fact that the people I work with and my mentor have

countless hours in this field of work. As soon as I Wind in the Willows end Im going to start my

work.
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Im hoping that this experience can stay with me throughout my career as electrician,

gaffer, grip, and best boy. After this project I will definitely know the Grand-MA lighting board

that the lighting industry is currently using. Letting me get hands on experience will allow me to

have some sort of idea on how other boards work. This might seem not important but I will get to

know how gels will affect the mood of a show. I already know that a gel can make a light give

off a warm or cool feel but I get to experiment with what I want.

Problems that Im already facing is that Im not working on my project. Believe I wish I

can work on it now but I dont want to undo the work that the lighting designer that is working

on The Wind of the Willows. The thing that I imagine in my head is not what Im going to get on

stage. I heard that the dance is going to be Disney themed and I can maybe draw inspiration from

shows from Disneyland. I also predict that Im going slow down rehearsals because my lack of

knowledge I have with the Grand-MA lighting board.

Due to the schedule of the show I have time to learn the board from people that have

extensive knowledge with the board. I can look back and see what people did to add to the dance

show. I can always ask the people that I work with or my mentor on how to go about something

that I want to do. I want to start experimenting early so I dont have to experiment in the middle

of rehearsals.

I feel excited that Im taking the lead on a show like this. Every piece will most likely

and Im hoping give a unique look that can stick with the audience. I might be getting my

excitement confused with nervous since this is my first time in a position like this. Being the

head of an essential part of the show is a lot for someone to handle. Of course I have people
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helping me during the show but they are new and that is going to either make or break my design

and work.

Part Four: Works Cited

http://www.stagelightingprimer.com/index.html?slfs-right-frame.html&2

Salzberg, Jefferey. Stagelighingprimer.com. 2008,

http://www.stagelightingprimer.com/index.html?slfs-right-frame.html&2. 21 Sept. 2016

http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?

disableHighlighting=false&p=SUIC&javax.portlet.action=viewPortletAction&u=santa&action=

1&prodId=SUIC&source=&activityType=BasicSearch&search_within_results=&commentary=

&documentId=GALE|A69214987

"lighting." The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. New York: Columbia University Press,

2016.Student Resources in Context. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.

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Part Five: Annotated Bibliography

Box, Harry. Set Lighting Technicians Handbook. Focal Press, 2013.

This book is intended to inform us. The subject is the terminology, equipment, practices,

protocols, troubleshooting, and safety. The audience for this book are people who want to get

into the field of lighting on stages or sets. The book goes deep into what a certain light will give

you, how to work with electricity, protocols in lighting and rigging, and techniques on how to

work with all kind of lights. There is no bias in this book. Strictly on informational.

http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?

disableHighlighting=false&p=SUIC&javax.portlet.action=viewPortletAction&u=santa&action=

1&prodId=SUIC&source=&activityType=BasicSearch&search_within_results=&commentary=

&documentId=GALE|A69231503

"scene design and stage lighting." The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. New York:

Columbia University Press, 2016. Student Resources in Context. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.
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This piece is intended to inform us. Subject is on its origins of stage lighting. The

audience are people who maybe want to learn the history of theater. Talks about the origins. No

special features and cant spot bias.

http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?

disableHighlighting=false&p=SUIC&javax.portlet.action=viewPortletAction&u=santa&action=

1&prodId=SUIC&source=&activityType=BasicSearch&search_within_results=&commentary=

&documentId=GALE|A69214987

"lighting." The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. New York: Columbia University Press,

2016.Student Resources in Context. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.

This piece is intended to inform us. Subject is on different types of stage lights. The

audience are people who maybe want to learn the history of theater. Talks about the origins of

stage lights. No special features and cant spot bias.

http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?

disableHighlighting=false&p=SUIC&javax.portlet.action=viewPortletAction&u=santa&action=

1&prodId=SUIC&source=&activityType=BasicSearch&search_within_results=&commentary=

&documentId=GALE|CV1647500748

"Stage lighting." World of Invention. Gale, 2006. Student Resources in Context. Web. 21 Sept.

2016.

This piece is intended to inform us. Subject is on origins and pioneers in the field of stage

lighting.The audience are people who maybe want to learn the history of theater. Talks about the

origins of stage lighting. No special features and cant spot bias.

 Nguyen 9

http://www.stagelightingprimer.com/index.html?slfs-right-frame.html&2

Salzberg, Jefferey. Stagelighingprimer.com. 2008,

http://www.stagelightingprimer.com/index.html?slfs-right-frame.html&2. 21 Sept. 2016

This website is intended to inform us. Subject is on anything lighting about lighting

design and technology. The audience are people who maybe want to learn the history of

theater.Talks about the most up to date art and technology in lighting. No special features and

cant spot bias.

https://www.google.com/url?

sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=8&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj9t5Cg_aDPAh

UD9mMKHTz_CaYQtwIIPDAH&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv

%3DbnTC4xjY9eA&usg=AFQjCNGQLn6tUbmYefR2CAGt33oXeSogug&bvm=bv.133387755,

d.cGc

Learn stage lighting. How to Create An Awesome Even Wash of Stage Light. Online clip.

Youtube.com. Jan 9 2015.

This video is intended to teach us. Subject is on creating a wash. The audience are people

who maybe want to learn how to become a lighting designer.Talks about positions of lights and

how to light a stage. No special features and cant spot bias.