The Heart of Light: A Holistic Primer for a Life and Career in Lighting Design and Production

Description

The Heart of Light: A Holistic Primer for a Life and Career in Lighting Design and Production is a fresh look into the ever-evolving fields of lighting design and technology for arts and entertainment. Full of practical information, historic perspectives, engaging projects, and opportunities for deep inquiry, practice, and reflection, this book offers a well-rounded foundation in the art, technology, and industries of light. It explores a wide range of topics, including: how to observe, communicate about, and use light effectively how quietive practices can deepen the creative process current lighting equipment used across the various arts and entertainment industries and strategies for keeping up with its rapid innovation how to choose a career path that keeps you inspired, as well as ways to search for work with do’s and don’ts of effective career building how to cope with and celebrate the unknown and related challenges of implementing a design under pressure considerations for using self-reflection to be successful and impact positive change From her perspective of lighting designer, educator, and contemplative practitioner, the author explores lighting not just as subject, but as an invitation to a fulfilling lifelong adventure. Written for students of Theatrical Lighting courses and emerging lighting professionals, The Heart of Light is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the power of light. Cover Page Half Title Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Page Acknowledgments Page 1 Introduction and an Invitation 2 Observe Quietive Practices and the Creative Process Being More Informed than Influenced Light as it Naturally Occurs Interior Light Exterior Light Geographic Location Period Just Physics References and Resources 3 Inquire Light in Art Impacts of Light for the Artist Engaging the Observer Art, Reality, and Plausibility Light as Storyteller Light in Entertainment Developing your Language for Light Helpful Vocabulary from Folks Who Thought a Lot About It Industry Perspectives and Quirks Theatre and Plays, Opera, Dance and Musical Theatre Concerts and Music Touring Live Immersive, Non-narrative, and/or Experiential Situations Television Architectural Lighting Architainment Themed Entertainment Film The Artistic/Aesthetic Standard-Bearers References and Resources 4 Gather Orientation and Preparation Part 1: The Basics The Technical Standard-Bearers An Introduction to Workplace Safety in Entertainment The Lighting Brushes Powering It All: Entertainment Electricity Basics Part 2: Pause, Step Back, Absorb, and Reflect Part 3: The Big Bites The Lighting Brushes for a New World, Advanced Technology Moving Lights LED Lighting Fixtures Color Changers Other Kinds of Advanced Technology and Accessories Projections and Other Digital Media in Live Performance Atmospheric Effects Controlling It All: The Evolution of Lighting Control Dimmers Control Boards and Consoles DMX512-A DMX512 Recommended Practices The Alphabet Soup of Lighting Systems Control Part 4: The Wind Down Color Primary and Secondary Colors of Light Complements Getting the Blue Dress Blue Lighting Skin and Skin Tones Opponent-Processing Color Theory and Bleaching The Spectral Energy Distribution Curve or SED LEDs and Color CIE Chart of Photosensitivity References and Resources 5 Choose Approaching the Design Laying Out the Light Plot Laying Out the Light Plot (Continued) Lighting Teams, Organizational Structures, and Why the Variations The Collaborative Process Working with Directors Working with Other Designers Working with the Rest of Your Team References and Resources 6 Do and Adapt Coping with and Celebrating the Unexpected Focusing the Rig – Getting the Light “Right” The “Tech” Period: Getting It Done While Everyone is Staring at You Some Common Live Level Setting Proficiencies References and Resources 7 Reflect Markers of Success Learn to Seek Out and Receive Criticism Documenting Your Work Ready to Do It Again? References and Resources 8 Inspiration References and Resources Appendices Appendix 1 How Do I. . . Hang Lights? Getting It on the Hanging Position Finishing the Instrument/Fixture Common Mistakes Cabling Dos and Don’ts Troubleshooting Tips Focusing Tips Strike/Loadout Tips Communicate My Ideas? Create Technical Specifications? Appendix 2 Live Performance Lighting Design Case Studies As “Traditional” as it Gets: The Man Who Came to Dinner Challenging Configurations: Hands on a Hardbody Grass Roots to Spectacle: STOMP OUT LOUD, Las Vegas Don’t Blind the Acrobat: Cirque Mechanics, Boom Town Pandemic and Streaming Lighting: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Appendix 3 Getting a Job Contacts, Contacts, Contacts Resources for Finding Work Resume Perspectives Portfolio/Website Development and Resources Appendix 4 Suggestions for Scaling This Book For Educators Teaching. . . Majors in Professional Training Programs Theatre and Entertainment Majors Not Focused on Lighting Other-than-Theatre Majors High School or Vocational Students If You’re Learning on the Job Just Curious Glossary Index