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The Role of the Specialists - The Lighting Designer

© Marilyn Cameron

In our articleThe Role of the Specialists - The Director, we explored the Director's involvement with the performers and the rehearsal period, and briefly mentioned the other specialists whose skills the Director relies upon to help him realise the artistic effectiveness he has in mind for the production as a whole..

The smooth integration of these combined skills is vital to that realisation and all should have equal importance, including those of the Lighting Designer.

The Lighting Designer, after becoming familiar with the script, will note everything in the script concerning light. Variations in light may be needed for various parts of the setting. He/she will need to note too, the directions from which light enters the set, such as through a window, or for special effect.

The Lighting Designer will pay particular attention to the mood of the play in order to produce the necessary atmosphere demanded by the play. He/she will discuss the lighting requirements with both the scene/set designer and the Director, and then draw up sketches showing how the stage could be lit in order to meet those requirements. The focus and placement of the lights will be finally determined when the scenery is in place.

Lighting for the stage is generally divided into:-

Specific Illumination

Specific illumination concentrates on a limited area. It is used for lighting acting areas which require strong emphasis.

General Illumination

General illumination is used to light the sets/scenes and background areas of the stage and blends with the lighting of acting areas.

Special Effects

Special effects are a variety of lighting states, techniques and instruments, such as the projection of clouds, fires, stars, and the creation of patterns on the stage floor suggesting light from water, or light shining through trees down to the forest floor.

The Lighting Designer will draw up a 'lighting plot' on a floor plan showing the entire stage including the set. A separate plot may be drawn up for each set/scene as well as one for the whole production.

He/She will also write up an Instrument Schedule or Lighting Log, which provides a summary of all technical information needed to set up the lights for the play. The schedule will include lists of mounting positions, areas to be lit, color filters, gobos, and other technical information as required.

There are several types of lighting instruments, lanterns, and objects. A spotlight illuminates a limited area of the stage with a direct beam of light. Spotlights range in power and can be anything from 500 watts to 5,000 watts.

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