What are the differences between concert lighting and theater lighting?
sean c asked:
I am the light technician at my high school for plays and things like that. In a couple months we are having a “battle of the bands” concert, and I’ve never done concert lighting before, just theater. What kinds of things do I need to know about concert lighting, and what are the major differences from regular theater lighting? Thanks.
I am the light technician at my high school for plays and things like that. In a couple months we are having a “battle of the bands” concert, and I’ve never done concert lighting before, just theater. What kinds of things do I need to know about concert lighting, and what are the major differences from regular theater lighting? Thanks.
Possibly Related Posts:
- What theatre lighting control are we using?
- Does anyone know of a good free alternative to Vector Works for lighting purposes?
- How would I portray the following emotions using stage lighting?
- How much would it cost for lighting equipment if I were putting on a play at Delacorte Theater?
- How can i network as a Lighting designer for Theatre?
I’m not a lighting tech, but a performing and recording musician. The primary difference I experience is that concert lighting is much harsher and all about contrast. What would be construed as garish or extreme in a stage play is just about right for a live band – extreme spots, wild interplay (if you have varilights or similar motorized lights), following the lead singer around, highlights on soloists (like a rippin’ guitar solo), etc.
Also, large swings in scenes between songs, dynamic buildup with contrast and color to complement musical dynamics, pyrotechnics like flashpots, fog (if you have them available), etc.
Try and rent some live footage, “The Song Remains the Same” DVD of Led Zeppelin is one example, although pretty old and dated. But if you know what the majority of the musical genres will be (mostly rock? rap?) you can rent some concert DVDs and get an idea how much you can approximate with the lighting rig you’ve got.
Great question. Best to you. [who]
Lighting is used more as an actor on stage. To get the full effect, you will want some type of atmosphere, like a fog or haze. Then, you can start to build where and when the lights go on and off. It is much like lighting for dance in that you are wanting to create a backdrop that does not add or take away from the other stuff on stage.
If you can program chase sequences, you can start to play with tempo and color. If your school as anything in stock that can move or change color, it uses more circuits, but overall it adds flexibility to the light plot.
Look for pictures that you like and study the color and patterns in it. You can play and sculpt a lot more for concerts than you can for plays.
HAVE FUN! [who]
The above are good answers. I’ll add that most rock concerts use robotic lighting–mechanized instruments that can move/refocus and change colors–all controlled by the board. If you’ve some experience with lights, you’ll know that with your standard instruments those things have to be done by hand.
If you’re lucky enough to have robos at your school–well, first of all can I come work there?! If not, then you’re like the vast majority of high schools and may not be able to accomplish all that fancy stuff. Some simpler but still cool stuff you can do–use the strongest colored gels you can find. This is the time to throw away all your skin-flattering light pinks and go for the super-saturated stuff. Check your gel swatch books for the fun ones (diffusers and I don’t even know what-all else) to experiment with (they tend to live at the back of the books).
Fog, as mentioned before, is cheap–BUT–make sure you rehearse with it a couple times well ahead of time. Singers need more air than your average high school actor does, and you don’t want to send them into coughing fits.
Gobos are fun to play with when you don’t have to worry about realism. Get Apollo or one of those other companies to send you their poster of choices. They cost a few bucks a pop OR you can make your own with tin snips and a disposable pie pan. Off the top of my head, I know there are little music notes ones and big star ones that would look cool projected onto a main drape or the floor or your upstage wall/curtain.
And finally, use trees if you have any. Sidelight can be really cool for music.
Have fun! Light techs rule the world!
[who]