Lighting Key to Light
Plot
A How to Sheet Addressing
Repertory Dance Lighting and Photometrics
Propose a
lighting key for a repertory dance concert. Indicate direction and purpose on
your key.
On plot,
draw acting areas.
Draw 9 focus
areas (3 across, 3 deep), using a specific color to draw these focus areas. Mark the center of each focus area with a +.
On top of
these focus areas, draw 12 focus areas (4 across, 3 deep), using a different
color. Mark the center of each focus area
with a +.
Think about
what systems will be used in full stage looks and what systems will need more
control? Identify what “angles” are wash
systems (using 9 focus areas) and those that are area specific
(using 12 focus areas).
From this
and your lighting key, fill out the magic sheet. Assuming that each box represents a focus
area, assign a channel number for the fixture in each focus area.
Refer to
the inventory and make a guess at what type of instrument you will use for each
group. Note the instrument type on the
magic sheet.
On the
elevation and section drawing, draw in the boundaries of the dance floor. Draw a figure in the center of each focus
area. Maintain the color code system you
have established in your focus areas when drawing the figures. Figures should be 6’-0” tall.
Refer to ¼” scale demo.
Decide how
steep your lights are. Downlight is simple.
The fixture is directly above the actor’s head, 90 degs.
on the y-axis.
For all other angles, you need to decide how steep the light is to the
body. Note the “steepness” of each
system in degrees on you magic sheet.
Chart all lights that are directly in front of or directly behind the
actor on the section drawing. Chart all
lights that are directly to either side of the actor on the elevation
drawing. Show how the lights are focused
by drawing a line from the top of the actor’s head to the instrument. Draw the spread of each beam of light by
using your protractor. Have you chosen
the right instrument to cover the intended area? Drawing different systems in different colors
will help you to keep track of your lines.
What
happens when a light is not hung directly in front of, in the back of or to the
side of the actor? Perhaps a light is hung at 45 degs.
on the x-axis and 60 degs. steep on the y-axis?
On the plan view, draw a line at 45 degs. from the center of the focus area out in the direction of
the instrument. On either the section or
the elevation, chart a beam that is 60 degs. steep on the y-axis.
Start your focus line at the actor’s head and draw it up through the
“electrics line.” Measure the distance
along the “electrics line” from above the actor’s head to where the 60 deg.
line crosses it. This is distance
“a.” Transfer distance “a” onto the plan
view, starting from the center of the focus area, moving along the 45deg. line.
Using information from both your elevation and section, note the
distance from center of acting area to the instrument at the “electrics line.”
Transfer the placement of the fixtures on to the light plot as arrows,
with the corresponding channel number and focus area. Once complete you have a rough plot!