The Basics Designing a Stage Lighting System..

Starting at the End

You Got to Know the Territory

You Got to Know the Product

What is a Lighting System?

Lights

Dimmers

Control

First things FirstWhat are the functions of light in an entertainment system?

Visibility – Provide enough light to see the performer.Modeling – The use of light and shadow to reveal form.

Focus – The use of light to focus the audiences attention.

Information – The use of light to establish time of day, mood and composition in support of the

event.

What are the standard directions of light?

Front Light – Provides a flat quality, but is good for lighting the eyes.


Diagonal Front Light – Adds dimensionality to the actor while providing good face light.


Side Light – Reveals the dimensionality of the actor.


Back Light – Highlights and separates the actor from the background.


Diagonal Back Light – Like side light reveals dimensionality as well as separates the actor from the background.


Down Light – Dramatic, reveals form.


Up Light – Reverses shadows.

Fixtures and AccessoriesThe end that justifies the means

EllipsoidalsFresnelsCyc LightingLampsPatterns / Gobo’sScrollersExtension cablesColor Media / Gel

Patented in 1933 by the founders of Century Lighting Joseph Levy and Ed Kook

Beam is controllable and shapeable.

Shutters

Patterns

Focus

Color

Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight – LEKO, ERS, SL

5°, 10°, 19°, 26°, 36° and 50° field angles

High efficiency dichroic glass reflector and coated aspheric computer-designed lenses

Coolbeam operation for extended gobo, shutter and gel life

High performance 575W lamps

Fast and easy lamp centering with positive screw driver lock so that it won't move in transit

Fast positive peak/flat adjustment via screw drive mechanism for smooth, tool-free field settings

Bayonet action lamp changing system for simple lamp changes without affecting field setting

Compact and lightweight, allowing closer hanging in tighter spaces

Smooth 360° body rotation for quick and easy gobo and shutter positioning

Shutters in three planes for triangular shutter cut

Highly versatile rigging by combining 360° rotation with two balance positions for yoke

Large rear handle for easy positioning

Wide gate will fit 2 gobo holders, including glass gobo holder, drop-in iris or rotating gobo holder

Fresnel Spotlight

Beam is controllable and shapeable.

Focus

Barn Doors

Color

Soft Edged Beam

Fresnel Spotlight

High-output Fresnels

Lightweight extruded aluminum body, with black finish

1000W and 2000W

Vented lens door

Smooth and concise spot-to-flood adjustment

All handles thermally insulated

Barndoor optional

Bi-post socket version available. Ideal for small television studios particularly low-power, educational and in-house commercial and industrial facilities

Cyclorama Lighting

Smooth Field of Light

Asymmetric distribution

Color Mixing

6 - 8 feet

Moving Lights

Add Flexibility to the Lighting Design

Pan, Tilt and Beam Shape

Patterns, Color and Effects

ControlDetermine how lighting will be controlled

Theatrical ConsolesArchitectural StationsStage Mgr. PanelsEthernet EquipmentRemote InputsAux. ControlA / V Interfaces

Control100 Series Console

Fully digital control console 12 channel 2 scene preset, 24 channel single scene preset operation with unique Hold function in single scene mode Built in effect operation Designed for portable or rack mounting applicationsSplit crossfader with time fade function Bump buttons Grand Master and Black out key DMX 512 output

Control200 Series Console

Fully digital control console Two models available 12/24 channels or 24/48 channels Two pages of Submasters memories All consoles feature 2 scene preset operation or expanded single scene preset operation with unique Hold function in single scene mode Up to 24 effects each with up to 99 steps Split crossfader with time fade function Bump buttons on all channels Grand Master and Black out key Full DMX 512 operation with patch

DistributionDistributing circuits throughout the facility

Connector Strips Plug BoxesDrop BoxesMulticable ExtensionsFloor Pockets

Plug BoxesMulti-Cable

Floor Pocket

CD80 Packs

Rugged dimmer packs for portable and permanent applications

Full range of capacities: 24 – 1.2kW, 12 - 2.4kW, 24 - 2.4kW 6 - 6kW or 6 - 12kW

Full range of output connectors: pin connectors, twist locks and parallel blades or terminal strip output for permanent installations

Plug-in digital command module

Overlapping simultaneous 0 to +10V analog control output

Illuminated push buttons for local control (full/normal) plus ‘panic’ feature for instant on

Input and output XLR connectors for daisy chaining packs

Simple phase change from single phase 3 wire to three phase 4 wire

Toroidal chokes for high-quality filtering

Portable Dimmers

CD80 Single DimmerRugged dimmers for portable applications Capacities: 2.4kW, 12kW and 24kW Stage pin power connections Plug-in digital command module Integral circuit breaker Recessed controls DMX512 control versions Stackable UL, cULlisted

Portable Dimmers

Light PackQuiet IGBT Dimming Technology Fully short circuit protected DMX In/Out Local Control for easy set up 800μs transition time Forward or reverse phase operation Integrates with all Strand Dimming Systems UL cUL listed 3 Year Warranty

Portable Dimmers

S21 Dimmer StickFully Digital Dimmer strip DMX 512 I/O Quiet convection cooled dual IGBT dimmers Energy efficient-only a 2.5 volt insertion loss Local Focus buttons and status display 450 μs transition time on 1.2kW dimmers and 800 μs on 2.4kW dimmers significantly reduces lamp sing Automatic Short Circuit protection Wide range of load connector options Integrates with Strand C21 and A21 Dimmers Hangers available for wall and pipe mount applications

Portable Dimmers

Portable Dimmers

R21 RacewayFully Digital Powered Raceway DMX 512 I/O Simplified Data distribution over ShowNet Networking Remote processor option provides support for up to 96 dimmers Quiet convection cooled dual IGBT dimmers Energy efficient - only a 2.5 volt insertion loss Local Focus buttons and status display 800 μs transition time significantly reduces lamp sing Automatic Short Circuit protection Wide range of load connector options Integrates with Strand C21 and A21 Dimmers Dimmer Status reporting standard Hangers available for Wall and pipe mount applications

Emergency Transfer

UL1008 and NFPA 110 Available

2 Circuits to 36 Circuits per Cabinet

Layout and Design

Identify traditional lighting positions

Grid

FOH

Proscenium Cyclorama

Electrics

Locating the Lights. Fresnels, Spots and Pars.- Front of House,(FOH) Position is a primary part

of the stage front lighting

45 º angle

Audience or “House”

FOH Cove or Catwalk

Stage Rake

45º Angles Create Dimension

Stage(Top View)

FOH Position

SL Spotlights

SL Spotlights

Fresnels

Fresnels

Cyc

Lig

ht

Create a flat field

FOH Position

Stage Right

Stage Left

Up

Sta

ge

Do

wn

Sta

ge

COLOR CREATES

* Shadow * Time of Day

* Mood

FOH“Electric”

Overlap warmAnd cool color to

set the mood

Side Lighting Fills the Shadows

Box Booms

Onstage - Lighting the Cyc

4th Onstage ElectricCYC

Cyc lighting 6 - 8 feet

The special reflector in a Cyc lightwashes the Cyc with a flat field

of light. Multiple Cyc lights permit color mixing and good horizontal

coverage.

Onstage - the First Electric

1st Onstage Electric

4th Onstage Electric

Stage Electrics are trussing or pipesthat are numbered to identify them easily

Onstage - Filling in the rest

1st Onstage Electric

2nd Onstage Electric

3rd Onstage Electric

4th Onstage Electric

Co

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Wei

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Inte

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Floor Level Circuits* Floor Pockets * Plug Boxes

Floor Pockets

Plug Boxes

Stage circuits can be on the walls,on flexible cables for the Electrics

or in floor pockets

Circuiting - Front of House• Front of House - Space

circuits on 18 inch to 2 foot centers

• Number from the furthest front of house position to the nearest, then from the furthest Side of House to the nearest

• Don’t forget the houselights - they are numbered after the last stage circuit

The First Electric

• Most heavily used• 18 to 24 inch circuit

spacing• Sometimes “Double

Hung”• Use a connector strip

rather than boxes when possible

First Bridge at the San Francisco Opera -192 ccts

Cyclorama Electric

• Space circuits to match cyclorama lighting units on 6 or 8 foots centers in groups of 3 or 4 circuits

• Add circuits for use as backlighting or specials

• In small theaters cyc circuits may be “paired”

Mid Stage Electrics

• Circuit spacing is 18 to 36 inches

• May be a connector strips or “Drop” boxes

• Drop boxes get fed from both ends of a pipe

• If drop boxes are used, include a selection of extension cables for circuiting lights

Stage floor level circuits

• Locate both Stage Left and Stage Right at “tormentor” openings: typically 2 to 4 ccts each

• Used very heavily in dance facilities - ‘shinbusters’

• Used for stage level effects, ground rows, and “practical lighting”

How many dimmers do I need?

• Count circuits - dimmer per circuit is the industry standard

• Add Houselight circuits

• Paralleling is possible at Cyclorama and wall circuits

Electrical issues

• Always use separate neutrals for each circuit

• Derate to no less than 400 amps per rack whenever possible.

• Plan for K rated transformers for large installations

• 3% load loss, or 12 BTU/Hr per amp of connected load

Dimmer considerations

• Select modules with filtering to meet the needs of your facility - most use 350us, (micro seconds) standard dimmers for “Road Houses”

• Performing Arts Centers often use hi-rise time 800us dimmers or Sinewave dimmers for Quiet operation

• Television studios use 500us dimmers or 800 us dimmers depending on live stage recording requirements

Specialty Modules

• Contactor modules provide switching for fluorescent and metal halide loads as well as motors, effects devices and worklights

• Sinewave Dimmer Modules provide completely silent loads with very low harmonic content – ideal for houselights and other quiet applications

• 3 Wire Fluorescent modules are optimized for Hi resolution fluorescent ballasts such as Hi lume

Choosing a control consoleBasic and Mid-Range

• Manual control desks for smaller facilities

• Memory systems up to 500 channels for a variety projects

• Memory/Manual systems for flexibility

• Basic DMX Cable Belden 9829

Advanced control systems

• Larger channel capacities

• Highly sophisticated controls

• Networking• Multi-console• Automated

luminaires• Remote video

Sample Solutions

Small School Stage

A plan view

System riser

A Medium size system

System Riser

Larger system

System Riser

Solutions made Simpleby

The Basics Designing a Stage Lighting System..

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