KnowHOW: Setting up a basic lighting grid
If you've ever observed different venues, you may have noticed similar lighting positions despite their architectural differences. These lighting positions are designed to effectively illuminate presenters or scenery on the stage. When setting up a lighting grid for an auditorium renovation, conversion, or new build, it's important to consider basic lighting design theories and follow certain guidelines to achieve an effective and flexible lighting grid.
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Zoning Your Stage
Before considering lighting fixtures or their placement, it's recommended to zone your stage. To do this, divide the stage into overlapping circles or zones between 8-12 feet in diameter. The number of zones will depend on the size of your stage. Zoning allows for even lighting coverage and the flexibility to draw focus to specific areas. For example, you can dim the area where the praise band is set up and focus on the pastor. This approach provides higher flexibility and creativity compared to lighting the entire stage as a whole.
Determining Fixture Placement
Once you have your stage zones defined, you can determine the optimal placement of lighting fixtures. The basic and simplest lighting theory is the McCandless method. According to this method, each zone should be lit by two lights positioned 45° above and 45° to either side of the center. Adding a third fixture in a top or slightly back position completes the basic three-point lighting theory.
The goal of the McCandless method is to front-light the subject while creating natural sculpting through highlights and shadows. From your stage zone map, draw these three fixtures for each zone. Measure 45° to the left and right from the center point of each zone and draw a line to determine fixture placement. If your facility already has lighting pipes or truss installed, these lines will intersect with the existing lighting positions. In case of constraints, you may need to adjust the angles or add additional fixtures to achieve the desired lighting effect.
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Adding Color
Once you have effectively lit and zoned your stage, you may want to add color to enhance the mood or evoke emotional responses from the audience. Color can be applied in a top-light or back-light position using gels or LED wash and automated lighting fixtures. If your rig consists only of conventional fixtures, you can create a single color from each light at a time unless you have accessories like color-scrollers or color-changers. Consider color as a wash of the stage, illuminating the entire area evenly.
Adding Specials
In addition to lighting zones and color, you can include "special" fixtures in your lighting grid. These fixtures serve specific purposes beyond what the zones can achieve. For example, you may want a tight spotlight on a religious symbol or a smaller, focused pool of light on the lead worship singer. By having these special fixtures pre-installed and ready to go, you can quickly and easily accommodate last-minute lighting requests.
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Conclusion
Following these steps will help you set up a basic, yet effective and flexible lighting grid for your venue. The primary function of stage lighting is visibility, ensuring the congregation sees what you want them to see. Adding color and specials provides additional creative options, while creating lighting zones using the McCandless method ensures even, uniform, and natural lighting. Once you have mastered these basics, you can further enhance the design and message by incorporating additional angles and textures.
John Black serves as the theatre manager for Seoul Foreign School in South Korea. He enjoys sharing his passion for entertainment technology with high-school students through his student production team, Crusader Live!
This article first appeared in the March-April 2019 edition of Worship AVL. Subscribe at www.proavl-central.com/subscribe/worship.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is zoning the stage important?
A: Zoning the stage ensures even lighting coverage and allows you to draw focus to specific areas when needed.
Q: What is the McCandless method?
A: The McCandless method is a basic lighting theory that involves lighting each zone with two lights positioned 45° above and to either side of the center.
Q: How can I add color to my stage?
A: You can add color using gels or LED wash and automated lighting fixtures. If using conventional fixtures, you may need accessories like color-scrollers or color-changers.
Q: What are "special" fixtures?
A: "Special" fixtures serve specific purposes beyond what can be achieved through lighting zones. They can be quickly re-tasked as needed.
Q: What is the primary function of stage lighting?
A: The primary function of stage lighting is visibility, ensuring the audience sees what you want them to see.
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