A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting

Construct and Implement Your Own Lighting Designs with the most trusted guide to stage lighting!

An entertaining and educational read, author Steven Louis Shelley draws from his 35+ years of diverse experience to bring you the step-by-step technical tools for getting the job done along with real-life examples of projects from start to finish. Learn why some techniques are successful while others fail with 'Shelley's Notes' and 'Shelley's Soapbox,' all with a humor that guides you through complex problems and concepts. Some of the topics covered:

* Deduction of the research, production meetings, and personal choices that result in evolution of the core lighting design documents * Chapters analyzing technical specifications, advancing production facilities, and turning that information into accurate draftings * Illustrated step-by-step construction of some of the systems in the preliminary light plot * Examination of the processes involved in construction and submission of shop orders, and reacting to bids, cuts and changes that affect the light plot * Discussions about preparations prior to the load-in, including prepping the lighting rental package, creating truck packs, and watching run-throughs

This enlightening reference is a necessary addition to anyone serious about stage lighting.

* Over 60 new topics and forums, including creating and negotiating contracts, Technical Rehearsal Tactics, and working with stage managers, assistants and others during rehearsals * Learn what you'll need to have for each phase of the project, from the load-in and programming the lighting console through the focus session to the cueing session, the tech rehearsals and (finally!) the performance * Get the trouble shooting tips you need quickly with 'Shelley's Notes' and 'Shelley's Soapbox' * Know what you're getting into--Understand what affects your lighting design, such as the contract, the budget, the size of production, the schedule, and the performance facility * Learn from others' mistakes--Real-life examples show you what working in an array of productions is actually like