Plot and rehearse lighting for theatre and live productions
Overview
This standard is about co-ordinating the rehearsing and plotting of the lighting. You will be required to use the rehearsal period, including the technical rehearsal and plotting session, to work out exactly how lighting will be used to achieve the desired effects during performance.
You will need to plot the cues and looks for each lighting state in agreement with relevant people using cue synopses and lists.
You must respond to the changes required during the rehearsal period and find innovative, practical or technical solutions to meet design and production requirements for any problems that occur, within the agreed design brief.
This standard is for Lighting technicians, Lighting designers and Lighting Heads of Department (HODs) for theatre and live productions.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- communicate about overall production schedules with relevant production staff
- attend stage technical and dress rehearsals when required
- make sure the effects of lighting combined with other aspects of productions meets production requirements
- deal with problems according to approved procedures, suggesting solutions that are feasible and in keeping with design intentions
- report problems that cannot be resolved to appropriate people
- consult with creative and technical staff to amend lighting states
- produce lighting states which satisfy design scenarios and maintain the overall integrity of designs
- check members of the technical teams have established working cue lists to maintain the cue-to-cue running of productions
- check that stage management has accurate cue synopsis and cue positions incorporated into the running order of productions
- use information to program and soft patch lighting desks ready for plotting
- make required alterations to lighting, paperwork and cue information held within lighting desks
- record paperwork and cue information held within lighting desks to enable them to be followed by other people
- plot and modify lighting states, so that they meet requirements
- develop and follow backup arrangements to deal with problems during operation and for cue information held within lighting desks
- playback lighting states to cue
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the difference between plotting sessions, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and previews and the role lighting designers and lighting head of department can play in these
- the possible improvements that can be identified during rehearsal
- how to work with technical teams to find solutions to problems
- the importance of consulting with other members of creative and technical teams
- the importance of maintaining the overall integrity of lighting designs
- the importance of the overall look of production and how lighting contributes to this
- the capabilities and operation of lighting desks, including fault finding and first line maintenance
- stage terminology and its meanings including upstage, downstage, stage left and stage right
- the operation of controls and lighting equipment, stage electrics and effects
- problems that may occur and who to liaise with to provide solutions
- the importance of plotting and modifying lighting states to meet production requirements
- why it is important to communicate with other people whilst plotting lighting states
- the level of speed, dexterity and efficiency required when plotting
- the importance of rehearsals and making the best use of rehearsal opportunities
- the importance of the back up of online information within the lighting desk and archiving of paperwork and information for future use
- agreed backup procedures for information within the lighting board and how to operate these
- the importance of responding promptly to requested alterations
- how to replace faulty light sources, including ensuring safe isolation
- the importance of recording alterations to cue lists
- legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice