Index

A

AAC format, 243

acoustical shells, 14

acting areas, 86–87

actor traps, 36

AIFF files, 240, 241

aircraft cable, 63

aircraft landing lights (ACL), 107

ambient sound, 209–210

amperage, 115

amplifiers, 260

mono, 261

stereo, 261

analog-to-digital conversion, 236

aniline dye, 49

Apple Lossless format, 243

arbor, 14

assistant stage manager (ASM), 6

asynchronous events, 267

audience blinders, 107

audio design

defining content, 209–216

making it audible, 201–208

audio file formats, 239–240

compressed formats, 241–244

uncompressed formats, 240–241

audio hardware interface, 251–252

audio playback software, 248–250

auditions, 293–295

Austrian curtain, 41

auxiliary returns, 256–257

auxiliary sends, 254, 256

B

back light, 30, 86, 90, 321

balanced lines, 224

balcony rail, 84

ballast, 152, 156

barn doors, 148

base station, 17, 18

battens

dead hung, 13

flying and, 63

lighting positions and, 174–175

beam shapers, 162

beams, 174

belt pack, 231

bit depth, 238

black lights, 168–169

blackout drops, 45

blackout switch, 130

blackouts, 95

blocking, 299

boom stands, 327

booms, 15, 174

border light. See strip light

box booms, 175

box sets, 23

breakaway glass, 76–77

breakout boxes, 325

bump buttons, 106, 108

bump cue, 100

buying costumes, 193–194

BWF file, 241

C

callboard, 291–292

calling cues, 316

calling the show, 314

Camelot, 20

canvas, 46

carbon-arc spot, 152–153

casein paint, 49

castors

straight-run, 59

swivel, 59

C-clamp, 145

center lines, 26–27

chain pocket, 44

changing booths, 11

character

costume design and, 179–182

charge artist, 7

chase effects, 72

chroma, 330

circuit breakers, 115, 117–120

circuit plot, 15

closing, show, 297–298

coffin locks

platforms and, 34

color balance, 90

color correction, 161

color filters

follow spots and, 151

manufacturers of, 172

color frames, 151, 172

color scrollers, 97

color temperature, 103–105, 156

color wheel, 161

communication, 290

company manager, 6

component video, 330

composite signal, 330

compression, 260

concept meetings, 292–293

conferences

design, 293

contact closures, 270–271

contact sheets, 290–291

control consoles, 127

control systems

event-based, 268–270

time-based, 268–270

cool foggers, 76

corporate theater

drapes in, 328–329

house lights in, 326

lighting in, 319–321

lighting trees in, 322–323

platforms in, 328

power in, 324–326

scenery in, 328–329

sound in, 327–328

track lights in, 319–321

trusses in, 319–321

costume design

character and, 179–182

function and, 185–187

period and, 182–185

silhouettes, 90

sketches, 187

costume designers, 4

script reading and, 179–181

costume fittings, 296

costume parade, 311

costume shop manager, 4

costumes, 4, 190–192

buying, 193–194

fabric augmentation of, 196–197

fitting, 195–196

hair and, 197

pulling, 194–195

renting, 194

counterweight flying system, 63

counterweight traps, 70

counterweights, 14

coves, 174

craftspeople, 4

crossfader, 131

crossover, 12, 13

crotch lights, 97

cue list, 248

cue sheets, 131

cue stacks, 132–133

autofollows, 133–134

faders, 133–134

fade times, 133

HTP versus LTP, 135–137

moving light profiles, 135

preset, 134

rack-mount playback consoles, 138

remote focus unit, 137–138

sequence, 134

submasters, 134

tracking versus cue only, 137

wait times, 133

cues, 95–96

calling, 316

stage managers and, 5

cutters, 4, 192

cyclorama, 45

CYM color mixing, 161

D

daisy-chaining, 248

dance

lighting for, 97–99

dead man’s switch, 270

decks, 34

Desert Song (Rombard), 12–13

design conferences, 293

designer fabrics, 48

designers

costume, 4, 179–181

lighting, 1–2

prop, 4

scenic, 1, 277

set, 23–25

sound, 5

deus ex machina, 62

diaphragm, 222

dichroic filters, 160–161

diffusion filters, 173–174

digital audio playback, 244–253

digital audio primer, 236–239

digital audio workstation (DAW) software, 245, 246–248

dimmer per circuit, 128

dimmerboard operator

light operation and, 5

role of, 1

dimmers, 15, 124–127

portable, 326

resistance, 125

director

role of, 1

DMX universes, 143

DMX512, 138–139

choosing channels, 141–142

digital multiplexing, 140

doors, 52–55

dousers, 151

downstage, 35, 337

drapers, 4, 193

drapes, 40–43

in corporate theater, 328–329

fabrics used for, 46–48

fullness of, 43

grand, 18, 41

draping (patterning), 192–193

dressers, 4

dressing rooms, 12

drops, 43–46

blackout, 45

dry ice, 74–76

dry tech, 307–308

duvateen, 47

E

Edison plug, 16, 122

effects loops, 257

effects processors, 258–259

compression, 260

equalization, 259–260

limiting, 260

reverb, 258–259

electrician

role of, 1

electricity, 111–117

protecting yourself from, 117–120

elevations on set, 27

ellipsoidal, 93, 148

focal length of, 150

gobos in, 150

shutters in, 150

templates in, 150

zoom, 150

enable buttons, 270

entertainment protocols, 274–275

equalization, 206, 254, 255, 259–260

erosion cloth, 47

escape stairs, 36

E-stop switches, 271

event-based control systems, 268–270

extreme sightlines, 18, 28

F

fabric augmentation

of costumes, 196–197

fabrics, 46–48

false perspective, 34, 35

false proscenium, 42

fashion

lighting for, 101–102

fast changes, 12

feedback, avoiding, 234–235

film loops, 171

filters

dichroic, 160–161

diffusion, 173–174

fire curtain, 41

fire retardancy, 51

fire, 70–72

first electric, 14, 174

first hand, 4

fitting costumes, 195–196

fixture library, 164

flames, 171

flats, 38–40

flicker generator, 72

flooding, 146

floor plans, 25–29

flying, 55, 62–66

flyman, 7

focal length, 150

focus, creating, 93–94

fog machine, 73–74

fog, 72–76

cool, 76

liquid nitrogen and, 76

follow spots, 5

color filters and, 151

in musicals, 100

parts of, 151–153

45-degree concept, 84–85

frequency, 205–206

front light, 85, 86, 90, 91

front-of-house spots, 108

front-projection screens, 46

fullness, 43

function

costume design and, 185–187

furniture, 282–285

fuse boxes, 117

fuses, 115, 117–120

G

gel frame, 172

gel, 172

gobo rotators

in special effects, 171

gobos

in ellipsoidal, 150

gooseneck. See podium stand

grand drapes, 18, 41–42

green room, 12

grid, 13–14

gripping, 55, 57–58

grommets, 43, 44

ground row, 46

grounding, 121–122

group outputs, 256

guillotine curtain, 41

H

hair

costumes and, 197

Hair, 20

half-hour, 314

hard-edged lights, 148–150

hard-wired electric, 14

hazers, 73

headset etiquette, 317

headset system, 17

hemp flying system, 62

high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp, 155–157

HMI lamps, 151

hookup chart, 128

hookup sheets, 129

house left, 337

house right, 337

I

illumination, 82–84

illusions, 69–80

image mag, 320

impedance, 224

“inches per foot” rake, 35

industrial felt, 48

input modules, 254–256

input trim, 254–255

intelligent lighting, 106

interfaces, 270–271

irising in/irising out, 100

J

jackknife platform, 61

Jesus Christ Superstar, 20

juliets, 175

K

knife curtain, 41

L

lamp, 144

Leko, 148

life safety, 274

light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, 166–168

lighting consoles

for rock and roll, 106

lighting cues, 5

lighting designer, 5

role of, 1

lighting instruments, 144–146

lighting inventory, 15

lighting positions, 174–175

lighting systems

circuit plot, 15

control console of, 15

inventory of, 15

plugs for, 16

positions in, 15

lighting trees, 13

in corporate theater, 322–323

lighting, 4–5

border, 146

in corporate theater, 319–321

for dance, 97–99

for fashion, 101–102

hard edged, 148–150

master electrician and, 5

motivational, 88–90

for musicals, 99–101

for rock-and-roll, 105–109

scene change, 73

soft-edged, 146–148

special effects, 168–174

strip, 146

strobe, 169

for video, 102–105

lightning box, 170

lightning, 170–171

limit switches, 271

limiting, 260

line-level sources, 235–236

line schedule, 66

line sets, 13–14

line-level signal, 220, 235

liquid nitrogen, 76

load, 112

loading dock, 12

loading rail, 64

lock rail, 64, 65

luminance, 330

M

managers

company, 6

costume shop, 4

production, 289

stage, 2, 5–7, 289

masking, 18, 43

master electrician

lighting and, 5

master fader, 130

McCandless, Stanley, 84–85

memory consoles, 131–132

mercury vapor, 168

microphones, 221–235

body, 228, 229–231

choosing, 223

condenser, 223–224

dynamic, 223–224

hand-held, 227

headset, 228–229

lavalier, 226, 232, 327

maintaining, 233–236

PZM, 231–232

shotgun, 232–233

sweating out, 231

types of, 226–233

wireless, 227–228

MIDI, 252–253

sequencers, 247, 253

show control using, 272–275

time code, 273

mixers, 219, 254

sound system, 16

monitor mixer, 5

monitor speakers, 5

monitor system, 16

mono amplifiers, 261

mood, 90–93

motivational lights, 88–90

motivational side, 85

moving lights, 153–155

moving mirror, 158, 159

moving yoke (head), 157, 158

MP3, 242

multiplexing, 140

multi-set show, 23–24

musicals

lighting for, 99

muslin, 43, 46

mute, 256

My Fair Lady, 20

O

off book rehearsals, 305

ohms, 262

on book rehearsals, 305

one-set show, 23

outlets, 122–123

output channels, 254

output, 255

over ethernet, 143–144

plugging DMX, 140–141

P

paint shop, 7

pan control, 255

PAR cans, 105–106

in soft-lighting, 147

patch panel, 127–128

pattern, 150

patterning. See draping

PC-based playback system, 244

perceptual coding, 241

period

costume design and, 182–185

personal props, 280

perspective

false, 34

phantom power, 224

phono (quarter-inch) plug, 225, 235

photo calls, 312–313

pickup lines, 362

pin rail, 62, 64

pipe-and-drape, 18, 43

pipe-ends, 97

platforms, 27, 34–35

coffin locks and, 34

in corporate theater, 328

playing space, 11

plugs, 122–123

for lighting systems, 16

phono, 225, 235

podium stands, 327

power conditioners, 120

power drop, 325

power

in corporate theater, 324–326

pre-amplifier, 220

preproduction, 292–293

presets, 130

pre-show calls, 315

production manager

role of, 289

production meetings, 293

production stage manager (PSM), 6

production, 296

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), 273–274

projection screens, 46

prompt books, 299–303

prop carpenters, 4

prop designers

role of, 277

prop lists, 279

making, 279–282

prop tables, 11, 280, 287–288

propmaster

role of, 1

props crew, 4

props, 4

choosing, 277

handling, 287–288

proscenium arch, 26, 174

purchase lines, 14, 65

pyrotechnics, 109

R

rails, 64

rain onstage, 77

raked stages, 34

ramps, 37–38

RCA plug, 235, 236

rear projection screens, 46

rehearsal clothes, 186

rehearsals, 303–308

on book, 305

off book, 305

Q2Q, 308

sound, 307

special, 307

tech, 308–310

understudy, 313–314

remote focus unit, 137–138

renderings, 187

renting

costumes, 194

resistance dimmers, 125

resistance, 262

resolution, 237

reverb, 258–259

revolving stage, 61

rigging system, 13–14

rim light, 85–86

rock and roll

follow spots in, 108

lighting consoles for, 106

lighting for, 105–109

rolling, 55, 59–66

Rombard, Sigmund, 12

S

sampler, 238

sampling rate, 237, 238

sampling, 237

saturated paints, 49

scene breakdown, 298

scene changes, 66–69

scene shop, 7

scene-change lights, 96

scenery, 6–7

in corporate theater, 328–329

scenes

in-ones, 24

scenic artists, 7

scenic designers, 1

role of, 20, 277

scenic paint, 48–50

scoops

soft-edged, 147

SCR dimmers, 124

scrims, 44

script reading

costume designers and, 179–181

set designers and, 23–25

sequencers, 253

set designers

script reading and, 23–25

set dressing, 280–281

set props, 280

sewn-in fullness, 43

shift plot, 66, 67

shinbusters, 97

short circuit, 117

show control

MIDI for, 272–273

show deck, 61

show drop, 41

shutters, 88

in ellipsoidals, 150

side coves, 175

sightlines, 18

signal chain, 217–221

signal levels, 220

signal, 218

sign-in sheet, 291

silhouettes, 90

costume design and, 185

silk flames, 71

smoke machines, 72–73

smoke, 72–76

SMPTE time code, 268

snapouts, 96

snow bags, 79

snow machines, 78–80

snow, 77–80

sodium vapor lamp, 168

soft-edged lights, 146–148

border lights, 146

par cans in, 147

scoops, 147

strip lights, 146, 147

software

sound, 248–250

solo, 256

sound designer

role of, 5

sound engineer

role of, 5

sound pressure level (SPL), 202–204

sound rehearsals, 307

sound system

inventory of, 16

mixers in, 16

sound, 5

in corporate theater, 327–328

signal chain and, 217

software for, 248–250

soundtrack music, 210–214

sources, 214, 218–219

speaker cone, 262

speaker level, 221

speakers, 262–264

special effects, 69–80, 168–171

black lights, 168–169

breakaway glass, 76–77

disappearances, 70

fire, 70–72

flames, 171

fog, 72–76

gobo rotators, 171

lightning, 170–171

rain, 77

smoke, 72–76

snow, 77–80

strobe lights, 169

special rehearsals, 307

specials, 93

spike protection, 120

spike tape, 303

spotting, 146

stage crew, 2

role of, 7

stage left, 27, 337

stage managers

cues and, 5

list management and, 298–299

role of, 5, 6, 289

stage plug, 16, 122

stage right, 27, 337

stage taping, 303

stairs, 35–37

statements, 21–22

stereo amplifiers, 261

stitchers, 4, 193

straight stands, 327

straight-run wagon, 59

striking, 297–298

strip light, 146, 147

strobe effects, 162

strobe lights, 169

subwoofers, 263

surge protection, 120

S-video, 330

swatches, 190

swivel castors, 59

synchronous events, 267

A System of Stage Lighting (McCandless), 84

T

tab curtain, 41

table stands, 327

tabs, 42

tape decks

reel-to-reel, 236

teasers, 42

tech rehearsal, 308–310

tech week, 296–297

technical director (TD), 6

templates

in ellipsoidals, 150

texture, 29–31

adding, 50

bounce, 29

glare, 29

throw distance, 151

time codes, 268

time-based control systems, 268–270

tormentors, 42

track lights

in corporate theater, 321–322

transceiver, 231

traveler curtain, 41

trees

trusses and, 323–324

trims, 153

tripping, 57

trombones, 151

truss spots, 108

trusses, 13

in corporate theater, 323

trees and, 323–324

twist-lock, 16, 122

U

unbalanced line, 225

understudies, 314

unit sets, 24–25

up light, 90, 91

upstage, 35, 337

V

valence, 41

Vari*Lites, 154, 157, 159

velour, 47

Venetian drape, 41

video port, 330

video projection, 329–331

video

lighting for, 102–105

visual cues, 300

voltage, 114

W

wagons, 59

warning, 301

wash light, 88

wattage, 114

watts per channel, 114–117

WAV files, 240, 241

weapons

handling, 285–287

webbing, 43

white balance, 104

white noise, 206

windows, 52–55

wing space, 11, 56

wireless DMX, 144

wireless headsets, 18

X

xenon-arc spot, 152

XLR plug, 225

Y

yokes, 145

Z

zoom ellipsoidal, 150