This is not a fixed install. However, this venue needs some kind of lighting for monthly shows they have in the main dining / ballroom. They have a riser stage. The area is 8' x 24 and the ceiling height is around 10 feet. Typically the shows are 1 to 4 performers on the stage. I thought maybe two lighting trees facing the stage would suffice. I'm the musical person in this operation. I'm not versed in this profession of lighting at all. I do know eventually we will have the lights triggered via DMX plugin in Logic Pro 9. So therefore the lights we get now should be able to accept DMX signals in the future. The lights will be at least 40 feet from the stage. Thank you for your help.
Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
- Thread starter Thomas Whitfield
- Start date
Re: Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
What sort of budget are you working with?
For that size stage and that ceiling height, I'd want the lights relatively close to the stage to reduce the "deer in the headlights" effect of low-angle lighting. Also to allow you to use wider-beam fixtures which tend to be more efficient.
What sort of budget are you working with?
For that size stage and that ceiling height, I'd want the lights relatively close to the stage to reduce the "deer in the headlights" effect of low-angle lighting. Also to allow you to use wider-beam fixtures which tend to be more efficient.
Re: Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
10ft ceiling and 40ft away?
There's no winning with that combination.
10ft ceiling and 40ft away?
There's no winning with that combination.
Re: Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
+1. The general rule of thumb of lighting is for the light to be 45° up and 45° to the side of the subject. If you've only got 10' ceilings, your trees need to be as close to the stage as you can get them, and use as wide angle fixtures as you can find.
+1. The general rule of thumb of lighting is for the light to be 45° up and 45° to the side of the subject. If you've only got 10' ceilings, your trees need to be as close to the stage as you can get them, and use as wide angle fixtures as you can find.
Re: Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
If you are using conventional (non-LED) fixtures in your rig, be sure to leave adequate clearance above the instruments so the heat from the lamps doesn't cook the ceiling (or worse). Mark C.
If you are using conventional (non-LED) fixtures in your rig, be sure to leave adequate clearance above the instruments so the heat from the lamps doesn't cook the ceiling (or worse). Mark C.
Re: Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
Most LED fixtures also need airflow, and those that don't *need* the airflow will usually last longer if it's there. Heat kills LEDs (and most other semiconductors).
Most LED fixtures also need airflow, and those that don't *need* the airflow will usually last longer if it's there. Heat kills LEDs (and most other semiconductors).
Re: Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
Agreed. My concern was that the OP not inadvertently cause a ceiling fire. Not killing LEDs due to lack of airflow is an entirely valid reason, if perhaps secondary. Mark C.
Agreed. My concern was that the OP not inadvertently cause a ceiling fire. Not killing LEDs due to lack of airflow is an entirely valid reason, if perhaps secondary. Mark C.
Re: Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
I did some work recently where I used mirrored acrylic at the top of some uplit truss to reflect the beam to a different area. Perhaps doing something like this would be effective in a low ceilinged performance space, allowing you to place the lights on the floor, to the side or behind the performers, aimed at mirrors over the stage front.
I did some work recently where I used mirrored acrylic at the top of some uplit truss to reflect the beam to a different area. Perhaps doing something like this would be effective in a low ceilinged performance space, allowing you to place the lights on the floor, to the side or behind the performers, aimed at mirrors over the stage front.
Re: Basic Lighting Trees needed - recommendations?
Mike's post made me think of the 1969 Rolling Stones tour, with Chip Monck lighting. There was a mylar mirror over the audience with super troupers lined up at the back of the stage. The light was reflected back onto the band. There was also an upstage truss loaded with par cans.
Mike's post made me think of the 1969 Rolling Stones tour, with Chip Monck lighting. There was a mylar mirror over the audience with super troupers lined up at the back of the stage. The light was reflected back onto the band. There was also an upstage truss loaded with par cans.