How to Draw a Lighting Plan for Film
I was really, really intimidated the first time that I created a calorie-free plot.
At the time, I was in high school, and I was tasked to "blueprint" the lighting for our fall production. By design, I really mean "tweak" the electric current layout, but I was excited to do so, notwithstanding.
Only I had one obstacle. The school had a tech guy who was supposed to watch over united states of america and propose usa. And while he showed no desire to design, he likewise wanted to button us students into a box of "theatrical rightness"…and that was intimidating!
Fast forward, I never met his expectations, simply I learned a lot – especially near making a plot! (and hey – that rhymes!)
While I was intimidated the commencement time I sabbatum down to make a plot, you don't accept to exist. It doesn't have to be complicated, and it doesn't have to exist intimidating.
What Is a Low-cal Plot? (and What Are All The Labels On It?)
Simply put, a calorie-free plot is a plan from the lighting designer (that's YOU), that shows the coiffure what types of lights to use, where to place them, and whatever focus notes. It is typically done from an overhead view.
Does it have to exist fancy? No, it doesn't.
While a professional person plot tin can look very circuitous, yours doesn't have to be – especially if you are doing community theatre or something similar.
I've designed professional plots, and they take a lot of fourth dimension to get right!
But, this is cardinal, as most often the lighting designer isn't present during the hanging of the lights, and it's got to exist done right!
If yous're working on a smaller production, y'all're near probable going to exist there for the fixture hang. You might even be the person doing information technology yourself! (I've been in that location!)
In this case, you don't need to go into tons of detail, simply it does make your life easier to include the basics.
A lite plot tin can exist as basic as some arrows on a napkin.
Ideally, you lot'll use some sort of CAD program (such as NanoCAD, LXFree, Drafty, or something like) to layout each type of low-cal as a unique symbol. Start past creating a legend, which lists each symbol and names the fixture blazon.
In a pinch, you lot could even use a graphics program to create a "not-to-scale" drawing.
Moving each light into the plot, you'll orient them where y'all'd like them hung. Past default, a light placed "on" a truss or pipe is hung directly downwardly, pointed towards the stage. If y'all need the lights hung some other way, exist certain to make a note and represent it visually as best as you can.
You'll also want to show which direction the light is pointing if y'all tin can.
Below or higher up the symbol, you'll desire to indicate a few things:
- The light'due south channel patch number, and/or console fixture number.
- Where the light will plug in for ability.
- The DMX accost (if applicable).
- The
lensing / orientation (if non shown by the symbol).
Well-nigh symbols will autumn on horizontal lighting positions, which are easy to run across on the 2D CAD.
For vertical lighting positions (sidelight pipes, booms, etc), it's best to note the position on the
Again, it'due south really helpful if you lot can indicate all of these things, but it'due south not 100% necessary if you are going to be doing the hang yourself.
I've skipped out on details many times, and the show goes fine
Creating a Light Plot On a Upkeep
Now that we've discussed the basic mechanics of a light plot, information technology's time to talk well-nigh laying out your lights.
If you're similar most people doing their first bear witness, the budget is TIGHT! You lot've likely got some or all of your lights included with the venue then may rent or borrow others.
The key to making the best evidence possible is to showtime with the near important things, and lay out your plot in order from nearly important to least.
What'due south well-nigh of import? Generally, this is the front end wash and the set lighting. Without lighting these 2 elements of the bear witness, the audience will be lost!
Once you get the basics laid out for these two elements, decide on the side by side level on importance. Do you accept practicals ("normal" lights equally part of the set up) or other special lights to integrate?
Are there specials, or lights with a particular utilise that don't fit into the regular wash?
What about backlights, to separate the actors from the set up?
Do yous demand multiple colors of set up, or other angles of calorie-free to simulate different times of twenty-four hour period on the fix?
What well-nigh curtain warmers?
At some point, you'll run out of lights, and that's when y'all know it's time to stop! Seriously, though, that's how it often works in the world of theatre on a budget!
Just because there'due south not a ton of money, doesn't mean you can't make an astonishing show. I hope this article has helped you, and as yous become off to make your outset plot, retrieve: sometimes less is more!
Source: https://learnstagelighting.com/how-do-i-create-my-first-light-plot/
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