Reddit reviews Stage Lighting Design: The Art, the Craft, the Life
We found 9 Reddit comments about Stage Lighting Design: The Art, the Craft, the Life. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Used Book in Good Condition
Designing with Light is a great introduction to design, the price is criminal https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Light-Introduction-Stage-Lighting/dp/0073514233/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
A Practical guide to Stage Lighting is one of the best and most complete books on the subject https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Stage-Lighting-Third/dp/0415812003/ref=pd_sim_14_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=51wHNTlRvuL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR124%2C160_&refRID=F1TC2GN49HDAM9GJ75ZZ
The Design Idea is a great book on design https://www.amazon.com/Lighting-Design-Idea-Wadsworth-Theatre/dp/1111836868/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465919421&sr=1-1&keywords=linda+essig
Stage Lighting Design: The Art, Craft and Life is another great book https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Lighting-Design-Craft-Life/dp/0896762351/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465919500&sr=1-1&keywords=richard+pilbrow
There are my top 4 lets see what others suggest.
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Unfortunately it's rather difficult to simply 'pick up' lighting design, especially when you're thinking of a larger scope including renovations and retrofits. Even something as simple as finding a website that explains the beginnings of stage lighting to send people to has been a challenge for me in the past.
The Steve Shelley book mentioned by /u/loansindi is a very robust choice, but is aimed more specifically at theatrical lighting and is likely to have far more information than you'd ever want or need, and will make you crazy.
I'd recommend this Pilbrow book, which is a little more readable. It is a tad bit dated, however; not that what he says is wrong but that it's a bit old-fashioned.
The reality is the best way to learn about it is to have conversations with someone who understands lighting in the context of your space. That way you can not only understand concepts, but concepts as they apply to your context. I understand why you would want to do prep work so as not to be caught off-guard by the process or taken advantage of, but there are people--trustworthy people--who are paid to do just that. No need to put undue pressure on yourself to be an expert.
Anyway, hope that's helpful to some degree. Please feel free to PM or get in touch with me via email (john @ johndelfino [dot] com) if you have more questions.
Source:: Lighting Designer, Independent and with Visual Terrain
It depends on how deep you want to go. There is a lot of information on theatrical lighting and retail lighting. You can even browse /r/techtheatre for some ideas on the theatrical side.
As for my home: diffusion, diffusion, & diffusion. I am a big fan of LED strips and I mount them to the underside and topside of cabnets to create a gentle glowing effect.
I've heard good things about this book: http://smile.amazon.com/Stage-Lighting-Design-Craft-Life/dp/0896762351/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408621466&sr=8-1&keywords=pilbrow (And I like Mr. Pilbrow a lot).
I would also push Steve Shelly's book (of field template fame): http://smile.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Stage-Lighting-Edition/dp/0415812003/ref=pd_sim_b_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=17JEA99XS937A1M5TPEK
I'm not sure there's one solid book for it (but I'd be happy to be wrong). Are you specifically looking for live (e.g., busking) lighting design, or are you just looking for general lighting design?
For general knowledge you won’t beat the backstage handbook. However for budding lampies who want to know what the lighting world is all about, I’d recommend this book. https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Lighting-Design-Craft-Life/dp/0896762351
The memoirs in there pretty much shaped my post high school career.
I can say that anything you'd learn in a crash course would be a start in the wrong direction.
If all you're looking for are ways to light a stage, and some basic techniques, start by learning about the McCandless technique.
Visit the other links here to get a sense of how to plan it all out.
If you ever want to get into more advanced stuff, I recommend you start with Richard Pilbrow's book if you are going to be self-taught.
To add to everything here, talk with your director. This seems really obvious but ideally there aren't surprises during tech.
Its also a great way to get your ideas out there; the director may have a better idea for this, he may have never thought about that idea and needs to think about it. Does the director want a realistic courtroom? Or does he want an idea of a courtroom? Is there a scenic designer? What do they think about your idea for this scene?
It always depends on the show. Compared to others i'm approaching it very organically and artsy.
Couple books that are very helpful
Steve Shelley's Guide to stage lighting - Great book that discusses an overall picture
Richard Pilbrow's Stage Lighting Design - A more technical look, been awhile since i've read it but it does include the McCandless plot.
PM if you wanna talk extensively, i'm starting to do this for a living and talking about lighting design is really what wakes me up in the morning