This project is a teaching module of my own design. Its purpose is to introduce non-major theatre students to a stage lighting instrument's parts, maintenance, safety protocols, and use. All verbiage, photographs, and drawings are my own unless otherwise noted. I have used my own theatrical projects as the primary examples in this presentation.
This presentation is given in my Theatre Appreciation classes. Like all teaching modules in my courses, it is given in cooperation with an interactive lecture and online quiz. It is posted on Blackboard as a Powerpoint file, for my students' continual reference and review.
This presentation has also been made available to fellow faculty and administrators, as basic instructions for the maintenance and repair of stage lighting equipment in campus auditoriums.
2. Learning Goals Learn the exterior and interior parts of a stage lighting instrument. Use the instrument as a learning tool: learn the practical and artistic uses of stage lighting. Use the instrument as a learning tool: learn what trades and fields of study go into the creation and use of stage instruments. Have a general concept of a) how the instrument works, b) how to maintain the instrument, and c) general safety measures for the instrument.
3. Important Notes After this presentation, this Powerpoint file will be made available to you. Use this Powerpoint as a manual and study guide for later! Several reviews of this Powerpoint are recommended to grasp all of the material! Remember: As always, this presentation is only the beginning of your learning process. Review and application to your own life and work make up the rest of your learning process!
7. Plugging in the instrument to a circuit is called “patching.”
8.
9. Parts of an Instrument ETC Par Four 750 (36˚) means… ETC = Electronic Theatre Controls ® ERS = Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight 750 = Maximum Wattage Rating (750 watts) 36˚ = Field Angle (width of the cone of light at 10% intensity)
11. C-Clamp(Pipe Clamp) Lamp Housing Reflector Housing Yoke Instrument Barrel (Lens Tube inside) Shutter Handle Power Cable (Pigtail) Gel Frame Holder Grand Stage Pin (GSP)
12. Now that you are acquainted with the parts of a stage lighting instrument, let’s see what different trades and fields of study go into its construction.
13. C-Clamp(Pipe Clamp) Lamp Housing Reflector Housing Yoke Instrument Barrel (Lens Tube inside) Shutter Handle Power Cable (Pigtail) Gel Frame Holder Grand Stage Pin (GSP)
18. Close-up of Lamp Housing (Rear View) Secures Lamp Housing Adjusts Angle & Position of Lamp (Bulb) within Housing
19. Close-up of Barrel and Gel Frame Holder SLIDER HANDLE:Adjusts edges of light “throw” GEL CLIP: Secures Gel Frame and Color Gel BEAM FOCUSKNOB: Adjusts sharpness of light edge GEL FRAME HOLDER: Holds Gel Frame and Color Gel in place
33. Rear of Instrument(interior without lamp housing) Glass portion of lamp (bulb) fits through here. Since a lamp (bulb) shines in all directions, the reflector redirects the light through the barrel and out the front of the instrument.
34. Shutter Operation shutters in “pulled” position = = Shape of light on flat surface “shuttered” light = = Shape of light on flat surface
39. How Light Travels through the ERS Lighting Instrument Yellow lines with arrows = beams of light originating from lamp. Glass portion of LAMP REFLECTOR Wall of lens tube: both sides are black-painted metal (to reduce reflectivity) Wall of lens tube: both sides are black-painted metal (to reduce reflectivity) Large Plano Convex LENS Small Plano Convex LENS
41. Cleaning Instrument Interior (Metal Parts) This is (also) as simple as using canned air or a dry, soft washcloth!
42. Cleaning Instrument Lenses Take off rubber tabs (these secure the lens in the holding slots). Mix 3 parts water with 1 part white distilled vinegar. Submerge lens in mixture for a few moments. Wipe dry with a soft (NOT microfiber or paper) cloth. Check both sides of lens for smudges under a strong light. Remove smudges with cloth. Replace rubber tabs and reinsert lens into lens housing (aligning tabs with holding slots).
43. General Safety Precautions Follow general electricity precautions (e.g., never touch anything electrical with wet hands). Heat-resistant gloves are recommended. Even the exterior of an instrument becomes very hot within a few minutes! NEVER look directly into the lens of the light when less than 5 feet from it. NEVER look directly at a lamp that is on but not in the lamp housing! Violation of rules 3 and 4 can cause permanent damage to the retinas of your eyes. BEFORE you take both hands off the instrument, ALWAYS make sure a) the pipe clamp is fully tightened, and b) the safety cable is attached to both the instrument and the pipe or batten. 7) Always tie your wrench to your belt loop with theatrical tie-line.
44. The Instrument in Action Example of silhouette (back) lighting. Example of multidirectional, Overhead (top) lighting.
45.
46. Show passage of time, time of day, season, beginning/end of scene or play.
54. Lighting Effect: Location(basement tenement) Production: Miami University’s Two by Ron Elisha. Director: Paul “Spike” Wislon. Lighting Design: Jennifer Lee. Photo by GionDeFrancesco
55. Mood Lighting Effect: Nostalgia(also partial Silhouette Effect) Production: Miami University’s Two by Ron Elisha. Director: Paul “Spike” Wilson. Lighting Design: Jennifer Lee. Photo by GionDeFrancesco.
