Need help with scene changes

[LightingManEvan]

I am doing a play at a small local theatre and I was curious if anyone could help with the following situation. It is a play with just very basic lighting and some blackouts for the scene changes. I have not been to the theater yet (I amn going this week) and I wanted to see if there was anything more "creative" that I could do with the lighting for the scene changes. As of now he just wants a blackout but is open to my ideas if I can think of some. Is there any way I can make the changes a little more interesting rather than just a blackout?

Like I said I do not know what equipment they have there, but I am sure nothing too extravagant as its a small local theatre. I think it would be much more interesting to be able to do something with the lighting for the scene changes as opposed to just 5 or 6 blackouts for the scene changes, so does anyone have any ideas for me?

I know that the blackout would hide the scene changes as nothing is automated in this theatre but maybe there is something I can do with the lighting to make at least a scene change or two more appealing. Sorry, I am new here and I apologize if this is a stupid question to ask.

Thank you!

[shiben]

A blue out is often done when there is going to be sets moving around, so that people dont hit eachother. One way that I have done blueouts to interesting effects is popping gobos with random breakups in them, and having that wash the stage, rather than a few scoops with blue... its a bit more interesting, but still dark... I would probably chat with the director about what they think is interesting, bounce ideas off the rest of the design team, if they care...

[cprted]

It's not a stupid question at all. I much prefer some kind of a transition look instead of a straight blackout. Something dim, maybe using one of the top washes and a breakup gobo. Much more interesting and will keep your audience's attention better than a black out.

[LightingManEvan]

Thanks for the replies!

I am only a high school student and we dint have any gobos (I wish we did) and have never really used one.

Could you explain what a breakup gobo is? Also, is there a gobo I could purchase for this production (if the theatre doesn't have any) to use on one of the existing lights, or is that not possible?

Sorry, I am only a high school student and don't know about breakup gobos. Thanks!
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[Les]

A traditional breakup gobo will have something resembling an abstract leaf pattern cut into it. However, almost any gobo can be used as a "breakup" gobo, depending on the look you're after. Breakups can be projected on to scenery for visual appeal, or just shined midair/on the floor. Then they will only be seen when fog/haze is present, or when an actor walks through the pattern.

Can you purchase gobos for your production? Absolutely! You will just need to make sure you have the proper lighting instruments to use them in (ellipsoidals) and the right size gobo holders.

Since I don't know much about your level of expertise, and ellipsoidal is an instrument with 4 framing shutters and adjustable lenses. It will be commonly found front-of-house, and you relamp it from the rear. Fresnels, Parcans, etc do not have the ability to project a traditional gobo. If you need more help identifying your instruments, let us know! We will be glad to help!

The gobo and holder you need will depend on which model of ellipsoidal you have available. When ordering, be sure to have this information available.

Gobo's will cost about $10-12 each and holders cost about the same, sometimes a little less. There are literally hundreds of gobos to choose from, and you can even have your own custom made (at a higher price). Gobos can be cut from steel or etched in glass. Glass is much more expensive and not recommended unless you need an intricate or photo-quality projection. They also break easily.

I recommend you take a look at the following websites:

Apollo Design | Home
GAMProducts Inc., Lighting Equipment For Architectural, Specialty & Theatrical Effects : GAM is Great American Products
Rosco International
City Theatrical

They are all leaders in effects and expendables.

To learn a little more about stage lighting, check out these websites from 3 of the biggest manufacturers:

www.altmanltg.com Altman Stage Lighting
www.etcconnect.com ETC Lighting & Controls
www.strandlighting.com Strand Lighting & Controls

[gafftaper]

Evan many theaters... even the small ones will have a stock of gobos they put together over time. So ask if they do.

I am VERY against blackout scene changes. It completely stops all momentum the play has created... worse than a long commercial break in a good dramatic TV show. The audience sits there thinking about what they are doing after the play, how much longer will it last, are they really enjoying it, what they have to do at work tomorrow... all things you don't want. I always push our director to do scene changes with cast members working in the background while a scene goes on or with isolated light in one area while a set change occurs else where. If you absolutely have to stop the action then use a blue out with gobos is an awesome way to go.

One last thing. When using breakup gobos 99% of the time you want them out of focus. It's rare that you want the stage to be clearly the shape of the pattern. Out of focus= interesting shadowy texture. In focus= a clear pattern. A commonly used gobo for texture breakups is Jungle Leaf. It would look really awkward in a lot of shows if it was in focus, but out of focus it's a great look.

[Soxred93]

If you have a cyc at your theater, try projecting a solid color at full, and have maybe 10 lights on stage at 15%. That way, you get a silhouette of the characters, but they can still see. A gobo would also drastically add to the effect.

If you can get the sound guy in on it, try to give him a soothing, relaxing, "hold music"-type song. That way, the audience has something to listen to. In my experience, having some sound on stage at all times (except for beats) keeps the audience engaged.

[gafftaper]

While I'm opposed to sound all the time it is critical to frame the begining and end of a scene as well as keep the audience engaged if you have to have a long blackout. We try to use music in the blackouts that either comment on the previous scene or set the tone for the next.

[Soxred93]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

While I'm opposed to sound all the time...

"sound" means either music, dialogue, sound effects, just so there's no extended silence. I'm not saying having background music playing throughout the whole play.

[NevilleLighting]

One trick I go to a lot for trying to give some visual interest to scene changes is to light the background and leave the stage in silhouette. If you have a largish set with a drop this can work well. If you have a smaller set you may be able to selectively light the background.