Making a Plot, help with compromises....

[theILLUMINATEDfrog]

In designing a repertory plot, I've found that the acting areas on the the left and right extremes must be lit from a different position, and therefore a much wider angle. Unable to consistently use a 45* angle, I convinced myself that an even 30* across the board would be best, but in 2 instances I am forced to use an angle closer to 60* while vertical position for the instruments remains the same (throw increases by a few feet) .

I'm under the impression that as a speaker walks between these areas, a change in lighting will be seen. Is this the case?

If it is, what can be done about it to smooth it out?

If not, what are your thoughts on making this choice? As I've been looking at it, its the only choice that seems to give any sort of solution.

[kiilljoy]

It seems to me that the 60 deg angle will deepen the shadows across the front of whatever is in the area as it will be approaching a more of a side light angle. I think that the partner light for the area would need to be at the same angle on the other side in order to wash out some of the shadows, and I would look into adding a third light to the area straight out in front, then running it low. I would also look at the throw to make sure I didn't need a brighter instrument on the sides to balance the levels.

The other solution that occurs to me is to do a three point system with one instrument for the fronts, then for the side lights, often I've been able to get one instrument to cover more than one area.

I realize neither solution is ideal, but a lot depends on inventory, stage setup, available positions, and available dimmers. I would also look at how long someone is likely to be in the badly lit area. If no one ever hangs out in that area, it might not be a problem. My inclination is that if the only thing that happens over there is that some one walks through to another part of the stage, and doesn't ever preach from there, no one will likely notice.

[seanandkate]

If the difference is just a transition of 45 deg to 60 deg, I don't think you will see the difference. The transition should be evened out as someone walks through the field angle of the lights for those areas. If you still see a transition you can always blend the areas more, especially if they never need to be lit independently.

[shiben]

so let me see if I understand here... Your lights are on a single pipe? and at one point the throw gets longer, and so you need to pan the instruments more to hit it if they stay in place? I dont really understand the problem here well, but if you maybe uploaded a groundplan or something it might make it clearer. In any case, I doubt you will have a huge problem with the angle of the light changing a ton for the person walking around to look very bad.