Learn lighting?

[Charc]

Hello guys. So I'm a high-school techie. I'm one of the top in the class, though I'm trying to learn more. I've found my tech. program and theatre (both under funded) to be quite constraining. While I think my teachers are great; we hardly have time to learn anything. So basically I'm coming here for some advice. I'd really like to expand my lighting and sound horizons. In terms of sound, I know where the on button is on our board, and the gain, and... that's about it. In terms of lights, I know a fair amount of basic stuff. But I'd like to take it to the next level. I also need to solidify, my current knowledge of lights etc. So guys, any thoughts here?

[Van]

Welcome aboard and Congrates on finding your way here. I'm betting you'll get a lot of suggestions pretty quick. Where are you located ? I ask ,simply because, if your'e in the middle of North Dakota, two days hard ride from the nearest telephone, it's going to make a huge difference on where folks are going to steer you.
I got lucky at your age a community theatre was opening up in our town so I was able to augment my education by working there, < working implies I got paid maybe I should say Volunteering> I read, and read, took as many classes as I could then moved to a big city ASAP. Where I could be exposed to as much and as many different disciplines as possible.
Hope that helps. Good luck !

[icewolf08]

I second what Van said about reading. Especially if the theatre program at your school doesn't have too many classes in what you want, get your hands on as many books on stagecraft, lighting and sound as you can. Somewhere on the forums here (don't remember exactly where) Ship has posted a a pretty good list of books on most subjects. Make sure you have a copy of "The Backstage Handbook" and then start looking for textbooks and such on the subjects you are interested in. The PLSN/FOH bookshelf site: https://www.plsnbookshelf.com/catalog/ is a very good place to start looking for books.

[Schniapereli]

I was exactly in the same position, and still sort-of am.

I read all of the manuals to everything online.
I also read this glossary http://www.theatrecrafts.com/glossary/glossary.shtml which helped me understand what the manuals talk about, and to understand a lot of the words used here.
The light board manuals have a lot of junk that I just skipped over, because it was way too technical for me. (stuff for much more technical situations)
But, the mixer manual should be pretty easy, and helps a lot.
Also, reading the manuals to the light fixtures, and microphones, also help a lot. Read a lot of those. It will make you happy.

Also, check out some books at your library. Some book stores may also have some good material, and there are some lists of good book recomendations on this site.
This one's a doozy.book list

This discussion also has some good websites, and talks about how other techs on here started out.Back to the beginning.

Some other good websites are
http://www.dmx512-online.com/
http://www.audiodirectory.nl/

Wikipedia doesn't help much, but there are some minor efforts to improve it. It can still give you some good information.

You can also search discussions on this site. I have found a lot of cool information that has been talked about in the last few years.
Also, ask a lot of questions. The other people on here are awesome, and can answer just about any question you can think of.

Happy learning.

[gafftaper]

1) What city are you in? Perhaps there is someone around her e you can work with.

2) I preach the gospel of community theater around here a lot. Go find a community theater in your city and volunteer. I guarantee there's somebody desperate for help who can teach you a lot about tech. You might have to start out with some pretty lame jobs on set construction because that is their biggest need. However establish that you are a hard worker and eager to learn, get to know their light and sound people, and you are in for a ride.

3) Read books!! Check out a thread in the General Advice section titled "Book List". Ship's put together a rather overwhelming reading list. To get you started let me recommend two books. First an easy to read book to introduce you to the basics: Technical Theater for Non-technical People by Drew Campbel (I use it as the text for my college intro to tech theater class). Secondly, a commonly used college text book: "Designing with Light" by Michael Gillette.
Search your local library, see if you can get access to your local college library, search used bookstores both in person and on line, amazon books, or just browse the PLSN bookshelf

Icewolf suggested "The backstage handbook". I agree it is a book that every tech needs to have, but be aware that it's a reference guide, not a teaching tool. It's a book you will go back to over and over for years to find a formula or to get the correct gauge of wire, but it won't teach you about how to work on a crew back stage.

[stantonsound]

I had an "Assistant Lighting Designer" for my last show (a professional production at one of the bigger theaters in the area) that was a high school student. She asked the producer and director to learn more (and they asked me if I minded) she joined the staff. She did not get paid, but did get a great deal of hands on learning in design and electrics, and got to put asst. LD on her resume.

I think that almost any theatre, especially at the community level, would be happy to let you learn and actually welcome you with open arms.

I will second the above comment, what city are you looking to work in. I am sure we will be able to help you out somehow.


oh.... and about books. Books are a GREAT source of info. Try to go to the bookstore and look at them before you buy them. If you need pictures/drawings/etc, make sure that the book you choose has these. I have a LD book that has at most 12 illustrations in it. I have a hard time talking about a light plot and design and not have an illustration to look at.

[Tyler]

Go to every theater/production company in your area and talk to them. Tell them where you are in your lighting career and what you are looking for.

You most likely won't get payed, but you can't pass up this experience. It also all looks good on your resume.

It all depends on what type of lighting you like to work with. I'm more into concert/moving lighting. I have a job at a church and work with them and their youth ministry with concert lighting. They travel a couple times a year with a camp and set-up a whole stage with lighting, etc. A lot of fun and experience.

With most production companies, you have to be 18 for liability, but with churches and theaters, you usually don't have to be.

For sound, learn as much as you can and get a job with a local band. They always need help with sound and if you know what yoi're doing, you can always find work.

So it's going to take some work on your part. They won't come find you, you have to find them. Have fun!

-Tyler

[Charc]

Grr. I typed up a long message, but when I hit post, it didn't post, and I couldn't go back, so I lost it all. Just my luck. I'll try and quickly write a condensed version.

I live in Philadelphia, PA. I'll be 16 this summer. Entering Junior year in high-school. I won't get my license until september. Now that you know about my circumstances, I'll let you know what I'm looking for. I'd like to intern or something at a theatre over the summer. It seems like a fairly daunting task. I assume I'll be too young for most theatres. I really want to expand my knowledge and experience. I'm not in this for money, though I won't refuse it if it comes with the territory. Ahhh, I forgot what else I was going to say here, so that's it for now.

Someone mentioned classes at my school. I hope you weren't referring to theatre classes. We have two: Drama, Tech. Theatre.

I take both classes. I am by no means an actor. I take drama to try and gain the perspective of the actor for my tech. work and SM and ASM work. Tech. Theatre is mainly building sets. There are a variety of other jobs, but most of the time is making wood smaller, then painting it. I take every opportunity to help out at events, concerts, etc. at school. And, once again, I forgot what I was going to say. If you have anymore questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Edit: I've already picked up and skimmed through two lighting design books.

A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting (Paperback)
by Steven Louis Shelley (Author)

Stage Lighting Revealed: A Design and Execution Handbook (Paperback)
by Glen Cunningham (Author)

[soundlight]

Wow...you live in a good place for theater compared to my rural town with zilch. I had to travel half an hour to get to "free work." You should be able to find a few of places in Philly that'd take you for volunteer work.

Of course, it does take over a half an hour just to get from one side to the other of Philly...

[Charc]

Originally Posted by soundlight

Wow...you live in a good place for theater compared to my rural town with zilch. I had to travel half an hour to get to "free work." You should be able to find a few of places in Philly that'd take you for volunteer work.
Of course, it does take over a half an hour just to get from one side to the other of Philly...

Haha, yea. It'll take me 20-30 minutes to get there, if I can get a ride. There is always the train...