Lighting System Design

[lighttechie5948]

Hey Everyone,

I'm now the lighting director for a theatre complex that recently opened up. The theatre has 2 performance spaces, 1 concert/dance hall and 1 performing arts center.

We are currently looking for equipment to be donated to the non-profit organization.

I was planning on filling the concert/dance space with movers, L.E.D.s and Pars. I haven't decided what console would be best.

As for the theatrical performance space I was planning on the rig including 10 S4s on the FOH as 2 systems of Frontlight, and having 3 electrics over stage. The 3E being for the cyc, and the 1 and 2Es would have 5 Par 64s or S4 PARS as downlight.

My hope is to also have 4 S4 Pars with Scrollers as high sides to wash the stage from the 1 and 2 E. I would also like to have 2 Moving lights with Irises on the FOH.

I was thinking of an Express as the console for the PAC. And If possible I want a second FOH position on the back wall of the house, and box booms if possible.

The space isn't huge but I see alot of potential.

Any suggestions on what equipment or where to get donations, would be appreciated.



Thanks,
Joe

Joseph Naftal
Lighting Director
Islip Pavilion Center

[cdub260]

In building your base stock of lighting fixtures, I would concentrate more on conventional stage lighting fixtures than on moving lights. While they absolutely have their uses, they can be high maintenance and temperamental. It appears that the inventory you're speccing here may be inadequate for the level of flexibility you need in designing for multiple shows. You can buy a lot of Source 4's for the price of 1 moving light, so you might consider trimming the movers to gain more conventionals.

[lighttechie5948]

I was only thinking of 2 Moving Lights for the Performing arts center. I was thinking of more M/Ls for concert/dance space.

[LightStud]

Originally Posted by lighttechie5948

I was planning on filling the concert/dance space with movers, L.E.D.s and Pars. I haven't decided what console would be best.

Don't you think you might have just a tad bit unrealistic expectations--wanting state-of-the-art gear donated for free? What's that saying? Oh, yes. "Beggars can't be choosers!" That's it. The best of luck to you and if you're successful, please let us know.

I'd gladly accept the donation of an ETC EOS (sorry, no IONs) and Sine-Wave dimmers (no phase control models). No offers of any SourceFour fixtures without EDLTs, please.

For a reality check, try visiting UsedLighting.com - Buy, Sell & Trade Used Stage Lighting & Theatrical Lighting Equipment or Stage Lighting - Used Lighting, Used Audio, Used Video - Solaris.

[lighttechie5948]

Originally Posted by LightStud

Don't you think you might have just a tad bit unrealistic expectations--wanting state-of-the-art gear donated for free? What's that saying? Oh, yes. "Beggars can't be choosers!" That's it. The best of luck to you and if you're successful, please let us know.

I'd gladly accept the donation of an ETC EOS (sorry, no IONs) and Sine-Wave dimmers (no phase control models). No offers of any SourceFour fixtures without EDLTs, please.

For a reality check, try visiting UsedLighting.com - Buy, Sell & Trade Used Stage Lighting & Theatrical Lighting Equipment or Stage Lighting - Used Lighting, Used Audio, Used Video - Solaris.

I understand that I can't get everything on my wish list for free, I just like to have a big wish list, so I can see what I can get.

[Sony]

Without having a name to back yourself up...you wont get anything. Especially if you're just starting out. Doesn't matter if you're non-profit, the companies don't care unless you can promote their name and their products. So basically...unless you're a large rental/sales company then you wont be getting ANYTHING for free. Sorry but thats how the business works, because rental companies can promote a product...if they rent something and the client like it they may say "HEY, I might buy one of these for myself" and therefore the company makes more money. In your case, you're going to be the only one using it and the company wont get any promotional advantage and therefore they are going to want to sell it to you for the highest price possible.

[Tyler]

The problem with having a big wishlist is that's what it is..a wishlist. Maybe you should be more realistic and look at your budget and see what you can get. If your budget is so small, then its hard to look for LEDs, movers, and a console. What do you have in there now?

[LekoBoy]

Wish in one hand and [defecate] in the other. Which fills up faster?

[lighttechie5948]

Right now basically nothing.

And since I am a student would companies give donations with the hope I would buy tons of them in the future and that I would remember the favor if I'm ever working big events. And the theatre complex is offering any companies that give donations, bricks with their logo on it and naming rights if they donate over a certain amount of value.

[ishboo]

Theres plenty of high schoolers that could grow up to be the next great lighting guy but that's just it there are a lot and few do. They don't have enough freebies to go around that wide.