Design Issues and Solutions -

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by Lightingguy32

10-15 pipes seems reasonable for a broadway sized production. Think about ideal angles of front light as you get further and further upstage (one to 3 electrics near the plaster line aren't going to cut it)

15 electrics for a Broadway "sized" show, OK - I'll buy that, just not in a Broadway house. 10-15 electrics probably NEVER happens, when it's a moderate or heavy scenic show.

Remember that these are typically early 1900's theaters, prosceniums of 40 ft wide ?, very little wing space with maybe 50 lines sets at most on 6" centers. VERY little room for scenery and less for lighting.

I recall reading assorted quotes from LD's, of 2-3 electrics, or 1, with stuff crammed under and inside flown scenic units. The cyc lighting I saw Donald Holder describe for Lion King took up all of 2ft. of depth and it was a HUGE fight for 6" of that, but the cyc was crucial to the look.

It's a a fair statement that moving lights have been a God send to Broadway for the efficiency it allows.

SB

[icewolf08]

SteveB makers a very valid point. It is all about space. Look at my theatre, we do very large scale productions and we have a stage that is as big or bigger than many Broadway stages. Our current show has 7 flown electrics, which is pretty standard. Two seasons ago when we did Les Mis we may have had 12 flown electrics. When you then look at a hanging schedule or a section ad you realize how close every piece of scenery is it is hard to imagine fitting any more lights up there. 6 inch centers between linesets is very tight.

[Lightingguy32]

True, I was referring to the show and not the broadway house. I know at our local University theater which frequently hosts touring groups has about 8 or 10 electrics plus box booms and booms.

[drewids]

I know this is an old thread, but in a conversation with one of the designers who's plot is listed at the beginning, I found out about a resource which solves a lot of the problems people have mentioned before (i.e. not knowing the WHY, etc).

Theatrical Lighting Database

It's got plots, magic sheets, design concepts, a few taped talks with designers, etc. The more people use it, the more likely it is people will donate their stuff and the more likely it is to get funded, etc. Check it out!