Audience blinding & spotlight options

[Regina]

Hi there, I'm looking to impress the directors with some new additions/techniques, as I am new to lighting/tech. I work with a 300 seater black box theatre (tiered seating, gantry etc) and we're putting on a show of legally blonde this spring.

My first question is regarding spotlights, there are none installed. The theatre is very tightly packed (regarding floor space, though 'height space' is ample), there is no space either side of the seating area or at the back, as the seating is retractable. The gantry is virtually in the ceiling with a barred window. I was curious whether there are any alternatives like table top follow spots that could be directed through the gantry window. I have worked with follow spots where the user is harnessed in with the light, would these be available to hire? So basically are follow spots a possible idea, or are they not achievable in this type of theatre? Sorry for my poor description..

My second question is regarding audience blinding, I have never heard of this but a cast member suggested it to me and I looked into it briefly. At the end of the act is the big song and the main actress does an iconic 'jump' blah blah blah.. Basically what I wanted to do was 'freeze' the jump in the air by flashing a light so the shape stays in their head so to speak, and once this has worn off, the curtain has shut so it makes it very dramatic.Would a strobe light do the trick? Which direction could I point it? Would doing this cause the audience to continue seeing the image in their head whilst the curtain is shutting? If you understand what I want to achieve, how could I do this if it's possible? And is it safe to do to the audience as I am potentially stunning them! (from what I gathered)

This school does have very large budgets for their shows, so money shouldn't effect what I could achieve. I am new to lighting/tech as I picked it up as I went when doing basic lighting as a HS student at a previous school, so basic tech language would be useful. Thanks for helping (if you can understand me!)

 

[alyx92]

Regarding the strobe, in a small black box type theatre, one Martin Atomic 3000 pointing at the audience should do the trick. If you hit that for about a second, it will work sort of like what you are trying to achieve. By the time the audiences vision returns, the curtain will be in.

 

[danTt]

You can use standard ERS units as spotlights, which might be your best bet for the situation you are in. Hang them from a goal post so they have full freedom of movement and you can control the intensity from the console to make it easier for the operator to handle. http://www.citytheatrical.com/la_4_info.htm#follow_spot_yoke is an option if you have the money to spend, otherwise you can do it with just a normal yoke and gloves.
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[DELO72]

Don't blind your audience. We hate it when you do. It hurts our eyes.

Sincerely,

An oft-times Audience Member.

 

[Morte615]

A good way to do audience blinders in a small space are the halogen work lights that can be picked up at any home improvement store (even Wal-Mart). Two of those on either side of the stage can make a good blinder. And they are cheap, Northern Industrial 500 Watt Portable Halogen Worklight | Free-Standing Work Lights| Northern Tool + Equipment ($8)

 

[josh88]

I'd agree with DELO, even if it does it's job and freezes that image in your head, I hate it. If I'm at a rock concert I can accept it, but I go to a musical for song and dance and glitzy flashy colors etc.

But if you're going to, and have the space/fixtures, you can do it with almost anything. Strobes flash fast and bright, but getting flashed by an ERS, or PAR will produce similar effects.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[DuckJordan]

A better way to get an audience to freeze the image in their head is to use a ton of intensity then go to a complete black out. Works the same way but is less intrusive.