So even though I've known this for awhile I didn't quite realize until today that in exactly a week I'll be lighting a dance. Not dance, a high school dance . So I'm basically totally over my head. I never quite considered lighting a dance before. Here is my understanding. My job is to support the DJ in the creation of atmosphere. Atmosphere is very important in this type of setting as it can make or break the event. Overhead HID gym lighting won't cut it. So here is what I have to work with:
>1 20A circuit to be shared between sound and lighting.
Possibly more, but I don't have a circuit map. The maintenance guy seemed to say there were multiple circuit, but I'm not positive. So for now I'm moving with the assumption I have around 10 amps.
>2 PAR48 200W WFL
>2 PAR48 200W NSP
>1 4ch Dimmer Pack
>1 8x2 ADJ light board, capable of preprogrammed patterns etc.
>9ft Stand
I might be able to get my hands on:
>2 Motorhead 250W Moving Head DJ lights.
>1 Moving Light Board
>"Effect lighting" such as strobes, beacons, spinning color balls, of an undetermined number and variety.
>Party type fog machines, quantity, wattage and quality undetermined
My plan as of now --assuming I'll have enough power and be able to get everything on the second list-- is to put the PARs on the stand directly behind the DJ, aiming WFLs close and NSPs far. I'd then mount the moving head lights on booms 6 feet to either side of the stand. I'm not sure what I'd gel the PARs with yet. The night would start out with essentially static lighting. Then it would start to flash and bump irregularly during a fast song, on a preprogrammed pattern. I'd then select separate preprogrammed patterns for different type of songs, depending on their speed/intensity. (Essentially all hip-hop music, so I don't think there will be any "slow dances".) I'd start up the foggers, and they'd slowly crank away until a patchy haze effect was established. Soon thereafter the movers would start up, in another flashy move of brilliance. Coming on the ceiling first with some movement, until sweeping onto the dance floor. I'd, again, preprogram some looped patterns, and vary them up for the different songs.
That is in essence my plan. I feel bad for clogging up CB with my entire production concept, but seeing as this is my first attempt at dance lighting, I'd like to get some review. I'm not sure if there are any DJ style resources, though I did find some tutorial type videos on youtube, which I've watched.
From a technical standpoint I think I've got it all under control, unless the board is really obscure and I can't find a manual online. I need to check with maintenance about fire detectors in the gym, and if they'll allow fog. It has been done at every previous dance, but being me, I think I'll check . So assuming I can get my hands on those moving lights, it looks like my main problem is production concept, and making sure I'm not hurting the atmosphere rather then enhancing it.
Does anyone have any experience in this type of "DJ Lighting" and limited technology and tools? Is there any advice or dos and dont's that would be useful?
Thanks
>1 20A circuit to be shared between sound and lighting.
Possibly more, but I don't have a circuit map. The maintenance guy seemed to say there were multiple circuit, but I'm not positive. So for now I'm moving with the assumption I have around 10 amps.
>2 PAR48 200W WFL
>2 PAR48 200W NSP
>1 4ch Dimmer Pack
>1 8x2 ADJ light board, capable of preprogrammed patterns etc.
>9ft Stand
I might be able to get my hands on:
>2 Motorhead 250W Moving Head DJ lights.
>1 Moving Light Board
>"Effect lighting" such as strobes, beacons, spinning color balls, of an undetermined number and variety.
>Party type fog machines, quantity, wattage and quality undetermined
My plan as of now --assuming I'll have enough power and be able to get everything on the second list-- is to put the PARs on the stand directly behind the DJ, aiming WFLs close and NSPs far. I'd then mount the moving head lights on booms 6 feet to either side of the stand. I'm not sure what I'd gel the PARs with yet. The night would start out with essentially static lighting. Then it would start to flash and bump irregularly during a fast song, on a preprogrammed pattern. I'd then select separate preprogrammed patterns for different type of songs, depending on their speed/intensity. (Essentially all hip-hop music, so I don't think there will be any "slow dances".) I'd start up the foggers, and they'd slowly crank away until a patchy haze effect was established. Soon thereafter the movers would start up, in another flashy move of brilliance. Coming on the ceiling first with some movement, until sweeping onto the dance floor. I'd, again, preprogram some looped patterns, and vary them up for the different songs.
That is in essence my plan. I feel bad for clogging up CB with my entire production concept, but seeing as this is my first attempt at dance lighting, I'd like to get some review. I'm not sure if there are any DJ style resources, though I did find some tutorial type videos on youtube, which I've watched.
From a technical standpoint I think I've got it all under control, unless the board is really obscure and I can't find a manual online. I need to check with maintenance about fire detectors in the gym, and if they'll allow fog. It has been done at every previous dance, but being me, I think I'll check . So assuming I can get my hands on those moving lights, it looks like my main problem is production concept, and making sure I'm not hurting the atmosphere rather then enhancing it.
Does anyone have any experience in this type of "DJ Lighting" and limited technology and tools? Is there any advice or dos and dont's that would be useful?
Thanks
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