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Concert Lighting Design |
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Anyone who appreciates good music - in all its many styles, can appreciate great concert lighting. Lights can take on a life of their own and become a central part of the concert experience. Any Pink Floyd fan can attest to this fact. Every show becomes a music and light experience. But it wasn’t always this way. It's only been since the 1960's that this new type of lighting design was born. The Filmore clubs, both East and West, in New York and Los Angeles, gave popular music its first permanent venue. This then led to the concert lighting of large arenas and old music venue favorites like the Hollywood Bowl. To capture the true essence of the performance, lights were manipulated to provide greater impact to stage presence. In the early days, lighting concerts consisted of the operator actually 'dancing' on a wall of autotransformer dimmers in time with the music. Primitive, but it got the industry started. The light show soon became a huge draw, with lighting designers pushing the boundaries of what could be attempted. Lights of all sizes and types went up - way up above the stage, from every corner of the arena, and up on the stage to capture intimate moments. Projection effects could be placed on a large rear screen behind the stage. These dynamic patterns of light would weave in and out, mimic the music and support the performance. Today, concert lighting design has truly become its own field which many light designers specialize in exclusively. Techniques and StrategiesSo, if you're new to the industry or want to learn more about concert lighting, what are some of the basics you should know? Well first, know that entertainment lighting is one of the most exciting sub-industries of the lighting field. Although automated lighting fixtures are used almost exclusively, you still have total control over the total look and feel of the light show experience. Programming the lights has now become the art. But, don’t think that’s the whole story. Conventional lighting fixtures are still used, including the PAR 64 fixture, which is very popular for concert lighting. And why not? It's efficient and inexpensive. What else can you expect to use for concert lighting? Here are a few others:
You'll use a DMX or Ethernet capable system to control everything from a central location. As a concert lighting specialist, you'll work very closely with the Lighting Programmer, unless you take on this responsibility as well. Programmers came on line in the 1980's as automated fixtures took over the industry. Due to the fact that concerts are set up for touring, your concert lighting will be transported from city to city and to help this process go smoothly, ensure the lights and other system equipment is well packaged and ready for quick set-up and take-down. Concert lighting can be complicated, but it can also be incredibly fun and rewarding. If you've never had the chance to light a concert, give it a shot. You'll get a chance to see many new places and may never go back to lighting the local theatre! About Angstrom Lighting Angstrom Lighting offers the best stage lighting, theater or theatrical lighting, concert lighting, dj lighting, video lighting, party lighting, event lighting and lighting rental fixtures, lighting supplies, lighting equipment, lighting design and lighting education in the industry. Angstrom Lighting is located in Hollywood, California; additional information can be found at http://www.angstromlighting.com Click Here to see Additional Angstrom Lighting Articles Click
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