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EliTheIllusionist Regular user York, PA 191 Posts |
So how did you guys get into incorporating lighting and sound into your illusion shows? The only lighting and sound I current have is whatever is provided at the venue.
I'm looking into purchasing some lighting and sound equipment (truss, strobe, dimmer packs, etc). I've always figured everything out for myself, however I am in the dark with this one. I want something I can pull with me on the road. I have looked at individual components and everything. The biggest obstacle is...who the heck is going to be able to work it all? Have you guys had to train someone? Hired someone already knowledgeable? And advice would be paramount compared to what I've come up with. Thanks in advance! -E |
EliTheIllusionist Regular user York, PA 191 Posts |
Correction -
I do have my own music and sound media, etc. But it plays on the venues system. The lighting is the biggest void.... -E |
sb Special user 567 Posts |
Eli,
check out this current thread..... http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......um=11&18 there is lots of info there.... -scott |
Johnny_Dee Loyal user 225 Posts |
Hey, I'm working as a lighthing technicien in television so feel free to ask any questions and I'll answer as best as I can.
Johnny |
Jonathan Pendragon New user 69 Posts |
E
Try a local college and there theater department. They train students in the technical aspects of theater. I graduated from UCI, a very serious theater school, as an actor. Even so, I had to study light and sound as well set design. A good school will have people who can help you or at least point you in the right direction. If you have the time, a class in stage tech at a college or even a community college would add to your knowledge and craft. Jonathan |
Jonathan Pendragon New user 69 Posts |
Excuse me "their theater department." My fault for trying to think before two in the afternoon.
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
College theatre programs are a good choice, although I'm seeing more and more kids coming out of them who know about the technology and all the latest toys, but not about how to use lighting to actually support and enhance a show. I would say talk with several professors or students and see where they're coming from, before deciding to go in that direction. An easy (too easy) test is to start a conversation about your show and then see how long it takes the guy to start talking about equipment and control and effects -- or just to start talking about what he can do, period. The guy should listen to you first, and ask a lot of questions, before starting to give you the benefit of his experience.
Keep us posted.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
PCoreyB Regular user 139 Posts |
I designed and installed the lighting in our church sanctuary. All the house lights, stage lights, moving lights, LED lights, etc. are controlled from a laptop PC using a surprisingly inexpensive software/hardware dmx system. The software includes a timeline, like you'd have in a video editing program, where you can drop your music or video and then insert lighting scenes on top of that at whatever points you want those scenes activated. So all you do is play your song or video from your PC and your lighting scenes will automatically be executed as your music hits your predetermined cues.
I know my description may have been less than clear but I assure you it's not very complicated at all to set up. Check out the following link. http://www.bulbamerica.com/optima-lighti......ler.html |
Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-10-09 14:33, Jonathan Pendragon wrote: That is really good advice! I spent some time as a stagehand at the Barbara B. Mann performing arts hall in Fort Myers, Florida. I was part of a team that teched the David Copperfield performance one year. I realized just how incredibly complicated it all is. Especially lighting for the "Flying" Illusion! I did many different duties on that show, three years in a row. I also helped in the lighting tech on the performance of "Grease", starring Sally Struthers, and wow, the things ya gotta know! I was clueless! There was a group that ran the "Vari-Lite" system, that was leased by the show. That requires a college-type course, and certification, by itself! Not for beginners, that is for sure! Jonathan is "spot on" (pun intended) about a class in stage tech at a college. Invaluable! Doug |
videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
Most illusionists go out and buy what looks neat...and end up with a bunch of useless lights.
Make sure everything you buy is DMX driven. A dmx board will allow you to record scenes so that each illusion scene can be switched by a simple push of a button. Id look into around 12 par 64 cans that are LED. This will light your stage...depending on the stage size. LED also gives you any color you want, so no switching out gel sheets for color. Special effect lights are used to spice up the show. But they are usually moving lights that you have to time and program, unlike simple par cans. So choreography has to be timed with lighting, and that gives you a bit more to think about when staging a show. One good fogger should do, and will almost double the light that comes from the par cans as the light bounces off of fog, and the fog enhances the color. Ive got a degree in theater, but learned little past the basics in lighting for an illusion type show. Mainly color and sets. Best thing you can do is go to lighting websites like martin or amercican dj and watch their videos for each light. It will hit you when watching what will work and wont. I have a programmed dmx board, 12 par cans, two effect lights for preshow effect, and one fogger. This being for a mentalism show. |
George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
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On 2010-10-10 00:42, videokideo wrote: Not just illusionists; there's way too much emphasis on the equipment nowadays and not enough on the "art" of lighting a stage. I'm even seeing this more and more in college theater programs, mostly because the professors were never taught how to light a story or the characters in it. Of course, to some people it's more fun to work with the toys than to sit around talking about lighting as setting a mood, or revealing motivation, or creating anticipation. And it's a shame because lighting can do so much to enhance a show without taking over it. For my money, the best-ever-by-far book on stage lighting is Jean Rosenthal's "The Magic of Light." Jean was one of the premier Broadway lighting designers for many years. The book was written a number of years ago but it's still as valid today as it ever was. She doesn't talk about the equipment and controls; she talks about using lighting as an integral part of the art and craft of revealing the moods and characters and themes in a show. The book includes a number of photos showing how characters can be lit to create specific effects. The other book I would make required reading in college theater programs is Robert Edmond Jones' "The Dramatic Imagination" (another old book). It's a short book, but packed with incredible material. The chapter on lighting is wonderful.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
Sorcerer Loyal user 289 Posts |
Bringing your own equipment is an advantage because you always can be sure that you will be well lit (I do partialy)
As many have told you the best option is to use light fixtures with DMX. Is easier to control it through a PC, but you can also do it with a DMX console. Before deciding: Think these equipments are heavy and take up space for transportation. You will also have to hang on the bars of the venues (perhaps a big ladder?) You will also have to hire at least one technician to control them during show. These are all extra costs. Really think if you're ready for all this |
videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
Sorcerer....
I was controlling lights and sound through a laptop and dmx as suggested. There is one main issue, if the laptop glitches or goes down, the time it takes to reboot is not what you have during a show. Got to a point I was nervous, not to perform, but what might happen during performances. I went back to the dmx console. Just a thought. Although, I really liked using the laptop better with all of the cool options. Using lights as an illusionist is a pain for the very fact that in most theaters you have to hang them and reset their focus. Cost go way up hiring people to do this. As a mentalist, I use 4 trees, one in each corner, with 6 lights on each all aimed and choreographed to be on or off at certain times of the show. We use the same square space no matter how big the stage is. So setting up is quite simple and always the same. Would work for an illusionist if they could control the space they use consistantly. If I were back into illusions, Id use a basic 4 tree setup and keep it simple...not a lot of effects the illusions depended on, but if any effects at all, only to soup up the atmosphere. I don't miss those days in this aspect! |
Sorcerer Loyal user 289 Posts |
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On 2010-10-11 15:16, videokideo wrote: Totally agree with you videokideo. Most DMX control sofware runs for fuc###g windows and everybody knows sooner or later windows computers crash... |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
I know that Elation makes/made a Mac DMX software. I'm sure there are others.
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Fitz Elite user Phoenix, AZ 476 Posts |
I have a daily web show all about magic at http://FitzMagic.info
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videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
Thanks Fitz....that is easily the cheapest prices ive seen on trussing..WOW!
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