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Stagecraft:  Week 7 
(October 2-6, 2023)

Important terms are in RED.

Google Classroom assignments are in BLUE.

If ABSENT, you are REQUIRED to read / understand / do all activities posted for that day, even if it's not an "assignment".  

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DAY 1:  Fixtures & Fly Lines

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1.)  Completed (individually):  "Reflection - Building a Flat/Platform" (in Google Classroom)  If absent, be sure to do this on your own.  Due by tomorrow.

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2.) Debriefed (in class):  Guys partnered with girls and partners debriefed about the experience of building a flat/platform (teacher-led debrief).

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3.)   Ms. Price introduced our next unit in Stagecraft:  WHAT'S UP THERE? 

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If you were to look UP in a while in a theatre, you would see the FLY LOFT above the stage and CATWALKS above the audience.  In both areas, you'd see LIGHTING instruments, and in the fly loft, you'd also see rigging for BACKDROPS, CURTAINS (border, legs, main), and other things, such as scenery  (chandeliers, signs, etc.) that are flown in for shows...or even the orchestra shell that's used for band/choir concerts.  Next week's unit will focus on these things.

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3.) Reviewed:  Students learned the terms cyclorama and scrim (two drops used in theatre) as well as the fly system used for flying drops in and out.

  • If absent, watch lighting basics video HERE

  • If absent, watch fly system video HERE

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4.) Watched a video (Billy Elliot Lighting) and reflected on 2 things that you found interesting, intriguing or new (in REFLECTION JOURNAL - Google Classroom).  Title:  Billy Elliot Lighting  (If absent, be sure to do this on your own.)

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5.)  Learned:  Students learned about traditional lighting fixtures used in theatre by watching a video tutorial (made by John) and taking notes in Google Classroom (CLASS NOTES - Stage Lighting Fixtures).  If absent, be sure to watch this video and take notes.

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6.) Reviewed names of lighting fixtures and learned about 2 tools helpful in hanging/focusing light fixtures:  crescent wrench & "C" clamp.

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7.) Learned about the parts of a light fixture

  • "C clamp"

  • Yoke

  • Safety cable

  • Shutter handle

  • Power cable

  • Gel frame holder 

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8.) Explored various lighting gels/gel colors for traditional (conventional) stage lighting fixtures.

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DAY 2-3:  Lighting & Fly Tutorials

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1.)  Reviewed  your chosen individual focus for this week (from the IB Learner Profile). 

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2.) Learned about the 3 jobs of a lighting designer:

1.) Light the actor - front light for visual & other directions for sculpting actor, etc.

2.) Establish/support setting (location, time of day, season, etc.) - cyc lights, gobos, scenery light, etc.

3.) Create mood - direction of light, colors used, etc.

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3.) Reviewed the names of lighting fixtures

  • Scoop

  • Fresnel

  • Par Can

  • Ellipsoidal 

  • Cyc Light

  • Spot Light

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4.) Reviewed about the parts of a light fixture

  • "C clamp"

  • Yoke

  • Safety cable

  • Shutter handle

  • Power cable

  • Gel frame holder 

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5.) Watched a video about the process to:  hang, "rough focus" and program a light fixture. (If absent, watch HERE)

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6.) Went to the stage for On-Stage Tutorials:  (in groups)

Learned from KP about...

  • how the fly system works

  • how to properly "call"

  • how to safely fly things in and out 

Learned from John about...​

  • how to properly hang and focus a fixture on an electric

  • how to clamp / lock a fixture

  • how and why to use a safety cable

  • how to power a fixture / plug into dimmer

  • how to focus the light to where it will hit on stage

  • how to use the shutters

  • how to insert a gel frame (color) and gobo (texture)

  • how/why to tie line loose cables

 

If you were absent for today's lighting tutorial on stage, read THIS and THIS (about how to hang stage lights properly/safely). 

If you were absent for today's fly line tutorial on stage, watch THIS up to 8:25 (about how the fly line system works and how to safely use it)

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DAY 4: Lighting & Fly Tutorials

 

1.)  Reviewed  your chosen individual focus for this week (from the IB Learner Profile). 

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2.) Reviewed the names of lighting fixtures & parts of a light fixture​

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3.) Learned about Conventional lights

  • high power/halogen bulbs

  • require gels (handled gel books & looked at the various colors of gels, etc.)

  • can take gobos (observed images of different "looks" created from various gobos)

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4.) Learned about "Practicals"

  • any onstage light source that acts as a practical part of the physical environment

  • examples:  lamps, chandeliers, wall scones, etc.

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5.) Learned about LED lights (can make ANY color without gels)

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6.) Watched a video (Lighting the Lights in Billy Elliott) and discussed new terms. (master electrician, "wash" deck electrician, smoke/foggers, data cables, main console & backup, dimmer) If absent watch on your own.

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7.) Finished  On-Stage Tutorials  (in groups - see yesterday's lesson)

  • If you haven't completed one of the tasks on stage that were completed in groups yesterday, be sure to do so today (everyone must run fly lines & hang fixtures for a skill grade)

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(Next week)

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1.) Watched a video on Lighting Design Basics (If ABSENT, watch video HERE.)  (Students who missed on-stage tutorials this week went down to the stage with John/Logan during this video.) 

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2.) Reviewed parts of a lighting fixture, names of lighting fixtures, gels, gobos, conventional lights, practicals, and the job of a lighting designer.

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3.)  Watched a video   (Working in Theatre: Sound & Light Board Operators - 4:00) and reflected on 2-3 things that you learned about light/sound (in Google Classroom - REFLECTION JOURNAL week 5). Title:  Light & Sound Board Operators)  If absent, be sure to do this on your own.

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4.) Learned how to properly wrap a cord (sound cable, etc.)

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5.) Reflected:  Students reflected on their Week 5 individual goals in their REFLECTION JOURNALS in Google Classroom.   (See "End of week" at the bottom of Week 5 and answer question.)   If absent, be sure to complete on your own.

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WANT TO LEARN MORE? (optional)

 

Additional Videos on Fly Lines:

 

Additional Videos on Lighting:

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Additional Videos on Sound:

  • Sound Mixing of Hamilton

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Additional Videos on Special Effects on Stage: 

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