A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting [Paperback]

Steven Louis Shelley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240803531 | ISBN-13: 978-0240803531 | Publication Date: April 6, 1999 | Edition: 1

Combining theory and application, A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting provides a comprehensive analysis of lighting systems along with step-by-step examples and illustrations of the technical tools and methods. Readers will benefit from experience-based tips, techniques and traps to avoid in preparing and executing a lighting design. Anecdotes illustrate why some techniques succeed while others fail.

Existing textbooks about theatrical lighting analyze artistic vision and visual concepts, which are important for the aspiring designer. These texts do not, however, provide any information about the mechanics required to produce those visions. This book addresses the realities of working in the theatre using practical methods to squeeze flexibility out of a lighting system and present solutions to common problems.



Practical approach to lighting design and implementation

Includes experience-based tips and traps to avoid

Thorough examination of the documents used to create the lighting design

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve Shelley has worked in theatre for over 35 years as a lighting designer, production manger, and stage manager in New York City, throughout the United States, and on four continents. His lighting designs are included in the repertories many dance companies, and he's designed lighting on Broadway, Off-Broadway, as well as concerts, television, regional theatre, and regional opera. Steve is the author of numerous articles in trade magazines and has conducted multiple seminars at theatrical lighting conventions and major universities around North America. He's also the inventor and patent holder of the award-winning Field TemplatesT and SoftSymbolsT (www.fieldtemplate.com). He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (April 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240803531
• ISBN-13: 978-0240803531
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

STEVEN LOUIS SHELLEY hails from Nebraska, where he began his theatrical career as a technician, performer, and puppeteer. Eventually he focused on a degree in lighting design and graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts in 1978. After working in several cities around the United States, he moved to New York City, and has since designed lights, production managed, and stage managed live theatre in America and around the world.

In the early '90's Steve started writing what would become A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, (Focal Press, 1999, ISBN 978-0240803531). He just completed the expanded second edition (Focal Press, 2009, ISBN-13: 978-0240811413).

He's the patent holder of the Field Template, as well as the award-winning Vectorworks® theatrical lighting toolkit SoftSymbols™ (www.fieldtemplate.com). He still lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The coming standard in lighting design instruction., May 15, 2000

By 

Norm Johnson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting (Paperback)

"A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting" is destined to become the definative source of instruction in the field of theatrical lighting. With the books emphasis on the process of light design it gives the reader the tools necessary to create the art. Whether your goal is to become a good stage electrician or a good designer the explainations in this book will allow you to work and communicate quickly and efficiently during that precious time allotted for load-in, hang and focus.

Steve Shelley, by taking a chronological approach to light design, illustarates exactly what goes into a successful design. He defines his terms, explains why he does things, and provides anecdotes and insights that make the book entertaining and easy to read.

The final section of the book on how to focus lights will teach you more about creating and implementing a light design than any other book you have, can or will read.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the most complete guide to stage lighting...BRAVO, May 7, 1999

By 

Bryan ([e-mail]) (Flagstaff, Arizona (for now)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting (Paperback)

Steven Shelley has done it again. After the triumph of his lighting templates, Shelley branched out and wrote a fabulous book on stage lighting. You don't need to be an expert lighting technician to understand this book. Shelley uses easy to understand terms and metaphores. This book is perfect no matter if you are like me, a struggling lighting designer just out of college, or have been in the business for 30 years, you*will* find something new in this book... I highly recommend it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any stage lighting designer's bookshelf., July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting (Paperback)

Mr. Shelley starts from the idea that you, the reader, have some lighting design ideas that you want to achieve. He then leads you through a complete tool kit to assure that you will be able to accomplish your designs within the realities of limited stage time and limited budgets. The material is invaluable, and the presentation is highly enjoyable. Bravo!