Stage Lighting Revealed: A Design and Execution Handbook [Paperback]

Glen Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2002

Lighting is a blend of the aesthetic and the technical that can create an infinite number of dramatic effects. Good lighting design completes the emotional and literal portrayals of any performance piece, accenting words, music, and movement. Stage Lighting Revealed explains what designers need to know when creating or executing an effective lighting design, including: understanding the basic functions of lighting and the qualities of light used to carry out these functions; understanding the equipment that will be used, including its mechanics and functions; deciding what they want to create, or say, with lighting; laying out the visual messages they wish to convey; creating original interpretations with light; determining how the design can be executed. Cunningham s reader-friendly introduction to stage lighting and design is ideal for getting prospective lighting designers started on their own journey. Readers are encouraged to experiment and tap their creativity by selecting from the processes and techniques detailed throughout the book. Many diagrams, charts, and photographs complement and enhance the concepts presented in the text. Among the topics discussed are: using color to play to the audience s emotions; what to consider when you place instruments in the five basic lighting positions; breaking a performance into lighting moments, laying the lighting design, and bringing that design to life; using and maintaining the many types of stage lighting fixtures; commonsense troubleshooting; stretching your lighting budget; pulling off a successful load-in, production, and postproduction.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-This comprehensive, well-illustrated volume could serve as a basic reference manual for career technicians, and could also be a primer for teens involved in school drama departments. The book is divided into three parts: design, equipment selection, and lighting the show. Each section covers all aspects of the subject, from artistic considerations to technical concerns. The jargon of the profession is defined, and commonly used procedures are explained in detail. Eight useful appendixes cover such topics as symbols, wiring diagrams, gel comparisons and descriptions, and troubleshooting. Black-and-white photographs, drawings, and charts appear throughout, providing excellent graphic explanations of the topic. Novices can learn it all here.-Penny Stevens, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

"As an introduction to lighting design, this one is hard to beat." (Stage Directions)

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577662628
• ISBN-13: 978-1577662624
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explains the basics well, lots of great easy-to-find info, January 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Stage Lighting Revealed: A Design and Execution Handbook (Paperback)

Stage Lighting Reavealed ,by Glen Cunningham, is the most comprehensive, well-written Stage Lighting Book I've seen. It was easy to bury myself in a large chair for a couple hours and read this book. I recommend it to anyone who is at all interested or involved in stage lighting, especially young people and beginners who want to learn about the subject.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost Perfect, July 20, 2000

By 

Doreen O'Skea - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stage Lighting Revealed: A Design and Execution Handbook (Paperback)

I'm still searching for the perfect lighting design book, but Stage Lighting Revealed is as close as I have seen. It's small and lightweight, (and inexpensive) and packed with practical information. It covers everything from the fundamentals of electricity to state-of-the-art equipment. It would be nice if it had a bit more information on specific lighting techniques, but with the amount of clear, practical information in this book, I can't complain. A perfect book for beginners and intermediate designers alike.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only lighting foundations book you need!, October 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Stage Lighting Revealed: A Design and Execution Handbook (Paperback)

Stage Lighting Revealed: A Design and Execuation Handbook is absolutely perfect for both the novice or the experienced lighting technician/designer. Because the book covers all three aspects of stage lighting, it is absolutely perfect as a book of foundations for theatrical lighting. All sections are explained clearly and in great detail, assisted by the use of comprehensive photographs, diagrams and illustrations. As well, it is not outdated like many other lighting books on the market. For anyone interested in theatrical lighting, YOU NEED THIS BOOK!