My friend and I are putting together a showcase/open mic at our college and are a little puzzled over how to light the stage. It's going to be in a small coffee shop on campus, but we want the room to be dark except for a spotlight on the stage. We have limited funds to work with (i.e. whatever money we happen to have) and are looking for creative suggestions. Thanks.
if your school has a film/tv/media dept. you should be able to take some lighting on loaner. all you really need is a light that focuses the attn on stage so it doesn't have to be a big spot. it can be much simpler. i would check ur school resources first.
Do nothing but strobe lights. People will LOVE it.
If all else fails, go to Home Depot and get a clamp on work light, an extension cord, and some duct tape. Clamp the light to a pole or rafter, plug it in where ever you need to, and make sure the cord is taped down so people don't trip on it. Shouldn't be too expensive.
So something like a floodlight with some sort of cardboard set up to direct the light?
Right. Depending on the size of the room and how close you can get the light to the stage, you might not even need the cardboard.
Any ideas for how to hang it or create some sort of stand for it that won't interfere with stage visibility?
They sell light stands, you know.Originally Posted by jonathantincher
And shop lights usually come with a clamp.
They also sell track lighting--which, believe it or not, can work just fine, if pointed in the right direction.
pg--What were you hoping the replies to this question would be? That somebody knows how to create a magic super-conductor light box that floats invisibly in the air and can be made with simple household items and baking soda?--really?ville
We'll just take the fact that this was too long and that you didn't read it...as read.
I guess I was hoping that someone may have had experience setting up something similar and could provide some insight into small things that might make a difference. Maybe some thoughts on placement of a stand, dealing with chords, cheap workarounds, ideas for hanging lights, etc.
My original idea was to get a stand with some kind of arm with a light clamped to it and a cardboard cube to direct light. I was going to duct tape everything down so nothing gets tripped over. Maybe that's good enough, but I wanted to see if anyone had something out of the box they had done that they found worked well.
Fair enough.
Just know that there are plenty of books on stage lighting, lots of stage equipment (some of it not entirely budget busting...especially since the boom of dj culture, some of these things are now available at Best Buys or music stores) and basic common sense.
One of the first pieces of advice I give to people starting ANY project is: don't make it any harder on yourself than you have to...
Have the stage be brighter than the room--it's as simple and as complicated as that.
pg
Get two clip lights and ut them at about 30 to 40 degree angle from parallel to the stage, on either side. This will mineralize the shadows. Get a soft light bulb. You don't want to burn out the comics' retinas.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...11&marketID=48
If you want to go the extra mile get some lighting gels. You can use office clasps to put them on the light. It can take the edge off of harsh direct light.
http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Optics-6.../dp/B00009UT49
The rest of the room should be pretty dark. Todd Glass always suggests put candles on tables. I agree with him. If you can get some cheap little candles those work great.
You may also want to invest in a third clip light and red light bulb to use as a minute light for the comics. They work way better than waving the phone in the air and comics can't go long and say "I did not see it."
Hope that helps.
"Not the victory but the action. Not the goal but the game. In the deed the glory."
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