Lighting the Naumann Saal
After setting up for 2 hours in the Friedrich-Naumann-Saal with the lights and sound system last Monday things are moving forward quite nicely.
Wow, the lights make such a difference to the piece! In general I find lighting makes about 40-50% of the effect as to how good a piece looks and this time it is no different. Yes, I have thankfully had some help (thank you René and Maria!) to light the space as people with more experience have usually better ideas! After the first rehearsal in the space with a couple of lights placed in different positions, I was at a loss as to how to light the piece. Having three sides out of four with sensibilities (2 with the audience and one with the projection screen) I wasn't really sure where the light could come from or where it could shine to without blinding the audience or taking away viewing areas (reducing the contrast of the projection screen). There is also no rig to hang lights from the ceiling nor that wasn't ever going to be part of the budget!
So here is my setup:
The 6er Pars on both sides shine down and fill the room like front lights. The Profilers come from the balcony and create a side light from above and also a “street” with the centre on one channel and left and right on another. I have PCs on both ends of the room, one either side of the projection screen and one in the opposite corners. The PCs next to the projection screen were a bit of a worry but when they are correctly positioned and focused, their light doesn’t take away from the projection at all. Having a professional projection screen also made the world of difference as the picture is clear and the contrast is high meaning a little scattered light doesn’t detract at all.
Now the challenge is to build combinations that reflect the texture and feel of each dance number - the creative, fun part!