Product Description

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #176018 in Books
• Published on: 1999-03
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
"A practical guide that will, better than any other book on the subject, help the LD get his or her design realized in the most professional and efficient manner."
-Peter Maradudin, Lighting Dimensions Magazine

"[Part Three] should be read over and over again until the reader really understands the very special gift Shelley is giving them."
-James Moody, Technical Design and Technology

" The best parts of the book work because they rely on understanding concepts, not remembering good advice. You don't have to remember, because you have understood." - Nick Hunt, Focus - The journal of the Association of Lighting Designers

Review
"A practical guide that will, better than any other book on the subject, help the LD get his or her design realized in the most professional and efficient manner."
-Peter Maradudin, Lighting Dimensions Magazine

"[Part Three] should be read over and over again until the reader really understands the very special gift Shelley is giving them."
-James Moody, Technical Design and Technology

" The best parts of the book work because they rely on understanding concepts, not remembering good advice. You don't have to remember, because you have understood." - Nick Hunt, Focus - The journal of the Association of Lighting Designers

About the Author
Steve Shelley has worked in theatre for over 35 years. He's been 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 of many dance companies, including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Martha Graham Dance, and North Carolina Dance Theatre. Hes designed lighting On-Broadway (most recently Spamalot) and Off-Broadway, as well as concerts, television, regional theatre, and regional opera. Steves work has also been seen at the Spoleto Festival USA, where he was the Lighting and Scenic Coordinator for 16 years.

Steves the author of A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, as well as numerous articles in trade magazines. He has conducted multiple seminars at theatrical lighting conventions and major universities around North America.

Steve is the inventor and patent holder of the award-winning Field Templates and SoftSymbols (www.fieldtemplate.com). He lives with a very tolerant wife in New York.

Customer Reviews

Amazing and to the Point!!
I love this book, a must for any one interested in the running out a show behind a lightboard. Very useful!!! A+

A great useful book on the PROCESS of lighting
This is hands-down the best book I've ever read regarding the process of designing and executing a lighting design. Other books do wonderful jobs of discussing instruments and electrical aspects, or how to create a design, but very few discuss the day-to-day paperwork and personal interactions involved in getting that design executed. This book addresses that subject thoroughly, discussing what documents to create, how to schedule time in the theatre, how to work with all the other folks involved in creating a production, and so on. Highly recommended.

Organised Stage Lighting
I would say this is NOT the first book to buy or read for someone wanting to learn stage lighting design. The books does not cover the basic theories.

But - it offers a very good guide to the real-world contraints and demands of lighting. The author give very concrete and useful suggestions and advice. Analysing a complete design ('Hokey') step-by-step is a clever move. It is also the perfect book for those who want learn how to accurately document their designs to last nut and bolt. Even with my 20+ years in lighting and lighting design, I found this book a worthwhile addition to my collection of lighting textbooks.