Camdram

Roles

The Lighting Designer Is responsible for creating an appropriate lighting plan, both from the viewpoint of functionality (simply being able to see the actors), and from the artistic appearance of the lighting (e.g. are scenes set indoors or outdoors, in the early morning, mid-afternoon or late evening). There are two main aspects to this role:

  1. Designing a a lighting plan, which details exactly which lights need to be hung where around the stage area in order to achieve all of the effects required by the show. On more complex shows, this can require careful coordination with the Set Designer, Technical Director and/or Stage Manager to ensure that the lighting and other effects work smoothly together.
  2. Working through the script, designing the look of each individual scene from the available lights (known as plotting), and marking cues in the script at the points when the lighting needs to change, so that the Deputy Stage Manager (on complex shows) or Lighting Operator (on smaller shows, often those in studio spaces) knows when change the lighting states should be changed.

Some directors will have a very strong view about the overall design, whereas others will give their designers a greater input into creating the look of the show.

For best results, the Lighting Designer should work with the other designers to ensure the lighting design is consistent with the overall design ideas. A production will look a lot better if each designer is following a consistent thread and taking into account of the look and atmosphere being created by the other designers.

It is normally left up to the Lighting Designer to decide whether they also want to take on the responsibilities of the Chief Electrician, Lighting Desk Programmer and Lighting Operator. If you do want additional people to take on these roles, you should discuss it at an early production meeting, so as to ensure that everybody in the show knows what is happening, and that suitable time is allowed to find people to take on these roles.

Useful resources[edit]

ADC guide - an introduction to stage lighting

CUADC guide to LDing

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Lighting Designer Vacancies

PROD APPLICATIONS for THE BLUES are STILL OPEN! (Easter Week 4 Corpus Lateshow)
The BluesBread Theatre & Film
21:30, Wed 22nd – Sat 25th May 2024 at Corpus Playroom
Easter Week 4

The Blues - a brand new student written comedy - is looking for a Producer , Assistant Producer , Technical Director , Publicity Designer , Costume Designer , Set Designer , Lighting Designer  and Sound Designer  to bring this spunky noughties hooligan satire to life!

Contact ss2944@cam.ac.uk before 1st Apr 2024 23:59 for more details.

🩸CARRIE is looking for a tech team! 🔥
Carrie: The MusicalCUMTS
19:45, Tue 7th – Sat 11th May 2024 at ADC Theatre
Easter Week 2

We're so excited to be able to open applications for a variety of tech team roles for Carrie, the Easter Week 2 ADC Mainshow! This is a really technically exciting show, and we're looking forward to seeing it come together! We're currently looking for: Stage Manager  Deputy Stage Manager  Costume Designer  Lighting Designer  CLX  Assistant Technical Director  (Head) Carpenter/s Blood Engineer Blood Technician Scenic Artist

Contact el570@cam.ac.uk before 4th Apr 2024 01:00 for more details.

Lighting and Sound Designers wanted!
Black is the Colour of My Soul – The Lady Margaret Players
19:30, Tue 20th – Sat 24th August 2024 at The Courtyard Theatre, Camden
Summer Vacation

Black is the Colour of My Soul at the Camden Fringe is looking for a lighting designer  and a sound designer  to complete our team!

Contact nmg45@cam.ac.uk before 30th Mar 2024 23:59 for more details.