LIGHTING

Colour Mixing

Colour mixing is the process of integrating effects of two or more lighting gels that can be either subtractive or additive.

Subtractive Mixing

Subtractive colour mixing is placing two different gels in front of the same lantern. This process involves combining colours in a way that reduces the light towards dark. As one adds primary colours i.e. red, green and blue, the result gets darker, eventually turning to black. Colour paintings, colour photography, and colour printing processes use subtractive mixing.

Additive Mixing

Additive mixing involves focusing two different coloured beams of light onto the same area. This process begins with black and end with white and as more light is added, the colour is lighter and tends to white. Both the primary and complementary colours can be used.












Lighting Personnel
Lighting Designer

Lighting designers design and plan lighting effects for theatre, dance, opera productions and live events. They should know how to make the best use of the powerful light as they create effects that can be changed depending on the mood of the action of the performance. They usually consult with directors to discuss the best approach for each production. They also create light plots and sequence lighting cues which take into consideration the size, shape and capabilities of the performing atmosphere, visibility of those performing as well as the mood of each specific scene.

Duties and responsibilities can vary from time to time but generally they are required to attend rehearsals to see how the performing space will be used in the production, supervise the lighting instruments, and attend dress rehearsals to supervise lighting and apply changes if needed.

Lighting Technician

Lighting Technicians set up, maintain and operate light fixtures, control devices and other electrical and rigging equipment used for theatre and stage productions and events.

They generally work with a head electrician, a lighting designer or director, director of photography or master electrician to create lighting designs. They read and interpret blueprints, perform simple wiring tasks, calculate maximum circuit loads, perform routine maintenance functions including replacing lamps and damages colour filters or patterns, and maintaining safe lighting equipment.

Lighting Operator

Lighting operators position, set up and operate lighting equipment to light sets of studios during performances, TV broadcasts or film productions. They are responsible for lighting interior and exterior scenes and must achieve the desired effects through the placement and colour of the lighting.

They also study scripts and discuss lighting effects with production staff, coordinate activities with electrical crew, select and position lighting equipment, arrange and connect cables, operate lights during filming or  broadcasting, maintain and repair lighting equipment and arrange for the transportation of equipment to the required locations.

Follow Spot Operator

The follow spot operator is known as a common first job in lighting. The follow spot is a light which is physically moved by the technician during the production, to follow a performer around the stage. They may also have mechanisms to change colour as well as an iris to change the size of the light beam. Basically, the follow spot operates and maintains the follow spot during live performances.