2 minute read
Lighting and Sound
by iankerry
The company is obliged to provide Arts Alive with accurate information regarding their lighting, sound and any other technical requirements for the show. This information will be stated on each show page of the season brochure. Please check that you can accommodate the technical requirements of a show before booking and be aware of additional costs if you need to hire equipment. Should a company alter their technical requirements after contract, they are obliged to provide these at their own cost. The company will need to know how much power you have, if you have a meter and where the sockets are. It is the company’s responsibility to make sure that cables are secured to the floor with tape but do check before the show starts that access to all emergency exits is clear. To help with event planning, we ask promoters to complete and return a Venue Fact File detailing hall facilities, dimensions and accessibility, and also provide a sketched floor plan noting location of sockets. If you have not done this, please contact us for a form. It is also advisable to check with a company whether the show will include any special effects. Strobe and flashing lights and smoke machines can affect some people. You need to know in advance if any of these will be used so you can alert your audience.
Lighting
Advertisement
All shows benefit from a defined, illuminated performance area. The technical and other requirements for each individual company are listed in the show summary of the season selection booklet. Please check these against your venue and if in doubt please call us.
We try to find companies that are technically self-sufficient. If theatre lights and/or a sound system are essential and not being brought then this will be stated in the selection booklet and there may be an additional cost to pay. We will help you to source equipment.
This section is a brief guide to the types of lighting we are most often asked for.
Basic lighting / General Wash: A "wash" is the illumination of a stage / performance area, normally using softer lights. A general wash is simply basic lighting using fixed lights so that they spread an even light over the stage
Cold wash / Warm wash: Coloured lighting gels are used with the general wash to reinforce a mood or feeling in a scene. For example use of a yellow wash to give the feeling of summer: a blue wash to suggest cold or sadness. If a company asks for these, please check that your venue has them or you can hire them.
Spotlights: are used to highlight a particular position on a stage. As with other lights, there are lots of different types. If a company requests spotlights, do ask them what they require.
