Lighting and Sound

Learning Objectives • To explore how to answer an exam-

style question on lighting and sound

Through creativity and reasoning

DO NOW QUESTIONS

Why is lighting and sound used in productions in the theatre? What does it add?

What would Brecht’s ideas for lighting and sound be?

Lighting and Sound are used...

• To create the time of day

• To create location or split location

• To create atmosphere

• To build tension

• To symbolise a feeling, theme or thought

• To highlight and mark significant moments

• To foreshadow

Brecht and Lighting and Sound

• From your research on the staging conditions of the original performance of The Caucasian Chalk Circle you will have noticed that Brecht was very minimal in his approach to lighting and sound

• He included only a simple white wash (this is a lighting term for bright coverage of the whole stage with no flash lighting changes)

• Why do you think this is? Why did he want to keep it simple? What did he want the focus to be on?

TASK 1- 10 mins

Watch the below videos which show the day to day responsibilities of the lighting and sound departments at the National Theatre

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGtX9P8gDI8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppir1WdvHFg

In your exam…

• You could be asked a question on lighting.

• You could be asked a question of sound.

• You could be asked a question that combines BOTH!

• KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED.

Task 2- 10 mins

Time to experiment!

Below is the link to a lighting simulator which allows you to have a go at being a lighting designer! Play around and see what lighting states create which effects for the audience.

http://scenicandlighting.com/academic/light-labs-and-more/

Symbolism

• Symbolism is a detail that represents something else for the audience.

• E.g.– A red dress is symbolic of an evil character

– A Traverse stage is symbolic of a conflict or battle because it has two sides

– A green gel in lighting could be symbolic of jealousy

– A tattered purse could be symbolic of Grusha’s low social class

YOUR TURN- Task 3- 15 mins

• On the next slide you’ll find a table.

• It’s your job to think of a lighting state or sound effect that could be symbolic for different moments in the story.

• Complete this table in your yellow book.

• You must use the correct vocabulary- see the last three slides for help

Moment in script Lighting/sound suggestion

Natella enters in episode 5 to claim baby Micheal

Green coloured gel floods the stage to symbolise Natella’sjealousy of Grusha’s relationship with Michael

Azdak takes his place as the judge

Recorded circus music plays loudly to symbolise his lack of experience as a judge and clown-like behaviour

Grusha and Michael cross the rotten bridge

Grusha sees Simon for the first time since the war broke out by the river

Michael is placed in the chalk circle

Grusha hides from the Ironshirts in the peasant’s house

Grusha is decided as Micheal’s rightful mother

TASK 4- 30 mins

Look at the Ms Rayner’s ‘How to Guide- Lighting and Sound’.

Use the information in the guide to help you create your own How-to guide. Put all steps and stages into your own words- it will be your revision resource for next year.

Specifically make sure you are comfortable with the vocabulary. There is going to be a quiz.

TASK 5- 1 hour

This week on Edmodo you are completing two things:

• You will submit your answer to the exam-style question on lighting and sound (see Edmodo and instruction sheet)

• You will also do a quiz where your understanding of the vocabulary around sound and lighting will be tested (see last three slides for revision)

If you need help… • Use the Gmail email address or reach out to

your teacher on Edmodo

Lighting Vocab • Coloured Gels- sheets that can slotted in front of lights to create a

symbolic use of colour• LEDs- A type of lamp that glow when current passes through them• Gobos- This is a sheet inserted on a frame at the front of the light with a

design cut into it. It filters the light, creating a picture effect on the stage. For example, a gobo could be used to create a dappled lighting effect to look like the leaves of a forest, or could be cut to create strips of light onstage which look like the bars of a prison

• Spot - has a hard-edged effect, used to light characters or elements on the stage. Coloured gels can be used with this lamp.

• Fresnel - used for a softer edged effect, with a diffusing lens in front of the lamp. It's useful for good overall light when used with others. Colouredgels can be used with this lamp.

• Flood - produces a clear wide-angled light, but there’s little control over the spread of the light. Coloured gels can be used with this lamp.

• Strobe - a flashing light, used for special effects. It’s often used to give the effect of old movies. It produces a jerky effect on the movements of actors when used on its own

Lighting Vocab When describing a lighting state you need to consider: • Colour (symbolism)• Intensity/brightness • Spotlight/general wash • Areas of the performance space lit • Centre stage, upstage, downstage etc• Angle • Special effects (e.g. gobos and gels) • Mood and atmosphere • Time of day/year • Inside/outdoor location • Naturalistic/non-naturalistic

Sound Vocab • Volume • Pitch • Tempo • Recorded effects - e.g. reverb/echo • Live Music quality • Tune • Tone • Tempo • Sound effects - e.g. doorbell• Direction of sound (from) • Mood and atmosphere • Naturalistic/non-naturalistic