Stage lighting involves more than just lighting the stage and actors on it with varying degrees and hues of lights; it is about creating a mood, focusing the attention of the audience, and helping create action in and around a performance. It takes careful planning and understanding of the production and flow of the show to do this successfully. Lighting, and how it is used on the stage, can make or break a production. Therefore, here are three stage lighting mistakes to avoid when planning your next show:
- Too Many Lighting Cues – Actors and stagehands have many, many cues throughout a performance that tell them where to stand, when to speak, and when to exit the stage. These cues are critical to the setting and storyline. Lighting is just one more area where the people on and off the stage need to be aware of cues and react to them. If there are too many cues to remember, or the lighting changes are too numerous to make a big impact on the mood or direction of the show, it may be time to consider cutting down on the number of lighting cues.
- Too Many Color Flashes – Lighting and, more specifically, flashes of dramatic color can show a change in the mood or the direction of a show. Unfortunately, the audience may not take kindly to a multitude of these flashes and it may be detrimental to the overall review of the performance. The audience should come away from a show remembering the story and the mood, not the annoying flashes that hurt their eyes.
- Budget – Preparing and planning the resources for your production is critical. Premium lighting can cost a pretty penny, so plan well in advance and do your research on the types of lighting that you need.
Backdrops by Charles H. Stewart can help you create an amazing stage design with its backdrops and many experienced professionals who can answer common questions and stage performances.