director lighting tech. dispute. Protocol?

As a new director in this industry, I am unsure of the protocol when it comes to directing of the lighting. I thought the director had the final say on all things concerning presentation of the show.At the moment we are halfway through our production,which is being very well received by the way,but there is a dispute in the lighting. The lighting tech. insists on blacking out the stage at the end of the final scene before the final curtain, but I want the lights left up as the curtain closes.The lighting tech insists that you do not close curtains with full lights up, ever.But I have been in many shows where the lights have been left up as the curtain closes. What is the correct procedure? and shouldnt the director get the final say? Wayne.

I have worked in similar situations, both as a lighting designer and director. In my opinion: director has final say unless the lighting state/design is potentially dangerous (the opposite of your situation for instance; I don't like having black outs in a dark room, especially if the cast has difficulty finding backstage), or there is a better/nicer way of doing something and the director agrees with the suggestion. Lighting designers and operators should have a say, but should be prepared and willing to be outvoted; and as with any designers, should really only fight when/if the cause merits it. I'm not saying they should be pushovers, rather they shouldn't fight over things that ultimately are trivial. I have fought and won a few fights as a lighting designer, but only when I thought it would greatly affect the ability of the actors to work safely on stage. In this situation, I DON'T agree with the lx designer. Who cares that the curtains will close on a fully lit stage? Is it really going to damage the show or the way the audience will react to it? Will the audience really walk out of the performance saying, "You know, it was a great show, but I really didn't like that last lighting state"? No... my best advice from my lighting lecturer was that the lighting is good when nobody notices it. In this situation, having lights fully up as the curtains close does not pose a safety problem, and would (IMHO) not affect the way the audience would react or the overall acceptance of the production. What you should do - sit down and have a calm discussion with your lx designer. Find out why they are fighting so much on this point. If it is simply because it's "just not cricket", then you have a legitimate claim to push back, put your foot down, and do it the way you want. If they have a more legitimate reason, other than to challenge artistic vision (ie. safety, whatever), then consider it more deeply. Most of all, treat your lx designer with respect, and no matter what they say to you, explain that you have listened to their experienced and considered opinion, but respectfully disagree and prefer to do it the way originally suggested. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

I have worked in similar

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