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've been in this situation exactly but as the LD and the compromise I reached with the Director was to BO all front of house lighting as the curtain closed leaving the stage lit but not splashing on the Main curtain. I hate seeing main curtains lit by FOH washes rather than warmers. It's ugly. As for the wider general argument. I think we have had this discussion before somewhere. As a director do you want to light the show yourself or do you want a lightng designer who is a creative part of the team. Yes a director can say "I would like the actor in a special here at this moment and the rest of the lights dimmed" and that is legitimate cooperation like telling a set designer where the doors need to be, but remember presumably you're lighting designer knows a lot more about waht he can do with the gear he has got and should be allowed to be creative provided that the end result does not clash with your artistic intent. I don't like attempting to work with directors who want to tell me how to light a show. That;s why I'm there. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Compromise

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