director lighting tech. dispute. Protocol?

The word protocol is not one I normally come across in theatre. Procedures and conventions as in conventional or normal, do exist. Animosity does not normally exist because everyone usually knows what they are doing, and know what the other person is doing. Communications is very important as bump in and rehearsal times are short because venues cost money when they are dark. It is no use having a short temper as the job still needs to get done after you have finished yelling, so it is easier to just keep working smoothly through it. In your production meetings, which may be just a phonecall or an email, if you all know the venue, you need to know what is required, then plan it beforehand so you can have all of the equipment set up. Time in the venue is restricted and stage time is normally taken up by reblocking and scene change rehearsals. You normally only get 1 tech rehearsal unless you are very rich but you will find the crew will not need more than one unless it is a very complex show. The tech rehearsal is a TECH rehearsal when you do stop start at every point in the show where something happens. This is where you find out what doesn't work in scene changes, what mic levels need to be set, which mic gets allocated to who, foldback levels are set etc. It is very demanding on actors as they do not have continuity in dialogue, but it is important for all of the leads to know where they are going on stage and get to know the venue, time from dressing room to stage etc. Lighting is usually plotted before the tech so you see the actual lighting states and find out what angles are wrong and also to see what blocking has been changed. Rehearsals are for the actors and should flow around minor flaws to check running times, backstage positions etc. The preview show is a good compromise as it sells tickets, allows another full run through and the audience knows there may be one or two technical problems. If this is a professional show, the tech should do as instructed as that is what he is paid to do. He will offer advice on what looks best but the call is up to you as director. Try and get rid of blackouts for scene changes. The easiest way to do a scene change is have a scene on the opposite side of the stage to the scene change and light that area only or do it in front of the rag. There are a lot of lighting anlges avaialble and the steeper the better to isolate the lit area of stage so you do not light up the scene change. Or light up the scene change so the audience can see what is going on, but use breakups ansd backlight so you do not see the faces of the backstage crew clearly and have them in blacks. Does that help ? You have not said if this is amateur, if so, you are working with volunteers so not all groups will have high standards.