"Lightning" effect on stage - any tips for equipment?

Sat, 5 July 2008, 01:01 pm

thecowis4010 posts in thread

Hi, Staging a production of Agatha Christie's And then there were none. Am hoping to have the visual effect of flashes of lightning. We hope to syncronise this with an audio track, however this is not necessary. small-medium theatre, 200ppl. Has anyone had any experience, or know of any really good equipment? I am trying to avoid the standard "flash x times a second" type of strobe light. Reply here, or email me at sono_maschile@yahoo.it Thanks, adam

Thread (10 posts)

Threaded Flat

thecowis40Sat, 5 July 2008, 01:01 pm

NaSat, 5 July 2008, 01:17 pm

Other than a strobe?... You

Other than a strobe?... You can do a 'chase' of whatever lighting is in your rig anyway. There are some chasers/lighting desks that allow you to program the flash of the light with the beat of the audio (probably more expensive option). I'm sure others with more experience could offer more advice; I honestly can't think of a creative way to do lightning outside of the usual methods. Moppet eyes now on sale at Puppets in Melbourne

TaureanSat, 5 July 2008, 04:46 pm

Strobe not required...

I used a very effective "blinder" flash during "Narnia - The Musical" to allow Aslan to escape the stage unseen.

Simply aim two open white 1kw Parcans (USL & USR from the wash Cyc-wash bar on the rig) at the front rows of the auditorium with the barndoors wide open and focused to as wide a beam as possible.In this case spillage is definitely acceptable! This pair should be set to have as dull a glow as possible during the main of the play to keep them "warm" but not off.

Then, at the required moment hit the scene flash key on the desk causing a brilliant flash of ALL lighting with the added kick of the white light. Effectively giving a few seconds grace while the audiences eyes react and re-adjust. Adjust the length of your thunderstorm by the number of times the key is held open, the lights will react as often as you hit the button..but don't hold it open too long or the effect will be wasted. Just a quick jab or two will do the trick!

For lesser brilliance use a lower wattaged lumineire. (Even 500watt "workshop portafloods" will do the trick..and incidently make great lights for stand in fireworks displays!) As for synchronising against a sound track, don't bother... sound travels slower than light, therefore people are accustomed by Mother Nature to seeing the flash and then hearing the thunder and a couple of milliseconds delay wont matter.(After all, you are trying to create "reality")

Hope it helps..

"Joke 'em if they can't take a f*ck!" - Robin Williams

Don AllenSun, 6 July 2008, 12:42 am

Is your lightning on stage

Is your lightning on stage or off stage as the set design influences the lightning effect. If it is offstage then the lightning may only be seen through a window, or perhaps lighting a staircase that leads off stage. The strobe is the most effective lightning effect due to its high brightness, but needs to be slowed down for one or two flash durations. I have a manual strobe I have modified for this purpose. A dmx controlled stage can be set for a very slow flash duration and can be controlled as a cue or using a flash button. As most people know, light travels at approximately 186000 miles per second and sound travels at approximately 1100 feet per second so the light and sound will not be in sync. Some astute members of the audience may even time the difference to see how far away the lightning is to see if it fits in with the script. The lighting operator will cue the sound operator for this effect. You also have the choice of using a lightning gobo projected onto a surface but would normally only be used for pantomine type shows. This is one of those occassions where a special is used for a very short duration but helps to set the mood and atmosphere of a production.

JacobB08Tue, 8 July 2008, 03:22 pm

Strobes

I suggest you hire a strobe and a strobe controller with a flash button. I know light and sound solutions in Melbourne have them, talk to them and i think you can event link four of them with a controller and have them chase but not to sure. www.lightandsound.com.au

Walter PlingeThu, 4 Sept 2008, 02:58 pm

I find that strobes look a

I find that strobes look a naff as they flash too regularly. Stage lightening looks best when it comes from two or three different sources at different times and rates. Parcans do the job best as they flash on and off much quicker than Fresnels etc. Put some out front, some to the side and some behind. Stick em on flash buttons and play them like piano keys. With a bit of practice this can look very effective.

TaureanFri, 5 Sept 2008, 12:50 am

Yea for the old school

Great to see that someone else is "old school" enough to warrant the use of flash keys for a lightning strike. (Just for the record, parafloods or parcans flashed in sequence make for an interesting "transporters traveling past a window/house/station effect" (trains, buses, cars - whatever))

On ya Marineboy (not verified)

"Be nice to your Tech's - or they'll turn out the lights and go home!"

Walter PlingeFri, 5 Sept 2008, 12:14 pm

You could use a

You could use a gobo/pattern of a lighting bolt (or several) and project them on to your cyc (if you have one). If you want to get hard core and synchronise it with a audio track without just simply getting your desk op to hit the button at the right time, then you might want to google 'midi timecode' and see what you discover.

Walter PlingeSun, 7 Sept 2008, 09:21 am

If you want a realistic

If you want a realistic lighting effect you can't really beat the Martin Atomic 3000 strobe. It'll cost you a bit to hire but it's one of the few strobes that will actually flash on command. Provided you use it in 4 channel mode, the Atomic has a bunch of pre-programmed effects, one of which is lightning and another is random flashing. If you've got spare capacity in your desk don't bother with the remote controller, just run DMX to the light. As far as timing goes, bear in mind that lightning rarely flashes at the same time that you hear thunder. You can feasibly have a 3 or more second delay before the audio triggers and it will look natural (indeed if they are cued together it looks a little too theatrical). If the script calls for the storm to be getting closer you can progressively reduce the delay. Most people in an audience will understand what's going on, at least subconsciously. Also, the temptation is to use open white for lightning, I'd suggest using a light blue gel as it looks more realistic. Talk to Matrix Productions (if you're in Perth) about getting an Atomic 3000. Martin's Website: http://www.martin.com/product/product.asp?product=atomic Matrix: http://www.matrixproductions.com.au/equipment.htm Ben

Walter PlingeMon, 8 Sept 2008, 02:14 pm

Hi, If you would like to

Hi, If you would like to hire a strobe, we have the Martin atomics with detonators and Giga Strobe (DMX) in our stocks as well as a large range of gobos, feel free to give me at call at Resolution X - 9701 2411 Karla

← Back to Tech Talk