Vectorworks for Entertainment Design


Book Description

The first book in the industry tailored specifically for the entertainment professional, Vectorworks for Entertainment Design covers the ins and outs of Vectorworks software for lighting, scenic, and sound design. With a detailed look at the design process, from idea to development, to the documentation necessary for execution, Vectorworks for Entertainment Design will encourage you to create your own process and workflow through exercises that build on one another. The text stresses the process of developing an idea, visualizing it, and evolving it for presentation, documentation, or drafting. The author focuses on both the technical how-to and the art of design, giving you the tools you need to learn and then use the application professionally. Fully illustrated with step-by-step instructions, it contains inspirational work from Broadway, major regional companies, and non-theatrical, entertainment design.




A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting


Book Description

Combining theory and application, A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting provides a comprehensive analysis of lighting systems along with examples and illustrations of the technical tools and methods used in the industry. An entertaining and educational read, author Steven Louis Shelley draws from his 35+ years of diverse experience to explain how to get the job done along with real-life examples of projects from start to finish. Learn why some techniques are successful while others fail with 'Shelley's Notes' and 'Shelley's Soapbox,' all with a humor that guides you through complex problems and concepts. Highlights include: -Over 100 new topics, including analysis and application of the three categories of collaboration; a detailed examination of production meetings and one-on-one meetings; and meeting checklists with management and the creative team. -Over 50 new illustrations, including Shelley's Periodic Table of Fundamental Lighting Systems; groundplans, sections, and front elevations that illustrate basic system wash configurations for each direction of light. -Analysis, calculation, and step-by-step technical construction of each lighting system in the Hokey light plot. -Explanation of a manufacturer's cut sheet, and how to apply basic formulas to determine the beam size, footcandles, and gel transmission for lighting instruments. -Updated process of pre-programming computer lighting consoles prior to the load-in. -Comprehensive overview of archiving paperwork and softcopy for a production. Students and professionals will benefit from experience-based tips and techniques to prepare and execute a lighting design, along with learning how to avoid common traps.




Drafting Fundamentals for the Entertainment Classroom


Book Description

Drafting Fundamentals for the Entertainment Classroom: A Process-Based Introduction to Hand Drafting, Vectorworks, and SketchUp guides students through a syllabus-formatted semester of integrated drafting concepts and skills. This book links beginner visualization practices with fundamental software knowledge through step-by-step exercises and examples. By presenting hand drafting and Vectorworks through incremental exercises, students not only gain an understanding of the tools used in drafting but also learn why the tools, practices, and standards exist in the first place. SketchUp, a user-friendly 3D modeling program, is integrated into the various exercises to help readers visualize concepts and begin modeling their own ideas. By the end of the book, students will understand drawing construction techniques, United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)-recommended graphic standards, and the typical drawings created for entertainment design, preparing them to dive more deeply into the further complexities and opportunities of Vectorworks and SketchUp. Drafting Fundamentals for the Entertainment Classroom is written to complement a 14- or 15-week semester of an Entertainment Drafting course. The book’s format also provides structure for independent and self-directed study.




Illustrated Theatre Production Guide


Book Description

Illustrated Theatre Production Guide delivers a step-by-step approach to the most prevalent and established theatreproduction practices, focusing on essential issues related to the construction of wooden, fabric, plastic, and metal scenery used on the stage. A must-have resource for both the community theatre worker who must be a jack of all trades and the student who needs to learn the fundamentals on his or her own, it covers the necessities in great detail, without bogging you down. Offering techniques and best-practice methods from an experienced industry expert, it will allow you to create a foundation on which to build a successful and resourceful career behind the scenes in theatre production. This third edition has been completely restructured to more effectively lead you through the basics of stagecraft. Through detailed lessons and hundreds of drawings, author John Holloway offers you solutions to the problems that you’ll face every day in a production, from rigging to knot tying. New to this edition are guides to jobs in theatre, construction documentation, and video projection methods, with expanded information on Thrust Theatres, lighting, audio and video practices. This book is suitable for Stagecraft courses in university Theatre programs, as well as for professional theatre technicians.




Stage Lighting: The Technicians' Guide


Book Description

This practical guide covers all aspects of stage lighting equipment, special effects, lighting a performance space and lighting design. It is well illustrated with examples of equipment, diagrams, plans and technical data. It also features the work of current lighting designers. The associated video content shows the practical use of equipment and different lighting techniques and effects. It provides easy access to the content through the use of tabulated sections and keyword headings. The information in each chapter is presented at three levels which run visually throughout the guide enabling students to mix and match their own personal level of study or for practitioners to fast track through to the information they need on stage. This new and revised second edition brings the guide right up to date, and includes all new material on the development of LED lighting in recent years, as well as online video resources.




Vectorworks for Entertainment Design


Book Description

The first book in the industry tailored specifically for the entertainment professional, Vectorworks for Entertainment Design covers the ins and outs of Vectorworks software for lighting, scenic, and sound design. With a detailed look at the design process, from idea to development, to the documentation necessary for execution, Vectorworks for Entertainment Design will encourage you to create your own process and workflow through exercises that build on one another. The text stresses the process of developing an idea, visualizing it, and evolving it for presentation, documentation, or drafting. The author focuses on both the technical how-to and the art of design, giving you the tools you need to learn and then use the application professionally. Fully illustrated with step-by-step instructions, it contains inspirational work from Broadway, major regional companies, and non-theatrical, entertainment design.




Illustrated Theatre Production Guide


Book Description

This invaluable guide takes a step-by-step approach to the most common and popular theatre production practices and covers important issues related to the construction of wooden, fabric, plastic, and metal scenery used on the stage. This new edition of the Illustrated Theatre Production Guide uniquely shows you how to build scenery through detailed lessons and hundreds of drawings. The illustrations make this book like no other and offers solutions to problems that you face, from rigging and knot tying, to drapery folding and the most detailed information on metal framing available. Written for the community theatre worker who has to be a jack of all trades and the student who needs to learn the fundamentals, respected author John Holloway teaches in a way that covers the necessities but doesn't bog you down with heavy language and boring verbosity. New features in this book range from expanded information on metal framing and foam construction to brand new elements such as a chapter on stage management and an extremely helpful Website with videos -- meant to go along with the informative section on projects. These videos take you from the drawings and descriptions in the book to the video instructions that will help you learn visually. A must have for the theatre professional as a guide to refer back to over and over again.




Stage Lighting


Book Description

Stage Lighting: Design Applications and More builds upon the information introduced in Stage Lighting: The Fundamentals to provide an in-depth reference to a number of specialty areas of lighting design, from traditional applications such as drama, dance, and designing for different venues, to more advanced applications such as concert, corporate, film and video, virtual, and other forms of entertainment lighting. Each chapter gives the essential background, design practices, and equipment details for each specialization, so readers can make informed decisions and ask informed questions when encountering each field. The book provides insight on the latest technology and includes profiles of prolific designers, such as James Moody, Jeff Ravitz, Alan Adelman, and Paul Gregory. Stage Lighting: Design Applications and More is intended to help lighting designers translate their theatrical skills to other areas of lighting design, and provides guidance on how to take those initial steps into new ventures in their lighting careers.




Stage Lighting Second Edition


Book Description

Stage Lighting: The Fundamentals is written specifically for introductory stage lighting courses. The book begins with an examination of the nature of light, perception, and color, then leads into a conversation of stage lighting equipment and technicians. Lamps, luminaries, controls/dimming, and electricity form the basis of these chapters. The book also provides a detailed explanation and overview of the lighting design process for the theatre and several other traditional forms of entertainment. Finally, the book explores a variety of additional areas where lighting designers can find related future employment, such as concert and corporate lighting, themed design, architectural and landscape lighting, and computer animation. New for this edition: enlarged full-color illustrations, photographs, light plots and examples of lighting design; updated information on LED lighting and equipment; expanded discussion of the practical use of color as a designer; expanded discussion of psychological/perceptual effects of color; new discussion of color mixing through light sources that make use of additive mixing; expanded discussion of industry professions; expanded discussion and illustrations relating to photometrics; expanded discussion and examples of control protocols and new equipment; and updated designer profiles along with the addition of still more designer profiles.




The Assistant Lighting Designer's Toolkit


Book Description

What are the do’s and don’ts of being a good assistant lighting designer? What are focus tapes, and how do I use them? What is the best method for creating a magic sheet? What should be found in every assistant’s kit? How do I make that first important leap into this professional career? Answer these questions and many more with The Assistant Lighting Designer’s Toolkit. This definitive guide unlocks the insider-secrets used to succeed as a professional assistant lighting designer (ALD) – whether choosing assisting as a career or while transitioning to another. This book outlines, step-by-step, the challenges the ALD faces during every phase of production. Never before has a resource existed that views the design process through the eyes of the assistant. Intermingled among the nuts and bolts of the paperwork and essential procedures, top industry professionals reveal tips for personal survival in this challenging career – both domestically and abroad as well as in other careers in lighting. Within these pages are the industry secrets rarely taught in school! The author's website can be found at http://www.aldtoolkit.com/.