Lighting Workshop

"Light is the 3rd actor on stage."

The lighting designers are truly inspiring! Even though they were only talking on and on about their "life" in this theatre industry, I felt that they were actually telling us what's so special about LIGHTS. They really really love their lights. I guess it was their passion that kept them in this path. From today's talk, I learnt to appreciate lights more.

WE MUST PLACE LIGHTS ON A EQUAL BASIS WITH THE OTHER SKILLS!
"I'm a painter, I paint with lights. I'm an artiste."

Lights: To express emotions. To tell a message. Has the power to change the show.Unlike the olden days, technology has made lightings easier to be configured, etc. now. We have more knowledge, aesthetics and references that allowed us to have more options such as accessibility. However, technology is used for 'support' only. We can't depend on it too much that we lose focus on the lights itself (the expression here is abit weird...hehe...) We need to learn to put our creativity into use! Creativity > Technology.

"Lights mustn't steal the show, it compliments."

Sometimes having more lights doesn't necessarily means that it's a good thing! LESS = MORE! In Singapore, we* believe that a great performance should consist of "boomz" lights. We often expect more lights cause' we think that it means more coverage (face value!). But we must really change that thinking. Less is usually more beautiful as compared to more. Hehe.*: 'We' means the Singaporeans, not referring to us hahaha.

"Lighting is a language itself."

Xiao Li Heng, a China lighting designer. (as mentioned)Some experiences that influenced their way of working with lights.
- Precision is not really necessary. Sometimes, being anal is not good!
- It's important for lighting crew to "feel" the show so that the lights can have the right "feel".
- We need to get back to basics!!! This will help us to really appreciate our lights more.
- Images helps one to be more visually stimulated. Keep a book of pictures!
- Kuo Pao Kun: Attitude is important.
- Christian Jade: Break away from conventions!!!
- Concept is more important than face coverage, etc. CONCEPT CONCEPT CONCEPT.
- Challenge: Using light intensities to create feelings.
- Light = material. Feel the texture.
- Experience is key!
- DARE TO EXPERIMENT!!!

"We learn when we bang walls."

Texture of lights is more of an emotion, not really physical texture. It depends on how you interpret it. And also, lighting doesn't take influence from any culture but from the designer himself.When there is no artistic direction, there will be no life. So, light design needs to suit all the other designs for the perfect piece!

Advices:
- EXPERIMENT. Only when you see and experience it in real life will you be able to understand.
- PLAY. Play with layers. Play with intensities. Play with colours.
- BE SENSITIVE. Your environment (light sources) is a great source of inspiration :D
- ENJOY. You must first enjoy the play before you can pick the correct lights.
- KEEP A BOOK. Jot down ideas, put in images.
- DAYDREAM. It opens up many possibilities.
- RECALL. Personal experiences can help.

-Rachel Boo