Copyright c 1996 Stephen Scott Richardson and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Neither the author nor the Institute shall be held responsible for any injuries or liabilities caused by errors or omissions in this text. You use information in this text at your own risk. No warranties are expressed or implied. No part of this document may be reproduced without written permission from the author who may be contacted at [email protected] ALL COPYRIGHTS AND REGISTERED TRADEMARKS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPANIES. A Digital Equipment Corporation Alpha workstation running Linux and an Intel i486 running Microsoft Windows NT were used in the preparation of this book. The text was edited in GNU Emacs and typeset in LATEX . Many of the photographs were taken using a Canon digital still camera. The remaining images were scanned using a Hewlett-Packard ScanJet II color image scanner. All photos were processed using Adobe Photoshop and XV. Diagrams were created using XFig. A Hewlett Packard Laserjet 5L laser printer and a Tektronix Phaser 340 color wax transfer printer were used to print the book. to all of the great people involved in the various WPI theatre groups and to Kim, who kept me sane. Contents 1 Introduction 6 1.1Goals................................. 6 1.2Sources................................ 7 1.3Methods................................ 7 1.4Conclusions.............................. 9 2Costumes 10 2.1Introduction.............................. 11 2.2Procurement............................. 11 2.3Fabrics................................. 12 2.4Color.................................. 12 2.5Patterns................................ 13 2.6Fitting................................. 14 2.7RehearsalClothing.......................... 14 2.8Design................................. 15 2.8.1 HowtoBegin......................... 15 2.8.2 Color............................. 15 2.8.3 Practicality.......................... 15 2.8.4 Documents.......................... 16 3 The Set 18 3.1Introduction.............................. 19 3.2 Set Pieces . 19 3.2.1 Platforms........................... 19 3.2.2 Flats.............................. 20 3.2.3 Stairs............................. 21 3.2.4 Rakes............................. 22 3.2.5 OtherStructures....................... 22 3.2.6 FloorCoverings........................ 22 3.3Construction............................. 23 3.3.1 Materials........................... 23 3.3.2 Tools............................. 23 3.4Finishing............................... 24 3.4.1 Painting............................ 24 2 CONTENTS 3 3.5Draperies............................... 27 3.6Design................................. 28 3.6.1 HowtoBegin......................... 28 3.6.2 Documents.......................... 28 3.6.3 Computer-Aided Design . 29 3.7ATypicalSetConstructionatWPI................ 31 4 Rigging 35 4.1Introduction.............................. 36 4.2CommonRiggingHardware..................... 36 4.2.1 Rope.............................. 36 4.2.2 WireRope.......................... 37 4.2.3 Thimbles,WireRopeClips,andSwages.......... 38 4.2.4 Shackles, Turnbuckles and Hooks . 40 4.2.5 Chain&RapidLinks.................... 41 4.2.6 Slings............................. 41 4.3FlyMethods............................. 41 4.3.1 Non-CounterweightedPulleySystems........... 41 4.3.2 CounterweightedFlySystems................ 43 4.3.3 Lifts.............................. 47 4.3.4 ChainMotors......................... 47 4.4 FlyingSet Pieces . 53 5 Lighting 54 5.1Introduction.............................. 55 5.2LightingInstruments......................... 55 5.2.1 Scoops............................. 55 5.2.2 CycloramaLights....................... 57 5.2.3 Parabolic Reflector Cans . 57 5.2.4 FresnelSpotlights...................... 58 5.2.5 Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights . 58 5.2.6 AutomatedInstruments................... 59 5.3Color.................................. 61 5.3.1 ColorTheory......................... 61 5.3.2 Primary, Secondary and Complementary Colors of Light . 62 5.3.3 LightMixing ......................... 63 5.3.4 Practical Use of Color . 64 5.4Patterns................................ 65 5.5Dimmers................................ 66 5.5.1 DimmerHistory....................... 66 5.6CablesandConnectors........................ 71 5.7LightingBoards............................ 73 5.8Control................................ 74 5.9Design................................. 76 5.9.1 Washes............................ 77 5.9.2 Specials............................ 77 CONTENTS 4 5.9.3 CycloramaLighting ..................... 77 5.9.4 Color............................. 77 5.9.5 LightingAngle........................ 77 5.9.6 SimulatingExteriors..................... 79 5.9.7 LightingDesignPaperwork................. 79 5.9.8 Computer-Aided Lighting Design . 83 5.10 A Typical LightingHangat WPI . 83 6 Audio 89 6.1Introduction.............................. 90 6.2 Input.................................. 90 6.2.1 Microphones......................... 90 6.2.2 AnalogTape......................... 92 6.2.3 DigitalAudioTape(DAT)................. 93 6.2.4 CompactDisc(CD)..................... 94 6.2.5 Mini-Disc(MD)....................... 95 6.2.6 DigitalSamplers....................... 95 6.2.7 ComputerSoundCards................... 96 6.3MixingBoards............................ 97 6.4 Signal Processing Equipment . 101 6.4.1 Equalizers...........................102 6.4.2 CompressorsandLimiters..................103 6.4.3 NoiseGates..........................104 6.4.4 EffectsProcessors......................104 6.5Output................................106 6.5.1 PowerAmplifiers.......................106 6.5.2 Speakers............................106 6.5.3 Crossovers...........................108 6.6 Cablingand Connectors . 109 6.6.1 Line-Level...........................109 6.6.2 Speaker-Level.........................110 6.7Automation..............................112 6.8Design.................................113 6.8.1 Creatingand ObtainingEffects . 113 6.8.2 EditingandProcessingEffects...............114 6.8.3 Designing the Sound System . 116 6.9ATypicalAudioSetupatWPI...................121 7 Power 122 7.1Introduction..............................123 7.2BasicTheory.............................123 7.3PowerFeeds..............................123 7.4PowerDistributionBoxes......................124 7.5PowerProtection...........................126 7.6ImportantConsiderations......................126 CONTENTS 5 8 Special Effects 131 8.1Introduction..............................132 8.2AnimatedCostuming.........................132 8.3SmokeandFog............................132 8.4Pyrotechnics.............................134 A Acknowledgements 139 B References 140 Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Goals One of the major goals of this book is to provide a fairly complete introduction to most aspects of technical theatre. This introduction is given mainly in a general sense, but is supplemented with specifics relating to theatre at WPI. This treatment of the topics can provide an inexperienced person an excellent base of knowledge from which to start working on productions. It is important to remember, though, that the book is not meant to replace actual experi- ence. Most areas of technical theatre require a fair degree of work to achieve proficiency. In other words, reading the lighting chapter isn’t going to replace spendinglots of hours workingwith experienced lightingdesigners or master electricians. However, each chapter of the book is intended to introduce the basic goals, equipment, vocabulary and design theory for each area of technical theatre. Therefore, it is highly recommended that people working in WPI tech- nical theatre for the first time read through most of the book, paying closest attention to the areas in which they will work. In addition to beinga “newbie guide”to technical theatre, this book is also a valuable reference to relatively experienced techs. Several issues of safety are covered, which are extremely important, and often ignored. It is hoped that this book will be read by most people involved with WPI technical theatre, and as a result, the overall awareness of safety issues will increase. The last major goal of the book is to provide a bridge between what is prac- ticed in WPI theatre and what is practiced in professional theatres. Budgetary and time constraints are major contributors to the gap between the two, with the blind followingof tradition also playinga role. It is hoped that this book can provide some inspiration to strive for something more than what has been done in the past at WPI, edging the technical end of productions one notch closer to complete professionalism. 6 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 7 1.2 Sources Three main sources of information were used for the writingof this book. First, personal experience played a key role in the writingof some of the chapters. Secondly, WPI’s own experts were consulted – those people who have spent countless hours workingon productions. Lastly, many books, catalogsand other reference materials were read, to provide a greater sense of perspective for what is practiced outside of WPI. Over the past several years, as I worked on several productions in various positions, I gained a certain appreciation for technical theatre as a whole. With this appreciation of the whole came a knowledge of a lot of the finer, more pedantic points of various areas of technical theatre. Constant involvement with productions proved over and over that there were a lot of things that people, unbeknownst to them, just didn’t know.