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This is a basic rundown of the steps you should take when designing/planning a show.
- Talk to your director/whoever is running the show and find out what their vision for the show is. Be sure to get a copy of the script/list of acts.
- Read the script through once just for enjoyment so you can get to know the show.
- Read through the script again. This time pay close attention to and make notes about: lighting changes, the mood of each scene, colors/special effects.
- Start talking with the crews to get a feel for the set and costumes. Try to get specific information regarding costume and set colors (costume and art crews) and ask for a copy of the set plans so you know what you are going to have to light.
- Try to get a scene by scene description of how the light should look/a blow by blow of the desired special effects from your director. Directors are often hesitant to do this because they aren't quite sure how they want it to look or they just don't want to take the time to write it up. However, this is extremely helpful and almost necessary in order to make the show look how the director wants. SO...Pester your director!! Ask for it constantly until you get it. Be persistant.
- Now it is time to pick your gel colors. Find a swatch pack from which ever company you buy your gels from (I use Rosco Gels, if you do not have a swatch pack and do not know which company to use, you can get a Rosco Swatch Pack Here)
- Be Sure to have your director order your gels as soon you have decided on the color and amount of each gel
- Make your plot! This is the part that requires the most thought and will probably take a few hours.
- To make a plot, you first need to make a sketch of your stage. Be sure to include all stationary set pieces and all of the places you can hang lights from (it is also a very good idea to label the channel numbers for each light socket on your plot for quick reference later).
- Now divide the stage into focus points. Each focus point should be roughly the size of the beam of light that you plan on hitting it with (In other words, you should be able to cover each focus point with one light). Be sure to include all areas of the stage including back drops and the tops/backs of all set pieces.
- Time to make the tough decisions, where to hang your lights. This is where having read the script/having pestered your director for their description is key. You should know how bright each part of the stage needs to be (if there is going to be a lot of action in a certain part, be sure you have it lit well enough to see faces) and you should also know which parts of the stage need to be different colors.
- Make a key for your plot. Include symbols for each type of light you have and abreviations for each gel color you plan to use.
- Choose the type of light you use based on how far it is from the stage/how intense (concentrated) you need the light to be.
- Choose the location of each light based on which focus point you are trying to light.
- Remember, if a part of the stage needs to be more than one color, then you need to have extra lights for each color.
- Label each light symbol with its focus point and whatever gel(s)* or special equipment you will use with it.
- Double check your plot. Make sure that each focus point will be bright enough (I recommend hanging extra lights with just a frost in them just in case you need to add more light) Check that you have not used more lights than you have and that you have the proper gel colors/special equipment where you need them.
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* I strongly suggest that every light have at least a frosted gel on it. This takes the ugly edges off of your shutters and helps soften the light. That being said, any light that requires a colored gel should have a frost stacked with it (again I reccoment every light also have a color, a mix of warm/cool wash is best).
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