The other day I took part in a session which involved viewing different lighting designs and how they impact the narrative image or the individual/s within the light. This workshop proved very effective, as it helped me discover that i couldn’t use the material i wanted for the static ‘two way’ mirror i had designed for. As, when light was bounces off or near the reflective surface, it did not carry light; as previously thought. It seemed that natural light affected the reflective film in a very different way to artificial light. Thus, it was rather improbable that i would be able to create the desired effect with that material; so thinking of a new way to use the film was imperative.
Thankfully this workshop allowed me to test my ideas and gave me time to change the way i staged and designed my piece. Thus i have now got rid of the sink and back wall within the piece. Now, i will hang a frame from both the rigging and the floor. The frame will hold the reflective film inside it and will give a varied image of a mirror, as it will reflect light in certain ways;due to its part opaque qualities. It will still symbolise a mirror, however i feel it may now be a little more ambiguous than before.
The session aforementioned, also allowed us to create a sequence of lights and sound bites as part of a group. this gave us free range to try out different techniques and designs and use them to create something that could be inferred by the other group. the images below are just some of the designs my group felt were affective and we understood:
The first image of the three shows time passing within a piece; this can be portrayed through a sequence of lights place in a circle around the performer, which are lit at different intervals to pass light round and thus created a shadow that moves either clockwise or anti-clockwise; which suggests time passing around the performer/s.
the second image shows a square spot light angled onto the performer; this casts a small shadow and depending on the stance and position of the performer; can create a spot that only lights half of their body. This light effect can be quite influential for a performance that is intimate or has significant sections that need to be highlighted to an audience; as the light is quite sharp and direct.
The last of the images shows a corridor or cat walk style of lighting. This effect cast a beam of uninterrupted light from one end to the other as well as casting either a stout shadow or large shadow from the performer; however, this is dependant on he angle of the light. This lighting effect can also be complimented by the introduction of a small light facing onto the performer, as this allow for the performer to be lit almost instantly after stepping into the light; rather than in segments, from the original effect.
The workshop session did give me some more developed ideas as to how i will light my performance and also bestowed on me the importance of the most subtle lighting effect and how this can influence and affect a performance and the audiences views of such.