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intensity |
The first and most obvious element of light is that of Intensity. Some might call it "brightness", but I prefer the term intensity because it is not always about how 'bright' the light is, but how 'dim'. Intensity, therefore, includes this whole range of dim to bright.
While intensity seems like the most fundamental of elements, it is also the aspect that is left until the very end of the decision making process of the lighting designer. The remaining elements (shape, color and direction) are pre-determined by the designer during the process of putting the light plot together, but intensity is left until tech rehearsals when the levels of each of the lights in the rig are balanced against one another and recorded into cues. |
As you begin to gain experience writing cues, you will discover that there are many factors to keep in mind while dealing with intensity. The first is that of consistency. As actors walk across the stage, from one light in a system into another, it is important that the intensity of the area light looks the same. This will make the actor's route of travel seamless, without dips or bumps in intensity. Once the production is loaded in to the theatre and in technical rehearsals, many hours will be spent both in focus note sessions and in cueing rehearsals trying to chase down and correct that elusive 'dark spot'. Actors always seem to be uncannily able to find the hole in your light plot, and seemingly stand in that spot for most of the show.
dimness/brightnessDepending on many factors, intensity differences are in many ways the defining element of your lighting design. Sometimes, high intensity is very important, such as when drawing attention to a featured performer. In other moments, low intensity can help to define functions such as given circumstances and mood.
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consistencyThe characters in this scene are spread across the stage, likely in several different lighting areas. However, the intensity is consistent across all of the actors, even the actor who is standing downstage on the apron.
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