Product Description

In this volume Neil Fraser, who teaches the subject at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, provides a comprehensive guide to designing effective and appropriate stage lighting. Assuming no previous knowledge, the book guides the reader through the various aspects involved in this craft. The text is accompanied by practical exercises to encourage the reader to explore and try out the concepts discussed. These exercises are designed to allow the reader to discover the reality of what works at a technical level and at an artistic level, and can be used within a limited budget. The emphasis is on the practical, and each exercise is followed by an analysis of expected results, lessons learnt and conclusions drawn.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43943 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

WHAT A GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!
Neil Fraser has really caught the meaning of stage lighting within this book. I am a Theatre student working towards my degree and then onto a PGCE course. I never liked technical theatre two years ago, but thanks to the technician in my college he got me to find this aspect of the theatre to be one of the best. There are so many choices in jobs. When I got this book, it grabbed my attension right from the start. Reading through the book, you soon find yourself getting attached to it. You don't know when to put it down. It is so informative. This book gives ideas, tasks, designs by Neil Fraser, names of the lanterns, equipment used, and right down to the mood and atmosphere that is created in each state.
This is a must for any drama/theatre student, professional, or anyone interested in stage lighting. I would recommend this book to everybody. What a fantastic read.

A great book that is both British and up to date
This is a great book for people starting out in Lighting Design. It has a very practical approach with its emphasis on hands on exercises that can be done in any small drama studio. All exercises come complete with diagrams showing the authors suggested solutions. It also includes advice on other skills needed by lighting designers in the real world such as scheduling and dealing with directors!

It has the great advantage of being written from a British prospective as UK and US lighting terminology and equipment differ greatly. It is also includes modern technology such as "intelligent" fixtures.

The best lighting design book I had read before this one was "The Stage Lighting Handbook" by Francis Reid but this book actually contains the best part of Reid's book namely building up a lighting design starting with just one instrument. By reading this book you get the benefit of both Reid's and Fraser's ideas.

The book ends with several of the author's actual designs with explanations of his design choices and the placement of every fixture. I heartily recomend it.