footlights

[Evan Young]

I performed on a stage with footlights today. Now I've seen them before, but they were never on and usually just seem to be a week spot in the stage floor.
I was impressed, so I asked about them. The lady told me that foolights are outdated and probably illegal, but she never had problems with them so they keep using em'.
So let me tell ya, FOOTLIGHTS KICK ASS! When you look up at your juggling props in the air you can acually see them, not just a dark spot in front of the stage lights. and they really make everything on stage much brighter. So, yeah, I like footlights and I want to see more of them.

[jester]

footlights rock!

We use them in our outdoor shows in Poole through the summer. For the reasons you just described.

They don't require stands, so they are safer and easier to layout. They are a clear barrier for the audience to sit behind. Other performers often ask if they can use them when it's their turn and we are happy to oblige.

We have them coming in at 45 degree angles from the front, but you have to have the light reflected off something rather than shining directly as that can be blinding.

[Forrest Bishop]

yeah, they can be a great effect. i spent 5 years as a lighting technician. i spent well over $100,000 on lighting equipment (I had an absurd amount of money at my disposal for a highschool drama department) i bought moving head dmx controlled units with every feature imaginable and the computer systems to control them. i spent hundreds of hours programing the lights for the shows. but when it was all said and done, sometimes the effect produced from some well placed footlights was one of the things i was most proud of.
using them in a juggling act is a fantastic idea.

has anyone here ever used black lights in a show?
________
CeliaClara cam

[le pire]

Yes, I used to be in an illumanited / blacklight juggling & performance art group. We had great difficulty getting some of the old opera houses and theatres to block out all the natural light that would come pouring in during our daytime shows. It was also difficult on the audiences eyes to sit in the dark for almost two hours. Then the director came up with this brilliant idea for us to use these 2,000,000 candlewatt flashlights and shine them directly into people's faces for a 5 minute routine. He couldn't hear peoples moans of anguish or see them wincing and rubbing their eyes in the dark. He loved "challenging people to watch."

Then one performance, one of the members of the troupe spotted him in the audience (not an easy task, in all that pitch black) and blasted the director exclusively with his light for the duration of the number. The routine was nixed for good. Maybe it was too challenging.


etienne

[jester]

Gel for sale.

I've got some very rare "bastard black" lighting gel for sale to anyone worthy enough, if they know how to use it properly.

[Airborne Dan]

I love footlights and backlights. But don't you think (Evan Egg Eater) that maybe, just maybe this isn't a blah, blah, blah topic. I mean don't you think it'd be more appropriate in "tools of the trade".

Jim has worked so very hard to give us all in the performing community this wonderful resource that is performers.net, and what do you do? You saunter up to your computer and publish what is clearly a 'tools of the trade' article in the 'blah, blah, blah' forum.

This is me being you:

Wow man that was a great show I just had and the footlights really made it come alive. I think I'll have my self an egg while I write about my wonderful footlight experience. Now do I want scrambled or hard boiled, hmmmm, I'll have one of each. There, now where was I, oh yes posting my footlight story on pnet. But where to post it? Ah well, I'll just throw it up on the blah blah blah forum, no one will care.

Well, over easy man, some of us do care. Some of us look forward to reading the crap that gets published in the blah, blah, blah forum for pure entertainment.

Imagine being me. Looking forward to reading lots of drivel and swear words and stuff about nothing and instead, being tricked into reading something that might actually be helpful to some performers.

GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF MAN. JUST BACK AWAY FROM THE EGGS FOR A FEW SECONDS. JUST LONG ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT WHAT SHOULD BE POSTED WHERE. I MEAN MY GOD! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Glad I could help.

[newyorkstreetdean]

(shit, damn, cus, bitch)- feel better?

Jesus Christ Dan!

Did you not realize there was snow on your lawn chair before you sat down this morning?

[Airborne Dan]

Fuckin' A!

Whoa, thanks Dean, that's more like it. Just came back from a show last night in VT. And they had fucking footlights, and backlights. I nearly shit myself.

[le pire]

Just had a show with a SPOTLIGHT! WTF WTF?!??!!



etienne

[wilallyn]

Was recommended to me once, always bring your own backlight...

Buy the little yellow construction light from Lowe's or Home depot, halogen lamp, adjustable head. Build a box for it, and carry it with you. You set the box down at the back of the stage, open the lid, the light is concealed but will shine at the back of your head and the back of your props, countering the spotlight...

I heard some people even bring their own lighter...

[jester]

Ssshhhh.

Bringing your own lighter is for those emergencies when none of the children smoke.

Try not to let on, it's an industry secret...

[Stretch]

Halogen in a box?

ummmm . . . better keep a fire extinguisher handy, those lights get HOT!!!

[scot]

I like to perform where there are people. I perform in spotlights, low lights. It doesn't matter to me. I like hearing people laugh.

You guys deserve better than me though.

[Evan Young]

what?

Scot, I don't get it. You sound bitter.
Good lighting is a good thing, right?

[worldwidese]

Safer way to backlight.

Instead of a box- get 2 pieces of 3 ply cut just a few inches bigger than the light. Hinge the pieces together at one side, place it slightly forward of the light and open at right angles. Experiment till you get as much light as you want.