There's More to Light Than What You See

 

        Colors and shapes fly around the stadium as music and laughter fills your ears, the strobe lights and fog only adding to this amazing concert experience, the special effects just as amazing as the music. To the average audience member, this show is a fun, care free experience, but behind the scenes lurk a group of skilled men and women making this risky experience possible, all from behind the control panels.

 

        There are many different kinds of equipment used to create the amazing light show. An important piece being the "Computerized control consoles" which makes it possible for the operator to control tens of thousands of parameters simultaneously (Robinson).

 

        Many different types of lights are used as well, from the well known strobe light, to more complicated models. One of the simpler of lights is known as the "par". This is a very basic, inexpensive, soft light that comes in many different sized beams (Robinson). Another type of light is called a "moving profile". This light is a hard-edge fixture that adds; Pan/Tilt, CMY color mixing, selectable gobos, iris, dimming, zoom and lens focus, depending on the model (Robinson). Also, something called a truss is used, and this holds everything together- literally. A truss is made of similar material to aluminum ladders and the lights hang from it. This strong yet lightweight material comes on standard sectional lengths which can be bolted together to make pretty much any shape you want (Robinson). This equipment and more is essential for creating the perfect concert experience.

 

        Creating the perfect mood for the audience is crucial to the show. Seth Robinson, Lighting Director, says, "It's all about the feel. 9 times out of 10 I can light a song without even knowing the words" (Robinson). There are basic "color rules" most follow when trying to convey a certain emotion to an audience. For example:

Blue: sad, moody, slow

Red: angry, hot, energetic, fast

Green: sick, spooky, money

White: stark, spectacular, big

 

        The band itself is also a factor. Most have an idea of what they would like their stage to look like while they perform, because they create the initial emotion for their audience to feel with their music, although others don’t care much for that part. "Some [bands] are very involved in the creative process, while some have no interest" Seth Robinson says, "I once went to Sting's dressing room to ask if he was happy with the lighting. He was hanging from the door frame doing pull ups. He hung there for a second and replied, ‘I can't see the lights; I'm color blind.’ That was the first and last time we ever talked about lighting” (Robinson).

 

        With all the excitement and creativity that goes on during the lighting process great risks are also taken. Heavy metal objects collide, resulting in many lost digits. Lack of the proper clothing can also be a factor, like lack of steel-toed shoes and durable gloves. Backs are also thrown out during heavy lifting. But the lights don’t only affect those controlling it. It also poses a possible threat to performers and audience members. Where epileptic people are in danger of seizing due to strobe lights, LED lights can also cause toxic stress to the retina (LED Magazine). ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety says, "Because emission surfaces of LEDs are highly-concentrated point sources, the luminance of each individual source can be 1,000x higher than the discomfort level", and after testing, they recommend LED use be limited to professional use (ANSES).  

 

        Children, people sensitive to light, and workers likely to be exposed to high-intensity lighting are at the biggest risk of eye damage. (LED Magazine) There are so many factors that go into a lighting experience; the song, equipment, colors, the band. Some even dangerous. Yet through this all, the backstage crew working together with your favorite music artist, can make this concert a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

Works Cited

 

 

 

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