Lighting

School

I’ve always been a hands on learner - even in year 8 I found our graveyard of old lights, and took it upon myself to figure out how they worked. I really enjoyed getting hands on and being able to distinguish different parts of the light, such as the

I’ve always been a hands on learner - even in year 8 I found our graveyard of old lights, and took it upon myself to figure out how they worked. I really enjoyed getting hands on and being able to distinguish different parts of the light, such as the yolk and the lens. This hands on approach sticks with me even to this day.

During sixth form, I had experience designing and programming my A-level work using a FLX S-48 lighting desk. This gave me hands on experience actually creating lighting design concepts and translating it into an actual show, rather than just turning

During sixth form, I had experience designing and programming my A-level work using a FLX S-48 lighting desk. This gave me hands on experience actually creating lighting design concepts and translating it into an actual show, rather than just turning lights on and off.

Sixth form is also where I learnt to meticulously name my cues so that anybody is able to look at my show and operate it if needs be.

Sixth form is also where I learnt to meticulously name my cues so that anybody is able to look at my show and operate it if needs be.

In sixth form, I also experimented with different colour lights, and how it would react with other things. For example, here I was using blue and green lights primarily to see how it would react with the blue trousers my friend was wearing, as well a

In sixth form, I also experimented with different colour lights, and how it would react with other things. For example, here I was using blue and green lights primarily to see how it would react with the blue trousers my friend was wearing, as well as with the light emitted by the electric candles they were holding. Noticeably, I figured out that the light emitted by the candles looked very orange, which is what I would expect.

This was another time I was experimenting with colour. This time, I used a deep blue, and only that blue. I found that the candle lights appeared a much whiter colour, and that my friend's shirt turned blue.

This was another time I was experimenting with colour. This time, I used a deep blue, and only that blue. I found that the candle lights appeared a much whiter colour, and that my friend's shirt turned blue.

College

In college, I didn't have as many opportunities to play around with lighting, but I did find my times — for example, whilst setting up for a gig, I played around with lighting the cyclorama, and the effects you could create with backlighting.

In college, I didn't have as many opportunities to play around with lighting, but I did find my times — for example, whilst setting up for a gig, I played around with lighting the cyclorama, and the effects you could create with backlighting.

Also in college, I had the opportunity at the end of the year show to tutor some of my classmates in how to use the lighting desk. Here is a photo from when they were playing around with different colours together, as well as different angles of ligh

Also in college, I had the opportunity at the end of the year show to tutor some of my classmates in how to use the lighting desk. Here is a photo from when they were playing around with different colours together, as well as different angles of lights. I had the opportunity to teach them how to use the lighting desk from scratch. It was an amazing experience to see their joy as they learnt.

Here is another photo of my classmate learning to use the lighting desk - here they were playing around with trying to use multiple spots to light one person fully - from the front, and the sides.

Here is another photo of my classmate learning to use the lighting desk - here they were playing around with trying to use multiple spots to light one person fully - from the front, and the sides.

Shows

When I walk away from a production, one of the things I think about the most is the lighting design. This production of 'An Inspector Calls' at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield really cleverly had a child come on stage at the beginning with a torch, w

When I walk away from a production, one of the things I think about the most is the lighting design. This production of 'An Inspector Calls' at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield really cleverly had a child come on stage at the beginning with a torch, which illuminted the curtain as they tried to get through — eloquently describing the class dynamics in the piece.

I also really enjoy looking at the lighting rigs when I go to shows, and trying to figure out what exactly each light in the rig is doing - which ones are for front light, vs back light, and so on.

I also really enjoy looking at the lighting rigs when I go to shows, and trying to figure out what exactly each light in the rig is doing - which ones are for front light, vs back light, and so on.

I had the great honour when I went to see a show at the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield to be shown what lighting desk they used — an ETC Ion, and the technician was kind enough to show me what certain parts of it did.

I had the great honour when I went to see a show at the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield to be shown what lighting desk they used — an ETC Ion, and the technician was kind enough to show me what certain parts of it did.

The lighting on the tour of Hairspray that I viewed at the Palace Theatre in Manchester was really intriguing to me — it used big sweeping colourful lights to immediately remind you that you weren't actually there. It almost reminded me of a TV show

The lighting on the tour of Hairspray that I viewed at the Palace Theatre in Manchester was really intriguing to me — it used big sweeping colourful lights to immediately remind you that you weren't actually there. It almost reminded me of a TV show - which is a key part of Hairspray, with the 'Corny Collins Show' being a setting for a large part of the show.

The lighting for Bilmuri when they opened for Sleep Token at Co-Op Live in Manchester was magnificent. I hadn't seen a concert like this before, so it was really intriguing to me to see the use of lights, and how it really elevated the music , with l

The lighting for Bilmuri when they opened for Sleep Token at Co-Op Live in Manchester was magnificent. I hadn't seen a concert like this before, so it was really intriguing to me to see the use of lights, and how it really elevated the music , with lighting changes often happening on beat.

Another part of the lighting at the Bilmuri opening show. I really enjoyed the use of colour in this, and how it spread out in rays.

Another part of the lighting at the Bilmuri opening show. I really enjoyed the use of colour in this, and how it spread out in rays.

And one more, but from the main act Sleep Token this time. I had no idea how they accomplished this look, with the almost fans of light shining out, but it's a look I have aspired to ever since I first saw it.

And one more, but from the main act Sleep Token this time. I had no idea how they accomplished this look, with the almost fans of light shining out, but it's a look I have aspired to ever since I first saw it.

The production of Pig Heart Boy at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield — I adored how they incorporated so many lights throughout the set, and how they would pulse in time just like a heart would.

The production of Pig Heart Boy at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield — I adored how they incorporated so many lights throughout the set, and how they would pulse in time just like a heart would.

The production of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The lighting in this production was really cleverly used during Blanche's worst moments, really pulling you into it with her.

The production of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The lighting in this production was really cleverly used during Blanche's worst moments, really pulling you into it with her.

Starlight Express at the Troubadour Theatre in London — I loved how they used lighting from the get-go to really immerse you into the world of Starlight Express. The use of all the discoballs and blue and purple lights creates a whimsical feeling imm

Starlight Express at the Troubadour Theatre in London — I loved how they used lighting from the get-go to really immerse you into the world of Starlight Express. The use of all the discoballs and blue and purple lights creates a whimsical feeling immediately.

Starlight Express at the Troubadour Theatre in London — they have moving heads in each of the 'carriage' sections of seating that rise up during races to create an intense feeling, with lights moving quickly.

Starlight Express at the Troubadour Theatre in London — they have moving heads in each of the 'carriage' sections of seating that rise up during races to create an intense feeling, with lights moving quickly.

Other

Whilst stage managing a dance festival, I had the wonderful opportunity to shadow the lighting designer/engineer during breaks and lunches. I had the great opportunity to learn to a basic extent how to use the Joker TLXtra.

Whilst stage managing a dance festival, I had the wonderful opportunity to shadow the lighting designer/engineer during breaks and lunches. I had the great opportunity to learn to a basic extent how to use the Joker TLXtra.

During this time, I also had the opportunity to learn how to use Vista by ChromaQ, which is the system that Dronfield Civic Centre uses to control their lighting.

During this time, I also had the opportunity to learn how to use Vista by ChromaQ, which is the system that Dronfield Civic Centre uses to control their lighting.

I love to find ways to practice lighting when I'm out and about, and one of the amazing opportunities I had was at the Science and Industry museum in Manchester, where you can practice colour mixing.

I love to find ways to practice lighting when I'm out and about, and one of the amazing opportunities I had was at the Science and Industry museum in Manchester, where you can practice colour mixing.

They had three LEDs on the roof - a red, blue and green, so you could see what colours you could make!

They had three LEDs on the roof - a red, blue and green, so you could see what colours you could make!

Additionally, when I was working on Far Out Theatre's 'Treasure Island', I was the only technician at one venue. I was therefore tasked not only with the sound, but also with the lighting using a Joker Zero88.

Additionally, when I was working on Far Out Theatre's 'Treasure Island', I was the only technician at one venue. I was therefore tasked not only with the sound, but also with the lighting using a Joker Zero88.

I also got the opportunity to rig a lighting rig for the dance festival I volunteered with, successfully directing a three person crew (myself and two others) to get the rig up and running within a short time frame.

I also got the opportunity to rig a lighting rig for the dance festival I volunteered with, successfully directing a three person crew (myself and two others) to get the rig up and running within a short time frame.

Videos

The above video shows the lighting for Carly Paoli during one of her songs for Direction Theatre Arts’ Showcase. I had the amazing opportunity of being able to advise the head of lighting on what colours we should use, as well as then being able to shadow him as he put that into practice. We decided to keep the lighting simple so the audience would focus on the song itself.

The above is a video of me learning how to change the colours of lights mid show on the Avolites Tiger Touch console.