lighting ambiance - Frank Gatto and Associates

Epic stage performances aren’t just about great sound, the lighting is just as important when it comes to creating awesome audience experiences. The key to stage lighting is anticipating what the music or action on stage will do and programming the lighting to complement it. A good lighting technician will blend the sound and visuals seamlessly, and to make this happen, the whole lighting team, from the Lighting Director through to the sparks, needs to be highly skilled and have a really good knowledge of stagecraft.

A carefully crafted light show can add excitement, energy, and emotion to a performance. Finding a way to coordinate the lights to change in time with the music, turns a mediocre show into an epic performance. As the tempo of the music speeds up, the lights should become more exciting too, and are experienced lighting technician will know that changes should happen on the downbeats and when the music changes parts.

Effective stage lighting enhances the emotion of the performance on stage and brings the music to life. This is why focusing not just on the sound, but also the lighting of your production is so important to make it a truly memorable one.

Which type of lights works best with music?

There is a wide range of lights and lighting tools that can be used to create awesome live performances: The most common types of lighting include:

LED Lights

These inexpensive, low energy lights can create a myriad of color combinations at the touch of a button. Unlike traditional lights, they don’t produce much heat making them perfect for use on stage.

Fresnels

Fresnels was a soft light and are typically used close to the stage to produce color washes. They are easy to set up and offer uncomplicated, easy to use washes light for almost every stage set up.

Spotlights

Spots create a tunnel of light on one area of the stage. Used to draw the audience attention to just one part of the show, these big bright lights usually follow performers around the stage.

Moving Lights

These are super sophisticated bits of kit that are controlled by a joystick. They also offer color changing capabilities, focus the controls and have motorized shutters.

Par Cans

The stage equivalent of a car headlight with a metal casing, Par cans are very common in stage lighting setups. They can provide a good amount of light, but they can also get super hot.

How do the lights work in time with the music?

Lights can either be programmed in advance to precisely match the action on stage via a time code or can change using performance cues. Time-coded programs are very rigid and offer little or no flexibility, while cues-based lighting is based on a technician hitting the button as the music changes. If the lighting technicians are familiar enough with the music, they can anticipate changes and creatively move between cues or even run things manually to smooth over unexpected transitions

How is the lighting controlled?

Using a DMX Controller, a single operator can control both the light and sound via one console. These digital communications networks allow the technicians to control stage lighting and effects, including color blending, the movement of the lights, stoves and fades to offer the audience an epic live experience.

Experience operators will program the lighting scenes before the show opens. These preset order of lighting effects can be toggled and adjusted from song to song, and the technician will work with a cold wheel to create dramatic lighting to complement the action on stage.

If you are looking for a world-class lighting show to complement your live music, speak to Frank Gatto & Associates. With over 30 years in the business, Frank and his team are on hand to help. Call us today at 561-368-0101.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds. If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com

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Whether you are at home, in the office or out on the tiles, the right lighting adds ambiance to any atmosphere. A nightclub would be boring without pulsing strobe lights, and your bedroom would feel cold and empty without soft lighting on your nightstand.

The right lighting can enhance the look and feel of any space. In this blog, we look at how to make every room perfect using lighting tips and tricks from us, the experts in event lighting. Light up your home with a complete makeover or invest in a few extra lamps to add interest.

Living Areas

Spaces that are multipurpose, like lounge rooms or reception areas, often serve different purposes throughout the day. A bright, spacious lounge works well during the daylight hours but can be transformed with soft, ambient lighting come nightfall.

A successful lighting design combines a number of light sources at different levels, that can be used at different times of the day or night. A chandelier makes a stunning focal point and can be used when you need a high level of illuminations, whereas side lamps add a subtle and cozy feel for long dark evenings.

Kitchens

Most kitchens benefit from a higher level of lighting when they are in use. Low energy spotlights are perfect for modern kitchens, and additional under counter lighting or an illuminated extractor hood help you to see when you are cooking. If you want to add a “wow” factor to your kitchen, invest in a feature light to complement your low-level lighting. A chandelier, a drum shade or a contemporary pendant can become an amazing centerpiece for the heart of your home.

Bedrooms

Soft lighting creates a relaxing and serene ambiance, helping to ease you into a great nights sleep. That said, there may be times when you want your bedroom well lit to assist so you can see everything in better detail. Wardrobe lighting, dresser lighting and a selection of side lamps allow you to adjust the level of lighting you need at any time. If you read in bed, your reading lamp should be powerful enough to enable you to read comfortably without having to squint. Soft lighting is perfect for bedtime, but no light is better for sleeping. Whatever kind of bedroom lighting you choose, be sure to switch them all off when your head finally hits the pillow.

Office Spaces

If you work in a big office, you may not be able to avoid the cold, hard fluorescent bulbs overhead. But if you have a choice or work from home, try and create a lighting environment that is not harsh, but also not too dim. Computers emit their own distinctive light, and in order for you to be able to work without straining your eyes, you need to combat the glow. Natural daylight is the very best lighting for an office environment, but if you have small windows or need to work at night, find a lamp or bulb that gives off a natural level of light.

Bathrooms

You may think that you don’t have a lot of choices when it comes to bathroom lighting. Sure enough, you do need to make sure that the lights you fit can withstand steam, damp and heat, but you can still completely change the feel of a bathroom with clever lighting. Candles around the tub is a relaxing and romantic gesture, but not always practical.

Wall mounted sconces, vanity lighting and shower lighting can all add interest to your bathroom, and using frosted or white bulbs can help to reduce glare. Incandescent lighting is always best in the bathroom, as it gives a soft, warm daylight glow.