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BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 1, VIDEO 2 With all the electricity that is used on stage, you should always be prepared for the possibility of a fire, especially in the performing area. Many theatres have a fire curtain that can close off the performing area from the...

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 1, VIDEO 3 Good quality hand and power tools can certainly make the job easier but need to be used safely. One of the biggest safety issues with tools is plain and simple: use the right tool for the right job. Tools can...

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 4, VIDEO 1 The most common type of lumber used in a scene shop are 1 by 3s and 1 by 4s. These are actually smaller than 1 inch by 3 inches and 1 inch by 4 inches. They start out as 1...

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 6, VIDEO 1 Now that we know some basic tool safety, lets take a look at a typical interior set. This is an interior, or box, set that could be used for dozens of plays. We have it dressed out for a 1930s...

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 7, VIDEO 1 There are many ways to leg up a platform. One of the most common is to use carriage bolts. This is a very sturdy way to leg up tall platforms. First, cut six legs to the height of your platform,...

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 8, VIDEO 1 There are two common ways to build stair units. The first is to either measure and cut or buy pre- cut stringers, treads, and kickboards. A stringer is the long diagonal 2-inch by 12-inch part of stairs that are notched....

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 10, VIDEO 1 These walls are all flats. They look like regular walls in a house, but theyre lighter weight, cheaper to build, and can be used over and over again. A flat is a 1 by 3 or 1 by 4 frame...

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 12, VIDEO 1 Hard covering a flat has several advantages. Its really durable and acts like a huge corner block to keep the flat square. A disadvantage would be that if you are covering a 10-foot tall flat, like this one, plywood only...

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 14, VIDEO 1 After the walls are joined, dutched, up, and painted, the final step is to trim out the set. The set crew finishes their job by putting on door casing and chair rails, attaching the banister, and attaching the wall sconces....

BASIC SET CONSTRUCTION AND THEATRE SAFETY LESSON 3, VIDEO 1 Once you mark your material, youre ready to cut it, shape it, or drill through it. Be sure to wear safety glasses with all saws, drills, and power tools. A crosscut saw is used to cut wood across the grain...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 1, VIDEO 1 Good stage lighting can add a lot of things to your productions. First, it helps the audience to see the actors, sets, costumes, and props clearly. It also helps to make things like stage lights, curtains, and other backstage items that we dont...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 1, VIDEO 2 Lets take a look at how you can control electricity from your local electric company and turn it into good stage lighting. Your theatre probably gets electricity from the local electric company or Co-op. This electricity goes to your dimmers. The dimmers are...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 1, VIDEO 3 The first thing we can control about light is the intensity. That is how bright or dim the light is. We can control the intensity of light by using dimmers and lighting controllers. Theatrical dimmers are a lot like dimmers people have in...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 2, VIDEO 1 The second thing we can control about light is the color. We control color by using color filters, or gels. There are a number of companies that make color filters, and most of them are very good. We cover color theory really thoroughly...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 2, VIDEO 2 The third thing we can control about light is where the light travels, or the distribution of light. These two lighting instruments have the same wattage lamp in them, so they will be putting out about the same total amount of light. But...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 2, VIDEO 3 Every stage lighting instrument has similar parts. If we are going to be working with lighting instruments, we need to know what the parts of a lighting instrument are called and how we use them. Before we start this look at the parts...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 3, VIDEO 1 There are several common types of floodlights being used today. The most basic is the scoop. A scoop is one of the cheapest stage lighting instruments available because it is so simple. Its just a big metal half sphere or parabola with a...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 3, VIDEO 2 Spotlights can control the distribution of light much more than floodlights. They do this by a series of lenses and reflectors. The most inexpensive type of spotlight is a par can. A par can has a very simple housing, and the reflector and...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 3, VIDEO 3 While were talking about lighting instruments, lets take a moment and talk about the lighting positions that are commonly available to hang instruments in a theatre. Upstairs is the front of house, or FOH lighting position. Thats where electricians can hang, plug, focus,...

LIGHTING FOR THEATRE LESSON 5, VIDEO 1 The first thing you need to do is read the script and talk to the director and decide what effects are needed on stage. Lets say the first act takes place at sunrise, the second act at noon, and the third act late...