Stage Lighting: The Technicians’ Guide by Skip Mort
Skip Mort trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has had a range of jobs in the lighting business ranging from designer to college lecturer. Stage Lighting is the conclusion of a six-year project which began with the development of three interactive lighting workshops on DVD designed for use in schools.
The book is a starting point for students but can also be used as a guide for more experienced technicians. Split into three parts; part one, ‘Lighting Technician’ explains all about the different types of lantern, what they do and how to use them. Some of the terms are difficult, but Mort’s explanations are detailed and it is mainly applicable to students who specifically want to learn the technical process behind rigging lanterns.
On the other hand, part two, ‘Lighting Designer’, is appropriate for all types of performing arts students. It focuses on how lighting affects the audience and how lighting different parts of the performers or the stage can manipulate how the audience feel, whether this is using colours or gobos. Part three ‘Resources’ is basically a glossary but also provides information on suppliers. One of my favourite things about this part is the notes section which gets you to list contacts you have made, educating students that who you know is also valuable.
The book is easy to read and the pictures are extremely helpful, you don’t have to visualise what each piece of lighting equipment looks like.
There are also tip boxes which are interesting and informative and the accompanying DVD would be useful to be shown in class as a demonstration.
Stage Lighting has definitely improved my knowledge of the subject and I think it would be a great reference book for students.