Comments on: LED Stage Lighting – Why Buy RGB LED Stage Lights?

By: Jamie Robertson

Jamie Robertson — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:30:28 +0000

Hey – im looking into buying some LED lights for our theatre group – and after quite a bit of looking – iv come to the decision between LEDJ Stage wash 18 or LEDJ Stage wash 36 – Any you guys have any experience with these lights and could offer any information or advice

I was hoping that they’d be able to fill my stage = 33ft x 25ft
I was looking at buying around 8 of them. L)

By: Trace

Trace — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:39:15 +0000

Hi Rob,
I’m a complete “Newbee” to theater lighting but I’m extremely interested in learning for my unusual theater application.

My wife and I are starting up a puppet theater and has been in the making for five years.

The theater is actually located in a 14 foot trailer which we pull around and will do booked shows outdoors in it. I am in the last phase of the theater project which is the lighting. I purchased Chauvet “ShowExpress” lighting controller software, Chauvet DMX-4 dimmer/relay for controlling a few 120 volt devices like a fogger and curtains. Purchased one LED Rain 36 White spot and one LED Splash Jr PAR 38 for experimentation.

Since we are operating on a battery bank and then inverting to A/C, LED lighting is perfect for much lower energy requirements and in such a small space the practically no heat is a necessity.

That said, the problem is the stage size and how to light it in such a small space. (Maybe that’s good for LED lighting)

The stage opening measures 8 feet wide and 3 feet high. That is the major problem the height. The puppet acting stage floor area is 12 inches deep.

The overall stage depth is 5 feet where we will use backdrops and scrims.

I guess one of my big problems is understanding what kind of a beam I will get on a puppet which stands 14 to 16 inches tall in a stage height of only 3 feet?

I was thinking maybe a a LED stage bar hung up in the ceiling about 4 feet away and at some angle that would flood the fronts of the puppets well.

I’m at a loss in what to do. All the stage lighting I’ve read about pertains to regular size stages and no information seems to be around for these small stages.

Maybe it’s a no brain-er. Everything is so close that LED’s will be plenty bright enough to do the job. Maybe the biggest problem is hanging them so they aren’t in the way of the viewers.

Anyway, any information/encouragement that you could offer would be appreciated. I realize I’m asking a lot and really where would you start with this situation anyway?

Really enjoy the site and I have learned a lot of basics from here in the answers you provide.

Thanks, Trace
Fox’s Puppet Troupe Theater

By: Martha

Martha — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:58:53 +0000

WE have a 1921 theatre with a full stage that we are renovating. I want to be a green friendly and cost effective as possible. Can LED instruments be used successfully on the stage? Can a theatre have both conventional and LED fixtures?
My proscenium opening is approx 40 feet wide by 40 feet high. It has a complete grid system that we will also renovate with a new fly rail. How high can I trim my electrics, if they have LED on them?

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:45:04 +0000

There is a 3 x 30 zoom fixture that would do nicely 10pc are amber chips and the remaining 20 are white. the zoom is 10-60 degrees same as the rgb. Let me know if you would like some

By: Chuck Haskins

Chuck Haskins — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 01:52:04 +0000

Great feedback, thank you. Is there an all white LED to produce a bright white? I do not have to have color for this specific application but would use it if I had it…; )

By: mark

mark — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:25:49 +0000

Brother where art thou??
If you use 10mm chips , it is not going to be satisfactory. you will need to use 1 -3 watt per. Look at the trichromatic chips, smd type of course. I like the zoom pars
3x 24 , or 3x 30 some are even 3 x 32. with a zoom of 6 -60 degree
Elation sells a 3 x 24pc zoom.
It’s zoom is actually good for 15 -50 degrees however., as for price you get what you pay for.
Blessings brother…

By: Chuck Haskins

Chuck Haskins — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:20:44 +0000

Hi Rob,
I just found your site and wish I found it 3 years ago. We are running a worship service in our gym and have two stands on either side of the band with 4 par 38 w/dimmer pack on either side for 8 lights total. I have a par 56 led for lighting effect each side.
I need white lighting on the front for the pastor/speaker. I can mount a light weight light on the pipe/drape that surrounds the audience. The distance would be approximately 30 feet. Do you think 2 par 64 led cans can provide white wash at this distance? (1 each side so they are off to the front/side of the person speaking) I would rather not have to deal with hot traditional par lighting as power is also an issue. What brand would you recommend for 2 lights under $500.00 US total?

By: James P

James P — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:14:54 +0000

Interesting (and slightly alarming) comment from Zoe. I assume colour mixing and fading is achieved by pulse-width modulation (switching on and off very quickly) and there may be some odd subliminal strobing effects between the colours. The quick fix should be to leave them full on, although I realise that limits the impact on the audience!

This looks like something that needs investigation…

By: Callum Noble

Callum Noble — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:46:35 +0000

As part of my studies this year (Im a 3rd Year Neuroscience student) we touched on the fact that certain LED light fixtures can trigger photosensitive epilepsy in rare circumstances. My advice would be to consult a doctor or other health professional before you use them again.

By: Zoe J

Zoe J — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:26:49 +0000

Hi there,

I am a singer in a 5 piece band, and we recently moved to a set of LED spotlights on a high stand. I play keyboards too, and last night after having the lights on me for a good hour, I felt really sick, and all my vision down one side went black. all I could see were tiny white points, and my memory seems to go! It is the 2nd ttime we’ve used these lights, and I am worried about them. Has anyone else had this problem, and without knowing what make and model they are until tomorrow, I wonder if there are any warnings on this subject?

Thank you for you attnetion in this matter.

Zoe