Comments on: Books On Stage Lighting – 5 Of The Best

By: Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:20:01 +0000

Thanks for you suggestions, Carlos. While Neil Frasers book is fairly basic, the whole Phaidon Theatre Manual series is a great intro to all the disciplines. I even had the Costume and Wardrobe book and enjoyed reading all of them. I was probably about 12 years old, though. The book is still a good jump off point for young people IMO. I reviewed the Richard Pilbrow book a little while ago when it became available in the UK as a paperback edition.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:40:02 +0000

while I do not recommend Neil Fraser’s Light and sound (too basic and often boring) here is my top5

Light Fantastic – Max Keller
The Magic of Light – Jean Rosenthal
Stage Lighting Design – Richard Pillbrow
A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting – Steven Louis Shelley
Automated Lighting – Richard Cadena

I am also waiting for Cadena’s Electricity for Entertainment Electrician & Technician (we should find this a nickname) Reference and the 3rd edition of James Moody’s Concert Lighting

By: Yeroen

Yeroen — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:19:53 +0000

I would like to recommend another book. It’s Max Keller’s LIGHT Fantastic, 1999, ISBN 3.7913.2162.5. The best allround book, with the best photographs I’ve ever seen in a book, scenes and equipment. It might look outdated, but it is certainly not.
Just try to find it and have a look.
Regards Yeroen
PS. Like the site, just found it a few weeks ago. Keep it up.

By: Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:15:05 +0000

Thanks for your suggestion, Jerry. That book is highly spoken of, although I haven’t read it myself. One of those that you will soon only be able to find in the secondhand bookshops, I expect.
Cheers,

By: Jerry

Jerry — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:19:19 +0000

I’d recommend one book … its outdated technically, but not artisically and describes the craft for an outsider (you can explain to your mom and your girfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband/whatever what it is you do) The Magic of Light by Jean Rosenthal .. a great Broadway designer of the 60’s

By: Kat Lanphear

Kat Lanphear — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:03:48 +0000

Hi Rob,

Thanks so much for linking me to this page! Glad to see we have a favorite in common. =) I am going to get my hands on The Automated Lighting Programmer’s Handbook with my next paycheck. Thanks for the recommendation!

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:53:56 +0000

Hi Richard Glad you could stop by the On Stage Lighting site. Books on stage lighting such as yours still play an important role in learning the craft. The constantly evolving technology means that we need writers like yourself to keep modern works coming. Not forgetting the "Old Masters" like Francis Reid. We look forward to reading the new books and I am sure you will wish to direct your students to On Stage Lighting for their online lighting fix!

By: Richard Cadena

Richard Cadena — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:31:37 +0000

Greetings – I’m very flattered that you consider my book, “Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light…” one of the best on stage lighting. Thank you for the kind comments. I have a new book called, “Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship” that is due out in January 2008 and another called “Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician and Technician” due out in late 2008. I hope you have room to expand your recommendations to seven books! Please visit my web site at http://www.swamicandela.com.
Best regards,
Richard “Swami Candela” Cadena

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:01:18 +0000

Hi Jimmy,

If you work in a regular venue, find out what their Risk Assesment, Insurance and H&S policy says on working at height. If they have an minimum age that you don’t meet,or are in an educational environment, you might not be able to do much to persuade them to change their policy.

If you need “adequate training” to work at height then find out what is meant by that. There are training courses for working at height and use of ladders and these are designed to meet the needs of an employer who must demonstrate , somehow, that you have had this “adequate training”. Again, it is down to the venue’s policies.

Pretty frustrating for you, I am sure!

By: Jimmy Thew

Jimmy Thew — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:43:35 +0000

Hello,

I’ve got a little predicament in that i cant get any experience working on the rig due to health and saftey and not being allowed up ladders. Is there a course i need to do this or what do you advice?

Thanks In Advance
Jimmy Thew