Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: tech booth

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MrsDirector
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Joined: 12/13/08
Location: United States
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Topic: tech booth
Posted: 12/13/08 at 4:44am

Hi there!

This may seem like a really broad question, but, we have been doing youth productions for 6 years and are finally now in a position that we may be beginning to build out a theater from a large warehouse in our area. We are still in the research stage, but, my question is:

What is the basic set up for the tech booth? Obviously I know nothing about the tech requirements up there (honestly we have someone just come in and run it in the theater we rent now) but now I'm going to need to know what to purchase!

Just the basics...does that just consist of light and sound boards? what about things like dimmers, other things?

Help! What would you recommend?

thanks!

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posts: 832

Posted: 12/13/08 at 9:08pm

Do you have an over plan to how the venue is to be orientated, with the installation of infra structure, such as Audio & lighting patch circuits. Available Power distribution & logistics of where dimmer racks are to be located, along with lighting patch circuit battens [pipes].

Or do you require just what fruit is generally needed in a Bio Box?

While the space is empty, this is generally the best opportunity, to plan out & set up what the theatre would require.

Try & get on board an experienced theatre techie &/or Sparky, to be in on the initial venue planning stage. Remember the 5 P's = Preplanning Prevents Piss Poor Production [or is that 6 P's?]

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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KEB54
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Joined: 7/24/08
Location: United States
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Posts: 227

Posted: 12/15/08 at 12:07pm

Yeah, it is nearly impossible to help you via this board. Just way too many variables -- everything from stage size to ceiling height to house size to type of productions to .... everything. Of course the number 1 thing is the amount of money you have to spend. I'm guessing it is not a lot, otherwise you'd have a consultant hired and wouldn't be asking here.

I can tell you about a theatre that I was involved in. It was mainly sweat equity. A very "intimate" (ie small) theatre. House size was about 90 people. The stage may have been 24 x 16. Seating platform, stage, and most everything else was built by "The Company". We started off with flood lights and coffee cans, extention cords, and household dimmers for lights. Sound was home entertainment stuff. That was how it started.

As time went on we/they were able to pick up a few theatre lights from various sources - hand-me-downs mostly from other theatres. An electrical contractor company built us a dimmer box as a donnation. We/they just kept adding to the system and upgrading as they could.

After 25+ years the theatre is still going. It now has 15 or so real theatre lights, a "real" light board (with cross-fading), and a quality sound system. It's not Broadway, but at least it is recognizable as a lighting and sound system.

I don't know what I'm trying say, other than you can be successful by starting on a shoestring. Don't over-extend yourself financially. Technical stuff is EXTREMELY expensive. Concentrate on doing good productions, marketing yourself, and building relationships. If you do that opportunities will present themselves to upgrade technically. IMHO.

KEB

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SgtTrotter
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Joined: 12/18/08
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Posted: 12/18/08 at 7:00pm

You don't need a light control board if you don't have dimmers - there won't be anything to control. Same for sound - no speakers means no sound equipment needed.

The bare minimum for a tech both is light and sound control, that means one console for each. Set them up in an inverted L, where the light board is in front, towards the audience, and the sound console at a right angle to one side or the other. That allows one person to have a chance at running both. I put my sound console on a cart, which allows changing the configuration of the show requires someone on sound.

Start from the beginning, lights and sound. Make your choices on budget requirements. Start with the barest minimum and continue to add as money allows. For lighting, the first need is for the audience to see the actors and sets, not much more than that. If they can be heard now, maybe you don't need sound equipment yet.

Talk with a rep from a theatrical tech supply house - they'll probably be willing to come to your space, nose around and make some suggestions. Make sure you discuss adapting whatever youhave now.

Because the speed of advance in theater tech is so rapid, they'll probably be willing to help you now in order to get in on the ground floor, so to speak. First, get your space lit and add sound reinforcement if needed. At the beginning, "lit" means the audience can see the actors and the sets.

In acquiring equipment, browse the web for used stuff - there's lots out there. See if you can find a performance support company that travels, and ask about buying or having given to you equipment that is coming off tour. It'll be beat up but probably usable. The same for companies that rent stuff.

Find professionals that will look around and ask them what you should have. This includes actors, directors, tech dudes, etc.

Finally, abandon the idea that it will ever be done. As soon as you think it's complete, someone will invent something you just gotta have.

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TimW
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Joined: 8/10/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 83

Posted: 2/02/09 at 12:39am

As everyone else has said, have someone that you can consult with because of all the variables.

The one thing I would offer, is to have more power amperage giong to the building than you need to start. It is a lot easier to add a dimmer rack or a light when you already have the capabilities to expand, than to have your electrical service increased. Same with sound, if you know you would like speakers in key locations but don't have the resources, you could still run the wire and install speakers later. Just part of JoeMc's 5 p's.

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whitebat
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Joined: 8/05/07
Location: United States
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Posts: 137

Posted: 2/23/09 at 11:30pm

There are several possible set-ups for light & sound. Our Middle School used to have the light booth backstage. Not really a good idea. The booth is usually higher than the stage. You can run sound effects live from backstage, and in some situations that actually works better that running them from the booth. Quite a few companies do both in the same show. The light booth I'm most familiar with has a sound board, tape & dual CD player, and 24/48 light board. As a director, you probably need to know more about the technical capacity of your theater than you do now. Oh, the theater I'm thinking of has backstage lighting controls for "House Lights only", "Stage Lights Only" and "Both Together". We also have a spotlight in the booth with built in gels. I think it runs about $1,000 for a similar spot, and it's definitely something I would get, as you can use it as a followspot, fill lighting, or a color effect.

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TimmyP1955
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Joined: 12/30/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 37

Posted: 1/02/10 at 3:26pm

The sound operator (and thus the mixing console) must never be in a booth. A cubical perhaps, but never a booth. The sound operator must be able to hear exactly what the audience is hearing, which a booth makes impossible. This is a grievous error that is made in many performance venues and churches.

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
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Posts: 1181

Posted: 1/03/10 at 8:16pm

Not being one of the noyze brigade, I prefer a sliding window set in the bio box, rather than an open booth for the operators. Or having the audio bod take up abode in valuable seating in thethe back row of the audiance - which gets right up my nose!

Frankly once they have EQ'd the venue it is just a matter of them riding the desk levels, assisted by an an audio monitor. in theatre it more of set & forget, unless there is a load of sound cues or fiddling about with radio mics. Which in my opinion the luvvies are better suited to learning how to project, even with a full orchestra in the pit, rather than personel radio reinforcement. The only time radio mics are possibly needed is when 'head banger' groups are on stage & vocals get lost in the niose.

As for the bio box the punters don't need to hear the prattle that can come from the box at times.

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Lights and Sound
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Lights and Sound

Author	Message
MrsDirector Walk-On Joined: 12/13/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: tech booth Posted: 12/13/08 at 4:44am
	Hi there! This may seem like a really broad question, but, we have been doing youth productions for 6 years and are finally now in a position that we may be beginning to build out a theater from a large warehouse in our area. We are still in the research stage, but, my question is: What is the basic set up for the tech booth? Obviously I know nothing about the tech requirements up there (honestly we have someone just come in and run it in the theater we rent now) but now I'm going to need to know what to purchase! Just the basics...does that just consist of light and sound boards? what about things like dimmers, other things? Help! What would you recommend? thanks!

	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 12/13/08 at 9:08pm
	Do you have an over plan to how the venue is to be orientated, with the installation of infra structure, such as Audio & lighting patch circuits. Available Power distribution & logistics of where dimmer racks are to be located, along with lighting patch circuit battens [pipes]. Or do you require just what fruit is generally needed in a Bio Box? While the space is empty, this is generally the best opportunity, to plan out & set up what the theatre would require. Try & get on board an experienced theatre techie &/or Sparky, to be in on the initial venue planning stage. Remember the 5 P's = Preplanning Prevents Piss Poor Production [or is that 6 P's?]
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 12/15/08 at 12:07pm
	Yeah, it is nearly impossible to help you via this board. Just way too many variables -- everything from stage size to ceiling height to house size to type of productions to .... everything. Of course the number 1 thing is the amount of money you have to spend. I'm guessing it is not a lot, otherwise you'd have a consultant hired and wouldn't be asking here. I can tell you about a theatre that I was involved in. It was mainly sweat equity. A very "intimate" (ie small) theatre. House size was about 90 people. The stage may have been 24 x 16. Seating platform, stage, and most everything else was built by "The Company". We started off with flood lights and coffee cans, extention cords, and household dimmers for lights. Sound was home entertainment stuff. That was how it started. As time went on we/they were able to pick up a few theatre lights from various sources - hand-me-downs mostly from other theatres. An electrical contractor company built us a dimmer box as a donnation. We/they just kept adding to the system and upgrading as they could. After 25+ years the theatre is still going. It now has 15 or so real theatre lights, a "real" light board (with cross-fading), and a quality sound system. It's not Broadway, but at least it is recognizable as a lighting and sound system. I don't know what I'm trying say, other than you can be successful by starting on a shoestring. Don't over-extend yourself financially. Technical stuff is EXTREMELY expensive. Concentrate on doing good productions, marketing yourself, and building relationships. If you do that opportunities will present themselves to upgrade technically. IMHO.
	KEB
	IP Logged

SgtTrotter Walk-On Joined: 12/18/08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 12/18/08 at 7:00pm
	You don't need a light control board if you don't have dimmers - there won't be anything to control. Same for sound - no speakers means no sound equipment needed. The bare minimum for a tech both is light and sound control, that means one console for each. Set them up in an inverted L, where the light board is in front, towards the audience, and the sound console at a right angle to one side or the other. That allows one person to have a chance at running both. I put my sound console on a cart, which allows changing the configuration of the show requires someone on sound. Start from the beginning, lights and sound. Make your choices on budget requirements. Start with the barest minimum and continue to add as money allows. For lighting, the first need is for the audience to see the actors and sets, not much more than that. If they can be heard now, maybe you don't need sound equipment yet. Talk with a rep from a theatrical tech supply house - they'll probably be willing to come to your space, nose around and make some suggestions. Make sure you discuss adapting whatever youhave now. Because the speed of advance in theater tech is so rapid, they'll probably be willing to help you now in order to get in on the ground floor, so to speak. First, get your space lit and add sound reinforcement if needed. At the beginning, "lit" means the audience can see the actors and the sets. In acquiring equipment, browse the web for used stuff - there's lots out there. See if you can find a performance support company that travels, and ask about buying or having given to you equipment that is coming off tour. It'll be beat up but probably usable. The same for companies that rent stuff. Find professionals that will look around and ask them what you should have. This includes actors, directors, tech dudes, etc. Finally, abandon the idea that it will ever be done. As soon as you think it's complete, someone will invent something you just gotta have.
	IP Logged

TimW Star Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 2/02/09 at 12:39am
	As everyone else has said, have someone that you can consult with because of all the variables. The one thing I would offer, is to have more power amperage giong to the building than you need to start. It is a lot easier to add a dimmer rack or a light when you already have the capabilities to expand, than to have your electrical service increased. Same with sound, if you know you would like speakers in key locations but don't have the resources, you could still run the wire and install speakers later. Just part of JoeMc's 5 p's.
	IP Logged

whitebat Celebrity Joined: 8/05/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 137	Posted: 2/23/09 at 11:30pm
	There are several possible set-ups for light & sound. Our Middle School used to have the light booth backstage. Not really a good idea. The booth is usually higher than the stage. You can run sound effects live from backstage, and in some situations that actually works better that running them from the booth. Quite a few companies do both in the same show. The light booth I'm most familiar with has a sound board, tape & dual CD player, and 24/48 light board. As a director, you probably need to know more about the technical capacity of your theater than you do now. Oh, the theater I'm thinking of has backstage lighting controls for "House Lights only", "Stage Lights Only" and "Both Together". We also have a spotlight in the booth with built in gels. I think it runs about $1,000 for a similar spot, and it's definitely something I would get, as you can use it as a followspot, fill lighting, or a color effect.
	IP Logged

TimmyP1955 Lead Joined: 12/30/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Posted: 1/02/10 at 3:26pm
	The sound operator (and thus the mixing console) must never be in a booth. A cubical perhaps, but never a booth. The sound operator must be able to hear exactly what the audience is hearing, which a booth makes impossible. This is a grievous error that is made in many performance venues and churches.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 1/03/10 at 8:16pm
	Not being one of the noyze brigade, I prefer a sliding window set in the bio box, rather than an open booth for the operators. Or having the audio bod take up abode in valuable seating in thethe back row of the audiance - which gets right up my nose! Frankly once they have EQ'd the venue it is just a matter of them riding the desk levels, assisted by an an audio monitor. in theatre it more of set & forget, unless there is a load of sound cues or fiddling about with radio mics. Which in my opinion the luvvies are better suited to learning how to project, even with a full orchestra in the pit, rather than personel radio reinforcement. The only time radio mics are possibly needed is when 'head banger' groups are on stage & vocals get lost in the niose. As for the bio box the punters don't need to hear the prattle that can come from the box at times.
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

Topic: tech booth( Topic Closed)