stage light reflection
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Archives
Forum Name: Closed Topics
Forum Discription: Uncategorized posts from the previous version of our discussion board. For browsing and searching.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1742
Printed Date: 4/20/24 at 4:13am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: stage light reflection
Posted By: johnc
Subject: stage light reflection
Date Posted: 11/11/05 at 3:16pm
| What is the best way to reduce the reflection or glare of the stage lights on a scenic door that has real glass in it. We want it to be realistic but still transparent or at least translucent. We tried hair spray and that helped. Any other ideas? |
Replies:
Posted By: Shatcher
Date Posted: 11/11/05 at 3:26pm
|
I have used a mixture of coke and water sprayed on. this is also a great trick for a slippery piece of floor. I learned the trick from a PSM on a dance show tour. |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 11/12/05 at 1:38am
|
For small mirrors and windows, Hair spray works well Or you can get anti-glare spray from any of the major Gel/filter companies [Rosco - Lee]. However for the large upstage mirror walls, I used when I directed A Chorus Line, the spray aplication was very blotchy. So I reverted to the old soft drink & water, as suggested by Shatcher, & sprayed it over the mirrors glass. Using a plastic garden insecticide pump pressure type spray bottle. The spray bottle gave a wider & more even spray coverage. When used on a slippery stage floor, ensure you use a soft drink that has sugar in it, rather than just the chemical sweeteners, the sugar content seems to work much better as an anti-skid! ------------- 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} |
Posted By: Joan54
Date Posted: 11/12/05 at 7:53am
|
The things I learn from you guys....I never would have thought of that..... ------------- "behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede" |
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 11/12/05 at 12:59pm
|
Although this won't work on a door because it needs
to hang flush, a technique that can be used to reduce glare from mirrors, framed pictures or other sources of reflected light is to use a "gaffer's egg." A "gaffer's egg" is really just a ball of wadded up gaff tape -- balled up as large as you need -- and stuffed behind the TOP of the offending mirror. This causes the mirror to tilt downward at a slight angle, usually imperceptible to the audience, so it doesn't catch glare from the instruments above it. Windows on a set are sometimes constructed at this downward angle for just this purpose. ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 11/12/05 at 7:31pm
|
Your right Topper! It is best to angle the offending mirror or window is the way to go! However depending upon the sight lines and the varying angle of the punters view & of course the levels of the house, determines if this will work or not. When I did the mirror wall, which was 24? wide & 8? high, across the upstage facing the audience, we set it on an angle to combat the glare & light bounce. However because the house was racked, this still created a glare problem, especially when we used the Limes for certain numbers in front of the mirrors. There was other light sources to combat from the X, Y & Z positions [Overhead, front & floor], as well as side light to cover the dancers boob, bum & shin level as well. Optically the coke/water or spray gave the reflective surface a film, which diffuses the sharp bounce of the light source & makes it more comfortable for all the BOS?s, no matter where they sit. I like the expression of ?the gaffers egg?, which is far better than saying "Grab the Gaffer balls", which can be misunderstood & bring tears to the eyes!  I have used these collected gaffer balls/eggs & mounted them on a board, with suitable plaque inscriptions. Having a Black, White & a spray painted gold, as Techie Excellence Awards. ------------- 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} |