Print Page | Close Window

Blacklight HELP please

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Lights and Sound
Forum Discription: Technical discussion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3545
Printed Date: 5/03/24 at 7:08am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Blacklight HELP please
Posted By: Nyria
Subject: Blacklight HELP please
Date Posted: 10/17/08 at 10:07pm
I have no clue how to use blacklights.  I would like to use them for some of the scenes in 'Willy Wonka' - what do I need - what do I get?  I have a proscenium stage (it's stage that opens into a gym).
 
It would also be extra great if I could use these for other things like the a school dance.
 
ANY help would be appreciated.
Thanks =)
 


-------------
NYRIA



Replies:
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 10/17/08 at 11:55pm

As you use a 'Gymeatre' or 'theatorium', you will probably have Fluro light fixtures, for general lighting. If you have just buy 'Blacklight/blue' replacement tubes.

Generaly it is cheap enough to pick up some used Fluro fittings, at a salvage yard or where ever. Although these days as most are produced in China, new ones will probably be cheaper?

We normally hang two or three behind the proscenium arch teaser, which gives adequate coverage. If you have a sparkie in your group, they are easy enough to rig a pigtail cable & plug to each fixture.

Or you could hire in a 'UV Cannon' from a theatre lighting company, which are directional & can be focused on to specific areas.

A few things to remember is white under clothing will show up, especially bras, falsies & panties. So they may have to wear some scraggy old flesh coloured underwear ones. Also dandruff shows up amasingly, so get them to use 'Head & Shoulders, to avoid this especially on black clothing. {Washing powder flakes will also fluoresce}

Forgot to mention so will false teeth light up under UV & blacklight/blue light.

Normal visible light on the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Visible Light is 400 nm- 700 nm
UV radiation is classified into 3 dogegories:-
Ultraviolet - A 315 - 400 nm Safe range,emitted by most "blacklights"
Ultraviolet - B 280 - 315 nm Only very limited exposure recommended.
Ultraviolet - C 100 - 280 nm Is hazardous to eyes and human tissue.
 avoid especially UV radiation to create effects with UV reactive materials
UV radiation is the part of the spectrum below Invisible categories light & above X-Ray invisible radiation.


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


Posted By: Nyria
Date Posted: 10/27/08 at 5:34pm
Thanks for that awesome answer Joe - that gives me lots to work with.  I was just thinking too - do they make 'black light gels' that I could put over some stage lights?
Thanks


-------------
NYRIA


Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 10/27/08 at 7:35pm
Not that I have seen or worked with, however check with Rosco or Lee filters they may have a Gel which could simulate blacklight/blue.
Try this site;- 
http://www.uvgear.co.uk/product/uvlights.htm - http://www.uvgear.co.uk/product/uvlights.htm


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


Posted By: Nyria
Date Posted: 11/16/08 at 9:48pm
Thanks so much again JOE =)

-------------
NYRIA


Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 1/30/09 at 1:38pm
Many years (50) I used a carbon arc followspot with a glass ultraviolet filter. I used it at pretty close range and only to light a small area, but it worked very well. Carbon arcs contain quite a bit of UV, incandescent, not so much. Some arc sources(HMI for example) have decent UV content.
If you can't find UV glass, you could try some Congo blue Cool



Print Page | Close Window

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums version 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2006 Web Wiz Guide - http://www.webwizguide.info