Week Zero - Jimmy Balistreri - Lighting in the Pit - Sample Post

 

Concert lighting has always fascinated me, ever since I first saw Aerosmith when I was in middle school. The sheer elevation that dynamic lighting can bring, even to a mediocre musical act, is remarkable. Last weekend, I attended a concert at the Warfield in San Francisco that made me wonder something about concert lighting that I had never before: Can a lighting designer make specific choices to make moshing more enjoyable? 

Now, my music taste has always leaned towards the rock world, so I have experienced moshing in all different environments, from barns to basements to 1920's ballrooms to modern outdoor mega venues. From my perspective, and judging especially upon the concert last weekend, I most appreciate timing of cuing and effects when moshing. The faster and more frantic it feels, even if it starts to push beyond the music (which last weekend felt like), it makes the moshing more enjoyable. The stark differences between colors, sharp movement, strobing, and hits that timed with the music made each rotation through the pit different, and it's what keeps pulling me back into the pit time and time again. 

Welcome to the Drama 157 Fall 2023 Lighting Journal

Now that you have decided to enhance your appreciation for light, I want to help you develop your eye for light not just in the theatre but in your life.

 

To more effectively understand how light can alter the perception of your audience, we need to first understand how it alters our perception daily.

 

As we move through the quarter, I hope this blog will help you discover light in ways you have not seen before.

 

You'll see colors you've never noticed before, you may recognize the angle of a certain light, and you will find ways to articulate how light makes you feel.

 

To assist with this process, I've created this blog so that all of you may contribute a short piece every other week, starting week 2, on an aspect of light that you have noticed throughout your journeys.

 

This can include a particular moment in a play, a beautiful sunset, a great rock concert, a well-lit store, or what happens to your emotions when the sun moves behind a cloud. Anything and everything can be included.

 

Pay special attention to Blog Topics listed on the Project assignment on Canvas.

 

Title each post with Week #, Your Name, Prompt (if assigned), and a subject.

 

Your postings count towards your final grade.

 

Include photos with your post to help us see what you are describing!

 

Whether or not you continue in lighting design after this class, I hope that this online journal will help you discover inspiration for your art in daily life.

 

Thank you and Happy Blogging!!

 

Lonnie Alcaraz