GRAFT TECH SPECS
(Prepared 7th December 2000, Revised 1st February 2001, by George Dillon)
You can download an Adobe Acrobat version of these tech specs and lighting plan, which
will print neatly onto 2 sheets of A4: techspec4web.pdf (259 kb)
GRAFT is relatively simple to light and to operate. Depending on whether there is an interval or not, there are a total of 20 or 24 lighting cues (including house lights and curtain cues), and these are made up of just 11 states, consisting of 2 specials and a general open white cover with red and blue washes. Sound (11/13 cues) can be run from MiniDisc (preferable) or CD. Where the speakers point forward from the front of the stage, an on-stage monitor is desirable. Otherwise, placing the speakers up stage is best.
Below you will see a generalised all-venue lighting plan, which I hope is self-explanatory. ( I apologise for not customising this plan to your specs, if you sent me any, but from experience I find it works best for me to send you my plan and for you to interpret it and rig it to fit your venue.) Do feel free to adapt this plan as necessary to fit your facilities. Please don't hesitate to call me if in doubt. In any case, provided the rig is more or less done by 2pm, there should be plenty of time to sort it on the day.
SUMMARY:
STAGE:
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Black Box with up-stage wings. |
SET:
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None |
SX:
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MiniDisc
or CD & PA – stage-facing monitor if possible. |
LX:
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General + Red Wash, Blue Wash + 2 specials (Gels: Deep Blue, Deep Red) |
GET-IN:
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Focus
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30 - 45 mins |
(if pre-rigged and approximately
focussed). |
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LX plot
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40 - 60 mins |
(13 simple
states – some v similar - & 20 -24 cues) |
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SX check
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30 - 45 mins |
(11/13
tracks but auditorium/stage balance is delicate) |
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Rehearsal
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40 - 60 mins |
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TOTAL:
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2˝ - 3˝ hrs |
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OPERATION:
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LX CUES:
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20-24
(including preset, interval & curtain cues) |
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SX CUES:
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11-13 (basically starting each track,
tracks are self-stopping) |
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LX
STATES:
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13 (including preset &
curtain) |
RUNNING TIME:
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85 minutes (An INTERVAL may be included, but the show works better without. The interval would come after 40 minutes, making the 2nd half 45 minutes long.) |
SPECIAL NEEDS:
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Stage to be THOROUGHLY swept. Performer is barefoot. |
ARRIVAL TIME:
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I generally aim to arrive at each venue at approximately 1 pm on the day (my schedule and Railtrack's incompetence allowing), to begin teching as soon as I've had a coffee. All being well, the get-in should be completed by about 4.30 leaving ample time for eating and relaxing before the performance. |
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LIGHTING PLAN
OPEN WHITE GENERAL
Although the above illustration may seem over-kill for small studio venues, it will not be enough for large spaces, so please interpret accordingly. If possible the general should include side lighting a) to reduce dazzling front-lighting and b) to allow a left or right bias to the cover using the D.S. lamps nos. 3 & 4.
RED AND BLUE WASHES
The Red wash is used on its own, so the above illustration may not be enough. The Up-Stage Reds need to be patched separately from the rest (although they may be paired together). Similarly the Blues may be patched as 2 pairs (Up Stage and Downstage pairs) plus the upstage centre.
FOCUSSING
With the exception of the specials, all lights are focussed to cover the whole stage area with no 'zoning' and no use of barn doors except to mask off ugly walls, curtains or audiences .
SPECIALS
Both specials are
focussed on the stage’s ‘sweet spot’ i.e. centre 1/3rd back from the
edge of the stage.
1. 'Spot' - A steep (60°+), angled (i.e. not directly front) hard-edged centre-spot. The scene is an actor singled out on-stage having just failed an audition. The area should be tight, but wide enough to allow open arms (crucifix-style), i.e. Approx 6-8 ft diameter.
2. ‘Bedsit’ – A medium (30° - 45°)
side-on ‘bare light-bulb’ sort of
effect.
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