The Assistant Lighting Designer's Toolkit

Cover
Half Title
Series Information
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments from the First Edition
Foreword by Ken Billington
Introduction
Common Abbreviations
Part I the Profession
	Chapter 1 Understanding Assisting
		Defining the Role
			Assistants vs Associates
				Dividing Responsibilities
		Qualities of a Good Assistant
			Meticulous
			Working Under Pressure
			Thick-skinned
			Staying One Step Ahead
			Prompt
			Polite
			Knowing When to Stay Quiet
			Working Without Judgment
			Accepting Responsibility
			Sense of Humor
			Good Eye for Design
			Be a Citizen of the World
		The Dos and Don’ts of Being a Good Assistant
			Common “Dos”
			Common “Don’ts”
		Notes
	Chapter 2 The Tools Required
		Hardware
			Laptop
				Portable Computer Speakers and Headphones
			Smartphone
				Photo and Video Considerations
				Lighting Apps
			Cameras, Video, and Playback Devices
				Taking Documentation Photos
				Recording Video and Video Playback
				Documenting Cue Photos
			Tablet Devices
			Printer
		Software
			Drafting and Paperwork Software
				Vectorworks
				Lightwright
			Visualization Software
				Augment3d
			Followspot Tracking Software
				Spottrack
			Moving Light Documentation Software
				Moving Light Assistant
				Careful Focus Pro
				Focustrack
				Other Useful Software Programs
		Specialty Items
			Assistant’s Kit
			Focus Tapes
				Fabricating Focus Tapes
	Chapter 3 Production Personnel
		The Lighting Team
			The Lighting Designer
				Designer Profile Sheet
				Design Office Structure
			The Programmer
				Working with the Programmer
			The Production Electrician
				Working with the Production Electrician
			The Head Electrician
			Followspot Operators
			Deck Electrician
			House Electrician
		The Management Team
			Production Stage Manager
			Production Manager
			General Manager
			Company Manager
			Producers
		Other Team Members
			Other Design Disciplines
		Note
	Chapter 4 Unions
		United Scenic Artists, Local Usa 829 (USA)
			Negotiating a Union Contract
			Jurisdiction
			Joining the Union
			Design Membership Candidate Program (DMC)
		Iatse
		Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
		American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
		Other Unions
		Notes
Part II The Process
	Chapter 5 Design Prep
		Prep Weeks
			Set Electrics Specifications
			Site Survey
			Creating the Design Package
			Bids
			Designer Run
				The Followspot Assistant
		Note
	Chapter 6 Load-in
		Shop Prep
		Scenic Build
		Pre-hang
		Load-in and Hang
			Tech Table Placement
			Tech Table Setup
			Setting Trims
		Focus
			Placing Focus Tapes
			Indicating the Lighting Areas
			Focus Table
				Setting Up Your Focus Table
			Running Focus
				Body Language Used for Focus
				Color Balancing
		Followspot Setup
		Moving Light Focus
		Pre-cueing
			Pre-visualization
		Notes
	Chapter 7 Tech
		Tech
			Stages of the Tech Process
			Other Responsibilities in Tech
				Morning Work Call
				End-of-the-night Notes
				End-of-the-night Production Meeting
		Staying Healthy
		Note
	Chapter 8 Previews and Performances
		Previews
			Preview Table
			Preview Revisions
				Show File Maintenance
		Freeze Date
			Archival Time
		Opening
			Opening Night Party
		Maintenance
		Notes
Part III The Paperwork
	Categories and Checklists
	Printing
	Chapter 9 Pre-production Paperwork
		Drawing Package
			Drawing Setup
				Lineset Callout
			Drafting Styles
				Lighting Symbols
				Symbol Placement
				Dimensioning and Instrument Spacing
				Font Choices
				Font Sizes
				Line Weights
				Color
			Drawing Organization
				Title Block
				General Notes
			Verticals
			Section
			Set Elex
				Set Electrics Specifications
			Print Sizes
				Folding Drawings
		Paperwork
			Maintenance
				Maintenance—Purpose
				Maintenance—Position
				Maintenance—Instrument Type
				Maintenance—Accessory
				Maintenance—Color and Gobo
			Layout
			Show Title and Page Header
			Registration
		Magic Sheets
			Magic Sheet Preferences
			Magic Sheet Styles
				Conventional Magic Sheets
				Moving Light Magic Sheets
				Other Magic Sheets/Cheat Sheets
			Virtual/console Magic Sheets
		Shop Order
			Process
				Dividing Responsibilities
			Shop Order Structure
				Title Page
				General Notes
				Equipment
		Tech Table Drawing
			Monitor Setup
			Headset Specifications
		Area Layout
		Groups List
		Scene and Song Breakdown
		Scene-by-scenes
		Show Binder and Script
		Literature
		Notes
	Chapter 10 Tech Process Paperwork
		Focus Charts
			Focus Chart Cover Page
			Focus Charts Documents
			Cue Synopsis
				Cue Script
		Followspot Cue Sheets
			Followspot Actions
			Followspot Iris Sizes
			Followspot Intensities
			Timings
			Color
			Calling Followspots
				Calling Patterns
				Calling Techniques
			Working with Spot Ops
				Techniques and Finesse
				Working with Spots Under Pressure
		Work Notes
		Moving Light (ML) Documentation
			Moving Light (ML) Focus Charts
				Moving Light (ML) Documentation Photo Call
			Cue Documentation
		Archival Materials
			Next Time List
		Notes
Part IV The Industry
	Chapter 11 US-based Employment Opportunities
		Working at Home
			Broadway
			Off-broadway
			Off-off-broadway and Storefront Theatre
			Regional Theatre
			Summer Stock
			Roadhouse
			Opera House
			Resident Dance Company
		Working on the Road
			Pre-broadway Try-Out
			Broadway Sit-Down
			Broadway National Tour
				Equity National Tour
				Non-equity National Tour
			Bus and Truck
			Us-based International Production
			Other Travel Situations
		Notes
	Chapter 12 Working Internationally
		Working in the United Kingdom and Australia
			The United Kingdom
			Australia
		Working in Continental Europe
		Working in Asia
			Japan
			China
		Travel Contract
			Payment: How and When Do I Get Paid?
			Housing: Where Am I Going to Stay?
			Travel: How Do I Get There?
			Car: Will I Need a Rental Car?
			Per Diem: How Are My Food Expenses Covered?
			Visas: Is It Legal for Me to Work There?
			Safety: What Do I Need to Know Before I Go?
		Lifestyle
			Medications
			Electrical
			Phone
			Bank
			Dictionaries and Phrasebooks
			Amenities
		Notes
	Chapter 13 Working in Related Industries
		Television and Film
		Architectural Lighting
		Industrials
		Themed Entertainment
		Notes
Part V The Life
	Chapter 14 Working as an Independent Contractor
		Marketing Yourself
			Websites
			Social Media
			Resumes
				Personal Information
				Experience
				Additional Information
			Cover Letters
			Business Cards
		Meeting Designers and Associates
			Following Up
		Paying the Bills
			Temping
			App-based Work or “Gig Work”
			Unemployment Benefits
		Financials
			Tracking Income
			Tracking Write-offs
				Receipt Spreadsheet
		Notes
	Chapter Conclusion
Appendix A Step-by-step Assistant’s Checklist
	Design Prep
	Shop Prep/scenic Build
	Pre-hang/spotting Call
	Load-in/hang
	Focus/moving Light Focus
	Tech
	Previews
	Opening
	Day After Opening
Appendix B Design Package Checklist
	Drawing Package
	General Paperwork
	Magic Sheets
	Skeleton Files
	Miscellaneous
	Electronic
Appendix C Assistant’s Kit Checklist
	Office Supplies
	Focus Items
	Electronics
	Tools
	Personal Items
Appendix D Electronic Folder Organization
Appendix E Site Survey Measurements
Appendix F Sample Shop Order
Appendix G Sample Set Electrics Specifications
Appendix H Sample Cover Letter and Resume
Appendix I Product Websites
Bibliography
Index