Time has come again when schools are putting on their summer production, there can be lots of complicated things that you need to sort out and organise. Here at The Production Works we understand that things can be stressful and would like to help. If you have any sound or lighting questions then please do get in touch for advice. We have also put together this list of useful hints and tips to help you with the technical aspects of your School’s Production.
Hints and Tips:
- The first thing you need to do is put together a technical team, with a technical manager who is responsible for sorting out all technical aspects. This will take a weight off your shoulders.
- Then think about getting your pupils involved, helping with your school’s production. Some of the pupils at your school may want to get involved however not want to be on the stage. Helping out with the lighting, sound, set and AV may be the way to involve them – if it hadn’t been for a teacher getting me involved in the technical side when I was 14 I wouldn’t be here now.
- Have someone from your technical team (staff or pupil) in every rehearsals looking at the technical things – making notes about sound and lighting effects. This will mean that the technical team will then know about changes made during rehearsals.
- If you have limited amount of lighting keep your lighting design simple. Start out with a general wash over the whole stage. This will give you good coverage catching all the action (remember the parents have come to see their child perform not the best lighting in the world). Once you have a simple wash then you can start to add in some colour – I would add this colour from behind to add some depth to the stage
- During scene changes avoid lighting Blackouts. There is nothing worse than that awkward moment when the lights go down and all you can here is some clattering and banging (and maybe even the odd swear word). The audience would much prefer to see the scene change so maybe just dim the lights and try and incorporate the scene change into the performance
- Microphones are a great way to amplifier the sound of your performers however you need to pick the correct one. There is a lot to say on the subject and there are a lot of variables, for specific advice give us a call on 01242 807841 or email rowan@the-production-works.co.uk
I hope you find these hints and tips helpful. If you have any questions about the hints and tips above or anything to do with the technical side of your school’s production then please do not hesitate to get in touch. I am more than happy to give you free advice.
I have also set up a Linked In group where you can ask questions in an interactive manner: goo.gl/I9dsn