Drama 16 Stage Lighting

Theme: Night Life

Source: https://40.media.tumblr.com/24efcc86f67c428d1b8b16b23c588425/tumblr_ncshu103MD1syvcbdo1_500.jpg

I chose this picture because it invited me into a fun story. The intense neon colors, the cracks in the pavement and walls, the steps leading into the dark–all of it screams debauchery and vice. What I see here is a trashy hole-in-the-wall venue that may be fun, scary or both. The picture is taken in such a way that the “WATCH YOUR STEP” is shown, but the actual letters on the sign aren’t. The irony of those words combined with the blur of the sign and the blackness of what’s beneath make this photo feel dangerous, but the myriad of color suggests a fun danger. This is enticing. The lights create a clever color fade effect, as they get colder the farther down you go. I think walking through this would feel like walking from a pink daylight (a time of routine and structure) into a blue night (a time of fun and release).

Date: March 10th, 2012 – Noon – In front of the NAB

Objective: The NAB was casting a shadow on the ground in front of me.

Subjective:Athena decided to plan a scavenger hunt for all the production majors to bond with each other. We were told to meet in front of the NAB. It seemed like a good idea at the time, until I got to the NAB. There I was, staring at the NAB, with Meaghan the only one present. After a few phone calls and starting an hour later, we got a few more people to show up and play. Bryan Chess eventually joined us in front of the NAB, waiting for the game to start. We began to talk casually until we both caught ourselves staring at the ground. The NAB was casting a shadow in the shape of a staircase. It was very interesting. Bryan and I both knew that this was a quality lighting moment. I found myself looking at every step, climbing the stairs in my mind. I felt my eyes going around each corner, outlining the stairs as I climbed. I eventually could not climb anymore because the shadow of a nearby trashcan impeded my progress. I then started to work my way back down. I looked up at the NAB, trying to piece together the parts of the building that were creating this distinctive shadow. I want to be cliché and say I was climbing the stairway to heaven, but really let’s be honest, it’s the NAB; quite the opposite.