Lighting Design - Paperwork
CUE LIST
Purpose: A list of the lighting changes required during the show. The complexity of this will vary according to the needs of the show.
Example: Cue list for a drama
| LX0.5 | Preset. House lights and dim state on stage |
| LX1 | On clearance, house lights out and crossfade to light through window |
| LX2 | As Mr Jones enters, build state |
| LX3 | End of scene 1, check down to doorway as they exit |
| LX4 | Scene change state |
| LX5 | When set, general state for scene 2 - dawn |
| LX6 | Build state as sun rises |
| LX7 | Snap blackout |
| LX8 | Scene change state |
| LX9 | Scene 3 state |
LIGHTING PLAN
Purpose: A layout (in plan view) showing the individual lanterns, the bars on which they're hung, their dimmer number, colour and any focus notes.
The complexity of your lighting plan depends on how much time you have, who you need to communicate with, and how complex your show is. In the days before computers, the options were limited. You had a number of different plastic templates to choose from, which contained many of the popular symbols. Drawing the plan involved marking out the lighting bars first in pencil, then drawing the symbols.
Coming soon - Example lighting plans
CHEAT SHEET
Purpose: A simplified version of the lighting plan (see above) showing areas and the dimmer numbers that are lighting them - used by the lighting designer as a quick reference at the production desk.
PLOT SHEET
Purpose: A list of the cues to be performed by a lighting desk operator, enabling him or her to make notes about specific actions to perform, and to keep track of the show as it's running.
