During rehearsals, the lighting designer tries to pinpoint the point at which transitions and changes in the light will occur, and will usually note this on the script itself. These can be related to the movement of actors and scenery, change in the time of day or shift of atmosphere.
Some changes will be indicated by the
stage
business. For instance, when an actor turns on a light switch, this will undoubtedly be the
cue
for a change of lighting. The beginning and ending of an act, will usually trigger a change, or series of changes, in the lighting. Sometimes lighting changes are motivated by the
stage
action, at other times lighting changes will motivate the
stage
action.
Light
changes which have no real justification either in the script or the
stage
action may seem to the audience like a technical mistake.
Light changes are noted in the
cue
synopsis, which is a detailed plot of the changes and transitions in the lighting, based on the notes which the lighting designers took during rehearsals, indicating the timing, duration and nature of change, in addition to special notes such as demarcation of acting areas, noting of mise-en-scene, special lighting needed for scenery and actors and so on.
The Cue Synopsis may be handwritten directly into the script or a separate
cue
synopsis chart will be prepared.
Cue No.
Page No.
Where
Duration (sec.)
Rythmic Structure
of Change
Look
Notes
15
75
Anna turns off the light
CUT
Cut leaving faint light
Leave faint light through window , bluish atmosphere
The lighting elements and
cue
synopsis are constantly updated and changed in the course of rehearsals. When the show goes on, the final version, along with other lighting plans, will be given to the
lighting director
and the
stage
manager for reference.
