As part of the preparation work during the pre-production period, the lighting designer must become acquainted with the technical and organizational aspects of the production which will affect the lighting.
These include the type of theatre building (a proscenium theatre, thrust stage, central stage, etc.), the
stage
dimensions, lighting equipment and positions, peripheral equipment, control systems, lighting budget, timetables and technical crew.
Regardless of whether the production is a one-off commercial production or part of the repertoire of a producing theatre, questions pertaining to the technical layout will be similar. This logistic data will later serve as the basis for preparation of work plans. In order to be successful, the lighting design must relate to the logistic context in which it is created.
A large open air production at Caesaria. Aida, The New Israeli Opera.
The lighting designer must also be aware of the implications of the show's budget on the scope of the lighting, and that transforming the vision of the production into a theatrical reality depends to a great extent on budget considerations. The lighting designer will be involved in budget decisions and he or she must prepare an estimate of the lighting requirements for the budget discussion. If budget limitations are made
clear
and known in advance, the designer will not be disappointed at the discrepancy between his or her expectations and the actual budget.
