Rigging the Lights for the Student Christmas Concert - 11th December

2015

By Rory Giddings

In this lesson, we rigged the lights for the Student Christmas Concert. We also looked at the lighting patch bay, (also known as the lighting gantry) which contains various sets of plugs and wires. Each one has two rows of six plugs, and each pair of plugs is controlled by one dial which is used to test every individual light. We then took turns spotting and light rigging, whilst maintaining the necessary health and safety procedures and appropriate rigging method. This is as follows:

1. Set up the ladder with help from another person so as to minimize the potential risks.

2. Ensure that you have a ladder spotter who is standing on the other end of the ladder and is wearing a hard-hat in case a light is unsuccessfully rigged and falls down.

3. Take the light up the ladder and carefully hook it over the rigging bar.

4. Attach the safety chain.

5. Tighten the clamp.

6. Direction the light using the levers on the end.

7. Focus the light using the slider on the side of the light.

8. Climb down slowly, the spotter should help stabilise the ladder if it is wobbly.

Here is an image of me rigging a Fresnel light as I am firmly demonstrating the techniques and safety regulations as discussed in the previous slide. I have also attached an image of Tom on the right. I have gone into more detail on the next slide.