Due to the current restrictions, we have had slight issues with getting equipment and learning the tech. The biggest obstacle for the lighting team is not being able to have ‘hands-on’ use of the lighting tech for a better understanding on how to use a DMX input and to completely understand the full applications of ‘SweetLight’. You might be asking “but how do you know how to do these techniques without having hands on experience?” I have been watching different YouTube tutorials on how to use the software and to use the different techniques within it. Now this isn’t the best way to learn. 

 However, it is a way to push through the limitations this pandemic has put upon us. Videos I watched to learn ‘Sweetlight’ : 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MK9Uxb9qjA “Do it from Scratch SweetLight DMX Light Generator Save to live page Snap and Fade ShowXperss CHAUVET” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODJFERsq8BI “TimeLine - 'manual BPM' and 'Move to'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka2q509hqAI “Patching fixtures & 3DView basics “ 

 

Even though, there is a lack of understanding of the lighting software I have asked the band “Squash” of their intensions of lighting. They have told me that they would like red and blue lighting in no specification of style or movement. However, since they are doing a Hawaii themed set, I will implement moving lights and some smooth gradients transitioning between the colours and have some light strobes.   

Even though I haven’t talked to the other groups about their lighting ideas, I can base off a simple idea of what colours and what effects I could add. For example, BMX are doing a 90’s themed set so what I'm thinking of is to use the most common colours in lighting for concerts back then, this’ll include some soft strobes between red, blue, orange and green, and a cycle of colours which were mostly used during that time.  

Even if the entire result of the group is altered due to the pandemic, I have been investigating the ways to overcome any possible future problems. Currently the only way I can see a way to push through this is using a post-production editing effect to give the illusions of lighting and lasers; this would take time though, time that we may not have to complete it by the deadline. We could also just show the music videos; but the feeling of being personally played to, that most concerts give the feeling of, will be lost. Even though that drawback would be a significant disadvantage for the company it would be a good back up for a worst case in scenario. 

What have I been working on during the months we’ve been in online lessons and progress with the project? Due to a number of factors working on this project has been difficult. I wasn’t much of an ideal team member, with my lack of work and a lack of communication with others in the group. However, the last couple of days has been easier to work on the project this is including watching more tutorials and brainstorming ways to get through these restrictions of Coronavirus. 

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a design based around a tropical theme wouldn't be anything without pineapples: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/598548319/pineapple-geometric-home-decor-ring?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pineapple&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&bes=1&col=1