Need help with stage lighting

[explosive0]

I'm totally new when it comes to lighting and video, but have lately been developing our video ministry at church. Most of our equipment I buy out of my pocket. So far, I have two Canon GL1's and two tripods. I actually just got a Manfrotto with a fluid head last Saturday. I love it

Now on topic, I need help with lighting for our stage. Our church is really traditional with little to no praise and worship style music, so the lighting is primarily for better-looking videos, nothing fancy.

I'm thinking a few PAR 56's might do the trick, but I have no idea how these work and how to position them.

I'm including pics of our stage to give an idea of that it looks like.

BTW, I dislike that wooden pulpit, I really need to convince them to get something glass-like. This wooden one looks really bad IMO. Just venting

Thanks, guys

[explosive0]

Help someone?

[Esoteric]

How tall is your ceiling?

Myself I prefer Fresnels or PAR64's and I will tell you why.

I prefer Fresnels because they are more controllable (with the addition of barn doors) and they produce a softer, easier to blend light.

I prefer PAR64's over 56's because they are just about the same price and the PAR64 allows for better lamping (64's can take a 1kW lamp while 56's can not) if necessary.

For whatever you are doing you will need the lights, a pipe to hang them from (specified by an engineer and installed by a professional rigger), dimmers to power them, and a console to control them.

Then you will need power and data cables.

Be careful with glass or plexi podiums. They tend to make for very odd reflections.

Mike

[explosive0]

Originally Posted by Esoteric

How tall is your ceiling?

Myself I prefer Fresnels or PAR64's and I will tell you why.

I prefer Fresnels because they are more controllable (with the addition of barn doors) and they produce a softer, easier to blend light.

I prefer PAR64's over 56's because they are just about the same price and the PAR64 allows for better lamping (64's can take a 1kW lamp while 56's can not) if necessary.

For whatever you are doing you will need the lights, a pipe to hang them from (specified by an engineer and installed by a professional rigger), dimmers to power them, and a console to control them.

Then you will need power and data cables.

Be careful with glass or plexi podiums. They tend to make for very odd reflections.

Mike

Thanks

[ptechie]

I would second everything that Esoteric says. Major video production usually use fresnels for their soft edge and ability to focus. You will want to weigh the visual element that a lighting rig would introduce to your sanctuary.

I took a look at your photos and it reminded me of a company I saw at a trade show called Brightline [brightlines.com].Their lights are designed to blend into rooms for fixed video installations. There are most likely other companies offering similar products with the rise in video teleconferencing out there.

You very well may be able to avoid dimmers and a control console with a video centered install as you are looking for a single look. Of course this wouldn't help you in the future if you were asked to do some special lighting. Of course this would also prevent you from being asked to do some special lighting

Good luck.

[I neither work for nor have worked with Brightline or their products]

[Esoteric]

Yeah, the only problem with studio systems is that they are often installed the cheapest way possible.

We did a renovation of a studio system earlier this year and an install that would have cost $15000 to do the first time cost $40000 to do as a renovation.

If you do a studio system make sure it is installed with an eye towards a possible live system changeover in the future or be absolutely certain that you never want anything more.