This performance report aims to explore my enthusiasm of static photography into the field of theatre lighting design. It represents the learning process through crossover and transformation. I was an outsider lack of theatre knowledge and experience. During the learning process in graduate school, I have extended the training of cultural background, advertising, communication and photography in the past and transformed them into the nutrients of lighting design creation. Through the improvement step by step, I gradually become the professional worker in the theatre.
In the beginning of interdisciplinary study, there were so many problems. For example, the gap to crossover between 2D studio static photography to 3D theatre dynamic lighting design, the lack of basic knowledge of lighting technology and design and so on. During the first 2 years of graduate school, the knowledge and experience of theatre, lighting technology and design had been improved through the courses and practical training. I had grown to control all the required elements in lighting design.
Take two lighting design works for example - <Follies> and <Way to go home>. The former was a musical production focusing on the research of lighting colors. I studied the new lighting design method, tried to build the overall atmosphere of each scene through the dark front wash lights, learned to use a more logical way of choosing the right lighting colors and represented the close connection between colors and emotion of each song. The latter was a drama production. The reality and illusion were intertwined on the same stage. Therefore, the lighting design focused on distinguishing the different time and space between realism and non-realistic scenes, drew a clear line between two segments and let the shifts went smoothly.
Considering that it is difficult for outsiders to get the idea of theatre art. I hope to provide the help and reference for those who want to engage in lighting design but lack of relevant experience or training by sharing my learning experience from an outsider to a theatre worker.