By Kristopher Jones
Lighting is often the forgotten design element. Though its effects are powerful, the medium itself is rather intangible, and lighting designers work hard to conceal the fixtures as much as possible. Because lighting can drastically affect atmosphere in a park, and since it generally flies in under most people’s conscious radar, good lighting is an economical and easy way to change and transform the atmosphere in an area. Lighting done well can do so much more than just illuminate objects on a shelf or walkways on a midway. The most important thing to remember when you begin to think about lighting and how it will affect the overall atmosphere in the park is who you are lighting for. Your guests already have preconceived notions of how things are lit; they experience it in their everyday life all the time. When things move too far from those preconceived ideas it can work in two different directions for the lighting designer. It can either make the person feel as though something is not quite right and make them uneasy, or it can make them feel curious as to what is coming next.
Lighting helps to create dimension. Without highlights and shadows things begin to seem more two dimensional and flat and, as a result, less interesting. When you light something the same color and intensity from every direction it can make those highlights and shadows disappear. One great way to incorporate shadows is to use the object’s own architecture to create shadows. Use a light close to the building, tree or ride to wash light up the object. The highlights on the underside or trim and molding and the shadows above let people know that this surface is dimensional. Also, remember that darkness is an important “lighting” tool too. Darkness can be used to hide objects you don’t want seen, or it can be used to create a contrast between ultimate darkness and ultimate brightness
Another element to consider when figuring out how lighting helps your atmosphere is color. Color is often forgotten because people feel that white light is sufficient – it is what they are used to and comfortable with. Color can quickly heighten the emotion of an area of the park; it can make spaces feel scary or mysterious, things which are difficult (but not impossible) to do with just white light. For example, if you were to light a new attraction such as a haunted house, common sense would indicate that you would never light the façade of the building with plain white light. Therefore, why would you light the façade of your new roller coaster that is painted in vibrant colors with white light? Associating feelings or moods with all of your rides, not just your scary ones, is important. Some attractions should be regal, imposing. Others should blend into the scenery.
Unfortunately, there aren’t set rules for what looks good; every situation is different. If you don’t have a lighting designer on hand, you can still experiment on your own. Most every entertainment or shows department will have some leftover colored gel laying around. Grab some samples and head out to the park. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations.
That being said, there are some basic lighting principles that might help you out. First, a quick lighting lesson about color. Everyone knows the primary colors of pigment are Red, Blue and Yellow, and when mixed together they produce black. But the primary colors of light are much different, they are Red, Blue, and Green (just like the three colors that make up your television) and the secondary colors of light are Cyan (Blue and Green), Magenta (Red and Blue), and believe it or not Yellow (Red and Green). When Red, Blue and Green are mixed together, they create white light.
If you light with the same color as the object you are lighting is painted it helps make the object pop out. But in the same way, if you light something from the opposite side of the spectrum it may make the object look unflattering. It seems like common sense, but all too often people light things to make the objects look unflattering. For example, if a ride or building is yellow and you light it with yellow light it will appear more vibrant. But if you light it with blue light (which is the color opposite from yellow on the lighting spectrum) it will make the ride or building in question appear dull and lifeless. Finally, keep in mind the mantra “everything in moderation.”
Lighting is a subjective art, something that you need to experiment with to make it work for your unique situation and needs. But the examples listed above are a good beginning into finding ways to make lighting work for and enhance the atmosphere in your park.
Kristopher Jones is an accomplished lighting designer who has worked in the amusement industry for many years. His company, kdj1s lighting designs, has worked for various parks, including those in the Six Flags chain. He can be reached at [email protected] or on the web at www.kristopherdjones.com.
Where’s the remote?
Are you ready for the next step in amusement and entertainment control systems? InPark Magazine spoke with Kelly Case and Brian Landries from Control Chief about their wireless remote control systems that can enhance everything from lighting to animatronics.
inpark: What are some of the applications for a wireless control technology in amusement parks?
Control Chief: To begin with, our products work great with special effects for themed entertainment. For example, wind cannons, confetti cannons and water jets can be controlled remotely by the person giving the presentation or in the show. This person is actually in a much better position to manage when to fire an effect, as opposed to someone behind the curtain or in a control booth.
In terms of lighting, during stage productions a remote control can wirelessly activate lighting sequences through a lighting control board. We can also develop portable remotes allowing park personnel to adjust lighting and sound levels throughout the park as they walk through it, in real time.
Beyond those applications, really anything with a motor control can be controlled safely. One developing arena is the realm of animatronics, which is currently looking at wireless emergency-stop options.
inpark: What are the benefits of such systems?
Control Chief: Certainly safety and efficiency. Often one person with a remote control can be in a better and safer position to fire an effect. Additionally, running long wires and maintaining those wires is expensive. Many customers see a return on investment in maintenance savings within one year.
inpark: What sort of education or knowledge do you need to possess to operate the systems?
Control Chief: Typically, whatever training one receives on standard systems is usually sufficient and allows them to operate a wireless controller. For most critical applications, federal regulation will dictate the type of training the operator will need before operation of the systems.
inpark: What about interference from other wireless systems?
Control Chief: With radio technology, there is always the possibility for some type of interference. The issue is how the equipment will respond to the interference. Some lower costs systems often will not handle interference well. Control Chief’s systems have been engineered with fail to safe technology, which ensures the safety and reliability that most operations demand.
inpark: Do you have any current installations in parks or are you working on any?
Control Chief: Currently our systems can be found in Six Flags parks, The Walt Disney World Resort, and Universal Studios Florida. We are also working with several other clients at this time.
For more information on Control Chief, visit them on the web at www.controlchief.com or 814-362-6811.
