Theatre Green Book PRODUCTIONS Toolkit – Technical

Lighting

With thanks to Tom Lightbody and Daniella Beattie of the Association for Lighting Production and Design

Think reuse and upcycle, try not to make the default position by new tech.
Some of this guidance may not be applicable if you are a smaller company, but think about what is helpful for you to consider
Make good online provisions for meetings, a better web cam (rather than relying on the one on the laptop) may give more detail or flexibility, reducing the need to travel to make decisions
Plan and get information as early as possible, we make better sustainable decisions with time on our side.
Increase the use of Pre Vis for Lighting Designers, this relies heavily on design deadlines being met to allow time for 3D model and of course enough ideas from rehearsals to formulate anything worthwhile in the virtual world
Borrow practicals from other LDs or Theatres where possible

Have more onsite storage than relying on weekly van runs, and resist one off’s to get that piece of kit
Think about whether any “emergency” kit really needs to be rush ordered, or if it can wait a day or two to be delivered with other items rather than requiring a van of its own.
If possible, coordinate deliveries with other departments
Standardise procurement of LED tape, connectors and consumables, for cost efficiencies as well as avoiding silo orders and ideally from veritable suppliers, rather than just the cheapest from Amazon, as budgets may have required.

Substitute cleaning products where possible for more environmentally sustainable products.
Glass cleaner can be made with vinegar and water
Coordinate with other departments someones waste product can be reused, distilled water from tumble dryers can be used to clean smoke machines, fabric scraps from costumes can be used as cleaning rags.
Do you need canned compressed air, or could you invest in a workshop compressor?

Move away from PVC tape unless absolutely necessary and continue to explore plug labelling alternatives.
Use rubber anchor bands to secure the extension cables
Reusable cable ties and bungees are better. Some business waste companies will recycle cable ties at their end of life
ADMIRAL Staging | T-Fix 4cm 50 pieces
Cloth ties are better still
Chalk pens to mark out positions on stage for lighting equipment till positions have been set during the rehearsal process, instead of using lots of PVC plastic tape.
Paint pens to mark-up lighting rigged onto scenic elements instead of single use PVC plastic tape. Paint pens were also used to mark-up the standard rig of lighting equipment permanent positions instead of PVC plastic tape.

Re-use gel whenever possible, make easily accessible storage, as you are more likely to reuse it if you can find it
Consider whether you REALLY need a specific colour, or whether a similar one that’s already in stock would do
Leave Gel behind at the final venue on a tour, to add to their stock
When gel burns out or fades, bag it up and offer it out to local schools, nurseries & kids’ clubs – they love it for crafting
Failing that, Lee Filters are recyclable (as Dry Mixed Recyclables)
Consider using dichroic filters instead of gel for long term installations
Use rechargeable batteries if needed for set/prop practicals, torches, & other equipment

Check first is a battery needed, can the effect be done in other methods
Battery capacity, could using a different type or capacity battery mean it could have a better future life before disposal
Use rechargeable batteries if needed for set/prop practicals, torches, & other equipment

Use a modular design so that elements of your practical can be reused easily
Use Wago clips and choc blocks in stead of crimps
Make led strip in easily removable and re-wireable sections
3d printing an element to make the construction more easily reusable, some filaments are bio degradable

When buying new equipment, do consider the ability to repair the item
Some manufactures are making drills and vacuum cleaners etc with repair in mind
Up skill staff so they feel confident to repair rather that replace as the first course of action
Get creative consider 3d printed spares for parts you can no longer source, you can DIY or use an online company

Use lower wattage lamps where possible (500W instead of 650W for units in studio settings, or 375W in S4s. Do you really need 1200W in your Cantatas in the main house, or would 1000W do?)
Fade up lights when focussing, and try focussing at 80%, or even less!
Consider the use of the space, could there be a daytime setting for room lighting, can timers be set?

Where possible, request that suppliers send items via electric fleet, or carbon neutral courier
Use the closest hire provider you can find
Ask for their sustainability policy
When hiring, try and ensure enough spares are included to cover the full run – to avoid the additional carbon cost of having replacements shipped out

Establish procedures for working in an energy efficient way. This includes switch-off routines: switching off discharge lighting between the end of the reset or rig check and the half hour call before the show starts, and between matinee and evening performances; turning off dimmer racks, PSUs, drivers and other tech overnight
Prevent a culture of continual upgrades and bespoke items. This could include accepting older equipment models

Ensure safe channels available for refurbishing or disposing of electronic equipment
Follow best practice in disposal of waste. For electrical equipment, this includes recycling blown bulbs and equipment. Efforts can be made to work with suppliers to take back equipment to be repurposed and refurbished
Consider how materials can be reused, donated, repurposed, recycled or stored for future use at production completion. This includes bespoke lights and equipment, screens, stage lighting gels, practicals etc
Make a good inventory, if you don’t know what you have, you wont be able to reuse it. If this has pictures this can often be helpful when loaning out to other venues or designers
identify possible sustainable disposal routes. For AV this could include contracts agreeing to refurbish and mend broken equipment