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	WPI Technical Theatre Handbook: Sources
	Sources Three main sources of information were used for the writing of this book. First, personal experience played a key role in the writing of some of the chapters. Secondly, WPI's own experts were consulted - those people who have spent countless hours working on productions. Lastly, many books, catalogs and other reference materials were read, to provide a greater sense of perspective for what is practiced outside of WPI. Over the past several years, as I worked on several productions in various positions, I gained a certain appreciation for technical theatre as a whole. With this appreciation of the whole came a knowledge of a lot of the finer, more pedantic points of various areas of technical theatre. Constant involvement with productions proved over and over that there were a lot of things that people, unbeknownst to them, just didn't know. This brought about a desire to put together a compendium, a single source that could be consulted when issue arose. Filling this compendium with much of the knowledge, tips, and tricks I had learned over the years seemed quite a logical place to start. Many extremely dedicated people are what make WPI theatre productions happen, and these people proved to be invaluable sources of information for this book. Several key people were chosen and interviewed. Each was asked to provide a general overview of what they thought their specific area of interest was all about. Specific issues that they thought the book should discuss were covered in these interviews. In addition, they were each asked to provide any tips, tricks, or humorous anecdotes relating to their specific areas of interest. This information was collected, read, and used as a sort of living reference guide for the writing of the book. It is this, combined with personal experience, that give the book it's tilt towards theatre at WPI. When the writing of the book began, it was known that a balance between WPI specifics and the ``real world'' was desirable. To achieve this, a large amount of reference material was consulted. Books, catalogs, and World Wide Web sites were the major sources of information consulted to achieve this balance. Where differences between WPI theatre practices and those mentioned in books differered, it was so noted. This use of outside sources provided the perspective necessary to give the book a firm footing in both WPI and professional practices. Use of information in this document implies understanding and agreement with the copyright and terms of use. Specifically, no warranty is expressed or implied regarding the accuracy of the information contained within. YOU USE THIS INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. You must obtain permission from the author before using the contents of The Handbook for anything other than private use.	Table of Contents [Whole book in PDF 5.3MB] Contents Introduction Goals Sources Methods Conclusions Costumes Introduction Procurement Fabrics Color Patterns Fitting Rehearsal Clothing Design How to Begin Color Practicality Documents The Set Introduction Set Pieces Platforms Flats Stairs Rakes Other Structures Floor Coverings Construction Materials Tools Finishing Painting Types of Paint Mixing Paints Applying Paint Draperies Design How to Begin Documents Computer-Aided Design A Typical Set Construction at WPI Rigging Introduction Common Rigging Hardware Rope Wire Rope Thimbles, Wire Rope Clips, and Swages Shackles, Turnbuckles and Hooks Chain & Rapid Links Slings Fly Methods Non-Counterweighted Pulley Systems Counterweighted Fly Systems Lifts Chain Motors Flying Set Pieces Lighting Introduction Lighting Instruments Scoops Cyclorama Lights Parabolic Reflector Cans Fresnel Spotlights Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights Automated Instruments Color Color Theory Primary, Secondary and Complementary Colors of Light Light Mixing Practical Use of Color Glass, Gelatine and Plastics Dichroic Color Filters Patterns Dimmers Dimmer History Cables and Connectors Lighting Boards Control Design Washes Specials Cyclorama Lighting Color Lighting Angle Simulating Exteriors Lighting Design Paperwork Shop Order Instrument Plots Focus Sheets Computer-Aided Lighting Design A Typical Lighting Hang at WPI Audio Introduction Input Microphones Converting Sound to Electricity Directionality Analog Tape Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Compact Disc (CD) Mini-Disc (MD) Digital Samplers Computer Sound Cards Mixing Boards Signal Processing Equipment Equalizers Compressors and Limiters Noise Gates Effects Processors Output Power Amplifiers Speakers Crossovers Cabling and Connectors Line-Level Speaker-Level Automation Design Creating and Obtaining Effects Editing and Processing Effects Designing the Sound System The Input Section Signal Processing The Output Section A Typical Audio Setup at WPI Power Introduction Basic Theory Power Feeds Power Distribution Boxes Power Protection Important Considerations Special Effects Introduction Animated Costuming Smoke and Fog Pyrotechnics Acknowledgements References List of Figures Index About this document ...

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