I have been given the task of lighting the stage and catwalk for a runway show (fashion/hair show). The stage is 12' deep by 28' wide with a 6' wide by 27' long catwalk coming off of the middle of the stage. The trusses are existing in the ceiling at a height of 14' and the stage/catwalk is 18" high (so I figure the average model's head will be at approx. 7' to 7'6" off of the floor). At this point all lighting will be purchased new. I'm especially concerned about lighting the catwalk (runway) due to rows of seating being set up on both sides of the catwalk (don't want to blind the audience). Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

If you could take a picture and upload it to say like photo bucket and post here I'm sure i could give you some good tips. what's the budget also?
Welcome to the forums.
Sincerely,

There are photos of their grand opening at http://www.flickr.com/photos/t...s/72157622531249198/ . The first photo shows the stage as it was set up on that day. For the upcoming show the stage will be squared off and 4' wider on each side. The catwalk will be 6' (instead of the 4' in the photo) and 27' long. The budget is open but as always the goal is to accomplish the goal in as "cost efficient" manner as possible (translates: they'll spend what's necessary to make it nice but no more). Thanks again!

One other note: the pictures show an abbreviated "sample" show with house lights only. The upcoming show will be house lights down with only the new lighting providing the show lighting. Also leaning towards LED and DMX for future flexibility. Thanks

Your gonna need a spot lights and at least like anywhere between 4-10 LED wash lights. I'll see if i can get one of our resident pro's to comment on this thread.
Sincerely,

Thanks, I really appreciate all of your help and ideas.

Sorry I am joining in on this, been running around the country for Wyeth/Pfizer. Anyway, i just did a fashion show last week (Philly Fashion Week, sorry Jim, no allowed to post photos of that one). With fashion, its white light, white light, white light, white light, and some more white light. Fashion people also won't take to kindly to LEDs either since their white is very cool. So unless you plan on using White/Amber only LEDs, stay away from them for lighting the run way. For scenic lighting, LEDs are fine however, just not the models and runway.

If you are also concerned about the audience and blinding them, try lighting from directly behind down the runway and straight on from the front onto the runway. This will fill the face on a profile or facing upstage or downstage. The problem with this is it creates shadows and its very flat. You also get a point at which the lights cross that there is a line. This will however keep the lights out of the audiences' face. Fill in with some overhead and good to go.

When I get a chance, I will post a picture to show what I am talking about, just can't find one at the moment.

Jumping in late and after the fact:

Couldn't you just throw on some color corrected gel sheets in suitable colors over the LED fixtures? ADJ has some gel sheets designed for the 64 LED fixtures which may soften things down a bit. Wonder how well that would work. I also find a bit of throw softens and diffuses the light and makes it a bit more pleasing.

Models are prima donna drama queens by their very nature, and I do agree the harsh/coldness of the LED's can hilight "flaws".

Problem is LEDs are a very narrow color length vs lamps which cover a large range of color length. Filters work by blocking wave lengths, if there are no wavelengths to block, you can't create a color you are going for. Just one of the inherent problems with LEDs. Only white/amber LEDs can fake a color temperature, and even then, not that well. I myself have gotten good at matching RGB fixtures color temperature wise to 3000-5000k range, but the Hog makes it easier for me.

Don't bother explaining the color temperature thing, it's an abstract and I'll go find that previous post you did, where you explained it very well. I had some stuff to add, but my wireless connectivity at home likes to go to ca-ca quite often and it hosed me by going down as I hit "send".

I'd also recommend to others to go find that posting and read it was rather well explained.

So, in a nutshell, because of the narrow bandwidth that is the nature of LED's, gels are really good for maybe knocking down intensity or clarifying the beam. That makes sense.

Please take pity on me, I'm just an audio engineer!

Lol, its okay. My boss is an audio guy, so color temperature to him means how hot a light feels on you .

I will have to see if I can dig it up myself. I really need to copy all that stuff down somewhere so I can use it again and again instead of having to re-write each time.