Help with light placement

We also have four floodlights

Here is a description of the "standard" for lighting known as the McCandless System

A little more information about your space and usage would be helpful. As the set-up for a TV studio will be different than that of a dance lighting plot.

Goodpoint TD, sorry I left that out.

This is for church lighting, the platform is approx 100' wide and 30' deep.  The choir loft is lit seperately, but the steps in front of the platform, 3 steps, are used quite often.  This was not in the original lighting design.

We have twelve individuals that lead most of the songs and then the pulpit is the primary location although the pastor does walk freely.

This is a link on youtube that shows the platform, don't know if it well help but thought I would share it.  The lights are hung from a catwalk above the platform, and it follows the curve of the platform.

Not sure how high above the floor the platform is but is about 10feet out from the botton step.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWsnMwWHOis

Goodpoint TD, sorry I left that out.

This is for church lighting, the platform is approx 100' wide and 30' deep.  The choir loft is lit seperately, but the steps in front of the platform, 3 steps, are used quite often.  This was not in the original lighting design.

We have twelve individuals that lead most of the songs and then the pulpit is the primary location although the pastor does walk freely.

This is a link on youtube that shows the platform, don't know if it well help but thought I would share it.  The lights are hung from a catwalk above the platform, and it follows the curve of the platform.

Not sure how high above the floor the platform is but is about 10feet out from the botton step.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWsnMwWHOis

I do a lot of work with churches and the largest issue is back light. It is often difficult to place backlight fixtures and most folks dont understand the difference it makes. If you follow McCandless and use it as a guide line your lighting should look at least "OK" . From there experiment and see what you like.

The source 4 mini site http://www.etcconnect.com/minisite/sourcefour/index.html has a cool calculator to help you determine which focal length fixture is right for your distance.

I usually suggest larger "areas" for churches (12'-16' diameter).

Good luck,

Jon

Thanks Jon, and by the way MIT is testing a flying car end of January, first of February.