Mood lighting
Director Chye-Ling was conscious of having a small space to work in and a cast of seven. So making the most of the space with the resources at hand were key in the approach to lighting design for Like Sex.
"I knew I wanted to use lighting to mark the space and give it some definition. Lighting is the set. Lighting is used to show the relationship between characters.
I really wanted the characters to feel intimate and exposed. The intimacy is created by enclosing characters in light. Using glowy birdies that make it feel like it is just the two of them in the world and no one else. And then we have a larger harsher spot, where two characters can interact. Its almost like stepping into an arena, being put on the spot."
As well as using lighting to section off the space, projection is also used as a visual element in the space. Small sections of video are cut together to create a strobe effect - a fast carousel of imagery that evoke the feelings of the moment.
"I knew I wanted to use lighting to mark the space and give it some definition. Lighting is the set. Lighting is used to show the relationship between characters.
I really wanted the characters to feel intimate and exposed. The intimacy is created by enclosing characters in light. Using glowy birdies that make it feel like it is just the two of them in the world and no one else. And then we have a larger harsher spot, where two characters can interact. Its almost like stepping into an arena, being put on the spot."
As well as using lighting to section off the space, projection is also used as a visual element in the space. Small sections of video are cut together to create a strobe effect - a fast carousel of imagery that evoke the feelings of the moment.
"The projection gives flashes of insight into the stereotypes and tropes that we see, and are being fed by the media that influence our view on sex. A lot of it is American, and all of it is pre-existing footage. The whole point is that you’ve seen it before. The imagery shown is made up of the type of things that are already actively influencing us in our lives in a way that is insidious and unconscious." Notes from Chye-Ling's book show the early design ideas for lighting in the space.
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Discussion questions
- What imagery was projected onto the stage throughout the show? Why do you think those images were chosen?
- Have a look at Chye-Ling's drawings and ideas above. Can you recognise any moments or ideas that made it into the final production?
- How was light used to create connection and separation in the play? Use an example from the performance to support your answer.