SL2S207 - Lighting Control Techniques 01 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SL2S207
Module Title: Lighting Control Techniques
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader: Rob Locke
Module Team: Ian Williams, Philip Hughes, Lucy Squire
First Intended Intake: APR 2024 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100703 - stage management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2029

Module Aims

The module aims to develop students understanding of the control method options for lighting across a broad range of areas, from entertainment to install and domestic use.

Time is allocated for students to experiment with surfaces from different entertainment lighting control manufacturers. This includes both software and hardware control options.

Programming styles will be explored, allowing students to develop a personal style and start understanding preferences in ways of working and equipment to be used.

Lighting system data management will be introduced, to ensure awareness of the importance of detailed system design and management.

Content Summary

Protocol design will be discussed with students identifying known protocols outside of the entertainment industry sector as well as within it.

Knowledge of entertainment control protocols, their structure and implementation, used for lighting: DMX, Art-Net, RDM, Art-RDM, sACN, SPI, GPIO and others.

Knowledge of architectural and domestic control protocols used for lighting: DALI, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave MQTT and others.

Entertainment lighting desk manufacturers will be identified and from experimentation with their products, similarities and differences will be explored.

Lighting Desk advanced programming functionality, including the differences in programming techniques between chronological timeline, to busking, to time coding pre-records.

Using knowledge of network structures, knowledge will be shifted from how networks can be made-up to why lighting systems may require specialist equipment or certain structure types to be used.

The role of Lighting Crew Chief will be explored and tasks set to help understand how this role links the lighting designer and programmer roles.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Supervised time in studio/workshop 12
Independent Study 64
Directed Study 100
Active/Simulation Based 12
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Classify differences between protocols used to transport lighting data in the entertainment industry
LO2 Execute lighting control systems for different environments, including theatre, touring live music and festival stages.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 Design, Specify & Build a Lighting Control system 0 2000 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment (Exam) Online Open Book Examination (Not Proctored) 1 Examination of a variety of topics taught throughout the module 60 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project 1
Online Open Book Examination (Not Proctored) 1

Reading List

Show Networks and Control Systems – John Huntington – 2021

Introduction to Show Networking – John Huntington – 2020

The DMX 512-A Handbook – James Eade – 2013

Intro to Bluetooth Low Energy – Mohammad Afaneh - 2018