Foreword to the Second Edition

With the virtual explosion of new lighting technology, which brings innovation and change to this field almost weekly, this second edition of Concert Lighting by Jim Moody comes at a perfect time. Concert tours may be the fastest growing facet of the lighting industry, both in the United States and especially abroad, and Jim knows the field as well as anyone.

This book builds on the foundation that the first edition established 8 years ago and covers much more than concert and tour lighting. As I travel, I hear often of the value of the first edition, so I am pleased to tell these colleagues and friends that the expert has updated and expanded the “bible.” Whether you're into bus and truck, part of a permanent staff in a tour venue or theatre, or a television designer, this is the guide you need.

As the late Lee Watson intimated in his foreword to the first edition, Jim Moody merges art and craft in this book. He shows you with practical examples and illustrations how to do it, but he also helps you get inside the designer's head to see why designers make decisions on placement, color, and movement. He builds on the history of the art form to help you understand the evolution of lighting control and equipment. This benefits you as you confront older equipment on tour and provides you with a sense of appreciation of new technology.

I have favorite sections, especially those relating to designer's perspectives on lighting and international touring. Given the cross-over work of lighting designers, Jim has wisely included sections on television, live theatre, and film, and we gain from his wealth of experience in each. I had the pleasure of collaborating with Jim a few years ago and can hear his “voice” in this book. He writes as he speaks—a practical, sensible approach to the artistry of the business. Jim is a great “teacher” and this book is a great tool.

Dick Durst
Dean of Fine and Performing Arts, University of
Nebraska-Lincoln
President, International Association of Designers,
Theater Architects, and Technicians (OISTAT)
April 1997