Tips for Buying a Batch of Stage Lighting Equipment

[Brenda Bailey]

Stage lighting is different from regular lighting in that it provides an artist with more lighting options. The lighting is more complex and requires professional setup. Many lighting equipment companies also provide kits for home use. Buying a set of stage lighting equipment is a big investment and can save you both time and money over the life of the lighting kit. There are two major types of stage lighting, Recessed and Pan/Tilt. The equipment you choose depends on your needs.

Recessed is lighting that is installed deep into the ceiling. This style offers more flexibility than other styles of lighting and is more energy efficient. The cost and complexity of recessed stage lighting will depend greatly on the type of ceiling you have and the space available for installation. Pan/tilt lighting offers more versatility as well as easy installation. Pan/tilt lighting is usually installed on walls and is less expensive than recessed lighting.

Lighting an entire dance floor is much more complex than lighting just one area. You must have sufficient amount of lighting to cover the entire dance floor to prevent the risk of anyone tripping and falling. Lighting an entire room requires more lighting equipment than just a single light. This style of lighting requires several lights and can be very expensive.

Depending upon the venue you are using the number of lights needed will vary. A small club will only require a single light to a large hall will require multiple lights. The venue size will also affect the type and quality of equipment you choose.

When buying lighting equipments you want to do some research beforehand. If possible borrow samples or view pictures online. Pay attention to the quality of the light bulbs and select equipment that are designed for the purpose. Bulbs need to be energy efficient and low wattage bulbs will cost more to run than higher wattage bulbs. High capacity batteries will also help to save you money as they will not need to be replaced as often. You also want to select equipment that has an automatic shut off feature so you don't have to worry about them getting switched on when not needed.

Finally, when purchasing your lights try to find equipment that is flexible in the event that something does happen to your current equipment. For example, if you need to relocate somewhere due to a fire or flood then you may need to purchase extra equipment. Also, ask the seller to demonstrate each of the stages available and find out what safety features they have in place. By keeping these simple things in mind you will soon be on your way to having a successful lighting business.