2013-11-20
On November 11, American lighting expert Michael Ramsaur visited STA and started a two-day course on lighting design. In the short welcoming ceremony on the first day, Yi Tianfu, the Deputy Director of the Stage Design Department introduced Michael Ramsaur to the students, and extended warm welcome to Professor Michael Ramsaur.
The first day’s course consists of the theory part in the morning about the American lighting design procedure and the practice part of the group lighting design in the afternoon. Professor Michael Ramsaur generally talked about the development history of stage lighting design in America and shared habits of some American lighting designers, presented and analyzed some lighting design works of his own to broaden the students’ horizon. In the practice session in the afternoon, Professor Michael Ramsaur gave 4 topics to each group: sunrise in the city, desert at noon, a cozy afternoon, a pleasant view inside room. Sophomore students discussed about the design after their work of mounting the lights, connecting the wires and matching the lights.
On the morning of the second day, Professor Michael Ramsaur was holding a discussion about the lighting designs from each group. Professor Michael Ramsaur would listen to the advice from students and help them to analyze the works of others' and to find advantage and disadvantage, and then the designing group would illustrate their design concepts and communicate with professor. In such a procedure, students improve their ability to design and express themselves, and the passive mode in Chinese classroom is replaced by this active interaction. Students will find advantage and disadvantage in the designs of others', and they will rethink about their own works. Group training like this develops the individual design ability and promotes the teamwork awareness. In the class about lighting design for American Musical in the afternoon, Professor Michael Ramsaur showed some picture materials, videos to introduce the unique features of the lighting design for musicals. He also shared his own experience and techniques in designing.
The relaxing and inviting class by Professor Michael Ramsaur impresses the students deeply. The course, although for only 2 days, is beneficial for the students. At last, Professor Michael Ramsaur expressed the willingness to come to STA again, and looked forward to the progress the students will make.
Practice session
Theoretical Session
