Master class – 10 days

This is the summary of Basic- and Advanced training and a deep insight into the new possibilities of picture design. Many different lightsources will be explained and can be examined. A lot of time and space for own experience is provided to discover the extensive creative and emotional nourishment that inherits the work with light.
Held every year during the first two weeks of August in Bamberg, Germany.

“Taming the light”

Part I: Basics | 5 days

The moving light

  • The variability of light
    modern illuminants and their various uses:
    possibilities and borders
  • Principal and auxiliary tools
    halogen lights, LEDs, OHP’s and other illuminants:
    scenes and effects
  • Handling and manipulation of light
    technical aspects, manageability, various accessories
  • Guidance of light
    second/third dimension, inner/outer space,
    rhythm of the movement, light as camera
  • Light systems
    dramatic possibilities of the moving light
  • Combinations of light
    how to diversify the images


The shadow

  • Shadow is space
    perspectives of the cut
  • Shadow objects and puppets
    material, design, mechanics, 3-d objects
  • Open screen
    material, size, fixing, use,
    passages from picture to picture
  • Shaping of a picture
    style, reduction, background
  • Tools and aids
    glas, mirrors, opaque/transparent structure


The refraction

  • Backgrounds
    curvature and grinding
  • Figures
    transparent layers with colours
  • Water
    moving refraction


The polarisation

  • Preconditions of the decomposition of light
    lightsource, statics, contrast, possibilities and limitations
  • Lightning means
    polarising materials
  • Dark and bright space
    making of a picture


The reflexion

  • Mirrors and other materials
    flexibility and rigidity
  • Designing pictures
    setting closer to the shape
  • Rhythm and figure
    single images and choreography


Part II: Immersion | 3 days

Extraordinary light

  • Coloured shadows – the RGB system
    installation and experiments
  • 3 – dimensional shadows
    requirements, technical installation and play
  • Laser – a subject of its own
    basics, handling, security features,
    colours and their combination,
    reflexion, refraction, diffusion and shadows


Light and composition

  • Light and screen
    screen materials, mounting and fixing, using forms, figures,
    gain factor, movement, changeability, stage design
  • Light and its positioning
    basic rules, perspectives, using light like a camera
  • Figures and objects
    two/three-dimensional objects, self-luminous figures,
    illuminated interior spaces, naturalism and abstraction,
    composition, working with templates/formats
  • Structure / colour / backgrounds
    structure as a medium of colour design, basic colour temperature,
    adding shades of colour, structured light, abstract spaces
  • Functional light
    how to accentuate scenes
  • Light and its effects / atmosphere
    the psychological effects of light


Light and body

  • Light and person
    classic human shadows / colour/ symmetry
  • Light and body
    physical shadow theater,
    landscapes of the body, combination with figures
  • Light and hands
    rhythmic movement, hands as a format,
    hand shadows abstract / naturalistic
  • Abstract pictures
    doubling and several lights, graphic al works


Narrative possibilities with light

  • The stage in modern shadow theatre
    basic construction, parameters, equipment/installation, objects/figures
    “Archaic storytelling”: basic idea,story line, movement of light
  • Narrative attitudes of light
    static light, unfettered light, controlled movement of light, pan shot,
    360°pan shot, parallel movement, zooming in and out
  • Abstract storytelling
    combinations, various acts


Painting with light

  • Where it comes from
    Camera obscura, long time exposure, software lpl
  • Installation and stage setting
    Laptop, webcam, beamer, screens, connections and adjustment
  • Parameter of the light
    different modulations – different light sources
  • Painting with light
    Tools and techniques


Part III: From first idea to production | 2 days


Let’s get down to the details

  • Stage
    What is it like, what is it made of? Where is the screen, what is it like, what is it made of? What about the logistics?
  • Light
    How is it moved? Where is it placed? How can it be deployed efficiently and effectively?
  • Pictures
    Which ones to choose? Which kind of material? Which kind of presentation? Naturalistic or abstract? What about the temporal sequence?
  • Figures
    Which kind of material? How do the figures move? How are they held?
    What can they do, what do they have to be able to do?
  • Language
    How is the story told? Are there any dialogues? Should the figures be recognised by their voices? Any use of onomatopoeia? Any use of microphones?
  • Music
    Suitable techniques: MP3 player? Voice recorder? PC feed? Live music?
  • Player
    Who is the player? Does he/she know more than the figures? What is the inner attitude of the player?

Everything falls into place

  • How to create the scenes
    Interaction between light and figures, how to combine the elements of light, movement, music and language,
    creating a preliminary script.
  • Dramatic composition
    Are the transitions working? How is the rhythm? Is there a storyboard? How to work with video takes?
  • Small „Islands“
    Are there any special features? On what kind of levels?
    How to incorporate small miracles or dangerous risks?


Jillian Pearce, Natimuk, Australia:

Hello Norbert, back home in Australia now and very inspired by my time with you and the other course participants in Bamberg. During my participation in both the beginners and master class courses, I was introduced to a wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding of a beautiful theatre form that represents a new direction within my own arts practice. I admired the immense knowledge, generosity and insight of your teaching style. You were not only prepared to openly share the knowledge accumulated over your long career but also the creative questions which currently inspire your practice. It was a great honour to be able to participate and investigate those with you as a group of people who can all contribute to the development of the art form. This is truly a sign of both a masterful teacher and a mature artist who loves to share the beauty and wonder of his own art-form with the world. I now reflect on what I have learnt and to begin a new creative adventure of my own. I thank-you for everything you have given me. It was truly worth coming from the other side of the planet to experience your work. Cheers