Angle Master Teacher Guide Angle Master
TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson 1: Lighting Mechanics & Angles
Duration
60 Minutes
Objective
Identify and demonstrate the 4 primary lighting angles and their emotional effects.
Materials
Flashlights, Styrofoam heads (or partners), Shadow Lab Worksheets.
The Hook: Spooky Shadows
Turn off the classroom lights. Sit in a chair at the front. Using a flashlight, tell a very brief (30 second) story about a "creepy old house."
Step 1: Shine the light from directly above (Natural).Step 2: Shine the light from below your chin (Spooky/Villainous).Step 3: Ask: "How did the feeling change just by moving my light?"
Core Instruction
Front Lighting
The "Invisible" Angle
Makes the subject fully visible but flat. Good for clarity, bad for drama.
Side Lighting
The "Detective" Angle
Creates deep shadows on half the face. Great for mystery or conflicted characters.
Uplighting
The "Monster" Angle
Shadows fall upward, making features look distorted and scary. Classic for villains.
Backlighting
The "Halo" Angle
Separates the actor from the background. Creates a silhouette or "angelic" glow.
Inquiry: Shadow Lab
Students work in pairs. One is the "Actor," and one is the "Designer."
Students use the flashlight to find the 4 angles on their partner's face.
They must sketch the shadow patterns on their Shadow Lab Worksheet .
Challenge: Can they find an angle that makes their partner look "heroic"? (Try 45 degrees high).
Teacher Pro-Tips
• Ensure flashlights aren't pointed directly into eyes—remind students to aim for the chin or forehead.
• If the room isn't dark enough, have students work inside cardboard boxes or under desks.
• Use the phrase "Shadows tell the story" often to reinforce the lesson's goal.
Angle Master Slides Angle Master
Painting with Shadows
Lighting Design Lesson 1
The Designer's Job
Lighting is not just about seeing the actors.
"Lighting designers use light and shadow to tell the audience how to feel."
Visibility: Can we see them?
Focus: Where should we look?
Mood: Is it happy or scary?
Front Lighting
Clarity
Light comes from the audience's direction
Visibility is 100%
Shows the face clearly
Looks "Flat" (No shadows)
Side Lighting
Drama
Light comes from the left or right of the actor.
Creates dramatic shadows
Great for mystery or suspense
Shows 3D texture and shape
"The Detective Angle"
Uplighting
Danger!
THE MONSTER ANGLE
Shadows fall UPWARD. This never happens in nature, so it makes characters look scary, weird, or villainous.
Backlighting
Silhouette
Light shines from behind the actor toward the audience.
Pops the actor off the background
Creates a "Halo" or "Rim" of light
Hides the face completely (Mystery!)
Shadow Lab
Mission:
Work with a partner to find and draw the 4 Power Angles on your Shadow Lab Worksheet.
Safety First: Don't shine lights in eyes!
Shadow Lab Worksheet Shadow Lab
Lighting Design Experiment
Agent Name:
Date:
Observation Log
Instructions: Use your flashlight to find each angle on your partner. Draw where the shadows fall on the face. Write one word for the "feeling" it creates.
01. Front Light
Feeling:
02. Side Light
Feeling:
03. Uplight
Feeling:
04. Backlight
Feeling:
Technical Analysis
1. You are designing a scene for a scary villain who is hiding a secret. Which angle would you use and WHY?
2. Your teacher is giving a very important speech. You need everyone to see their face clearly. Which angle is best?
Mood Makers Teacher Guide Mood Makers
TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson 2: Color Theory & Emotional Lighting
Core Vocabulary
Gel: A colored plastic filter placed in front of a light.Warm: Reds, oranges, yellows (energy, heat, anger).Cool: Blues, greens, purples (calm, cold, night).
Preparation
You will need Gels . If you don't have professional gels, use colored cellophane or translucent plastic dividers.
Warning: Do not tape cellophane directly to hot theatrical lights; use flashlights for student safety.
1. The Hook: Three Scened
Set up a simple table with a chair. Have a student sit and look out a "window." Show the scene under three lights:
Amber/Yellow
Morning, Hope
Deep Blue
Midnight, Loneliness
Bright Red
Danger, Alarm
Discussion: "How does our story change even though the actor never moved?"
Workshop: The Mood Board
Students will select three specific emotions and "paint" them using light and description on their mood board worksheets.
Guided Questions for Students:
Why does blue feel sad? (Connect to water, cold, night)
Can red ever be a "good" color? (Connect to love, warmth of a fire)
What happens when we mix two colors? (e.g., Pink = Red + White; feels gentle)
Check for Understanding
Show the class a picture of a dark forest. Ask:
"If this were a comedy, what color light would we use? If it were a horror movie, what color?"
Mood Makers Slides Mood Makers
The Power of Color
Lighting Lesson 02
The Designer's Tool: Gels
GEL
noun: A heat-resistant, colored plastic sheet used to change the color of a light.
In the old days, they were made of gelatin (like Jell-O!). That's where the name comes from.
Warm Colors
RED
Anger, Heat, Danger, Love
ORANGE
Energy, Fire, Harvest, Warning
AMBER
Sunshine, Morning, Hope, Joy
Cool Colors
Blue
Night, Sadness, Cold, Calm
Purple
Mystery, Magic, Royalty, Spooky
Green
Nature, Sickness, Envy, Poison
MISSION:
Create a Mood Board
Step 1:
Pick 3 Emotions you want to show on stage.
Step 2:
Select the perfect Gel Color for each one.
Start Designing!
Color Mood Board Worksheet Color Mood Board
Lighting Design Palette
Designer Name
Mission Briefing
Choose three different scenes for a play. For each scene, identify the Emotion , the Color Gel you would use, and describe the Lighting Angle from Lesson 1 that would make it look best.
1
Emotion / Mood
Gel Color
Angle (Front, Side, Up, Back)
Why does this work? (Explanation)
2
Emotion / Mood
Gel Color
Angle
Why does this work?
3
Emotion / Mood
Gel Color
Angle
Why does this work?
WARM
COOL
NEUTRAL
Sound Sorcerers Teacher Guide Sound Sorcerers
TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson 3: Foley Art & Sound Effects
What is Foley?
Foley is the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to films, videos, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality. In theater, we do this LIVE!
The Hook: Sound Detective
Instructions:
Have all students put their heads down on their desks. Perform the following actions behind a screen (or your back turned) and have them guess what the sound is in the story .
The Object:
Crinkling Cellophane
The Story Sound:
A Crackling Campfire
The Object:
Half Coconut Shells
The Story Sound:
Horse Galloping
The Object:
Flapping a File Folder
The Story Sound:
Bird Wings Flapping
The Object:
Walking in a bowl of Cornstarch
The Story Sound:
Steps in Crunchy Snow
The Skill: Real-Time Syncing
Foley isn't just about making the sound; it's about timing . If the actor takes a step and the sound happens a second later, the illusion is broken.
The "Silent Film" Exercise:
Watch a 30-second clip of a silent cartoon (like Tom & Jerry or a classic Charlie Chaplin).
Assign groups to specific "Sound Cues" (e.g., Group A = Footsteps, Group B = Door Slams).
Practice making the sound exactly when the action happens on screen.
Foley Supply Kit Ideas
Empty tin cans (Metal sounds)
Old shoes (Footsteps)
Bells/Whistles (Comedy)
Tray of gravel (Walking)
Spray bottles (Hissing/Steam)
Wooden blocks (Clacks/Door shuts)
Sound Sorcerers Slides Sound Sorcerers
The Magic of Foley Art
Sound Engineering Lesson 03
Who is Jack Foley?
In 1927, Jack Foley invented a way to add sound to movies that were originally silent.
"The art of creating everyday sound effects using random objects to match the action on stage or screen."
Audio Illusion
Secret Foley Recipes
Fire Crackle
Crinkle a piece of cellophane or heavy plastic wrap.
Steps in Snow
Squeeze a bag of cornstarch or walk in it with your hands.
Heavy Rain
Slowly pour dried rice or birdseed onto a metal tray.
Thunder Bolt
Shake a thin piece of metal or a large poster board.
SYNC!
The Golden Rule of Foley
"The sound must hit when the eye sees it."
If the actor slams a door, the "THUD" must happen at the exact same millisecond.
Game Time
SOUND DETECTIVE
Heads down, eyes closed.
Listen to the "Secret Sound."
What is the object?
What is the STORY sound?
Sound Detective Log Worksheet Sound Detective Log
Foley Artist Training
Technician ID:
Case Files: Identity the Sound
# What do you HEAR? (Story) What is the OBJECT? (Real) 01
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Your Design
The Invention Lab
Create your own Foley sound. What story sound do you need, and what object will you use to make it?
Target Sound (e.g., Robot footsteps)
Object to Use (e.g., Metal spoons)
The Golden Rule of Foley
"The sound must hit _________ the eye sees the _________."
Word Bank: Action, Exactly When, Later, Before
Rehearsal Notes: Silent Film Sync
What was the hardest part about making sounds at the exact same time as the video?
World Builders Teacher Guide World Builders
TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson 4: Creating a Soundscape
Soundscape
The combination of sounds that creates an immersive environment.
Layering
Playing multiple sounds at once to create depth.
Balance
Managing volume so the most important sound is heard.
The Hook: The Invisible Setting
Play a 3-minute audio-only recording of an environment (e.g., a tropical rainforest or a busy subway station). Do not tell them what it is.
Task:
Students must draw what they "see" in their minds based ONLY on the sounds. Afterward, discuss: "What specific sound told you where we were?"
Core Concept: The Three Layers
Explain that a professional soundscape has three distinct layers:
1
Bed / Background
Constant, low-level sounds (e.g., wind, humming machines, distant birds).
2
Specific Cues
Occasional, sharper sounds (e.g., a car horn, a dog bark, a door opening).
3
Narrative Audio
THE MOST IMPORTANT LAYER.
The actor's voice or the narrator. Everything else must be quieter than this.
Workshop: Human Soundscape
Students work in groups of 4-5 to create a "Human Soundscape" using only their bodies and voices.
Step 1: Choose a setting (Spooky Attic, Busy Beach, Space Station).
Step 2: Assign 2 people to the "Bed" (constant low hums).
Step 3: Assign 2 people to "Specific Cues" (pop out sounds).
Step 4: Rehearse volume control. Teacher is the "Mixer" and uses hand signals for volume up/down.
World Builders Slides World Builders
Mastering the Soundscape
The Invisible Set
A Soundscape is like a painting, but for your ears.
It tells the audience where they are, what time it is, and what the weather is like—all without any scenery.
Goal: Make the audience close their eyes and believe they are somewhere else.
Audio Geography
The Secret Sauce: Layering
01
The Bed
Constant background sounds. The "base" of your audio sandwich.
Wind, City Hum, Birds
02
Punctuation
Specific sounds that happen once in a while to surprise the audience.
Coyote Howl, Honk, Doorbell
03
The Star
The Actor's Voice. This must ALWAYS be the loudest layer.
Dialogue, Narration
Mastering Balance
Too Loud?
The audience can't hear the story. They get confused and frustrated.
Too Quiet?
The world feels empty and "fake." The audience stops believing in the setting.
MIX IT UP!
The Challenge:
Use only your voices and bodies to build an environment that is so real, we can "see" it with our eyes closed.
Quiet "Bed"
Sharp "Cues"
Perfect Balance
Environment Builder Worksheet Environment Builder
Soundscape Blueprint
Audio Engineer:
Setting Name:
1
The Background Bed (Constant)
List 2-3 sounds that play the WHOLE time. They should be quiet and steady.
Sound 1
Sound 2
2
Specific Audio Cues (Occasional)
List 3 sounds that happen only at specific moments. They should be louder and sharper.
Cue A
Cue B
Cue C
3
The Story Moment
Write 1 sentence for a narrator or actor to say. This is the star of the soundscape.
Master Mixing Board
Bed Volume
Cue Volume
Voice Volume
The Big Show Teacher Guide The Big Show
Teacher Guide
Lesson 5: Technical Rehearsal Simulation
Lesson Objective
Students will synthesize lighting and sound design by creating and executing a professional "Cue Sheet" in coordination with a live performance script.
Tech Setup
Groups of 4
1 Stage Manager: Calls the cues ("Lights 1... GO!").1 Light Board Op: Manages flashlight/gels.1 Sound Board Op: Manages Foley objects/layers.1 Narrator: Reads the script.
The Script
Provide the "Moonlight Mystery" Script (see student materials). It has clear moments for dramatic shifts.
The Simulation Process
1
The Design phase (15m): Groups read the script and decide where lighting changes and sound effects should happen. They fill out their Official Cue Sheet .
2
The Paper Tech (10m): Groups talk through the cues without doing them. "When I say 'dark house,' you put the blue gel on."
3
The Dry Run (10m): Groups practice with the equipment but without the narrator reading at full speed.
4
THE SHOW (20m): Each group performs their "technical story" for the class.
Professional Pacing Tips
Remind Stage Managers that their job is Command and Control . They must be loud and clear. Use the professional phrasing:
"Warning: Light Cue 1 and Sound Cue 1."
(Wait for techies to say "Ready")
"Light Cue 1... GO!"
The Big Show Slides The Big Show
Technical Mastery
Lights
Sound
Action
The Boss: Stage Manager
The Stage Manager (SM) is the brain of the show. They call the shots so everything happens in sync.
The Magic Word:
"GO!"
The "Cue Call" Process:
1
Warning: "Warning Light Cue 1."
2
Standby: "Standby Sound Cue A."
3
Execution: "Light Cue 1... GO! "
Mission Blueprint
Read
Analyze the script and find "Tech Moments."
Design
Write your Light and Sound cues on the sheet.
Execute
Perform the story with perfect timing.
Quiet on Set!
Master Cue Sheet Worksheet Master Cue Sheet
Official Production Document
Production:
Moonlight Mystery
Stage Manager
Light Board Op
Sound Board Op
Narrator
Cue # Trigger (Script Word) Lighting Action Sound Action 01 When script says... 02 03 04 05
Light Codes
F: Front Light
U: Uplight
S: Side Light
B: Backlight
R: Red Gel
BL: Blue Gel
Sound Codes
BED: Background
SFX: Specific Sound Effect
UP: Increase Volume
OUT: Silence
Moonlight Mystery Script Resource Moonlight Mystery
Performance Script
LEVEL: TECH-1
STAGE DIRECTION: The stage is dark. The Narrator stands center stage with a small lantern.
Narrator "The old house stood at the end of the street, silent and cold. (Pause). No one had lived there for fifty years. But tonight, a single window on the top floor was glowing."
"Suddenly, the wind began to howl through the broken shutters. (Pause). CRACK! A branch snapped in the yard, sounding like a gunshot in the quiet night."
"Inside, the floorboards groaned under the weight of... something. Something heavy. Something slow. STEP... STEP... STEP."
"A shadow stretched across the wall, growing taller and taller until it reached the ceiling. The air turned freezing cold."
"Then, from the darkness, came a low, metallic growl. (Pause). The door creaked open, and the mystery was finally revealed!"
BLACKOUT.
Tech Tip: Pacing
Narrators: Pause after the bolded trigger words to let the sound and light effect happen.
Tech Tip: Silence
Sometimes the most dramatic sound is no sound at all. Use "BLACKOUT" for total impact.
Tech Master Certificate Reward Master Technician
Certification of Excellence
This certificate is proudly presented to
For demonstrating exceptional skill in Lighting Design, Sound Engineering, and the professional execution of technical cues.
Head of Production (Teacher)
Date of Technical Mastery
