Active Shooter Question about lights.

[alfsauve]

Okay, this is a question that's been on my mind lately.

For big events at  work, I'm usually in charge of lights, lighting.  During December we usually have about 6 big events (>1,000 people) at night in the Sanctuary.   Last night I ran lights, and sound, for a choral concert with about 1,700 in the house.   

So in case of an active shooter, assuming I have enough wits about me to think of this, what do I do with with lights?   I'll give my thoughts

All on, bright, so that people can see to get away and so I   security can get a clear sight picture?

OR

All off, so that it's harder for the shooter to see?  And conceivably so people could stand a chance at rushing the shooter.

[tombogan03884]

Interesting question. I bet you start a debate that will come close to "Glick versus 1911".

[Majer]

Alf,I would thing putting the spot light(s?) on him with the house lights low would blind him and make it harder to target anyone,would also give an armed citizen a well lit target.

[Solus]

Alf,I would thing putting the spot light(s?) on him with the house lights low would blind him and make it harder to target anyone,would also give an armed citizen a well lit target.

Sounds like the best solution, Majer

[alfsauve]

..I would [think] putting the spot light(s?) on him with the house lights low would blind him and make it harder to target anyone,would also give an armed citizen a well lit target.

A good thought and fairly safe to do since I'm using moving head fixtures these days instead of a manually operated spotlight.   So if the shooter shoots at the spots he's not shooting at me!

HOWEVER, The spotlights are pre-programmed depending on the blocking of the show.   I do have a few tried and true marks, such as Down Stage Center, Center Stage, platform steps and solo positions.  I doubt the shooter would be so kind as to stand in those particular spots and all the shooter would have to do is move a little to get out of the light.   I can adjust them but don't exactly have "joystick" control over them so tracking a moving object isn't going to happen especially with incoming bullets.  Also this presumes the shooter(s) are in front of the audience.  They could be at the entrances at the rear of house,  under the balcony, so this wouldn't work.   

I also have to consider that in a well planned, multi-shooter attack, 2 shooters would be sent to the balcony and I wouldn't be able to stay at the console anyway.   Just long enough to affect, full-on or full-off.   (I have an escape route through a hatch which goes under the balcony.  I doubt a shooter's going to crawl into an unlit area, not having any idea where he's going, just for 2 targets.)

A good idea if I'm face with one not so trained shooter up front, though.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

I would not be so sure about the positioning thing Alf.
The same forces that positional speaker on the stage acts on the shooter.
The place is built so that the whole house can see the stage which means that a shooter seeking the widest field of fire will wind up pretty much center stage.

[Big Frank]

Cutting the lights might cause a panic. There could be a blind stampede. With the lights on at least they could all see the exit(s) and you could see the shooter(s).

[tombogan03884]

Problem with that is then the shooter can see the exits he knows will be jammed with victims.
Like I said in my first post, it's a darned interesting question.