Theater Spot Lights

In theatrical performances, spotlights highlight performers and other elements of the stage. They can be accompanied by colored filters to create specific effects.

Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ERS) produce hard-edged beams that can be shaped using shutters, gobos, and lenses. Follow spots are ERS that can be manually operated to follow a performer.

Cyclorama Lights

Cyclorama lights, also known as CYCs, are specialized lighting tools designed to illuminate cycloramas – expansive curved backdrops commonly used in theatrical productions, live events, concerts, film studios, and television sets. These lights play a crucial role in amplifying the visual spectacle of a show and transporting audiences into different fictional worlds.

One of the most important factors when LED Strobe Mobile Light lighting a cyclorama is achieving uniform illuminance distribution. Unlike striplights, which may produce a scalloping pattern or hot spots on the cyclorama’s surface, cyclorama lights have an asymmetrical floodlight design that allows them to evenly spread light over a large area. This results in photometric distributions similar to those of perfectly diffused fixtures.

Another key factor is the color temperature of a cyclorama light. A warm color temperature can create a cozy, intimate ambiance while a cool one can evoke a sense of distance and otherworldliness.

Lastly, a cyclorama light should have a wide color range to cover as much of a scene’s background as possible. This is because some scenes require more color saturation than others, requiring the use of multiple colors.

The patented CYC light from Altman Stage Lighting Company combines red, green, and blue LED emitters into one luminaire to reduce pixelation on the back cloth. The resulting blend of colors helps to eliminate any shadowing caused by direct lighting.

Stage Lights

A staple in the world of theater and stage lighting, spot lights are a fixture that is specifically designed to highlight specific aspects of a performance. Typically, these fixtures feature a standard lamp or LED bulb inside of a cylindrical reflector and come in both standard and high power options. They are often used to light actors and performers but also can be used to highlight a prop, set piece, or other element of the stage.

Other fixture types to consider are cyc lights, which are open-faced lights that give an even wash of light over a cyc or other vertical surface, and strip lights, which can be used to add large areas of color coverage to a stage. Lighting engineers can use diffusing material, such as a colorless gel, to soften or diffuse the output of a fixture, and barndoors (sets of two or four metal flaps that affix to the front of a fixture) are available to shape the light beam and block off certain areas from being illuminated.

Backstage, blue working lights are usually a staple for keeping the production running smoothly during scene changes and to help keep the audience from seeing the set when the curtain rises. A quick fade to blue backlight is a great way to signal that the scene change is about to begin and can help draw the audience’s attention away from the set.

Followspot Spotlights

Followspots are powerful stage lighting instruments that project a bright beam of light onto a performance space. They are controlled by a spotlight operator who tracks actors around the stage. Moving head light supplier This type of lighting is most commonly used in concerts, musicals and large-scale presentations in which highlighting a mobile individual is critical to the overall presentation.

These lights come with various mechanisms for adjusting the direction and intensity of the light beam, which can make them versatile tools for a variety of theatrical effects. For instance, a follow spot can be fitted with different types of lenses, which can alter the shape and focus of the light beam. Some spotlights also have a mechanism for zooming in and out of the light beam, which can be useful when aiming the light at smaller or larger objects on the stage.

Spotlights also come with different accessories, which can be used to add additional effects and textures to the light beam. For example, some spotlights have a gobo feature that can project patterns onto the stage or performers. Others have a Fresnel lens, which is a type of lens with soft edges that can channel a bright, focused beam of light.

Another common accessory for follow spots is a boomerang, which is a device that can be placed in the beam to alter its shape and texture. Most spotlights also have a douser, which is used to regulate the amount of light that actually hits the stage. This can be helpful for creating shadow effects and minimizing the spotlight’s footprint on the stage.

Spotlights for Stage Lighting

Resembling small searchlights, spotlights are used to highlight a particular character or element. They are often paired with coloured filters to help paint the scene and grab attention from the audience. Spotlights are also a great tool for separating a character from the backdrop or the crowd. This helps to emphasise important dialogue, emotions and actions of a performer.

Another common type of static stage lighting are front lights. These are positioned so that they point towards the performer’s face. They are commonly positioned on a 45-degree angle, and a general recommendation is that they be proportional to the size of the stage.

In addition to pointing at the performers, front lights are useful for providing a wash over the whole stage. This is particularly helpful when a performance requires more than one actor, as it ensures that all of the actors are well-lit without creating shadows.

Finally, backlights are useful for adding a dimensional look to the performers. Typically, this is achieved by placing them behind the performers and using a different colour to make them stand out. This is particularly effective when a performer has to move around the stage, as it makes them easier to follow with a light.

Finally, the most versatile type of stage lighting is a moving head fixture. These are usually controlled either through DMX or onboard automatic programs. They can be used to create a variety of effects that would be impossible with other types of fixtures.