Lighting and sound design key words

Question 1

Profile spot

Answer 1

Has a hard-edged effect, used to light characters or elements on the stage. Colour we filters can be used with this lamp

Question 2

Cyclorma

Answer 2

A large white drape or screen that is positioned upstage and can be lit using floodlights to create a block of color (eg, to represent the sky).

Question 3

Gel

Answer 3

A computer filter that can be placed on a lantern in front of a beam of light to change the colour.

Question 4

Flood light

Answer 4

Produces a clear white-angled light, but there’s little control over the spread of the light (general light). Colored filters can be used with this lamp.

Question 5

Barn doors

Answer 5

Metal flaps that can open and close, covering the left, right, top, and bottom of the light. They help create a narrow line of light, either vertical or horizontal.

Question 6

Influencing pace

Answer 6

Music can influence pace on stage. For example, a fast piece of music with a pulsing drum and bass rhythm with energies a scene.

Question 7

Communicating themes or symbols (sound)

Answer 7

Music and sound can be used to communicate thematic or symbolic ideas. For example, where power is the central theme of a play, strong and dramatic classical music with a heavy bass sound might be used.

Question 8

Sourcing

Answer 8

The locating of sound effects and music (eg, recording something then playing it back).

Question 9

Surround sound

Answer 9

A sound effect where the sound appears to surround the listener.

Question 10

Underscore

Answer 10

The use of music under dialogue to help create an atmosphere or to convey a theme.

Question 11

Communicating a characters personality (sound)

Answer 11

Some plays use a musical theme or sound effect to represent a character on stage. This can be subtle but at times is very obvious, eg. a thunder sound effect and tense music when a villain enters the stage in a pantomime.

Question 12

Gobo

Answer 12

A metal template positioned in front of a beam of light to create shapes of light on a state, eg. a window frame or tree. (For
yerma, it could display a river on the floor).

Question 13

Amplification

Answer 13

The process of increasing the reach of the sound.

Question 14

Amplifier

Answer 14

A device that increases the volume of a sound.

Question 15

Diegetic

Answer 15

Sound the characters can hear within the world of a play, eg the radio.

Question 16

Mix

Answer 16

Layering of one or more sounds to make a soundscape.

Question 17

Non-diegetic

Answer 17

Sound that exists outside the world of the play, eg narration.

Question 18

Pre-set

Answer 18

Sound or music played prior to a performance.

Question 19

Sound effect

Answer 19

The artificial reproduction of sound.

Question 20

Soundscape

Answer 20

Place, time, mood
and atmosphere can be created with recorded or live sound using instruments and/or the voice of the performers on stage.

Question 21

Fresnel

Answer 21

Used for a softer edged effect, with diffusing lens in front of the lamp. It is used for good overall light when used with others. Coloured filters can be used with this lamp.

Question 22

Practical light

Answer 22

A light that is used as part of the set design, eg a desk lamp or torch.

Question 23

Follow spot

Answer 23

A tight beam of moveable light thst can be used to highlight a particular area on stage, often used to highlight and follow
a particular actor.

Question 24

LED

Answer 24

Mixes red, green, and blue to create a range of colors on the stage.

Question 25

Parcan

Answer 25

A type of lanterns that produces an intense beam of light.