Lighting (chapter 10)

Question 1

What are the objectives and functions of Lighting Design?

Answer 1

1. Provide visibility.
2. Reveal shapes and forms.
3. Provide a focus onstage and create visual compositions.
4. Assist in creating mood and reinforcing style.
5. Help establish time and place.
6. Establish a rhythm of visual movement.
7. Reinforce a central visual image, establish visual information, or both.

Question 2

Define focus

Answer 2

In theatre lighting, focus refers to the fact that beams of light are aimed at—focused on—a particular area.

Question 3

How can lighting be used to establish mood?

Answer 3

In a realistic play, the lighting will simulate the effect of ordinary sources—table lamps, say, and outside sunlight.

In a nonrealistic highly theatrical musical, the designer can be more imaginative: Shafts of light can cut through the dark, sculpturing performers onstage; a glowing red light can convey a scene of damnation; a ghostly green light can cast a spell over a nightmare scene; a hard-edged spotlight can let the audience members know that what they are now seeing is not a realistic moment in a character’s life.

Question 4

Define ‘light plot’

Answer 4

Light plot : This includes the location and color of each lighting instrument.

Question 5

Define ‘ cues’

Answer 5

Cues: Any prearranged signal—such as the last words in a speech, or any action or
lighting change—that indicates to a performer or stage manager that it is time to proceed to the next line or action.

Question 6

Differentiate between blackout, fade and cross-fade.

Answer 6

Blackout: in which all the lights are shut off at once

Fade: the lights dim slowly, changing the scene from brighter to darker.

Cross-fade : one set of lights comes down while another comes up

Question 7

Define ‘underscoring’.

Answer 7

Underscoring is a kind of sound that one hears between scenes or acts, and sometimes during spoken sections of a performance, to add emphasis or create the mood.