Lighting Terminolgy Flashcards
What is a realistic style of lighting?
Realist productions incorporate elements that are meant to look like real life. Realism can be total or partial
What is the difference between total and partial realism?
Total realism means a production that looks as close to real life as possible, so lighting designs for these productions need to mimic lighting in real life.
Partial realism incorporates realistic elements into a production that might not be realistic overall, for example using a lighting design that has some realistic and some non realistic elements.
What is a symbolist style of lighting?
Symbolist productions are more interested in
communicating an idea to the audience than
in representing real life. Symbolism allows the
lighting designer to create a design that
communicates some of these ideas to an
audience, perhaps through deliberately using
certain colours for certain moments or
spotlighting certain characters.
What is a minimalistic style of lighting?
Minimalist productions use empty spaces and
rely on the actors to create an experience for
the audience. In minimalist theatre, light can
be used to create entire settings, or a location
can be changed simply by changing the
lighting state. Productions that use minimal
costume and set often rely on complex
lighting.
What is a fantasy style of lighting?
Fantasy productions allow the designer to
create a new world. For lighting designers,
this might mean the use of a range of colours
or even internal or practical lights or strobe
lights to create magical effects. Strobe
lighting should be used very carefully as it
can present risks to actors and audiences.
What are gauzes?
Gauzes are pieces of fabric that are used on
stage to create effects. Gauze fabric appears
solid when lit from the front and transparent
when lit from behind. A lantern behind a
gauze can create an interesting shadow or
silhouette for the audience. It is also possible
to paint or project an image onto a gauze,
and then bring up the light behind (back
light) to make the image slowly disappear
and the hidden set come into view
What are gobos?
Gobos can be used to create shapes with light. These are metal frames that are placed in front of a light source. The frames have shapes cut into them, so that when the lantern is on, the outline of the shape can be seen on the stage floor or wall. Gobos can be used to create the effect of trees, water, or moonlight, for example.
What is a strobe light?
Strobes rapidly pulse to create a special effect (for example to make the actors appear like they are moving in slow motion).
What is a flood light?
Floods are lanterns that can flood a space with light. They can be used against a backdrop or as a floor light. Floods cannot be focused, so are better for lighting set than actors
What is a fresnel?
The fresnel is a good general lantern. It produces a light with soft edges and this means that a number of fresnels can be used together to evenly cover a whole stage with light.
What is a profile?
Profiles create a defined beam of light that is useful as a spotlight for an actor, or to pick out details on a set. They are usually long, thin lanterns. Profiles are also good lanterns for gobos. Attached to the front of the profile is a gate where the gobo or gel can be placed
What is a par can?
A par can produces a strong beam of light that is suitable for creating bold colours on stage. Par cans can be identified by their rounded shape. These lanterns do not normally have barn doors, so you often
cannot create the sharp shapes possible with a fresnel
What is a spill?
unwanted light on the stage
What is a barn door?
a rotatable attachment consisting of two or four metal flaps
(hinged) which is fixed to the front of a Fresnel or PC type lantern
to cut off the beam in a particular direction(s).
Profile lanterns use SHUTTERS to achieve a greater degree of
control and accuracy.
What is a barn door?
a rotatable attachment consisting of two or four metal flaps
(hinged) which is fixed to the front of a Fresnel or PC type lantern
to cut off the beam in a particular direction(s).
Profile lanterns use SHUTTERS to achieve a greater degree of
control and accuracy.
