Types of Lantern

Question 1

Flood

Answer 1

a. Used to light a large area.
b. The size and shape of the beam cannot be adjusted.
c. Colour of the beam can be altered by addition of a gel.

Question 2

Fresnel (pronounced ‘frennel’)

Answer 2

a. Has a ridged lens so produces a soft-edged beam of light.
b. Size and shape of the beam can be adjusted by addition of barn doors.
c. Colour of the beam can be altered by addition of a gel.

Question 3

Profile

Answer 3

a. Has a smooth lens so can produce a sharp-edged beam of light when
focussed.
b. The size and shape of the beam are adjustable.
c. Can project images onto the stage or blacks by inserting a Gobo.
d. Colour of the beam can be altered by addition of a gel.

Question 4

Follow-spot

Answer 4

A follow-spot is a special type of profile lantern with additional controls, extra handles, sights, built-in colour changer and iris. It is usually of much higher power and is manually moved to actors.

Question 5

Parcan

Answer 5

Because the light produced can be very intense, Parcans are especially suited to strong colours or for special effect.

Question 6

Gobos

Answer 6

Gobos are metal cut-outs or metal etched onto glass, which are used in a gobo holder to project a defined shape or to break up a beam in a particular pattern.