How do stage lights work

Within each type of light, we also have categories of lights based on the type of light that they output: they may be spot fixtures , they may be wash fixtures or beam fixtures. In addition, cable is the best, most reliable way to move data and power to your lights.

For the most part, a DMX cable simply works, no matter what the situation, where a wireless setup can be difficult to make work reliably in situations where there is a lot of wireless activity in the space.

I may often work in both a church and large event situation in the same week, going in between large hotel ballrooms and small sanctuaries, using many of the same skills to bring excellence in lighting.

Understanding the basics can give you a great grasp on how to use any piece of lighting equipment. I hope this article has helped you to understand the very basics as to how a lighting system works, and what you need to make one! Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Share 0. Tweet 0. Pin 0. A Parcan light is a sealed beam unit that consists of a lamp or LED source , reflector and lens. Therefore, they are particularly suited to producing deep colours or special lighting effects.

PAR lamps are available in a range of beam angles, which are created via different levels of diffusion on the front lens. A PAR light creates an elliptical shaped beam, which you can adjust by simply rotating the lamp. Moving lights, or intelligent lighting, refers to stage lighting equipment that has automated abilities that go above and beyond traditional lights.

These types of lights can produce the most complex and extraordinary effects. Moving lights are usually controlled via lighting control consoles.

Currently, the most common output control signal used for directing moving lights via a console is DMX Digital Multiplex.

Potentially, moving lights have a huge range of variables that are controllable via a console - including colour, pan and tilt, gobo, prism, animation and framing shutters. Can't tell a Flood light from a Fresnel? To help you create a display that sparkles, we've put together this small guide explaining the main types of theatre lights and what you can use them for: Flood A flood light is the least complicated of all the stage lights, consisting of either: A lamp and reflector in a box, with no lens - the reflector focusses the lamp's bulb through an opening in the box, which creates the flood light's beam Or an LED light source with lens to diffuse the light into a flood There is no adjusting knobs and therefore no control over the focus of a flood light.

Consequently, this type of light is suited to illuminating stage scenery, rather than actors. In some cases, having a light fixture within the production space is beneficial. The important thing to remember if you have on-stage lights is that they impact your overall lighting design. Any source of illumination incidentally alters the look of an entire scene, so you need to explore that thoroughly.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want your core stage lighting layout in place first. That way, your end design is ideal for the production. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Share on facebook.

Share on twitter. Share on pinterest. Fill Lights Fill lights support the key light. Backlighting Backlighting is positioned behind the performers, set pieces, and props, adding light from a completely different angle.

Enhancing Your Stage Lighting Layout In most cases, your front and backlighting are the foundation of any stage lighting layout. Spotlights Spotlights — also called spot fixtures — allow you to add dramatic lighting to a very specific area of the stage.

On-Stage Lights In some cases, having a light fixture within the production space is beneficial. Tags: basics , concert lighting , stage lighting , theatre lighting.

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