minutes average completion time
Lighting Design & Operation
Welcome to this unit on Lighting Design and Operation. We will be exploring why lighting is important and the role in plays in theatres and different venues. We will also explore different lighting roles, types and positions of lighting, colours and textures and terminology. We will also be exploring the collaboration of lighting staff with other theatre/event colleagues.
Lighting Design & Operation
Welcome to this unit on Lighting Design and Operation.
We will be exploring why lighting is important and the role in plays in theatres and different venues. We will also explore different lighting roles, types and positions of lighting, colours and textures and terminology. We will also be exploring the collaboration of lighting staff with other theatre/event colleagues.
Lighting is a powerful storytelling tool that shapes the audience’s experience.
Through strategic use of light and shadow, lighting designers create mood, highlight emotions, and direct the audience’s focus to key moments and characters.
It enhances the visual aesthetics, adding depth and dimension to the set and costumes, and can transform a simple stage into a dynamic, immersive world.
Effective lighting can evoke time of day, weather conditions, and even abstract concepts, making it a very important component in bringing a director’s vision to life.
Without thoughtful lighting, a production can lose its impact, leaving scenes flat and lifeless. Lighting is not just a technical necessity but a creative force that breathes life into the narrative, making every performance a memorable experience.
Effective lighting can evoke time of day, weather conditions, and even abstract concepts, making it a very important component in bringing a director’s vision to life.
Creating Mood & Highlighting the Action
Our knowledge of theatre emerged from the ancient Greek amphitheaters that were replicated by the Romans. The ancient Greeks had a good understanding of the use of light to cast shadows during the day.
With the invention of gas and flame illumination, followed by the invention of electricity, theatre moved indoors, and stage lighting became a true reality.
Lighting is used to illuminate the stage and to enhance the visual storytelling of the scene.
Click on the images below to see how lighting is used to create mood and highlight action.
Lighting is used here to create the somber atmosphere of the streets of Paris.
The use of dark shadowy lighting enhances the mystery and evokes an eerie mood.
Warm, golden lighting is used here to create the magical, dreamlike quality of an enchanted forest.
Lighting is used here as spotlights to focus on a powerful solo.
Why is Stage Lighting so Important?
Stage lighting is a crucial element of any performance, shaping the audience’s perception, mood, and emotional connection to the story unfolding on stage.
- Illuminating the stage
The primary goal of stage lighting is to ensure that performers, sets, and props are clearly visible to the audience. Dim lighting can obscure actors’ facial expressions. Proper illumination is crucial for the performers themselves, helping them to navigate the stage and to interact effectively with fellow dancers, actors, or musicians.
Stage lighting plays a crucial role in directing the audience’s attention.
- Focusing the audience
Stage lighting plays a crucial role in directing the audience’s attention. In the most dramatic scenarios, the stage might be mostly dark, with a single spotlight highlighting a focal point. Often, lighting engineers begin with a wash to cover a broad area, providing a base layer of light. They then use accent lighting to guide the audience’s focus to specific areas, such as captivate audiences.
- Setting the scene
Lighting can involve creating optical illusions or effects with lights, such as using a moving light to simulate a sunrise or darkening the stage when an actor flips a light switch. Additionally, backlit scrims can be employed to create the illusion of a starry night, a bright sunny day, or even a roaring fire. - Mood and atmosphere
Lighting can be used to evoke emotions in the audience. Warm glows can indicate joy and dim tones can indicate sadness. Red often conveys love or aggression whereas blue is usually used to show sorrow or melancholy.
Roles within Lighting in the Creative Industries
There are many exciting careers involved in lighting, each of whom play a crucial role in creating the visual atmosphere of a production.
Lighting Designer
The Lighting Designer is responsible for creating the lighting plan and design for a production. They work closely with the director and other designers to ensure the lighting enhances the overall vision of the show.
The role combines creativity, technical knowledge and collaboration. In the entertainment industry, lighting designers are vital to stage productions, films and live events. Lighting designers will often begin training at college studying courses such as Production Arts, Architecture, Film, Photography or other arts-based courses.
Some students may then pursue a degree in performing arts (production), lighting design, lighting and performance technology or technical theatre. There are also apprenticeship routes into the industry.
On a large show, the Lighting Designer may be responsible for putting together a team of people who bring to life the lighting design. On smaller shows however, the Lighting Designer is often required to do a broader range of tasks including rigging equipment and programming cues on the lighting desk. It is important for Lighting Designers to have a creative vision and the technical knowledge of how the lighting equipment they use works.
The role requires excellent organisational skills, technical skills and knowledge and the ability to persuade others and sell your creative vision.
Lighting Designers don’t just work in theatre. Live concerts, events and conferences all make use of designed lighting – and so provide work for lighting designers and all the people who work with them.
Roles within Lighting in the Creative Industries
Lighting Technician
The Lighting Technician handles the setup, maintenance, and operation of lighting equipment. They ensure that the lighting design is executed correctly during performances, communicating with the Lighting Designer.
Lighting technicians will rig and operate equipment, take direction and cues from Deputy Stage Managers and use manual and computer-controlled lighting systems A key role is the maintenance of equipment including electrical maintenance duties.
Important skills include: communication, creativity, technical knowledge, programming skills, safety awareness and the ability to meet deadlines.
Lighting technicians often start their career as a stage hand, lighting crew or casual technician. These roles often begin through apprenticeships or work experience.
Lighting technicians will rig and operate equipment, take direction and cues from Deputy Stage Managers and use manual and computer-controlled lighting systems.
Roles within Lighting in the Creative Industries
Lighting Programmer
The Lighting Programmer works with the lighting designer to program the lighting cues into the lighting console. They ensure that the lighting changes happen smoothly and at the right times during the show.
Lighting programmers need to have good computer and technical skills, a logical approach, and understand the Lighting Designer’s creative vision.
Programmers often start as lighting technicians. Programmers are often freelance.
Lighting Programmers ensure that the lighting changes happen smoothly and at the right times during the show.
What is a freelancer?
Being a freelance lighting professional means working independently rather than being employed by a single company. Freelancers offer their services to various clients on a project-by-project basis. They have the flexibility to choose their projects, set their own schedules, and often work from different locations. However, they also need to manage their own business aspects, such as finding clients, negotiating contracts, and handling finances.
Roles within Lighting in the Creative Industries
Production Electrician
The Production Electrician is also known as the Chief LX. They oversee the installation and maintenance of the lighting equipment.
They ensure all electrical aspects of the lighting setup are safe and functional.
Production Electricians work on large shows, theatres of all types and concerts in addition to all sorts of venues. They often start as theatre technicians.
Production Electricians will often tour a light rig, designing the system so that it can be transported from venue to venue.
A Production Electrican ensures all electrical aspects of the lighting setup are safe and functional.
Roles within Lighting in the Creative Industries
Follow Spot Operator
The Follow Spot Operator operates the follow spotlights, manually tracking performers with a spotlight during the show. This role requires precision and coordination with the rest of the lighting team.
Skills required include: the ability to concentrate, a head for heights, teamwork and a steady-hand.
Follow spot operators will usually work in theatres and begin careers in lighting design or stage management.
The Follow Spot Operator plays a crucial role in visually directing the audience’s attention and enhancing dramatic or musical moments by literally keeping performers in the spotlight.
Types of Lighting
You will now explore the different types and positions of lighting used in the industry. This section will help you to understand the range of lights available and in use in theatres and other performance venues. You will learn some key terminology and history behind some of the lighting. You will also learn about the different positions in which lights are used in performance venues.
Ellipsoidal (profile)
An ellipsoidal reflector spotlight creates a powerful, precise beam ideal for front lighting.
You can fine-tune the focus to achieve either soft or sharp edges, and use shutters to shape the light and prevent it from spilling into dark areas. Additionally, these lights can accommodate gobos and gels, allowing you to produce various patterns and colors.
Followspot
A followspot is a type of spotlight that projects a powerful, concentrated beam to highlight a performer moving onstage.
Followspots are often used to highlight lead actors during key scenes or solos, ensuring they remain the focal point even as they move around the stage.
These lights are particularly useful when the performer’s path is unpredictable, as they are typically operated manually, allowing real-time adjustments. The operator can not only change the followspot’s position but also modify the beam’s size and intensity, and easily switch colours using built-in panels.
Click the buttons below to discover more examples of followspot usage:
Fresnel
These lights are distinguished by their lens made of concentric rings. The light is most intense at the center
and gradually softens towards the edges.
Named after the French inventor Augustin-Jean Fresnel, the light uses a special lens with concentric rings that help focus the light into a softer beam while remaining compact and efficient.
They are ideal for creating washes but can also produce narrower beams with a soft edge. However, shutters or patterns cannot be used with these lights.
PAR Can
PAR stands for ‘parabolic aluminised reflector’. They are sealed beam lamps that resemble car headlights.
The reflector inside the lamp is shaped like a parabola, which allows it to collect light from the bulb (filament or LED) and reflect it in a concentrated beam.
These types of lights lack precision for focus or zoom but you can modify them to produce horizontal or vertical beams. There are standard and LED types and they can be paired with gels to generate coloured lighting effects.
Floodlight
These types of lights are large and can be adjusted horizontally or tilted vertically. Floodlights have no lenses.
In outdoor theatres, floodlights are essential for providing sufficient illumination.
Patterns and beam adjustments cannot be used or done with floodlights. Floodlights are often used to illuminate large areas of a stage so set pieces and performers are clearly visible to the audience. They can be used to create ambient lighting or special lighting to simulate daylight & dusk.
Cyc Light
A ‘Cyc’ refers to the cyclorama which is a large cloth backdrop in theatres usually used to create a seamless background.
A cyc light is placed close to or at the base (sometimes top) of the cyc to light it evenly and smoothly, without visible hot spots or shadows.
A Cyc light is designed to light up the cyclorama or other vertical surfaces/props. These lights can be places on the floor or hung near the backdrop to create a uniform sheet of light.
Strip Light
Strip lights can be used as cyc lights but they are normally wider than typical cyc lights. Strip lights are comprised of multiple lamps aligned in a horizontal row.
Strip lights can change colours or sync with music or ambient conditions.
Strip lights provide large colour coverage on a stage. They also allow colour mixing. Strip lights come in standard and LED versions.
What is a Gobo?
A gobo is a stencil or template placed inside or in front of a light source to control the shape of the emitted light. Gobos can create patterns, images, or textures on stage, adding visual interest and enhancing the overall atmosphere of a production. They are often used to project scenery, logos, or abstract designs onto the stage or backdrop.
History of Fresnel Lights
In the early 1820s, French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel revolutionised lighthouse technology with his invention of the Fresnel lens. Before his innovation, lighthouses used inefficient lamps and mirrors, which limited the distance their light could travel.
Fresnel’s design, which utilised a series of concentric lenses and prisms, significantly enhanced the brightness and range of lighthouse beams. This breakthrough allowed light to be visible over much greater distances, vastly improving maritime navigation and safety.
The Fresnel lens was so effective that it was quickly adopted in lighthouses worldwide, earning it the reputation of the invention that saved a million ships.
What does 'parabolic aluminised reflector' mean?
Parabolic refers to a U shaped curve. The light has a parabolic-shaped reflector in it which directs light into a focused beam. The reflector is coated with a layer of aluminium which makes it more reflective and bright.
What is a lens?
Lenses are used in lights to focus, shape or control the distribution of light.
They can be used to concentrate light into a beam, diffuse the light to create a softer light or adjust the spread and direction of the light.
Why are cycloramas used?
A cyclorama creates a seamless background, removing visible edges or corners that could distract the audience. It can be used for a variety of scenic purposes, from creating a realistic setting to an abstract backdrop. Images, videos or patterns can be projected onto the cyclorama.
What is colour mixing?
Colour mixing is the ability to combine different colours of light to create a wide range of hues and shades. This is achieved by using multiple lamps within the strip light, each capable of emitting different primary colours (typically red, green, and blue). By adjusting the intensity and combination of these primary colours, lighting designers can produce virtually any colour.
Followspot use at Concerts
During live music performances, followspots track the movements of the lead singer or instrumentalists, keeping them in the spotlight as they engage with the audience.
Followspot use at Dance Performances
In dance shows, followspots can be used to emphasize solo dancers or small groups, enhancing the visual impact of their movements.
Followspot use at Circus Acts
Followspots are crucial in circuses to follow acrobats, clowns, or animal trainers, ensuring the audience’s attention is always on the main act.
Followspot use at Award Shows
During award ceremonies, followspots highlight presenters and award recipients as they make their way to the stage, adding a dramatic effect to the proceedings.
Positions of Lighting
Frontlighting
Front lights are the main source of lighting for a performance. They are usually used to provide an even wash of light across the entire stage. Front lighting is used to illuminate performers’ faces. Front lighting used by itself with no other lighting can make performers appear flat with no dimensions so they need to be used in combination with other lighting.
Backlighting
Backlighting is used to ensure performers stand out from the background. Backlights are placed at the back of a stage, behind the performers and can also be positioned at various heights. PAR can lighting is often used for backlighting as it allows for adjustments in colour and intensity.
Side lighting
These are lights that are placed at the horizontal edges of a stage. They are used to light performers from the sides. High side lights are used from height to illuminate the top halfs of performers.
Side lighting is used mainly to ensure performers’ facial expressions are clear to the audience.
Down lighting
Downlighting refers to lighting that is placed on the ground and angled upwards to cast light upwards. It is also used however, to describe lighting positioned above the stage that shines directly down or at an angle. Downlighting from above can create striking shadows and highlight the contours of performers.
Lighting Terminology
Cyclorama
A cyclorama ‘cyc’ is usually a large cloth backdrop on the stage. It normally goes in an arc from one side of the stage to the other. Cycloramas creates a seamless background, removing visible edges or corners that could distract the audience. It can be used for a variety of scenic purposes, from creating a realistic setting to an abstract backdrop. Images, videos or patterns can be projected onto the cyclorama.
Lanterns
Lights in stage lighting are often called lanterns. In Europe they are often referred to as luminaries.
Lamps
Light bulbs are usually referred to as lamps. For example, when replacing a bulb in a spotlight, a technician would ask for a new lamp.
Wash
A wash is also called a fill. It is a broad spread of light that evenly covers a stage. Floodlights are usually used for this.
Gels
Gels are supplied by various manufacturers, who all produce a wide range of colours and tints. Normally supplied in large sheets, then cut to size by the user. Increasing use of LED fixtures will make gels obsolete, except for custom built effects.
Check Your Knowledge
So now you’re well on the way to understanding about Lighting Design, answer the multi-choice questions below to see how much you really know.
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