Stage lighting fixtures or luminaires can be broadly separated into two categories: floodlights, which illuminate a wide area, and spotlights, which produce a narrower controlled beam. A typical lighting rig will incorporate a combination of these fixture types to perform specific tasks. Some of the common types include:
Spots • Ellipsoidal or Profile spots use convex lenses and having a gate at their focal point which enables the insertion of gobos or patterns which are then projected on the stage. • Profiles deliver a hard edged beam and are generally used to highlight specific acting areas on the stage. Profiles are available in fixed angle orvariable (Zoom) formats. • Follow Spots are manually operated high power ellipsoidal spotlights used to highlight and follow performers on stage. • Fresnels are fixtures giving a varying sized, soft edged pool of light used to provide even coverage across the stage. Their name derives from their distinctive ridged Fresnel lens. • Pebble Convex (or PC’s) are similar to Fresnels but use a plano convex lens with a stippled (or pebbled) surface on the planar side which maintains a soft edge whilst reducing excessive spill.
Floods • Cyclorama fittings are asymetrical reflector flood lights used to throw an even light coverage over scenery or cyclorama’s from relatively close range. They may be single or multi-celled units as desired. • PAR (Parabolic Aluminised Reflector) luminaires are used for high intensity fixed angle flood applications. Inter-changeable lenses (or lamps in the case of the common parcan) provide for a variety of mostly elliptical beam shapes. They are relatively low cost and coupled with high output, make them a popular choice for general lighting applications.
Founded by Fred Foster in 1975 with the conviction that there was a better way to make a lighting control console, Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. (ETC) has become a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of award-winning entertainment and architectural lighting systems.
Last Updated
February 2008
