Advantages of multi-point lighting systems includes the ability to increase focus on one or more elements of a scene. Stanley McCandless of Yale University developed a multi-point method of dividing up the stage and providing each space with its own lights and dimmers. Each stage space contains at least two lights: one with a cool-colored filter and one with a warm-colored filter. Using McCandless' method, lighting designers achieve a selective focus effect through dimming some areas of the stage and maintaining full light on the stage area of focus. Area lighting provides another form of selective focus. To achieve area lighting, lighting designers mount equipment such as an ellipsoidal reflector or a fresnel spotlight and direct it toward the area of focus.
Lighting of the scenery provides varying effects for the viewer. For a dark, moody and dramatic feel, lighting designers use no direct lighting. Rather, they rely on the stage lighting already present to reflect up onto the scenery. This reflection of stage lighting onto the scenery provides a subtle and natural look. However, for comedies, a brighter and more pronounced scenery lighting is appropriate. For this purpose, designers light the upper walls of the scenery and blend it into the stage lighting with soft floodlights.
In addition to scenery, most stages have backdrops such as a large cloth with folds, a painted screen or several cloths or screens. Striplight fixtures illuminate backdrops well with a long string of even light. A lighting designer may choose to light the entire backdrop as evenly as possible by mounting a striplight above and below it. Striplights with all three primary colors allow a lighting designer to illuminate backdrops with any color of his choosing, further increasing potential for effects. Screen projectors allow the lighting designer to add moving shapes such as clouds to the backdrop.
Specials lighting pinpoints a spot on the stage. Specials are tighter and more pointed than area or focused lighting. Lighting designers utilize specials to accentuate one or more actors within a scene, or even a particular set piece that holds meaning to the scene or plot. Designers use ellipsoidal reflectors set at a narrow angle for specials.