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Theatre Lighting Effects

Theatre lighting is a complicated task, as different placements, types of lights, intensities and colors all produce different effects. Specific effects can be produced in a number of ways, but the best way to produce good stage lighting is to hire a good lighting designer.
  1. Placements

    • Lights can be positioned on the grid of the theatre, in or above the booth or on the stage floor.

    Types of Lights

    • There are several different types of stage lights, including flood, fresnel (pronounced "frennel"), profile and parcan lights, all of which provide different options for focusing, shaping and specifying light.

    Intensities

    • Each stage light can be lit to any percentage of its wattage capacity, which produces different moods.

    Colors

    • Lights can be colored by placing a cut gel in the gel frame holder. Different colors are used to produce different atmospheres: red lighting is passionate (romantic or angry), blue lighting is soft and often used in night scenes, and green lighting is spooky.

    Hanging Lights

    • Lights can be hung from the grid of the theatre by attaching the lights' C-clamps to the grid. Lights also come with safety harnesses to ensure they don't fall if the C-clamps malfunction.

Stage Productions

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