Lighting

           Lighting is an area of theater which is essential for the success of a production. Without good Lighting how is a production to be seen? That is why it is important to under stand the different components of lighting in order to use them properly to show off a production. The most basic place to start are types of lighting fixtures.

            There are five main types of lighting fixtures in lighting: ERS, Fresnel, Par Can, Cyc Light, and Smart light. The most popular ERS is the ETC Brand Source 4. This type of light has a circular beam and is focus able and shape able. This light is generally used to light areas where actors will be standing.


ERS

            The Fersnel also has a circular beam how ever the light from this fixture is softer than that of an ERS. This light is there for used manly to light areas of the stage to add color to the scenery and less to light actors on stage.

Fersnel

            The Par Can unlike the ERS and Fresnel gives off an Oval shaped beam however like the Fresnel it has soft beam good for area lighting. The Cyc light is a light which does not have a beam shape.

Par Can

            The ultimate back ground of an theater is typically called the Cyc. It is typically a large off white curtain that runs along the back. The Cyc lights are used to light up this large area and when set up with Red Blue and Green color Gels they can create any color. Color gels are sheets of color which can be added to lighting instruments. As for color Red Blue and Green are the primary colors of light and there for different combinations of the 3 can be used to create any color.

Cyc Light

            The last most common type of light used in theater is the smart light. Smart lights come in a wide variety of types and all have outstanding capabilities. Smart lights have the ability to change color, shape, focus, image, and direction all from remote programing. Smartlights are used a lot when there is a desire for large variances in lighting.


Studio Spot

            The way in which these lights are hung is very important. Lighting fixtures are hung on pipes in various places through out the theater. Some of these pipe positions are fixed however typically piping above the stage is apart of the fly system if the theater is equipped with one. The fly system is a system used to fly in objects from op out of view down into view. This can be used for scenery however it is also used to fly in the pipes to hang lights to ground level. An important factor in using the fly system is to follow these 2 general rules: keep the two ends in balance or keep the heavy side down. This is because fly systems are a counter weight system. If the two sides are out of balance and the heavy side is up in the air it has a high risk of falling and slamming to the ground. This can prove very dangerous for either lights will come down where people are working or the weights will come down which can cause weights to be flung about the area. The fly system is no joke and it is important to get proper training.


Fly System