Theater Spot Lights
In theater, spotlights help to highlight specific actors in a powerful circle of light. The lights also allow other areas of the stage to remain dark, which helps with scene changes without grabbing the audience’s attention.
Lighting is a crucial element in theatre to draw the audience’s attention and enhance performances. Spotlights are powerful stage lighting instruments that are controlled by a spotlight operator.
Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ERS)
The ERS is a vital tool for lighting designers and continues to be used across the theater world. ERS fixtures are cannon-shaped lights that shoot a tight beam of light that can be focused on performers. The powerful illumination created by these lights reveals costume details and highlights facial expressions that are otherwise masked in shadows. They can be placed above actors or in rows along the back of a stage.
Creating a ERS involves making a highly polished, three-dimensional oval reflector from a high-quality metal such as aluminum or silver. The reflector is then molded inside a housing that holds the lamp and other components. Once the reflector and other parts have been fabricated they are assembled into a fixture that is designed to mount on a bar or hang from a ceiling. The housing may also have a DMX output socket (called a ‘gate’) that allows the user to change the size of the beam.
The gate of an ERS can hold a template called a gobo, which is a thin piece of metal with patterns cut into it that can be inserted to project different shapes onto the surface being lit. These templates can be anything from realistic images to suggestive or abstract shapes and textures, and many companies make a huge variety of them. These gobos can be rotated within the gate of the light to create fantastic visual effects.
Follow Spots
The follow spotlight is a powerful theater lighting instrument that follows the movement of actors during a live performance. It is controlled by a spot operator who tracks the movements of performers and illuminates them with a focused beam Theater spot lights of light. Follow spotlights are often located overhead on catwalks and used for musicals and other large-scale presentations in which highlighting a mobile performer is critical.
A career as a followspot operator requires training in lighting and stage illumination techniques, as well as physical agility and a keen eye. Spotlight operators must be able to quickly react to cues from the Stage Manager (or Assistant Stage Manager on larger shows), and execute them accurately. The ability to work in high-pressure situations, such as when an actor is making their big entrance, is also important.
Many manufacturers make modern followspots that are fully automated and programmable via a computer, such as the Chauvet RoboSpot or the LightMaster. However, these systems lack the fine-tuning and theatrical nuance that experienced followspot operators provide.
When shopping for a new followspot, look for features such as throw distance, zoom, iris control, and internal color gels. You should also consider the power limitations of your stage and the amount of heat that a particular fixture may produce. Finally, consider the type of bulb required to operate the fixture — bulbs like gobos, dichroic colors, and LEDs are available, as are standard incandescent, halogen, and HID options.
Fresnel Spotlights
Fresnel spotlights are a favorite among professional filmmakers and photographers. The versatility of these lights makes them ideal for a wide range of projects and scenarios, from spotlighting a subject to illuminating an entire stage. They can also be adjusted to produce different effects and set a specific mood.
A key benefit of Fresnel lights is that they can cast a very controlled beam of light, making it easy to highlight subjects and avoid shadows. They can also be adjusted to change the angle and spread of light. Filmmakers often use accessories like barn doors to further control the focus of the lights and prevent light spilling onto unwanted areas.
In a theater scene, a Fresnel can be used as a spot light to highlight a performer, drawing the audience’s attention. Alternatively, they can be used as a backlight to create dramatic silhouettes. They can also be used to illuminate scenery and props. A common setup is a three-point lighting system, in which a Fresnel serves as the key light to illuminate the actor while other lights fill in shadows and add depth. During rehearsals and performances, the director can test their lighting design to make sure it enhances the performance LED Off Road Driving Lights and draws the audience’s attention. For example, if the director is staging a drama with a suspenseful scene, they might use a Fresnel with narrow barn doors to create elongated shadows to heighten tension.
PAR Spotlights
PAR (parabolic aluminized reflector) bulbs are the most common type of spotlight used in theaters and performance sets. These lights feature a narrow beam, which allows for focused lighting without shadowing or over-lighting other areas. They’re also typically built to accommodate colored gels, which allows lighting designers to add dramatic color washes to a scene.
While they are not the ideal choice for front of house use due to their limited control of shape, size and sharpness of the beam, they are popular with touring groups that need a versatile set of low cost fixtures. They’re easy to maintain and operate, providing a wide range of effects for stage performances or a nightclub performance.
Unlike the traditional halogen or incandescent versions, LED PAR spots are energy efficient and emit much less heat. This means that you can run a larger number of them, while maintaining your budget. LED PARs are also DMX controllable, so you can control them using different apps and software solutions, or by adjusting their colors via a dimmer.
HyLite LED offers a variety of LED PAR bulbs that offer the same optics as the traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs, but with a significantly lower energy consumption. They’re great for replacing your existing halogen or incandescent fixtures, and they also work well as key lighting in bars and restaurants. Sunco’s wet rated LED PAR bulbs are also ideal for track lighting, outdoor security lighting, or spot-lighting exterior business or retail signs.