Archive - MacAllen's Theater GUide

Basic Light Hardware

Lighting Instruments

The Fresnel
The most basic of lights, it is one of the oldest instruments still in existence. Named after the Frenchman who invented the lens, the Fresnel focuses the beam of light through a series of grooves. Most Fresnels are not very powerful. As low as 75 watts but more often between 250 and 500 watts, the instruments emit a soft glow light best used for lighting a large area. It is hard to get a sharp edge with Fresnels because of the way the light is concentrated by the lens.

The Ellipsoidal
The next common light of theatres is the ellipsoidal. These lights have a reflector at the back of the light with a hole where the bulb comes through. Ellipsoidals usually come in wattage of no less than 500 and usually are about 1,000 watts. This means in general, they are brighter than the Fresnels. Ellipsoidals also have sharp edges meaning that there is a great distinction between the area of the stage that is lit and the area that is not. Ellipsoidals can be blocked on up to four sides, and because of the sharp edge can be used to create distinct lighting areas. This allows for portions of the light which would fall onto the set or an area of the stage not desired to be lit to be darkened while keeping the full intensity of light. Ellipsoidals can be used along side Fresnel s though it is reccomended never to cross light one Fresnel with one ellipsoidal; that is to say always have even numbers of each on opposite sides of the stage.

Source IV
The newest and most expensive of lights, the Source IV uses a specially designed bulb to produce extreme amounts of light using less power and creating less heat. This allows for more light with less wattage and for gels to last longer because they are not worn out by the intensity of heat as in ellipsoids. The light properties are very similar to those of Ellipsoids, excepting that the instruments give off brighter light and are more expensive. All in all, Source IV lights tend to be the preferred equipment when they can be afforded.

Par Cans
Unlike the above lights, Pars do not have a lens to magnify the light. Pars are the least expensive of instruments because they have no lens. You can build a low intensity lamp by checking out ”Building a Light for 50 Bucks”. These are most often used to light stages for concert performances or at bars, although they can be a substitute for Fresnels. They produce hard to direct, soft glows.

Strip Lights and Floor Lights
Strip lights are literally strips of lights usually suspended on bars above the stage and used to light backdrops. Color gels can be placed in strip lights to give off effects like sunrise, sunset, or even a solid color like orange or purple. Though they can be used to light actors, strip lights usually give off bad shadows.

Spot Lights
Spotlights are mounted on a movable stand. They are used to follow people on stage during solos are to introduce the conductor of the orchestra. They give off sharp edges and are not very good for lighting the stage. They also give off shadows.

There are many varieties of lights within these basics depending on wattage and size of the lenses. The size of the stage and lighting area should be a consideration when choosing a size light. Check out Altman Lighting. Keep in mind also the amount of power available in any given space, so as not to blow out circuit boards.

Other Lighting Essentials

Dimmer Packs
Dimmer packs control the amount of electricity to the instruments. When connected to a control panel, the dimmer packs will allow as little or as much power to the control panel. This allows for very bright scenes, medium, or dark scenes. Dimmer packs should be given enough room to cool themselves off--they have a lot of electricity running through them and this tends to get hot. They should be turned off when not in use.

Electrical Cord
Only electrical cord rated to carry the amount of electricity should be used. Insulated cord can be purchased at the local hardware store, and this should come with a rating for the giving amounts of electricity. Do not use ordinary extension cords.

Control Panels
Control panels are how the technician controls the power to the dimmer packs. This can be as complex as a computer that automatically runs programmed cues or as simple as a self wired set of dimming switches. There are several ways to transmit the information to dimmer packs. Commonly, XML cable connects the dimmer packs to the control panel, but there are wireless systems as well as different cable standards. Make sure the dimmer packs and the control panel are compatible.

Stage Plugs
Back in the ancient days of theatre, lighting instruments used a three pronged plug different from the standard system today. Be certain that rented equipment uses standard sockets or that it comes with cable conversions.

Lighting Trees
Lighting trees provide a place to hang lights in an ordinarily impossible place. Examples include a school gym or multipurpose room. Trees are stands about twelve feet high with three legs and two arms to hang lights from. They are generally stable, but take up a large amount of space--generally, no seats can be within a radius as large as the tree is tall to prevent injury in case it falls.