Types of Pro Stage Lighting
Lighting is a crucial element to any stage production. It adds dimension and helps direct a viewer’s focus and emotion.
Whether you’re looking to create a specific effect or take your current setup to the next level, there are several types of stage lights to choose from. Here’s a look at the most popular:
1. Spotlights
There are several different types of spotlights, each with its own benefits. Spotlights shine a beam of light onto a specific area of the stage, such as a performer or primary set piece, allowing you to focus attention and reduce shadows.
Typically, ellipsoidal reflector spotlights (ERS) feature an adjustable lens system that allows you to direct the light to precise spots on the pro stage lighting stage and minimize spill. These lights also often include slots for the insertion of metal or glass gobos to add texture and create patterns in the beams of the light.
Followspots are manually operated spotlights that allow a lighting technician to track and highlight performers as they move across the stage. They may come in a range of styles, including beam, wash, and hybrid lights with color capability and gobo patterns.
2. Followspots
Follow spots provide higher, more focused angles on performers than can be achieved with the main lights in a theatre. Often used in musicals and other presentational productions, they produce noticeably bright circles of light that highlight the performers — but can also illuminate scenery, curtains, and cycloramas behind them.
Follow spot operators use a device called a Telrad, an oversized finderscope inspired by telescopes. It shows the operator red ring circles, which help them align the spotlight (with its dowser closed in a pre-cue position) with standard size cue marks such as head shot, half body, and full body.
Follow spots are available in a variety of throw distances and power levels. When selecting a follow spot, it’s important to consider center beam candle power (CBCP) and foot-candles specs rather than just wattage, since the bulbs in different types of luminaires – from follows to PAR cans and Fresnels to ellipsoidals – may vary greatly in their brightness.
3. Moving Heads
In the world of pro stage lighting, moving head beam lights are a game-changer. Capable of precise panning and tilting, these versatile fixtures can create a multitude of stunning effects, from beams of light to atmospheric wash patterns. They are often fitted with a fixed lens which can be focused and shaped using internal shutters.
These incredibly versatile lighting fixtures are used by numerous music venues, clubs and mobile DJ artists. They provide intense LED beam effects and are an essential tool for any band, event production company, house of worship or nightclub that wants to add a professional touch to their show.
When used to their full potential, these intelligent lighting systems are capable of transforming any space into a captivating visual feast for the audience. However, to make the most of these advanced lighting effects, it’s important that you start off with a clear goal in mind – a professionally-designed, impactful, entertaining performance. VSHOW is here to help you achieve your creative vision. Our team of experts can assist you in choosing the best equipment for your specific venue and desired effects.
4. Pars
Traditionally tungsten par can lights have been the backbone of many stage rigs due to their low cost and ability to cast a warm, inviting glow. However, LED par can lights have taken over and are a popular alternative due to their energy efficiency, lower heat output, and RGB color mixing capabilities.
These bulbs are used in fixtures called par cans that use ellipsoidal reflectors in the shape of a parabolic can to direct light out of the fixture, they do not have any sort of lens system and are generally cheaper than other types of fixtures as they do not need to be focused. Pars have a very narrow beam and are best used for spotlighting people, cutting through smoke, or washing intense colour around a stage set or cloth.
The key to using pars is layering them with different beam angles and colours for maximum effect. They are also great for creating depth by having one par on a floor and another up high to create contrast. LED PARs are also good for achieving high CRI (colour rendering index) levels which means that colours will appear true-to-life to your audience whether they are watching the show on TV or in person.
5. Lasers
Known for their bright beams of light, lasers are often paired with haze or fog machines. They can produce a wide range of shapes and colors and can be used to create a dazzling display on stage, setting the mood, and telling a visual narrative that captivates audiences.
Whether you’re at a major music festival or an intimate theatre performance, you’ve likely been mesmerized by the magic of the lights that illuminate the stage and dance with the rhythm of the performers’ music. moving head lights Those magical beams are created by laser projectors, and they are a critical component of any professional stage production.
Advanced stage laser systems feature enhanced beam intensity, software integration, and synchronization with audio cues to create immersive, visually captivating displays. Other innovations include 3D laser mapping, beam shaping technology, and improved safety features to protect audience members.
