Stage lighting terms

For Praxis 5641

Parcan

Intense beam, great for effects.

ERS (Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight)

Precise spotlight.

Scoop

Floodlight with soft-edged circular beam.

Pin spot

Focuses a tight beam on a specific spot.

Beamlight

High-intensity parallel beam.

Birdie

Low-voltage light for uplighting/concealed set lighting.

Bifocal spot

Two shutter sets for hard and soft edges.

Moon box

Creates the effect of a rising moon.

Aero

Originally an aircraft light, very tight, intense beam.

CID / CSI

High-intensity lamps simulating daylight.

Pearl

Frosted lamp for diffused, soft lighting.

Yo-yo

Device to remotely adjust gobos.

A1 Code

is the code used by the Lighting Industry Forum to identify the recommend usage of various lamps. Recommended for projection

Advance Bar

a lighting bar that is set up downstage of the proscenium arch

Animation disc

metal disc with slots that can be rotated in front of a lantern to give the effect of movement in the light.

Baffle

material that is used to prevent light from spilling over from one area into another. It may also refer to a panel used in an auditorium to reduce the reflection of sound

Ballyhoo

the lighting effect produced when swinging a spot beam in a figure eight pattern

Bleed through

the unwanted projection of light from one area to another, often occurring in lighting design.

Bleeding

when dimmers are not trimmed correctly, allowing the lantern to glow even when the dimmer control is at a minimum.

Blinders

lamps that are set up around a stage facing the audience to prevent them from seeing backstage

Blues

used backstage as working lights; usually remain on even when blackouts occur to help actors and technicians see what they are doing.

Breakup

abstract Gobo* that is used to provide a textured light with no distinctive pattern.

Chase

repetitious sequence in which the lighting state is changed

CID

compact iodide daylight: a light with a high-intensity lamp that simulates the look of daylight.

Cleaners

lights that are turned on in order to clean and set up a theatre venue.

CMY

refers to the colors cyan, yellow and magenta, which are used to mix colors in moving lights.

CSI

compact source iodide: light used in followspots.

DLC

digital light curtain: a remote-controlled batten with color changers.

Donut

refers to a metal plate with a center hole that can be inserted into lanterns to sharpen focus.

Douser

metal flag that can be moved to block a beam of light in order to eliminate the need to cut off electricity.

Effects projector

a lantern that can project images such as clouds or rain

ERS

ellipsoidal reflector spotlight

Flagging

waving one's hand in and out of a beam of light in order to determine where it is focused on stage.

Focus chart

the record created by the lighting designer that reveals the exact focus of each lantern in a rig.

Hot spot

the brightest part of a light beam; certain lanterns have controls to eliminate hot spots.

Iris

the aperture device placed in a profile lantern to change the size of the light beam; common in followspots

Kicker lights

refers to lights that flank actors; can be used to enhance the three-dimensional look of things on stage.

Lamp tray

part of a lantern upon which the lamp holder is set; can be hinged, removable or fixed.

Lux

the level of illumination appearing on a surface

Neutral density filter

light filter that can be used to decrease the intensity of light without altering its color

Overlay

the wider spot when there are two followspots on the same performer.

Parcan

lantern that can produce an intense beam of light; ideal for special effects

Pearl

lamp with a frosted finish that serves to diffuse light; used when soft light is needed.

Perches

lighting platforms located on sides of a stage behind the proscenium

Pin spot

luminaire used to focus a small tight beam of light onto a specific spot.

Silk

light filter used to stretch light in a particular direction.

Wash

a lighting cover that blankets the whole stage in a certain type or color of light

Throw

refers to the distance between a light source and the person or item being lit