Theater Spot Lights

In Theater, the direction of the spotlight can tell a story, reveal important details and set the scene. It can also grab attention and keep it captivated.

Wash lights are used to light large areas of the stage. They usually come with different lens types to vary their beam angles.

Fresnel Spotlights

You’ll find fresnel spotlights everywhere in theater, film, and photography. They’re simple lights to use that can create a lot of effects. You’ll often see them as a key light, fill light, or rim/hair/backlight on set. They can also be used as a practical bounce, allowing you to get more fill or backlight without setting up an entire lighting rig.

They’re pretty simple in design, consisting of a concentric rings pattern carved into a flat lens that bends the light to form a focused beam. Augustin-Jean Fresnel created the lens in an attempt to reduce the weight of a large, spherical lens that was being used at lighthouses.

The lights typically have a couple of dials on the back, one for intensity and another to adjust the brightness of the lamp. They can be controlled individually, or daisy-chained to a control panel for remote operation.

Fresnel spotlights can be positioned on light stands or rigging above the stage to focus the light onto the actors. You can add color filters or diffusion gels to the lenses for different lighting effects. During rehearsals or the actual performance, you’ll adjust the intensity levels of the spotlights according to your lighting design plan. This ensures that the lighting enhances the acting and facilitates the audience’s viewing experience. You can also run through a lighting test with the actors to fine-tune the lighting.

Followspots

Followspots are small, operator-driven, directional light fixtures used to follow key performers as they move around the stage. Traditionally, these are large, arc source fixtures that use limelight (produced by a jet of oxygen and hydrogen impinging on a cylinder of calcium oxide – better stage light manufacturer known as limestone) but the current generation of Followspots is more often than not powered by HMI or Xenon lamps.

Generally speaking, there are several considerations for choosing the right spot for a production including throw distance, lamp type and the size of the beam that it can create. Most follow spots have a zoom control that enlarges or reduces the size of the spotlight beam as well as an iris control to vary the intensity of the light. A douser is also available on some models to allow the operator to change the color of the beam as well as the edge texture of the spotlight (some include frost which is inserted into the gel color boomerang and is activated when a specific handle on the top of the spot is pulled up).

The next factor in choosing a suitable Followspot is deciding how many footcandles are required. This will largely depend on whether the FOH lighting will be all conventional tungsten or an amalgam of various sources including LEDs. This will in turn determine what the power requirements for the spot are going to be.

Moving Head Spotlights

Moving head spotlights are one of the most versatile stage lighting fixtures, enabling you to make a wide range of effects and add visual interest to any production. They’re widely employed in theatrical productions, concert venues and live shows to add colour effects, gobo projections, movement and more, elevating any stage show to a whole new level of visual appeal. They’re also used in commercial events, fashion shows and award ceremonies to highlight architectural features and establish the desired ambiance. In nightclubs, they energise the dance floor with vibrant beams and fast movements.

The main types of LED moving head lights are spot, wash and beam, with each delivering different attributes and benefits. Spot light, or profile lights, have a 3 in 1 moving head light sharper beam which can be controlled with the use of shutters and iris diaphragms, making them ideal for focusing on specific areas of the stage. Wash lights produce a more diffused beam of light, perfect for washing the stage with color and creating atmosphere and mood. Beam lights, which are the narrowest of the three, are ideal for aerial effects and providing depth to the stage.

Hybrid moving heads combine all three styles into a single fixture, and typically come with a number of built-in gobos, automatic and manual focus, zoom functionality, scrolling color wheels, strobe effects, etc. The Elation Proteus Hybrid moving head is an example of this type of fixture.

Portable Spotlights

Portable spotlights are handheld lights that can be used to shine a light on subjects up close or far away. They use either rechargeable or disposable batteries and can run on high or low lighting modes. Most handheld spotlights are built with LED bulbs, which are more efficient than halogen ones and reduce the amount of wasted energy. They also don’t produce as much heat as halogens, making them safer to hold in your hand for extended periods of time.

Many handheld spotlights also offer a variety of controls that let you select different lighting modes and adjust the brightness level. This allows you to get the exact type of light you need for your application. Some have a dial, while others feature buttons to make it easy to switch between settings.

Some handheld spotlights are built to be waterproof and float in water, which makes them great for boating or fishing. They also come with a stand built right into them, which can help you keep it upright on a flat surface or in your hand. They can also be used as a lantern for camping or to light the way for hikers. They often have a handle or strap to make them easier to grip and carry. They may be made from aluminum or plastic, and some are designed to withstand heavy use.