WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Drama: Designing Drama

Chapter 1 Practical Guide to Lighting Design 40 LIGHTING DESIGN VOCABULARY AML (automated moving lantern)  Operated digitally, these lanterns can swivel and tilt. Atmospheric  A sound, for example, that creates a strong feeling or mood. Backlight/backlighting  Lighting that comes from the back of the acting area. Barn door  A metal attachment that slides into the front of a lantern, with hinged flaps to control the beam. Birdie  A miniature lantern ideal for hiding in small parts of a set or along the front edge of the stage. Blackout  A moment when all the lights are dimmed, often suddenly. Channel  A number given to a lantern that corresponds to a number on the lighting board or desk . Colour count  A record of the number of gels of each colour required. Colour palette  A complementary set of colours that belong to a group, such as pastel or dark. Cross-fade  Fading up one lantern or group while fading down another. Cue sheet  A list of cues along with timings. Digital  Using computer technology. Digital lighting desks, for example, are programmed using software. Dimmer/Fader  A way of controlling the intensity (brightness) of the light. These are often manual or digital sliders. Dimmer rack  The control centre for changing the intensity of each channel. Fade  A gradual increase or decrease. Fill light  Working with a key light , fill light is less intense (bright) and is often used to lessen shadows. Filter/gel  A piece/sheet of coloured plastic/resin that fits at the front of a lantern to change the colour of the beam. Flood  A lantern that produces a wide spread of light; a broad cover of light. Focus  Adjust the angle and beam size of a lantern so that it lights the exact area required. Fresnel  A type of lantern that is good for lighting large areas and which blends easily with other fresnels or spotlights to create a wash of light. Gel  See Filter . General cover  Lanterns that provide overall lighting to the acting area. Gobo  A metal cut-out plate that fits in front of a lantern and casts a shadow shape onto the stage (such as a tree outline, window frames and so on). Intensity  The brightness of lighting. Intensity is generally measured as a percentage (such as 60%). Key light  The main, strongest, most intense light, designed to copy the main light source (natural or artificial) in the real world. Lamp  The technical name for a light bulb. Lantern  The technical term for a lighting fixture that contains a light source, such as a lamp. LED (Light Emitting Diode) Lighting fixtures that use less energy and create less heat than other types of lantern. LEDs are the most popular type of fixture in professional theatres. Lighting desk/board/console  The means of operating the lighting, with channels, dimmers and faders. Lighting fixture  A stage light unit. Lighting plot  The diagram that shows where the lanterns are hung on the rigging. Lighting state  The way a lantern or group of lanterns is used on stage. For example, a certain lighting state could create a moonlit effect. Manual  Operated by hand as opposed to digitally. Naturalistic  A set or lighting effect, for example, with characteristics of reality; having the appearance of a real place. Non-naturalistic  A set or lighting design, for example, that aims not to look like a real place. Pace  The speed with which lighting effects transition from one to the next. Par can  A type of lantern that produces a very strong beam of light. Plotting  The process of creating a cue sheet to show what light effect happens when and where. This could be on paper or a computerised lighting board. Practical effect  A lighting effect that is operated or worn by a performer. Profile spotlight  A versatile lantern that can be used to create tight spots of light or bigger areas as required. Rig  The bars that lanterns are hung on. Safety bond/cable/chain  The metal chain or cable that attaches the lantern to the rigging. Sidelight  Light that shines from the side of the stage, perhaps from the wings. Silhouette  The dark shape of a person or object against a lighter background. Snap  A sudden change such as a blackout . Special effect  A lighting effect that has a specific purpose, such as a colour wash to suggest a flashback. Spotlight  A type of lantern that can create a tight circle of light or a larger, softer-edged one. Three-point lighting  A method that shines light from three different directions to give good coverage. Transition  A change between lighting states, such as a snap or a fade.