Stage Lights

Stage Lights

Stage lights refer to a broad range of lighting solutions that are used on various kinds of stages that host shows such as concerts or plays. The combination of these different lights allows lighting technicians to create the needed effects for a show.

Types of stage lights

The different kinds of stage lights include PAR cans, strip lights, scoop lights, spotlights, ellipsoidal reflector spotlight, follow spots and moving heads. PAR cans are a shortened form of Parabolic Aluminized Reflector cans; the 'cans' in the name refers to the shape of the light's casing itself. These are similar to floodlights and are powerful enough to light up a large area.

Today one can find PAR cans with LEDs instead of the older halogen or incandescent lamps. The beam with some PAR cans can be shaped a bit as it has blinder-like pieces on the front end which can be moved to constrict the light. Older lamps need gel-paper for colour, but the LED variants have the ability to hypothetically recreate any colour needed.

Strip lights are used to light up the background. As the name suggests these are longer and produce light perpendicularly to their shape, spreading it along the strip. For a flooded light feel one can use scoop lights, these do not have a lens and are also cheaper due to the simple components. Scoop lights can have gel-paper on them if colour is needed.

Fixed spotlights are used on stage if the person's position is predecided. For instance, if a character has a monologue in a specific position, the other lights can be dimmed and they will be under a spotlight with the whole audience focused on them.

A more flexible light option is the ellipsoidal reflector spotlight as it has the ability to shape the light more specifically. This helps avoid parts that one does not want lit from a specific angle. It also has interchangeable lenses and has inserts for gobos which are stencil-like cut-outs that can project a pattern. 

The follow spot is a spotlight that is manually or digitally moved, depending on the specific model. These are the one's often used for the bride's entry at weddings in Pakistan. The lamp inside is mostly a very powerful xenon arc lamp. These tend to have inbuilt colour gels so one can change the colour of the spot.

Moving heads are a more high-tech option. These can be set to play out a certain pattern as they have motors inside. The characteristics and colours of the beam can be changed, along with zoom functions; adding a lot of diversity. If a whole line of them is set up they can do synchronised movements in combination with a controller. This kind of controller is called a DMX and there are many different kinds of these controllers. A DMX controller can control other lights mentioned above too, such as the LED PAR cans.

Comments

There are other specialised stage lights as well, but the ones detailed here are the more commonly used due to their effectiveness.

One can choose what stage lights they need based on their production needs. Combining various ones is the best way to add diversity to your show as lights are purpose-specific. Also, as one can control different lights separately it is similar to a synchronised dance if done well.

The price of stage lights varies depending on the type and brand. The less complex it is the cheaper it will be, which is why prices range from the mid all the way to the top end.