Scenic Elements
a concealed opening in the stage floor through which actors, props, and scenery can be brought on and off stage
trap door
Where are footlights usually installed and what is their purpose?
Footlights are installed in the front of the stage at floor level; their purpose is to soften overhead shadows
What is the purpose of a gobo?
to add texture to a pool of light
There are two main varieties of flat panel scenery in theatre: Hollywood and Broadway. Of these two, which is usually masked in fabric?
Broadway Flat
A large backdrop used to create the illusion of sky or space
cyclorama
What is unique about a follow spotlight?
A follow spotlight is manually operated and can follow an actor's movements across the stage; a spot is used to accentuate presentational or dramatic moments
What is haze and what is it used for?
haze is a fine mist meant to enhance lighting effects
If a strobe lighting effect in used in a performance, theatre are required to do what?
post signs, warning that the strobe light effect will be used during the performance
Any form of video or film shone on stage in a live performance
What is black light & what illusions can it help to create?
Student should reference UV light and how it only picks up white colors and UV light-specific paint; this can allow actors to hide anything dressed in black
What is a strobe lighting effect good for suggesting in theatrical storytelling
highly dramatic or intense moments, transformations, or old film era movies
a mechanical turntable that rotates around a central pivot point to change scenes
Revolve Stage
Built at an angle, usually so that the downstage playing area is angled toward the audience
raked stage
Where is side lighting installed and what is its unique purpose?
Side lighting is a tower of usually colored lights installed in the wings of the stage; it is used for highlighting profiles of performers' faces, arms, torsos, and legs--particularly good for illuminating choreography.
What is the "front 45-45" lighting technique developed by Stanley McCandless?
Students should reference the 45 degree vertical and horizontal angles lights should be hung at on either side of the subject being lit.
What is meant by a "fly system" in theatre?
a system of ropes, pulleys, and counterweights used to raise and lower scenery, curtains, and other stage elements above the stage
A three-sided rotating unit used for quickly changing backgrounds; from Greek stagecraft tradition
periaktoi
What is a functional difference between a flood light and a PAR-can?
A PAR produces a concentrated focused light, whereas a flood light casts a broad soft wash of light over a large area
Correctly pronounce the following word and explain the kind of lighting effect it creates:
FRESNEL
Creates a pool of light with soft edges; used for general wash or backlighting
What is a vignette?
In creative writing, a vignette is a brief, evocative account of a single moment in time.
In theatre and film, a vignette is a brief scene or sketch that focuses on a single moment or image