Learn About Stage Lighting Fixtures and Positions

“A room is like a stage. If you see it without lighting, it can be the coldest place in the world.” Paul Lynde

Stage Lighting plays a key role to any stage production. The main role is to illuminate the stage, highlight different areas of the event, set the scene and control the mood. While it is important to have lighting, knowing which type of lighting fixtures are best suited for specific events. The lighting positions are crucial too. Each type of light serves a specific purpose. Lighting types differ from floodlights to spotlights and LED tube lights. This is why getting a professional to get the stage lighting fine tuned is important.

Importance of Stage Lighting

Stage lighting has four main functions at an event, the mood, viability, composition and to get the attention of the audience. Professional lighting will highlight the performers, speakers, props and the overall event. Lighting helps create an ideal atmosphere for a specific event. Stage lighting is an artistic display of light that enhances the look of stage and adds balance.

Different types of Stage Lighting:

The lighting fixtures below have a unique purpose and different features.

PAR Light

Par light or Parabolic Aluminized Reflector is used for flat lighting. It is normally used for a big production. It radiates a ton of light. It is very durable and gives out a warm light and lets you mix colors.

Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights

Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight is a narrow beam of angle light which is used to highlight subjects or props on stage. It is used for its strong, well-defined light and their versatility. These lights have shutters that allow you shape the light and cut it from excessively spilling over.

Floodlights

A floodlight is a broad beamed, high intensity artificial light that is often used to illuminate outdoor playing fields while an outdoor sports event is being held during low-light conditions. More focused ones are often used as a stage lighting instrument in live performances such as concerts and plays. These lights are durable and lightweight.

Fresnel

The light is very bright at the center ring and softens closer to the edges. These are excellent for softly highlighting the facial features of the performers.

Follow Spots

A follow spotlight is a strong light, a high intensity discharge lamp with high color temperature. It’s used to highlight the main subject that moves around constantly and is manually controlled.

Strip Light

Strips light can be used as cyc lights. They consist of multiple lamps arranged in a horizontal row. These lights add a large amount of color coverage to the stage and they can be used to mix colors.

Pixel Lights

These lights consist of a number of LEDs that can be individually controlled and are used as eye candy ideally for concerts to give more advanced lighting effect. 

Laser Lights

Laser lights make patterns that flash and move on all surfaces. It is used in concerts, music venues and night clubs. They come in different colors. These lights can be programmed to synchronize with beats of the music.

Lighting Positions:

Understanding light positions is crucial to get the best exposure for an event. These are the main:

Frontlighting

These lights are the primary source of light for an event. This lighting provides a wash for the whole stage. These fixtures are pointed forward towards the stage.

Backlighting

They give a more dimensional appearance where the character is highlighted from the background, for this backlighting and downlighting is required. Backlights are placed towards the back of the stage. Par can fixtures work well for backlighting.

Downlighting

Downlighting can vary in intensity. These lights are placed down at the feet and cast light upwards. It can also be placed above the stage and shine straight down or an angle towards the stage.

Side and High side lighting

These lights are placed at the horizontal edges of the stage to illuminate performers from either side. The side lighting is positioned high so it shines above the performers.

If you’re having a production requirement and don’t know how to get started with the different stage lighting used at events, give our professional team a call.

At Audiotech, we will help elevate your production to the next level. We are experienced professionals that provide the latest lighting technology with the best minds combined. Our team will help you make your event memorable and compelling for your audience.