Production Arts – Unit 65: Technical Stage Operations

Joe Roberts

Distinction criteria – Explain the uses and operation of different types of lighting, sound and video equipment.

LIGHTS!!!

ParcanAccessories Gel Frames -G clamp Safety Chain -Light bulb enclosed Adjustable Arms -15amp Beam angle of 50º -Egg shaped bulb

ExplanationParcan’s have a very wide beam angle which means they light up a very large area. They come in 2 styles, Black and silver. They are mainly used in fashion shows, dance shows.

ScenarioIf I was lighting a music gig and wanting to create a chase effect I would use a Parcan because Parcans are the best at chases, they add aesthetics, you can put gels in them and they add depth to cover. I wouldn’t use a Minuette profile because this light is a special and they only isolate. Also I wouldn’t use a Birdie because they use a halogen bulb which isn't powerful enough.

LED Par canAccessories Safety Chain -Adjustable Arms Beam angle of 18º -G clamp DMX -13amp and 15amp

ExplanationLED Par Cans do the same job as normal Parcans but LED Par Cans don’t get hot, they run off DMX cables so they can be “daisy chained” and the colour of the light can be changed from the desk. The LED’s are primary colours so must colours can be made. Also they are power saving so they are becoming more and more popular.

Scenario If I wanted to provide multiple colour enabling the scene mood change I would use the LED Parcan because the colour can be changed directly to the desk. I wouldn’t use a Parcan because the colour cant be changed from one to another. Also I wouldn’t use a flood because although you can use gels in them. They have the same problem as the Parcan, they cant be changed from one light to another.

LED

Pc – Pebble convex

Accessories G clamp - 1 Adjustable knob Safety chain -Barn doors Gel frame -Adjustable arm 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 47º

Explanation The Pc is mainly used for general cover but at a push it can used as a spot. Also its glass has a pebble effect, this makes the light be more defined. Spotlights also have the same lens.

ScenarioIf the profiles are broken but I need to isolate an actor on stage I would use a Pc. I would do this by adjusting the knob on the light to make the circle of light smaller or bigger. Furthermore I could use the barn doors to manipulate the light. Also the Pc uses the same lens as the profiles so the light it produces will be similar. I wouldn’t use either a CCT or Selecon because they have rigid lenses which diffuses the light.

CCT Fresnel Accessories G clamp -1 Adjustable knob Safety chain -Barn doors Gel frame -Adjustable arm 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 35º 500 watt -Ridged circular lens

ExplanationThe ridged circular lens gives the light a diffused spread of light which is good for washes. Also its barn doors can manipulate the light which can be focused on a specific item on stage. Also they can be put on boom stands and used in dance shows

ScenarioIf I wanted to use sidelight for a dance show I would use a CCT because its got a good beam angle for general cover also it can be adjusted used the knob and the barn doors. I wouldn’t used as a source 4 because it’s a special light and its too defined. Also I wouldn’t use a Pinspot because they aren’t powerful enough and too small.

Selecon

Accessories G clamp -2 Adjustable knobs Safety chain -Barn doors Gel frame -Adjustable arm 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 6º-60º 500 watt -Ridged circular lens

ExplanationThe Selecon is used for many things, mainly fashion shows. The circle of light can be adjusted with the two adjustable knobs which slide forward and back. Also the light can be manipulated by the barn doors.

Scenario If I wanted to create a general wash for the Christmas show I would use a Selecon because its lens is a rigid so the light would diffuse creating even cover. But I could use Pc’s if Selecons weren’t available. However, you cant use both lights at once because it would create patchiness. But, I wouldn’t use a Parcan they just light a whole area and the light can be adjusted.

Scena 1K Accessories G clamp -wire mesh to stop glass falling out Safety chain -Barn doors Gel frame -Adjustable arm 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 18º 1000 watt -Ridged circular lens

ExplanationThere is a misconception with the 1K because its 1000 watts, the light goes further, it doesn’t. Its just brighter. The 1K is mainly used for a general wash and it used for backlight. Backlight eliminates shadows created by objects/ actors on stage and makes the characters on stage stand out. Backlight is mainly light blue or lilac. This creates a daytime effect on stage.

Scenario If I wanted to create backlight for a musical I would use a 1k because it’s the light used for backlight, its also the brightest. I wouldn’t use a Minuette profile because that’s a special light and its too defined. Also I wouldn’t use a birdie because its not powerful enough, its only 100 watts, 1/10 of the 1K.

Floodlight Accessories G clamp -Safety chain Gel frame -Adjustable arm 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 33º-35º 500/650 watt

ExplanationThe flood light is used for many things. It is used for lighting the audience, it is used for cyclorama and its is used at music gigs an crowd surfing. But you cant direct the light, it just lights up a large area in the direction you point it in.

ScenarioIf I wanted to light a cyclorama I would use a Floodlight because it lights the whole of the cyclorama. I would use it over a profile because that’s a special light and is too defined. Also I wouldn’t use a birdie because its not powerful enough because its only 100W.

Birdie Accessories G clamp -Safety chain Gel frame -Adjustable arm 13 and 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 15º Barn doors

ExplanationThe Birdie is a baby version of a Parcan. It uses a normal halogen light bulb which are used domestically. The light its self are used in museums, art galleries, truss and its used for lighting the audience. Also they can be used at home because they run off both 13 and 15 amp plus.

ScenarioIf I wanted to light the audience I would use a selection of Birdie’s because the lights themselves are small and pretty and are only 100W. I wouldn’t use a Selecon because that’s used for general cover and I wouldn’t use a Parcan because that lights everything.

Pinspot Accessories G clamp -Safety chain Gel frame -Adjustable arm 13 and 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 6º- 12º

ExplanationThe Pinspot is very limited in use. They only light up dj’s at concerts and discos and they are used to shine the glitterball. Several birdies are used for this so all of the ball is lit. Also the bulb on a birdie is interchangeable.

Scenario If I wanted to light a glitter ball for a talent show I would use several birdies to light up each side of the glitter ball. I wouldn’t use flood because that would light everything around it and I wouldn’t use a LED Parcan because I don’t want colour and I only want the glitter ball lit.

Source 4 Accessories G clamp -Safety chain Gel frame -Adjustable arm 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 50º Built in shutters -Iris’ and Gobo’s

ExplanationThe source 4 has many different names, for example spotlight. The Source 4 is a relatively new light and it has a brighter and more energy efficient bulb. Also this light has shutters built in. Shutters can manipulate the light so it can change shape rather than a circle.

ScenarioIf I wanted to isolate an actor on stage I would use a source 4 because it has shutters and you can use an Iris which can make the circle of light smaller or bigger. I wouldn’t use a Floodlight because that lights a large area and I wouldn’t use a Selecon because the light isn’t defined.

Minuette Profile Accessories G clamp -Safety chain Gel frame -Adjustable arm 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 21º - 36º Shutters -Gobo’s and Iris’s

ExplanationThe Minuette profile is an older version of the source 4. But it doesn’t have shutters built in and the bulb uses more energy, plus it isn’t as bright as the source 4. That’s why people are preferring to use the source 4 over the Minuette.

ScenarioIf I wanted to create a window effect for a set design I would use a Minuette profile with a gobo to create this effect. I wouldn’t use a CCT because they don’t use an Iris or have an Iris holder. I wouldn’t use an LED Parcan because it has the same issue as the CCT.