Spot Lights, Flood Lights

Stage lighting instruments are used in stage lighting to illuminate theatrical productions, rock concerts and other performances taking place in live performance venues. They are also used to light television studios and sound stages. more...

Home
Bath
Bedding
Furniture
Gardening & Plants
Home Decor
Lamps, Lighting, Ceiling...
Bathroom Lighting
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling Fixtures
Chandeliers
Children's Lighting
Desk Lamps
Exterior, Landscape Lighting
Lamp Posts
Light Fixtures
Other
Path Lighting
Spot Lights, Flood Lights
Floor Lamps
Lava Lamps, Party Lights
Lighting Accessories
Multiple Lamp Sets
Neon Signs
Night Lights
Other Lamps, Lighting
Paper Lanterns
Pendant Lighting
Picture Lights
Recessed Lighting
Sconces, Wall Lamps
String Lights
Table Lamps
Track Lighting
Under Cabinet Lighting
Patio & Grilling
Pools & Spas
Rugs & Carpets

Terminology is different between the USA and UK for many stagecraft terms. In the USA, lighting fixtures are called \"instruments.\" In the UK, they are called \"lanterns\" or \"luminaires\". This article mainly uses terms common to the USA.

Components of Lighting Instruments

See the picture at top right for physical location of most components

Although lighting instruments may look and operate differently, they all have the following components:

Box/Housing/Can/Case

A metal or plastic container to house the whole instrument and prevent light from spilling in unwanted directions. This comprises all of the exterior of the fixture except for the lens or opening. The housing may be designed with specific elements that help reduce heat and increase the efficiency of a lamp. Older instruments were made from rolled and machined steel or aluminum; however, with the advent of the Source Four, many lighting instruments are being made from die-cast metal. Die-casting allows for one single, light-weight piece that is more economical to produce and use. Some instruments are made from plastic, such as the Selecon Pacific.

Lens or opening

The gap in the housing where the light is intended to come out. Many fixtures use a lens to help control the beam of light, though some, such as Parcans and border/cyclorama lights, do not have any lenses, or optics other than the reflector. The lens and the reflector, along with other beam altering devices are part of the optics system.

Reflector

This affects the quality and directionality of the light output. An Ellipsoidal Reflector has a lamp set at one foci of an ellipse, bouncing the light and focusing it at the second foci of the ellipse. This allows the light to spot. A Parabolic Reflector has a lamp at the focus of a parabola, bouncing the light in parallel lines away from the reflector. There is no point at which the light converges, leaving an unfocusable light, causing the more flood characteristics. A reflector is located behind or around the light source in such a way as to direct more light towards the lens or opening. Each unit has a characteristic reflector, used in conjunction with the lens (or lack thereof) to create the light that a designer may use.

Yoke

Most instruments are suspended or supported by a \"U\" shaped yoke, fixed to the sides of the instrument providing an axis of rotation. The yoke is connected to the pipe or batten by one of the clamps mentioned below; it may also be affixed to the deck with floor mounts, or attached to the set with a stage screw.

Read more at Wikipedia.org