August 07, 2017 by Snupit
Stage lighting performs a number of important purposes. The lighting can make or break the entire show, and therefore it is of great importance to hire someone to do the stage and lighting who is qualified and experienced, with a firm grasp and knowledge of how to operate stage lights to their best potential ability. Stage lighting has the power to truly enhance a performance and brings it to life, or it can completely distract and confuse the eye.
1. Visibility
Let there be light! The most basic function of stage lights is to create high visibility. It is important that the audience is able to see clearly what is going on. Flashing lights might feel very professional, but they offer greatly dull visibility, as do dark lights. Stage lights can truly bring the performance to life visually. Consider elements like the size of your lights, their colour, contrast, and the level of movement in your lights are all going to influence how visible your stage is.
2. Highlight focal points
Stage lighting that is designed to highlight the focal points in a performance is particularly evident in ballet and other dancing performances, where one element, moment or area on the stage can be highlighted to draw the audience’s attention. It basically pinpoints an area to the audience, helping them to find where the action is more easily. This lighting will require a rather dark stage other than the spot light. It also helps to maintain the attention of the audience better, as there are of focus then changes, and less effort is required of them to stay entertained.
3. Set the tone
Stage lighting is a way of communicating tone and mood to the audience. A rock concert will have vastly different lighting colours, sizes and movements to a classical ballet. Before the performer even arrives on the stage, the lighting and the music are used to build anticipation and set the mood for what is about to come. The lighting can really inspire a wide variety of emotional responses from the audience, from sadness to excitement, elation and even anger or outrage. The stage lighting has the ability to dramatically change the mood too, especially if it is accompanied by the right music with dramatic pauses.
4. Composition
This refers to how stationary lights can introduce the various people on the stage. For example, a drummer might get a softer, hazy light cast on him, while the front man of a band might get a brighter, more contrasting glow illuminating him. If you wish to keep someone hidden on stage, darkness in that area can suddenly be illuminated to present them at the opportune moment. Composition basically communicates to the eye where the most important things are happening without the straightforward approach of a glaring spotlight. It allows the audience to see everyone, but the more luminescent the light, the more drawn to it the eyes will be.
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Filed under : Stage Lighting