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Stage lanterns, or lights, are now officially known as luminaires. The ten basic types listed and described here are those in most common use. Many variations are constantly coming on to the market, but, they all fulfill the basic purpose of either a soft edged spot, a hard edged spot or a wash (flood) light. Quite often now they combine two of these functions in one unit.
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A soft-edged light adjustable from a spot to a flood. Very useful for short throws such as on-stage work. It can be fitted with barndoors to give a coarse beam shaping ability, however it does have the disadvantage of stray spill light due to reflections from its 'stepped' lens.
Most often referred to as a 'focus spot' this type of luminaire uses a plano-convex lens to collect and concentrate the light into a tight, yet adjustable, beam. This type of luminaire has now been partially superceded by the Pebble Spot.
A variation on the original focus spot this luminaire is similar except that the plano-convex lens has a 'pebbled' back face. This improves the beam quality by giving it a smoother, softer edge. The beam size of a pebble spot is adjustable to almost the same extent as a fresnel and, like a fresnel it can be fitted with barndoors for beam shaping.
In its basic form this luminaire produces a fixed size, hard edged beam, although this can be softened by throwing it out of focus. It has a gate into which can be inserted beam shaping shutters, an iris or a gobo pattern for projection. In general these luminaires are most often used in front-of-house positions where their longer throw and accurately controlled beam are essential. A development of the basic profile spot is the 'zoom spot'. This has two independent lenses which allows the cone of light produced to be zoomed from a small to a large diameter.
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A specialised, narrow beam profile spot with improved optics and additions such as handles to allow steering, an accurate iris including a black-out disc and a built in colour-changer. The major use for these luminaires is to highlight and follow performers in cabaret, concerts and musicals. They are usually situated towards the rear of the auditorium area, although they are also used from behind the performer to act as moving backlight. Each followspot normally requires its own operator but special intelligent versions are also available. These will track a performer automatically using a radio signal.
Basically a simple lamp-in-a-box with a reflector designed to put the maximum amount of light over the maximum area. These lights have no lenses and beam control is achieved with a variety of barndoor type attachments. More modern versions of the 'floodlight' have become popularly known as washlights.
An asymetrical floodlight i.e. the lamp is not in the middle of the reflector. This gives more light in one direction than the other. The main use of these fittings is for lighting at the top or bottom of a cyclorama or cloth where its design gives a more even spread of light over the whole area.
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A parcan has no optical system of its own this is entirely contained within the sealed-beam lamp which looks rather like an old type of car headlamp. However, the PAR lamp optics are very efficient producing an intense beam of almost parallel light which is usually oval in shape. Although the lamps are available in very narrow, narrow, medium and flood beam angles the only beam control is either by rotating the lamp or by using barndoors. This lantern is most often used for lighting pop music concerts and fashion shows although in drama it does make a very effective substitute for sunlight through a window.
These small luminaires usually come with a built-in transformer to supply their low-voltage lamp. They produce a bright, narrow beam of light and are easily concealed within a set for highlighting specific areas. They are also used to light mirrorballs and for other disco effects. Motorised versions of them are also available. These are known variously as 'scanners', 'helicopters', 'light harvesters' etc.
Looking like miniature parcans, but using a low voltage dichroic lamp, these extremely useful luminaires are used in much the same way as a pinspot for highlighting and special effects within a set.
Hire and Sales enquiries: 07802 475063 or 01394 274935