LIGHTING INSTRUMENTS - A LAYMAN’S DESCRIPTION

Fresnel -

Soft wash

Slider in bottom moves socket and reflector nearer to or farther away from the lens

Closer to lens - spreads out wash

Farther from lens - narrows wash down

Often used for blending

Add barn doors to control spill of ambient light

PAR -

Parabolic aluminized reflector

More intense oval beam

Not much control over wash

ERS -

Ellipsoidal

More control

Specific outline

Slots for gobos (patterns)

Shutters to shape beam

Cyclorama -

Fabric backdrop covering entire upstage wall

Light with scoops, strip lights, and ground row lights

DON’T USE BLUE WINDEX TO CLEAR LENSES OR REFLECTORS BECAUSE IT LEAVES A BLUE TINE - USE ALCOHOL OR AMMONIA.