WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Drama: Designing Drama

FOCUS The different types of lantern and their variety of uses. ASSESSMENT CHECK Learning some of the technicalities of stage lanterns works towards AO3. You will also show that you can select appropriate equipment and determine its position in order to realise the intended design. BIRDIES Birdies are very small lanterns (as small as 12cm). Tiny par cans are the most frequently used type of birdie. FRESNEL Pronounced ‘freh-nell’, these lanterns have a lens at the front with a ‘stepped ring’ finish to it. Benefit: Surprisingly bright, they are ideal for hiding on stage or using on the stage edge as footlights. Your school or college might have these types of lighting fixture. Each has its own particular purpose. TYPESOF FLOOD These are basic lanterns, generally with an open or glass front, which produce a wide flood of light. Think floodlit sports events. Useful for: Lighting large areas of the stage or back cloths: generating a ‘flood’ of light. Limitation: The beams’ size or shape cannot be controlled. NB: Where you place and direct these lights is very important as the light will ‘spill’ everywhere it points. Useful for: Lighting large or small areas of the stage. Benefits: The steps on the lens make the light even, making it easy to blend the focus of one light to the next. Several fresnels focused onto several areas can light the whole stage evenly (giving general cover). By moving the lamp closer to or further away from the lens, you can control the size of the beam. Barn doors (shutters that fit onto the front of the lantern) can control the spread of the beam. NOTE Stage lights are called lanterns or lighting fixtures because bulbs are known as lights (or  lamps ). Useful for: Producing a very bright beam, something like a cross between a floodlight and a Fresnel. Benefits: These lights are excellent for highlighting an area or using with colour filters or gels to produce the bright colourful beams often seen at pop and rock concerts. Limitation: The only way to change the beam size is either to move the whole fixture, or to physically change the lamp to narrow, medium or wide. PARCANS These beam lights (lens-less lanterns) get their name from the lamp inside. The lantern itself is simply a ‘ can ’ in which the par lamp is contained. The PAR (Parabolic Aluminised Reflector) is a sealed beam unit consisting of a lamp, reflector and lens in one. 18 Chapter 1 Practical Guide to Lighting Design