This presentation is adapted from a
PowerPoint presentation
by
Spike Wilson
Theatre artist at Ivy Tech
Community College of Indiana
Parts, Maintenance, Safety, and Use
1.
Learn the exterior and interior parts of a stage lighting
instrument.
2.
Use the instrument as a learning tool: learn the
practical and artistic uses of stage lighting.
3.
Use the instrument as a learning tool: learn what trades
and fields of study go into the creation and use of stage
instruments.
4.
Have a general concept of
a) how the instrument works,
b) how to maintain the instrument, and
c) general safety measures for the instrument.
Review of the PowerPoint
and application in the lab
make up the rest of your
learning process!
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Stage lights are called “instruments.”
The bulbs in instruments are called “lamps.”
Putting an instrument up on the grid is called
“hanging.”
A “circuit” is an outlet in the wall.
Plugging in the instrument to a circuit is called
“patching.”
Pointing an instrument in the appropriate
direction, and adjusting the beam width and
shape, are called “focusing.”
To understand the parts of a lighting instrument,
we will look at one of the most common
examples…
… an ETC Source Four ERS 750 (36˚).
The “Lekko”
ETC Par Four 750 (36˚) means…
ETC = Electronic Theatre Controls ®
ERS = Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight
750 = Maximum Wattage Rating (750 watts)
We use 500 watt bulbs at the Emerson!
36˚ = Field Angle
C-Clamp (Pipe Clamp)
Lamp Housing
Reflector
Housing
Yoke
Instrument Barrel
(Lens Tube inside)
Shutter Handle
Power Cable (Pigtail)
Gel Frame Holder
Grand Stage Pin (GSP)
Now that you are acquainted with the
parts of a stage lighting instrument,
let’s see what different trades and
fields of study go into its construction.
Physics & Machining
Electrical Engineering
Physics, Machining,
& Industrial Tech
Machining &
Industrial Tech
HVAC
Electrics & Energy Tech
Visual Art, Color
Theory, & Optics
Electrical Engineering &
Energy Tech
There’s a lot of “tech” in theatre
technology.
Stage Pin
Most professional theaters!
Edison
The Emerson’s as well as your
home
Secures
Lamp
Housing
Adjusts
Angle &
Position
of Lamp
(Bulb)
within
Housing
SLIDER
HANDLE:
Adjusts edges
of light
“throw”
BEAM
FOCUS
KNOB:
Adjusts
sharpness
of light
edge
GEL CLIP:
Secures Gel
Frame and
Color Gel
GEL
FRAME
HOLDER:
Holds Gel
Frame and
Color Gel
in place
Lamp Clip
Bolt secures
lamp housing
Lamp
(Bulb)
Pigtail
LAMP Specs
• Watts: 750
Volts: 77-115
• Amperage: 6.52
• 300 “life hours” (total hours of use
at full intensity)
• Lumens: 23,000
• Total length: 4 - 4.170 inches.
• Glass Shape: T
• Diameter of glass: 0.75 inches
• Base: G9.5 Heatsink (two pin)
• Filament Type: 4C8 (Tungsten)
• Gas around filament: Halogen
• Price (2013): about $34 to $45
C-Clamp
Yoke
Twist
handle
controls
yoke
position.
Glass portion of lamp
(bulb) fits through here.
Since a lamp (bulb) shines in all directions, the reflector redirects the light
through the barrel and out the front of the instrument.
=
shutters
in “pulled”
position
=
Shape of light
on flat surface
=
“shuttered”
light
=
Shape of light
on flat surface
Inner
Lens
Gel
Frame
Holder
FRONT
OF
BARREL
Outer
Lens
Yellow lines with arrows = beams of light originating from lamp.
Glass
portion
of LAMP
Wall of lens tube: both sides
are black-painted metal (to
reduce reflectivity)
REFLECTOR
Wall of lens tube: both sides
are black-painted metal (to
reduce reflectivity)
Small Plano
Convex LENS
Large Plano
Convex LENS
This is as simple as using canned
air or a dry, soft washcloth!
This is (also) as simple as using
canned air or a dry, soft
washcloth!
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Follow general electricity precautions (e.g., never touch anything
electrical with wet hands).
Heat-resistant gloves are recommended. Even the exterior of an
instrument becomes very hot within a few minutes!
NEVER look directly into the lens of the light when less than 5 feet from
it.
NEVER look directly at a lamp that is on but not in the lamp housing!
Violation of rules 3 and 4 can cause permanent damage to the retinas of
your eyes.
BEFORE you take both hands off the instrument, ALWAYS make sure
a) the pipe clamp is fully tightened, and
b) the safety cable is attached to both the instrument and the pipe or
batten.
Always tie your wrench to your belt loop with theatrical tie-line.
Example of silhouette (back) lighting.
Example of multidirectional,
Overhead (top) lighting.
PRACTICAL USES
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Indicate and separate locations. Hide or reveal people and objects.
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Show passage of time, time of day, season, beginning/end of
scene or play.
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Project shadows.
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Create colors and shapes on surfaces.
ARTISTIC USES
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Establish mood.
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Highlight aspects of plot.
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Indicate a character’s emotional state.
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Establish the “Fourth Wall” (division between the plot’s world
and audience’s world).
Production: Pittsburgh Repertory Theatre’s Nocturnal Wanderer by Gao Xingjian.
Director: Paul “Spike” Wilson. Lighting Designer: Peter Fedyshin. Photo by: Heather Garmin
Source
4
+
Gobo
Gobo Holder
+
Photo owned by Real Sound and Vision, Inc. Fair Use applies.

See Effects of
 Top
Light
 Front Light
 Back Light
 Hi Sides Light
 Footlight
 Specials
The
Reflector
The
Fresnel
Lens
The
Ellipsoidal
Lens
Pros
Cheap
Lightweight
Soft Edges
Uses
Backlight
Fill Light
Cons
Hard To Focus
Limited to wash
Very Hot
R40 Strip Lights
3 circuits
The inky
Scoop
Follow spot
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Hang and circuit an ERS, ERF, and Par can into the
grid
Compare and Contrast the Instruments