fixtures, lenses, reflectors
KNOW THE FIXTURES THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED IN CLASS
1) Know the main parts of an Ellipsoidal, ParCan and Fresnel.
2) Study this page
Lamp -- base, filament, bulb
Lighting fixtures -- Also known as lighting instruments or lighting units. Know the main parts and differences between the Ellipsoidals (in Europe they are often called profiles), ParCans, and Fresnels:
Two good web page references:
http://www.theatrecrafts.com/lx_lanterns.shtml
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~loebinfo/loebinfo/lighting/lighting.html
ELLIPSOIDAL
Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ERS), also simply called Ellipsoidals – A spotlight fixture that can use templates. By using the lens train, it can be focused to have either a soft or hard beam edge. The four shutters allow the beam to be turned into a square, a rectangle, a triangle, or other shape.
*** Watch THESE great videos to see how Ellipsoidals work. (click "play all") ***
The manufacturers manual for the Altman Ellipsoidal: HERE
Instructions for operating an Altman Ellipsoidal: HERE
A typical lamp for an Ellipsoidal.
PARCAN
ParCans – A wash fixture that is very durable. Can travel/tour easily. The oval shape of its beam can rotate. The size of its beam can be changed by changing the type of lamp you put in it.
Watch THIS video for an example of what a ParCan can do.
The manufacturers manual for the Altman ParCan: HERE
The ParCan lamp serves many purposes: The lamp of a ParCan contains the base, filament, reflector, and lens of the ParCan.
The size of a ParCan's beam can be changed by changing the type of lamp you put in it.
A ParCan lamp. It has a WIDE lens. Its beam angle is very large.
A MEDIUM ParCan lamp. Its beam angle is medium.
A NARROW ParCan lamp. Its beam angle is narrow.
A VERY NARROW ParCan lamp. Its beam angle is very small.
FRESNEL
(This is a picture of Strand's 6" Fresnel. Only on the outside does it look different from our Altman 6" Fresnels.)
Fresnels -- A wash fixture. It has a soft beam edge. The size of the beam can be easy changed by sliding the lamp closer to or farther away from the lens.
Watch THIS video for using a Fresnel.
The manufacturers manual for the Altman Fresnel: HERE
A typical lamp for a Fresnel.
The lens of a Fresnel.
MOVING LIGHTS
The High End System Studio Color 575 is one of the earlier moving lights. Moving lights are also commonly called computerized lights, robotic lights, movers, or even wiggle lights.
They have circuit boards inside them that allow them to do many things.
The Studio Color can change colors, beam sizes, and beam shapes. Because of its moving head, it can pan and tilt in various directions.
Notice that the Studio Color is a wash light because it has a Fresnel lens.
A VIDEO of the High End System Studio Color 575.
Other info on the Studio Color: HERE
CYC LIGHTS and STRIP LIGHTS
Cyc lights and strip lights are used to light cycloramas, backdrops, or screens. They can also be used to wash an entire stage.
In this picture, 4 Altman LED Spectra Cyc units on the ground are focused up to wash a screen (rear projection screen, or RP). Several strip lights from over head are focused down to also wash the screen (rear projection screen, or RP).
Altman LED Spectra Cyc HERE