It was not very long ago that any fixture whose attributes could be controlled by DMX would be categorized as an 'Automated Fixture', and fixtures with dimmable incandescent lamps were termed 'Conventional Fixtures', but as technology has advanced, those definitions have become less useful.
I have therefore re-categorized most of the fixtures we use in today's lighting designs into 'Fixed Focus' fixtures and 'Automated' fixtures, (or moving lights). The distinction that I'm making in order to divide fixtures into one or the other is the presence or absence of an automated Pan and Tilt function. Essentially, the fixtures in this section are placed in a location, are focused to a point on the stage by a human electrician, and then stay there until a human again comes to refocus the fixture.
The evolving definition of 'Conventional Fixture' over the last several years is related closely to the increasing availability of LED fixtures. Many of the fixtures that I will outline here, while missing the ability to pan and tilt, therefore varying their focus, do have the ability to adjust other parameters via DMX commands, especially color, but in some cases also characteristics related to shape, such as zoom or edge functions.
I will still spend some time discussing those traditional dimmable lamp fixtures that we called 'Conventional' in the fairly recent past. Most of those fixtures are here in the section on Fixed-Focus instruments.
I have therefore re-categorized most of the fixtures we use in today's lighting designs into 'Fixed Focus' fixtures and 'Automated' fixtures, (or moving lights). The distinction that I'm making in order to divide fixtures into one or the other is the presence or absence of an automated Pan and Tilt function. Essentially, the fixtures in this section are placed in a location, are focused to a point on the stage by a human electrician, and then stay there until a human again comes to refocus the fixture.
The evolving definition of 'Conventional Fixture' over the last several years is related closely to the increasing availability of LED fixtures. Many of the fixtures that I will outline here, while missing the ability to pan and tilt, therefore varying their focus, do have the ability to adjust other parameters via DMX commands, especially color, but in some cases also characteristics related to shape, such as zoom or edge functions.
I will still spend some time discussing those traditional dimmable lamp fixtures that we called 'Conventional' in the fairly recent past. Most of those fixtures are here in the section on Fixed-Focus instruments.
Different Types of Fixed Focus Lighting Instruments
Profile/Spot Fixtures: These are the workhorses of your conventional rig. Profile fixtures (sometimes known as ERS or Ellipsoidals, or more colloquial titles such as 'Lekos') are defined by their ability to shape the beam, including through manipulation of the edge sharpness, and also by the use of shutters and gobos.
|
Wash/Flood Fixtures: These fixtures are usually less defined than profile fixtures, and have fewer options for controlling the shape of the light. These are good for throwing a lot of light over a large area, and are typically used for color washes.
|
Cyc Lighting: These are specific types of flood lights that are designed to light drops or cycloramas, often with color. The shape of the beam is often engineered to be a roughly rectangular form,
|
Special Fixtures
There are a couple of fixtures that don't fit neatly into either of the major categories of lights:
Follow Spotlight: This fixture is essentially a 'conventional moving light', which is moved by a human operator during the run of the show. There are automated options becoming available, which will also be profiled on the detail page.
|
Practicals: If an object that appears on a set, or as a handheld prop lights up, it is known as a practical. If your show has a giant crystal chandelier, a gaslight sconce on the wall, a flickering lantern, or a magic book that lights up the face of the reader when it is opened, you have a practical. While the number of different possibilities for practical fixtures is as limitless as your imagination, this page will outline several common types of practicals.
|