stage lighting site - Lighting Elements Terminology

About | Glossary | Site map | Help | Credits | Contact

Home

Lighting Design Terminology

Lighting Elements Terminology

Lighting Elements Terminology

Terms relating to the function of the light:

Term				Description
Acting Area				Lighting for a distinct area in which the actors act.
Fill Light				Light which fills in shadows, balancing the key light from the opposite direction.
Key Light				A primary or main source of light.
Motivating light				An actual light source on stage or the presumption of such a source which gives the lighting state its key.		Boris Godunov, The New Israeli Opera.
Set Dressing				Lighting for scenery.		Carmen, The Rubin Music Academy, Tel-Aviv University.
Special				Light which is dedicated for one special task and look, used for that moment only.		Owners, Beit Zvi.
Wash				Spread of the light over a large area.		Aida, The New Israeli Opera.

Terms relating to light color:

Term		Abbreviation		Description
Clear		CL		A luminaire with a colorless filter (clear).		.
Cold Light				HotwordStyle=BookDefault; Blue, green or purple light (in various hues and values), generated by using filters which enable transmission of light in wavelengths of 600 to 700 millimicron		Sweeney Todd, The New Israeli Opera
Color Wash		CW		General wash of colored light .		Carmen, The Rubin Music Academy, Tel-Aviv University.
Open White		OW		A luminaire without any filter.
Warm Light				Light in the part of the spectrum of red, orange or yellow

Terms relating to the direction of the light:

Term		Abbreviation		Description
Backlight		BL		Light from upstage (behind the actor)
Crosslight (Sidelight)		XL		Light from the side across the stage
Diagonal Backlight		DIAG.BL		Light from a diagonal angle upstage.
Diagonal Crosslight		DIAG.XL		Light from a diagonal downstage
Footlights				Light aimed upwards from the stage apron
Front Light		FRONT		Light from the direction of the audience, lighting the actors when facing the audience
Front of House		FOH		Lighting positions in the auditorium, above the audience or from the sides of the auditorium, used for front light.
High Sidelight		HIGH SL		Light from a high, steep angle from the side.
Low Sidelight				Light from a low angle at the side also known as shin buster.
Top Light		TL		Light from above the actor, perpendicular to the stage floor.