State of the art intelligent luminaires with multiple unique feature have been geared towards compatibility with conventional theatre luminaires so that they can be easily integrated into any theatrical lighting rig. These luminaires are now smaller than their predecessors their light output is extremely high, and their discharge lamps are dimmed by mechanical dimmers with dimming curves matching those of ordinary theatre dimmers and control systems, or better still, they are equipped with a tungsten-halogan
lamp
which can be dimmed by any regular theatre dimmer. These developments, along with a marked drop in prices, which has made intelligent lights affordable to theatres, has allowed for the proliferation of intelligent luminaires in thatre lighting.
Intelligent luminaires,alongside with other robotic mechanisms such as scrollers and mechanized yokes, are increasingly used in theatre not just for special dynamic effects but also for basic lighting functions. (1) , Extensive rigs of intelligent luminaires which have so far been reserved almost exclusively for rock and roll concerts, are now becoming quite common in big musicals and other forms of theatre.
An automatedlighting gallery with motorized yokes at the Tel-Aviv Opera house.
One can already envision the entire procedure of theatre lighting changing. Setting the lighting for a performance would involve inserting a diskette into the lighting
console
and issuing a show setup command. This will initiate a sequence of commands to the luminaires and yokes to move to their specified settings (including direction and focus), and to scrollers to scroll to the specified color frame.
A few minutes before the beginning of the performance the discharge lamps will be started up, and mechanical dimmers will assume a blackout position, in preparation for the beginning of the show.
During the performance, intelligent luminaires will be used to follow actors, or to light different scenes in different ways, changing direction, focus, size and shape, as well as color.
Although in this scenario the number of luminaires in the theatre might not be reduced, the electrical
load
would be about a third of what is needed today due to the high luminous efficiency of discharge lamps. Tomorrow's lighting designer will have at his or her disposal a sophisticated lighting system that will open up new opportunities to enhance the artistic role of theatre lighting.
