This spotlight is nice as it uses a soft edge to slowly light the light fade around the center of the action, the table. Not only does this focus the audiences attention but it also helps set the scene as it resembles a room at night when there is only a small amount of light. 

The spotlight directs the audience's attention to the man, but more so the empty couch. The empty couch echos his sad stance by showing how he is alone.

Gobos and Texture

I like the use of this gobo as it incorporates a texture and solid in the form of letters. Overall I think this is a successful way to use a Gobo in a wedding setting. I believe that it was a successful way to bring the idea of the church by recreating the look of stain glass to an outdoor setting as well.

Gobos and Texture

I like this Gobos texture because it makes the stage look ethereal and as if the man is not standing on the stage. I also think that the lost of focus to the edge of the gobo is benefical as it almost looks as though there is movement to the gobo

The Color Purple

I chose this scene from The Color Purple. We see the center character well, but there are definitely others interacting with her that we cannot see at all. There needs to be a wider pool of light.

Wide dark stage

I chose this photo of a poorly lit stage for a performer. The colors are pretty and interesting but we lack clarity and visibility.

Woods on stage

I chose this photo because it's a very artistic way of using texture in light. Similar to Cities of Memory, we see gobos being used to set a background. We see dark and mysterious woods.

Dance hall

I thought this photo was a fun way to look at a different way to use texture in light. This looks like it's being used for fun at a dance hall or something. It can lighten the atmosphere and brighten moods.

Church candle

I chose this photo because it felt personal somehow. When I go to church, I find myself with my mind racing through my to-do list, the people around me, things that have happened there before, etc. But, this photo is focused on just a candle and gives me a feeling of peace and stillness just for a moment.

Light bulb

I chose this photo of a light bulb because I found beauty in its simplicity. We can see individual water droplets. We can also see that there is a background, maybe a wooded area where the green is, but we are left to wonder.

Gobo/Texture - As You Like It

This scene from a production of “As You Like It” uses an extensive leaf pattern. This pattern works well alongside the orange color choices to produce the effect of light in a forest. I noticed that the pattern does not just show up on the floor, but also extends to the tree set pieces. It’s perfect for the country setting in this play!

Gobo - Turn of the Screw

This image from a production of “The Turn of The Screw” uses a very vivid pattern of an elaborate window. The small openings of light add to the confining, austere atmosphere which works for a gothic story. This mood also coordinates well with the costume and other lighting choices for this scene.

Gobo

This is a scene from Les Mis, and the gobo used makes it look the sun is shining in through windows or maybe a prison bars. The gobo being stretched out it gives it a more overpowering feeling along with an actor kneeling in the center of one of the gobo lights.

Water

This gobo creates a pattern you would expect to see at the bottom of a pool of water as the light is reflected off the ripples on the surface. The aquamarine color used also emphasizes the use of the gobo as representing underwater in some tropical land.

Wedding Gobo

I really liked this photo because of how unique it was. It is a custom made gobo for a couple's wedding, and something like this is cool because it has to be managed properly. With all of the smaller text at the bottom, it is important to have the gobo accurately focused or else the design would just blur out and the meaning would be lost.

Gobos

I found this picture very interesting because it used the gobo projections to make a sort of grassy, whimsical ground. It's fascinating how taking 1 or 2 patterns and putting them at specific focuses or sizes can create different illusions and textures.

Gobos

The pattern for this gobo is a piano player. There's the main one in the center, and then 2 more, one on each side. I liked this one because it reminded me of that time in class where my group had a gobo similar to this one, in that it was a pattern of a man, though I don't remember what his name was. I really like the amount of detail in the images too.

Gobos

This gobo has a pattern that projects leaves on the ground, simulating the shadow of a tree. With the colors of the surrounding area and the pattern itself, it reminds me of the fall season. I think this is also due to the color of the surface that the gobo is projected on, which makes me imagine that this location is a forest in the fall.

Gobos 2

In this image, the use of gobo patterns creates the illusion of big windows filtering in light from the back. I think that this was quite a clever alternative to trying and putting in real glass windows. This also sidesteps the possible problem of having too much glare through the window panes.

Source: http://www.theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/topics/lighting/glossary-beginners/

Gobos

In this scene, multiple patters and gobos are used. There is the tree pattern in the back of the forest and stars in the back. But the most interesting part is the gobo pattern on the floor. This broken green and blue pattern on the floor does really well to simulate the moons light breaking through the forest canopy.


Source:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/241927811205281933/

Gobos/Texture

This scene is from the song "He Lives in You" in a production of The Lion King. I really like the use of gobos and patterns in this scene because through re-creating an environment packed with stars, the lighting establishes the mood and represents cosmological connections to people and places beyond this world. I like how the pattern is expressed strongly by contrasting the light from the dark background. I had the opportunity to see this play, and I will never forget the lighting from this song because it was so moving. It was very impactful to see the singer isolated in an environment of stars. I like how the pattern is even established on the ground beneath the isolated actor, as showing a similar pattern from multiple angles perpetuates the ever-presence of the stars and connections to people who have died. Even though the singer is isolated, the lights almost act as props in the song, as he sings about how he has connections to the people who live in the main character. 

From: https://www.coalcityschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1141174&type=d&pREC_ID=1405502

Gobos/Texture

This scene is from the end of the musical 1776. I think that the use of this particular gobo is very powerful for this musical, as it eloquently displays the signatures on the Declaration of Independence. I love this lighting because the pattern does not detract from the actors, but rather links them to their real counterparts. The set looks like the room in which the Declaration of Independence was signed, and I think that the yellow light, which creates the simple and realistic pattern, adds to the lifelike nature of the scene. I think that the direct angle of the light and the simple color create a serious atmosphere. I also like how the characters seem drawn to the light, as they gaze upon their own signatures. I really like that this pattern represents a real object, as I think it allows the play to end on a serious, patriotic, and eloquent note. 

From: https://www.rosco.com/spectrum/index.php/2018/07/life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-new-gobo-designs/

Selective Focus - Firebringer

I believe this image shows an interesting effect as a result of selective focus in lighting. In this scene from the musical Firebringer, I noticed that much of the lighting tends to focus intensely on the protagonist Zazzalil during this chaotic moment onstage. The rest of the characters are lit up, yes, by practicals in the form of torches. But it’s interesting to me how she is still the focus of the scene despite standing behind everyone else, and the selective focus in lighting helps to portray this effect.

Selective Focus - Gypsy

For me, this photo is a compelling example of selective focus. Taken from the song “Rose’s Turn” in the Broadway revival of Gypsy, the lighting here entirely focuses on and isolates the character Rose from anything else onstage, except for her name in lights behind her. This focus makes sure that the audience’s attention is entirely on her, which works perfectly for the scene. The only other lighting is the sign that says “Rose”, which also has a powerful effect to bring all of the attention back to the character in her signature moment.

Dramatic Stage Lighting

This photo is a fantastic example of dramatic lights and colors that still provide a very clear place where the audience should place their attention. The red backwash lets the viewer know that there is something big and important happening and the multiple streams of light coming from the top show the view where to look while still filling the space.  This allows the viewer to see the entire picture and appreciate the scene as a whole while not being overwhelmed or confused where to look. 

Comedy Show Lighting

This photo is from a comedy show and is a good example of selective focus. It is often common to use this type of lighting for comedy shows and is usually very effective is demanding the audiences attention and focus. This lighting more often then not moves with the comedian as they walk around onstage telling jokes helping the audience to be focused and attentive. This style is generally a fall back when there is only one person on stage because it is helpful for the audience to not be overwhelmed with a large stage.

Focus Lighting

 Source:https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2016/light-review-at-battersea-arts-centre-london-dazzling/

In this image, three lights are used to emphasize the three dancers in the middle. The lighting brings attention to the still position of the dancers while blacking out everything else.

Focus Lighting

Source: https://www.lightingschool.eu/portfolio/what-can-i-get/

In this image, one light is used to draw attention to the subject in the middle. The use of a blue colored light helps draw focus on the dark figure in the middle while fading out everything else in the background.

Halsey Focus

This picture is from Halsey's performance on Saturday Night Live. She is the clear focus with the lighting because while she is bright and illuminated, the other instrument players in the background are darker and are therefore not what the audience will be attracted to. Spotlighting on people is a perfect example of selective focus because it forces you to look at what is lit up since nowhere else onstage really is.

Stairs Focus

In this photo, the focus is clearly on the stairs that the characters are surrounding. The light source is coming from the top doorway and nothing else on stage is illuminated as brightly as the stairs are, so it is going to easily draw the attention of the audience.

Selective Focus: Concert

This image is from Childish Gambino's performance at Coachella, 2019. The show's creative designer was Cory Fitzgerald (I'm not sure what his role in lighting design was). The laser lights that shoot in various directions behind Mr. Gambino help draw the audience's focus to the singer in two ways: they create an eye-catching silhouette which disrupts the lasers, and their diagonal angles contrast the singer's verticality. The source of concentrated white light behind the singer helps create the dramatic silhouette. I enjoy that it is the absence of this intense light on the figure that focuses our attention on it.

Focus

The light in this scene draws your attention to the two boys playing tennis while the rest of the area is a dark blue that make me think about night time. The interesting thing about light is that it also brings your attention to the line dividing them, it is assumed that it is the tennis line, but could it mean something else?

from https://blogs.uww.edu/appletoneric/2012/04/

Focus

The downward light the dominates scene and the person illuminated by it. The small amount of lights in the darkness lets you know that there is more to the scene while still allowing the divine like light to be the greatest source of light.

found in https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361765782553464253/

In this live Scooby Doo performance, the director uses lighting to focus the audiences attention on Scooby in the middle. The interesting thing is how they also use lighting on the other four to draw attention to Scooby by making the outer two characters the least lit and the two characters behind but next to Scooby a bit brighter. This gradient of lighting draws the audience's attention more naturally to Scooby than just a spotlight.


Source: https://piqtured.photoshelter.com/image/I0000jX79qKGhXq8

Concert Focus

This lighting is very typical of concerts. It is the use of spotlights to highlight the main singer in the dark room and amongst the sea of fans. I chose this because it is a classic way lights are used to draw an audiences attention to a person or area.


Source: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1565305

Cirque du Soleil

I also took this picture at Cirque du Soleil a few weeks ago. With all the acrobatics going on the stage, there were a few times where the spotlight would focus in on this side stage. The selective light helped me notice it from my perspective, as I wasn't angled right to see it without turning my head. After the light was shown multiple times in this area, I caught myself occasionally checking this area to see if some cast members were coming out.

Cirque du Soleil

I took this picture at Cirque du Soleil a few weeks ago. This was the main stage where all the acrobats would do their thing, and to my left was a slightly higher stage where they had props from which cast members would emerge. It was a lot going on and at a weird angle for me, so the selective lighting helped focus where the show was going on.

Selective Focus

This scene is from a production of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I had the opportunity to see this play at the Alley Theatre in Houston, and I loved the ways that the lighting designer used the selective focus of light to craft suspects and tell the story of the mystery. The figurines on the fireplace mantel are important to the play, as they represented the lives of each character, and so they were always lit selectively. I like this selective lighting because it provides a clue to the audience of what will or has happened. In addition, while the set was kept dark and dimly lit at most times, some actors appeared to be selectively lit. This lighting design adds to the excitement and thrill of the mystery because while some actions can be seen, others that occur in the dark cannot. The darkness and the dimly lit stage increases the intrigue in what could be happening. The selective lighting also ensures that important clues are revealed to the audience so they can try to solve the mystery and understand as the solution is revealed.

From: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/353321533258750880/

Selective Focus

This scene is from the show Wicked during the song "Defying Gravity," which is one of the most powerful songs in the show because it is a turning point for the protagonist. I think that the selective focus in the lighting design adds to the powerfulness of the song. The fog removes the focus from the actors below. Additionally, the bright green light emphasizes the main character and her extravagant costume. The use of selective focus on her and her outfit, as well as her broomstick, show her power as she is elevated above the rest of the cast to literally "defy gravity." I also think that the selective focus diminishes the importance of the rest of the cast during this moment, showing that the main character has transcended the thoughts of others. 

From: https://1035kissfmboise.com/the-broadway-musical-wicked-adds-more-availability-in-march/

Selective Lighting

I find the focused lighting in this photo very interesting as there are two lighting choices bringing the focus to the two speakers. First, we have the traditional spotlight on both of them, then we have background panels. These panels and the way that they are set up and designed make the eye lead down to the speakers as they all descend towards the pair till the center leads panel the eye directly to them. 

Selective Lighting

The selective lighting in this photo I find very powerful. The use of light on Jesus in this moment in the warmer tones makes it seem as though he has already left for Heaven while the rest of the people in the scene are saturated in blue showing the internal sadness of the characters. By focusing the light on Jesus, it shows the importance of the character and this moment will be one of the most important moments in the show for the character in terms of character development or plot. 

Sneen Selective Focus

This was from a scene in a show we did last semester called Sneen. The entire ensemble in onstage listening to Madam Sneen give a dramatic monologue. This lighting change was almost comedic how quickly it transitioned into a spotlight, almost a quickly as the character sprang into an over-dramatic monologue.

Chicago selective focus

This is a picture from a production of Chicago I did over the summer. During this scene, Roxie is singing about having an affair. During this number, the entire ensemble is rushing around on set preparing for the next number, but our designer lit this scene so the audience couldn't see us. Also, I really like how Roxie is lit in red and Amos is lit in blue. It shows that the characters are in two different locations.

Selective Focus: Burlesque

This movie still is from Burlesque (2010). A soft, golden light shines on Christina Aguilera. The oversized feather fans behind her, coupled with this overhead glow, give her an angelic appearance. The light also makes the feathers look like a puffy cloud, as if X-tina were floating. The angle from which the light shines, slightly behind the figures, is reminiscent of a soft halo (aided by Christina's wavy blonde bob). The lighting in this composition captivates the viewer, making them feel as if they are witnessing a heavenly creature; and they are.

Movement in Lighting: Ambulance Lights

I was unable to directly upload my video, but I will provide a link to view it here. I'm unsure how well this lighting creates the illusion of movement, but I found these flashing ambulance lights that were shining through the shutters of my old house and onto a G. Harvey painting to be very aesthetically pleasing. It creates a very subtle look of movement throughout the painting, charging what was painted to be a peaceful scene with anxious energy.

Movement in Lighting: Concert

I took this short video at a Young the Giant concert a few semesters ago. The lead singer had intense warm orange spotlights shining on either side of him, alternating quickly to the beat of the drums. I remember the effect of this blowing my mind. The singer looked as if he were rapidly shifting left and right. It was pretty trippy. The sudden disappearances of these spotlights and appearance of the strobing lavender lights behind him was an aesthetically pleasing surprise, and somewhat made it look like the singer had disappeared.