Selective Focus 2 - Dreamgirls

This scene from the Savoy Theatre in London's performance of Dreamgirls showcases almost every technique possible to set the group apart from their backup performers. Their physical position, triumphant in their in-play show as well as on the actual stage, their brilliant red costumes, and the clear natural lighting on the three singers contrast the solid blue light covering everything else on stage excellently. One's eyes are drawn directly to the three singers and then upwards.

Source: https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2016/dreamgirls-review-at-savoy-theatre-london-a-dream-of-a-show/

Selective Focus 1 - Stormzy at Glastonbury

This is a scene from the UK rapper Stormzy's performance at Glastonbury 2019. As expected, he is the primary focus of the show, which is accomplished by lighting the front of the stage relatively clearly, whereas the set and dancers are obscured in clouded and broken-up blue light. However, they are still lit enough to be clearly visible, and are the second focal point of the show. Their relatively diminished, but present, lighting and positioning above the ground gives the effect of reducing Stormzy's size, so that his presence is clearest but not distracting from the show's other visual elements.

Source: https://www.nme.com/festivals/glastonbury/inside-stormzys-epic-glastonbury-stage-show-2519372

Selective Focus

In this image, two actresses are hidden by dark blue lighting while the other actresses are cast in white light. Our eyes are naturally drawn to light, so by casting white light on stage it automatically signals the audience members to pay attention. The dark blue light helps the other actresses blend into the background and signals viewers that they are not the focus of the scene.

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Selective Focus - West Side Story

This photo is from a Broadway production of West Side Story. The lights are dim around the ensemble cast in this scene, drawing attention to the couple in the spotlight. The audience can see the ensemble clearly enough to notice their attention is focused on the couple in the middle, further directing their attention to the center. The use of spotlight works well to create drama and focus on the main dancers in this scene. It is a bright, white light that is sharp and focused, clearly directing the audience's attention.

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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.

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.

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.

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/

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.