Special (lighting)
Encyclopedia
In stage lighting
, a special refers to a lighting instrument that is used for a very specific purpose, rather than being a part of a system of light such as an area light or color wash. It is typically, although not always, used alone, or at a higher level than the other instruments. Specials can also be used to highlight specific objects onstage, such as a piece of furniture, or to fill in gaps which are not covered by the less specific area lights. Specials can also be instruments used to create a very specific effect onstage, such as sunlight through a window, or the rotation of gobos
. Specials are generally placed on their own circuit, dimmer, and channel so they can be independently controlled.
Stage lighting
Modern stage lighting is a flexible tool in the production of theatre, dance, opera and other performance arts. Several different types of stage lighting instruments are used in the pursuit of the various principles or goals of lighting. Stage lighting has grown considerably in recent years...
, a special refers to a lighting instrument that is used for a very specific purpose, rather than being a part of a system of light such as an area light or color wash. It is typically, although not always, used alone, or at a higher level than the other instruments. Specials can also be used to highlight specific objects onstage, such as a piece of furniture, or to fill in gaps which are not covered by the less specific area lights. Specials can also be instruments used to create a very specific effect onstage, such as sunlight through a window, or the rotation of gobos
Gobo (lighting)
A gobo derived from "Go Between" or Goes Before Optics -originally used on film sets, is a physical template slotted inside, or placed in front of, a lighting source, used to control the shape of emitted light....
. Specials are generally placed on their own circuit, dimmer, and channel so they can be independently controlled.