In a recent article on the North Hollywood arts, culture and entertainment blog, nohoartsdistrict.com, contributor Jane Brown reminds theater producers and directors of the critical part that lighting plays in a successful performance. While the actors and actresses might be the stars of the show, lights in general, and gobos in particular, also have crucial roles in the storytelling process.
“Light design is incredibly subtle and intricate,” Brown writes. “It is the lights that help the audience see what time of day it is, what sort of environment the actors are really standing in (indoors as opposed to outdoors) and how old they are (yes, you can literally change a person’s age by using different lighting effects).”
Here are some of the most important tasks that stage lighting accomplishes:
Depth: Use lights to make two-dimensional sets and props look more realistic, adding depth and complexity to the stage.
Tone: The typical audience member doesn’t realize just how much lighting influences the mood of a particular production or scene. As Brown points out, this is a crucial component of storytelling.
Visibility: Providing visibility is more challenging than it sounds. For example, at certain points in a production, there must be enough light for the crew to change or adjust sets, but not so much illumination that the audience can see their activity. Similarly, lighting must allow the orchestra to see their sheet music, without distracting from what is happening on stage. Strategically implemented lights can also draw the viewer’s attention to advance a narrative or make a thematic point.
If you are a theater producer or director looking to leverage gobos to tell a more effective story on stage, contact GoboSource today! We can even help you design custom gobos to meet your particular production’s needs.
