Lighting cues

Definition

Lighting cues are specific instructions for lighting changes during a performance that are triggered at particular moments, enhancing the visual storytelling and mood. They are essential for creating the desired atmosphere and can signal transitions between scenes, focus attention, or highlight emotional shifts in the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lighting cues are often marked by specific terms like 'go' or 'light up', which prompt the lighting technician to execute the change at precisely the right moment.
2. Each lighting cue is typically assigned a number for easy reference during rehearsals and performances, making it easier to communicate with the team.
3. The timing of lighting cues can significantly impact audience perception, helping to build suspense, highlight important moments, or enhance emotional responses.
4. Technicians use a console or control board to program and execute lighting cues, often rehearsing multiple times to ensure smooth transitions.
5. In collaborative settings, effective communication about lighting cues between stage management and design teams is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the production.

Review Questions

• How do lighting cues contribute to the overall atmosphere of a performance?
  • Lighting cues play a vital role in shaping the atmosphere of a performance by guiding audience emotions and reactions. For example, a sudden bright light can create a sense of excitement or surprise, while a gradual fade may evoke feelings of nostalgia or sadness. By carefully timing these changes, stage managers can manipulate the mood and enhance storytelling, ensuring that each moment resonates with the audience.
• What is the process of creating and implementing effective lighting cues during rehearsals?
  • Creating effective lighting cues involves collaboration among designers, directors, and stage managers during rehearsals. It starts with identifying key moments in the script where lighting changes will be necessary. Then, technicians program these cues into their control systems and practice executing them multiple times to ensure timing aligns with actors' performances. Feedback is exchanged throughout this process to refine each cue for optimal impact.
• Evaluate how the absence of precise lighting cues could affect a theatrical production's success.
  • Without precise lighting cues, a theatrical production could suffer from disorganization and lack of coherence, leading to confusion among performers and audiences alike. Inconsistent lighting can obscure key moments or diminish emotional intensity, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. Ultimately, this could compromise the production's overall effectiveness and audience engagement, highlighting the critical importance of well-planned and executed lighting cues in live performances.

Related terms

cue sheet: A document that outlines all the cues for a performance, including timing and details for lighting, sound, and other effects.

fade: A gradual change in lighting intensity, either increasing or decreasing, used to create smooth transitions between different lighting states.

gel: A colored filter placed in front of a light source to change the color of the light output, often used to achieve specific moods or effects.