The ellipsoidal reflector spotlight (or ERS) is the workhorse of theatre lighting, being the most abundant and important stage lighting instrument in use today. The flexibility of ellipsoidal lights allow them to meet a wide range of lighting needs, from area lighting to specials, from long throws to shin kickers. Though primarily used for theater and studio applications, ellipsoidal reflectors are also useful wherever precision controlled accent lighting is desired, including store windows, museums and nightclubs.

Lighting instruments designed specifically for film and video production facilitate the capture of bright, clear images. Film and video lighting instruments are by necessity lightweight and portable, include staples such as soft boxes and fresnels, and are often sold in complete kits with everything the filmmaker or videographer will need for lighting in one compact package.

Followspots are powerful lighting instruments that can be moved by a live operator or DMX control to “follow” a performer around the stage, and are often used during theatrical performances, concerts and sporting events. Followpots are commonly used in musical theatre and opera to highlight the stars of the performance, but can also be used to briefly focus audience attention on a particular area of the stage. These spotlights come in a wide range of sizes, the most powerful utilizing xenon arc lamps to product a bright, white light. Features of followpots generally include individual controls for dimming, iris size and gel color.

A Fresnel lantern is a stepped-lens lighting instrument that produces a focusable, wide, soft-edged beam that is perfect for theatrical back light and side light. Fresnel lamps also work well as area lighting at medium distance throws for stage, film and video work. Fresnels are often used with snoots (or top hats) and barn door accessories that function as shutters to limit the light and eliminate spill. Fresnel lights offer lighting designers better control over beam angle than floods.

Parabolic Aluminized Reflector (PAR) lighting instruments are used in concert venues and in theatrical and motion picture productions when a substantial amount of flat light is required. Par cans are economical, lightweight and durable, producing an oval beam of intense light. Pars are commonly used for side lighting on stage or for special effects lighting. Par lights can also be used in combination with smoke or fog machines to enhance the beam’s visibility.

These strip lights (or cyc lights) are long housings containing multiple lamps along their length. One strip can be used with multiple colored gels on separate dimmer circuits for easy lighting mood changes. Border lights are perfect for use in stage productions as cyclorama lights or footlights.

Scoops are lightweight, multi-purpose floodlights used in theatre, television, photography and other applications. These economical fixtures have no lens, and work by reflecting the light out of the bowl-shaped fixture. Scoop lights are especially effective as downlights, for lighting backdrops, and as theater worklights.

All the components needed to create a powerful yet economical stage lighting system, together in an accessible package. Lighting packages include light stand systems with halogen or LED lamps, and complete kits with everything you need for film, still photography and video work.

Stage Lighting Accessories include light stands, plug adapters, plug and junction boxes, clamps and tape. It’s all the little extra bits you need to make your production run smoothly.