1. Production Arts – Unit 65:
Technical Stage Operations
Joe Roberts
Distinction criteria – Explain the uses and
operation of different types of lighting, sound
and video equipment.

2. LIGHTS!!!

3. Parcan
Accessories
 Gel Frames -G clamp
 Safety Chain -Light bulb enclosed
 Adjustable Arms -15amp
 Beam angle of 50º -Egg shaped bulb
Explanation
Parcan’s have a very wide beam angle which means they light up a very large
area. They come in 2 styles, Black and silver. They are mainly used in
fashion shows, dance shows.
Scenario
If I was lighting a music gig and wanting to create a chase effect I would use a
Parcan because Parcans are the best at chases, they add aesthetics, you can
put gels in them and they add depth to cover. I wouldn’t use a Minuette profile
because this light is a special and they only isolate. Also I wouldn’t use a
Birdie because they use a halogen bulb which isn't powerful enough.

4. LED Par can
Accessories
 Safety Chain -Adjustable Arms
 Beam angle of 18º -G clamp
 DMX -13amp and 15amp
Explanation
LED Par Cans do the same job as normal Parcans but LED Par Cans don’t get
hot, they run off DMX cables so they can be “daisy chained” and the colour of
the light can be changed from the desk. The LED’s are primary colours so must
colours can be made. Also they are power saving so they are becoming more
and more popular.
Scenario
If I wanted to provide multiple colour enabling the scene mood change I would
use the LED Parcan because the colour can be changed directly to the desk. I
wouldn’t use a Parcan because the colour cant be changed from one to another.
Also I wouldn’t use a flood because although you can use gels in them. They
have the same problem as the Parcan, they cant be changed from one light to
another.
LED

5. Pc – Pebble convex
Accessories
 G clamp - 1 Adjustable knob
 Safety chain -Barn doors
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 47º
Explanation
The Pc is mainly used for general cover but at a push it can used as a spot.
Also its glass has a pebble effect, this makes the light be more defined.
Spotlights also have the same lens.
Scenario
If the profiles are broken but I need to isolate an actor on stage I would use a
Pc. I would do this by adjusting the knob on the light to make the circle of light
smaller or bigger. Furthermore I could use the barn doors to manipulate the
light. Also the Pc uses the same lens as the profiles so the light it produces
will be similar. I wouldn’t use either a CCT or Selecon because they have rigid
lenses which diffuses the light.

6. CCT Fresnel
Accessories
 G clamp -1 Adjustable knob
 Safety chain -Barn doors
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 35º
 500 watt -Ridged circular lens
Explanation
The ridged circular lens gives the light a diffused spread of light which is good for
washes. Also its barn doors can manipulate the light which can be focused on a
specific item on stage. Also they can be put on boom stands and used in dance
shows
Scenario
If I wanted to use sidelight for a dance show I would use a CCT because its got a
good beam angle for general cover also it can be adjusted used the knob and the
barn doors. I wouldn’t used as a source 4 because it’s a special light and its too
defined. Also I wouldn’t use a Pinspot because they aren’t powerful enough and
too small.

7. Selecon
Accessories
 G clamp -2 Adjustable knobs
 Safety chain -Barn doors
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 6º-60º
 500 watt -Ridged circular lens
Explanation
The Selecon is used for many things, mainly fashion shows. The circle of light
can be adjusted with the two adjustable knobs which slide forward and back.
Also the light can be manipulated by the barn doors.
Scenario
If I wanted to create a general wash for the Christmas show I would use a
Selecon because its lens is a rigid so the light would diffuse creating even
cover. But I could use Pc’s if Selecons weren’t available. However, you cant
use both lights at once because it would create patchiness. But, I wouldn’t use
a Parcan they just light a whole area and the light can be adjusted.

8. Scena 1K
Accessories
 G clamp -wire mesh to stop glass falling out
 Safety chain -Barn doors
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 18º
 1000 watt -Ridged circular lens
Explanation
There is a misconception with the 1K because its 1000 watts, the light goes
further, it doesn’t. Its just brighter. The 1K is mainly used for a general wash
and it used for backlight. Backlight eliminates shadows created by objects/
actors on stage and makes the characters on stage stand out. Backlight is
mainly light blue or lilac. This creates a daytime effect on stage.
Scenario
If I wanted to create backlight for a musical I would use a 1k because it’s the
light used for backlight, its also the brightest. I wouldn’t use a Minuette profile
because that’s a special light and its too defined. Also I wouldn’t use a birdie
because its not powerful enough, its only 100 watts, 1/10 of the 1K.

9. Floodlight
Accessories
 G clamp -Safety chain
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 33º-35º
 500/650 watt
Explanation
The flood light is used for many things. It is used for lighting the audience, it is
used for cyclorama and its is used at music gigs an crowd surfing. But you
cant direct the light, it just lights up a large area in the direction you point it in.
Scenario
If I wanted to light a cyclorama I would use a Floodlight because it lights the
whole of the cyclorama. I would use it over a profile because that’s a special
light and is too defined. Also I wouldn’t use a birdie because its not powerful
enough because its only 100W.

10. Birdie
Accessories
 G clamp -Safety chain
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 13 and 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 15º
 Barn doors
Explanation
The Birdie is a baby version of a Parcan. It uses a normal halogen light bulb
which are used domestically. The light its self are used in museums, art
galleries, truss and its used for lighting the audience. Also they can be used at
home because they run off both 13 and 15 amp plus.
Scenario
If I wanted to light the audience I would use a selection of Birdie’s because the
lights themselves are small and pretty and are only 100W. I wouldn’t use a
Selecon because that’s used for general cover and I wouldn’t use a Parcan
because that lights everything.

11. Pinspot
Accessories
 G clamp -Safety chain
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 13 and 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 6º- 12º
Explanation
The Pinspot is very limited in use. They only light up dj’s at concerts and
discos and they are used to shine the glitterball. Several birdies are used for
this so all of the ball is lit. Also the bulb on a birdie is interchangeable.
Scenario
If I wanted to light a glitter ball for a talent show I would use several birdies to
light up each side of the glitter ball. I wouldn’t use flood because that would
light everything around it and I wouldn’t use a LED Parcan because I don’t
want colour and I only want the glitter ball lit.

12. Source 4
Accessories
 G clamp -Safety chain
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 50º
 Built in shutters -Iris’ and Gobo’s
Explanation
The source 4 has many different names, for example spotlight. The Source 4
is a relatively new light and it has a brighter and more energy efficient bulb.
Also this light has shutters built in. Shutters can manipulate the light so it can
change shape rather than a circle.
Scenario
If I wanted to isolate an actor on stage I would use a source 4 because it has
shutters and you can use an Iris which can make the circle of light smaller or
bigger. I wouldn’t use a Floodlight because that lights a large area and I
wouldn’t use a Selecon because the light isn’t defined.

13. Minuette Profile
Accessories
 G clamp -Safety chain
 Gel frame -Adjustable arm
 15 amp plug -Beam angle of 21º - 36º
 Shutters -Gobo’s and Iris’s
Explanation
The Minuette profile is an older version of the source 4. But it doesn’t have
shutters built in and the bulb uses more energy, plus it isn’t as bright as the
source 4. That’s why people are preferring to use the source 4 over the
Minuette.
Scenario
If I wanted to create a window effect for a set design I would use a Minuette
profile with a gobo to create this effect. I wouldn’t use a CCT because they
don’t use an Iris or have an Iris holder. I wouldn’t use an LED Parcan
because it has the same issue as the CCT.