Question 1: Describe how different lighting angles can affect the mood of a scene. Provide two examples of angles and their typical emotional effects.

Answer: Lighting from above (top lighting) can create a sense of authority or detachment, while lighting from below (underlighting) can evoke eeriness or suspense.

Question 2: Explain the purpose of using spotlights in a stage production. How do they help direct the audience's attention?

Answer: Spotlights focus intense light on specific actors or areas, highlighting important actions or characters and guiding the audience's focus.

Question 3: Identify three different types of lighting used in theatre and describe their visual effects.

Answer: Floodlights create broad, even lighting; spotlights produce focused beams of light; and coloured gels are used to tint lighting, creating different moods and atmospheres.

Question 4: Draw a simple lighting plan for a stage scene where the main character is in the center and there is a mysterious background. Indicate the position and type of lighting used.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a central spotlight on the main character, with dimmer, coloured side lights to suggest mood, and minimal lighting on the background to keep focus on the character.

Question 5: Describe how the use of coloured lighting can influence the audience’s perception of a scene. Give an example of a colour and its typical effect.

Answer: Coloured lighting can evoke specific emotions; for example, blue lighting often creates a calm or somber mood, while red lighting can suggest danger or passion.

Question 6: Explain what a ‘wash’ lighting is and how it might be used in a stage production.

Answer: A wash is a broad, even coverage of light across the stage, used to establish a general mood or atmosphere without focusing on specific areas.

Question 7: Sketch a lighting setup for a dramatic scene set outdoors at night, including the positioning and colour of the lights. Use arrows to show the direction of the lights.

Answer: A correct sketch would include a blue or dark coloured front light to simulate moonlight, possibly a softer backlight to outline actors, with arrows indicating light direction.

Question 8: Discuss the importance of blackout cues in stage lighting. What effect does complete darkness have during a scene?

Answer: Blackout cues can create dramatic pauses, heighten tension, or signify the end of a scene by removing all lighting, focusing attention on sound or action.

Question 9: Describe how you might use lighting to portray a character’s emotional state during a scene.

Answer: Using dim, flickering, or coloured lights can reflect feelings like fear, anger, or sadness, enhancing the audience’s understanding of the character’s emotions.

Question 10: Identify two safety considerations that must be taken into account when designing stage lighting.

Answer: Ensuring electrical equipment is properly grounded and maintained to prevent shocks, and avoiding overheating or fire hazards with correct fixture placement and ventilation.