Question 1: Describe how different lighting colours can be used to create specific moods on stage. Provide two examples of colours and the moods they typically evoke.

Answer: Red lighting can evoke feelings of passion, danger, or intensity, while blue lighting often creates a calm, somber, or mysterious atmosphere.

Question 2: Explain the purpose of using spotlights during a performance. How do they enhance the storytelling?

Answer: Spotlights focus the audience's attention on a specific actor or area, highlighting important moments or emotions, and helping to guide the audience's understanding of the scene.

Question 3: Identify three different types of stage lighting instruments and briefly describe their primary use.

Answer: Floodlights: used for general washing of the stage; Spotlights: used to highlight specific actors or objects; Ellipsoidal reflector spotlights (ERS): used for precise, adjustable beams to focus on particular areas.

Question 4: Discuss the importance of lighting angles and how they can change the perception of a character or scene.

Answer: Lighting angles can alter shadows and highlight certain features, affecting how a character is perceived (e.g., from below to create a sinister look) and setting the scene's mood.

Question 5: Draw a simple lighting plan for a scene set in a forest at dusk. Indicate where you would place lights and what colours or intensities you might use.

Answer: A sketch showing a few lights at stage edges with cool blue or purple gels, angled to mimic moonlight filtering through trees, creating a dim, atmospheric effect.

Question 6: Explain the concept of cross-fading in stage lighting. Why is it useful during a performance?

Answer: Cross-fading involves gradually changing from one lighting state to another, which smooths scene transitions and maintains visual continuity without abrupt changes.

Question 7: Describe how lighting can be used to show a change in time or location during a play.

Answer: Lighting changes such as colour shifts, intensity adjustments, or the use of different lighting focuses can suggest different times of day or different settings, helping to convey the narrative.

Question 8: Sketch a lighting setup for a dramatic confrontation scene, emphasizing the mood you want to create. Include placement and types of lights you might use.

Answer: A sketch showing two actors with overhead spotlights creating stark shadows, possibly with a reddish tint to heighten tension, and minimal fill lighting to focus attention on the characters.

Question 9: Identify and describe two safety considerations when using stage lighting equipment.

Answer: Ensuring all electrical wires are securely secured to prevent tripping hazards; avoiding overheating by not overloading circuits or leaving lights on for extended periods.

Question 10: How can lighting be used to create the illusion of different times of day, such as dawn, noon, or night?

Answer: Using specific colours (warm yellows for dawn, bright whites for noon, dark blues or black for night) and adjusting light intensities to mimic natural light conditions.