Light stage Lighting

Douglas T says:

I think your name "forest lighting" is as good as any technical term.

The best way to achieve that effect is by using one or several ellipsoidal spotlights (also known as lekos) with a break-up gobo (also known as a pattern or cookie.) Gobo's can be purchased from your local theatrical supplies store, or on line.

The light can be pointed at the acting area from any direction. It should be hung high. The gobo is inserted into the gobo holder and the instruments barrel must be "run" (pushed in or out) till the light from the instrument looks like the gobo. Often times it is best then to move the barrel again just a little to get a fuzzy edge.

Color is very important. Lots of people think (wrongly) that light coming through leaves somehow turns green. It doesn't. If your scene takes place at night, you should use a blue gel. Not a purplish blue but a greenish blue. If your scene takes place in the daytime, use amber.

Depending on the mood, (if gloominess is in order) this can be the only light on stage. If you want to have better visibility add some general light to the gobo look but not as bright.

If you don't have a gobo holder for your leko, or if it is too old to have a gobo slot, you can take a pie tin, cut it to the size of the opening right in front of the reflector. That is found by hinging open the light in the middle. You make the pie tin the right size then punch a whole bunch of different size nail holes into it, put it in place, close up the instrument and see what it looks like.

Good luck.