Lighting Production Terms You Need to Know in the Event Industry: What is DMX, Gobos, PARS, Gels and more?

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating the perfect atmosphere for any event, from concerts and festivals to corporate gatherings and weddings. Whether you're new to event planning or a seasoned professional, understanding the technical terms used in lighting production can help you communicate effectively with your production team and ensure the success of your event. In this blog post, we’ll explore essential lighting production terms that are commonly used in the event industry.

1. DMX (Digital Multiplex)
DMX is the industry-standard protocol used to control stage lighting and effects. It allows multiple lighting fixtures to communicate and be controlled from a single lighting console. Understanding DMX is critical for creating dynamic lighting designs, as it controls everything from color changes to movement in automated fixtures.

2. Gobos
A gobo (short for "go-between") is a stencil or template placed inside or in front of a light source to project shapes, patterns, or logos onto surfaces. Gobos are widely used in stage lighting to create custom visuals on walls, floors, or backgrounds, making them popular for corporate events, weddings, and themed parties.

Photo: AV Partners

3. PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) Lights
PAR lights are a type of stage light known for their intense, directional beams of light. They are versatile and commonly used to wash large areas of a stage or venue with color. PAR lights come in different sizes, with the number following "PAR" indicating the size of the light (e.g., PAR 64). These lights are great for concerts, theatre productions, and any event needing broad lighting coverage.

4. Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight (ERS)
Also known as Lekos or Source Fours (a specific brand), ERS lights are precise spotlights with adjustable lenses, allowing for sharp, focused beams. They are perfect for highlighting specific areas of the stage or key focal points of an event, such as a speaker or performer. ERS fixtures can be used with gobos to create sharp shapes and patterns.

5. Color Gel
A color gel, or simply "gel," is a transparent colored sheet placed in front of a light to change the light’s color. Gels come in a variety of colors and are used to create mood and atmosphere by washing a space in specific hues. Modern LED lights often have built-in color-changing capabilities, reducing the need for traditional gels, but they are still commonly used in many productions.

Photo: Color Gels for Lighting - Amazon

6. Wash Lighting
Wash lighting refers to the broad, even coverage of light over a large area, such as a stage or dance floor. Wash lights are often softer and less focused than spotlights, making them ideal for creating mood lighting or filling space with color. PAR cans, Fresnels, and LED wash lights are common fixtures used to create wash lighting effects.

7. Fresnel
Named after the French engineer Augustin-Jean Fresnel, this type of spotlight has a soft-edged beam and is often used to light large areas of a stage. Fresnels are adjustable, allowing you to control the width of the beam, making them great for creating both wide washes and narrow, focused lighting on stage.

Photo: Wikipedia. Fresnel lanterns in use at a classical concert. 

8. Moving Heads (Intelligent Lighting)
Moving heads are automated lighting fixtures that can rotate and tilt, allowing them to project beams of light in different directions. These lights are programmable and can move to follow performers, change colors, or adjust their focus as needed. Moving heads are widely used in concerts, theatrical performances, and events where dynamic, responsive lighting is needed.

9. Truss
A truss is a metal framework used to support lighting, speakers, and other rigging equipment. Trusses are essential in event production as they allow lights to be positioned at various heights and angles. They can be suspended from the ceiling or placed on the ground and are commonly used in large-scale events like concerts, conferences, and festivals. Need more info on truss? Check out this website: https://www.xsftruss.com/lighting-truss

Photo: Lighting Truss Styles - xsftruss.com/lighting-truss

10. Uplighting
Uplighting refers to placing lights on the ground and pointing them upwards to illuminate walls, architectural features, or specific objects. Uplighting is often used in weddings, corporate events, and gala dinners to enhance the ambiance and create dramatic effects. LED uplights are popular because of their color-changing capabilities and low heat emission.

11. Spotlight
A spotlight is a focused beam of light that highlights a specific area or person on stage. It’s often used to emphasize key elements like speakers, performers, or focal points in the event space. Spotlights can be controlled manually or automated, and they provide sharp, direct illumination that helps guide audience attention.

12. Backlighting
Backlighting refers to placing lights behind the subject or object to create a silhouette or add depth to the stage. It is often used in concerts and theatrical productions to enhance visual effects or create dramatic contrast. Backlighting can also be used to separate the subject from the background, adding depth to the overall visual experience.

13. Dimmers
Dimmers are devices used to control the intensity of lighting. They allow the lighting designer to adjust the brightness of lights during a performance, creating smooth transitions between different lighting levels. Dimming is often used to fade lights up or down for dramatic effect or to gradually change the atmosphere.

14. Rigging
Rigging refers to the process of setting up and suspending lighting, audio equipment, and scenery from the ceiling or a truss. Proper rigging is essential for safety and ensures that equipment is securely installed and positioned for optimal performance. Rigging is handled by specialized professionals who are trained in handling heavy equipment and working at heights.

Photo: What is a Rigger? Shoflo

15. Cue
A cue is a pre-programmed lighting change that occurs at a specific moment during an event or performance. Lighting designers use cues to transition between different lighting scenes, such as changing the color, focus, or intensity of lights. Cues are timed to match the flow of the event, creating seamless transitions between different segments.

16. Gaffer
A gaffer is the chief lighting technician on a film or event production crew. In the event industry, the gaffer is responsible for setting up, managing, and troubleshooting the lighting equipment during the event. They work closely with the lighting designer to execute the desired lighting effects and ensure everything runs smoothly.

17. Beam Angle
The beam angle refers to the spread of light emitted from a fixture. A narrow beam angle creates a tight, focused light, while a wide beam angle produces a broader, softer spread. Understanding beam angles is important for creating the desired lighting effect, whether it’s highlighting a specific point or washing a large area in light.

18. Foot-Candle
A foot-candle is a measurement of light intensity, specifically how much light is cast on a surface from a distance. Event planners and lighting designers use foot-candles to determine the appropriate brightness for different areas of the venue, ensuring that the lighting is neither too dim nor too harsh.

Photo: standardpro.com/how-to-measure-light

Lighting is an essential component of event production, and understanding the key terms can help you communicate effectively with your production team and ensure the success of your event. Whether you're organizing a concert, corporate function, or wedding, having a basic knowledge of these lighting terms will help you create a visually stunning experience that enhances the atmosphere and leaves a lasting impression on your guests.

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