Lighting Effects

An overview of techniques and equipment to make light do more than just illuminate. It’s possible to achieve a range of effects easily and reliably without resorting to more complex digital techniques. Although of course if you already have projection equipment and operators available, it’s sometimes easier to do some effects digitally. 

Projected Effects – Optical Effects Disc (1925 – present)

Although expensive to hire, a moving effect disc and an effects projector can add a layer of polish to a production. The principle is simple – the effects projector lantern is fitted with a remotely controllable glass disk which has been painted with various effects (e.g. clouds). In front of this a lens is fitted to focus the image.
An adjustable masking plate can be added to reduce the image size to avoid unwanted spill.
A variety of lenses is available to produce the correct image size and throw distance.

Available disks (VSFX3 system from City Theatrical):

• Fleecy cloud
• Storm cloud
• Thunder Cloud
• Fire (Flames)
• Rain
• Snow
• Smoke
• Running Water
• Vapor Trail

Control
The first effects discs used a clockwork motor, which was activated by pulling a cord attached to the front of the unit. The modern device uses an electric motor which requires a non-dimmed power supply. There are two types of electric disks – the more modern ones have a DMX512 control interface. Using this, the lighting desk can control the speed and direction of rotation. The only adjustment required to the disc is to set the DMX address (the channel number on the lighting desk to which the disc will respond). 

The older type of disc has selectable speed and direction on the motor housing – this is obviously not adjustable during the performance.

Hints

• Be sure to always have the disc turning BEFORE turning on the lamp – this will prevent expensive damage to the painted surface of the disc. Hire companies will place warnings of financial penalties if this instruction is ignored. The discs are costly to replace and once damaged, can’t easily be repainted as it will be visible once the image is blown up.
• On older equipment, the electric motor can be quite loud at fast rotation speeds. Slow the disc down for a quieter life.
• The projector must be rigged within a few degrees of horizontal. This ensures the disc can spin freely. A beam diverter mirror can be used to project the image down onto the stage.
• The objective lens on the front of the projector must be securely fastened in place using either a elasticated strap or fixing bolt.
• Great care must be exercised when rigging the projector – the weight is considerable. The effects projector lantern itself should be rigged in position first, then the disc, lens, and any other accessories should be added.

Equipment:

• Optical Effects Disc (Strand) from 1925
• VSFX Effects Disc (White Light / City Theatrical)
• Patt.252 Effects Projector (Strand)
• Cadenza Effects Projector (Strand)

Gobos

Gobo (Pronounced “GO-bow”, not “gobbo”, with “bow” as in bow and arrow, not “take a bow”. Who said English was easy.) A gobo is a round metal or glass disc with an image or shape etched in it which can be projected by inserting the gobo into a profile lantern.
A gobo holder must be used to hold the gobo in the correct position. The gobo holder is inserted into the “gate” of the profile, which is usually half way down the lantern.

Gobos are most effective when the light levels are low enough to enable them to have a strong effect on the lighting state. The texturing of the light can evoke a particular location (e.g. a leafy gobo to give the effect of dappled light through trees, or a window gobo to provide a projection of light through a large window) or emotion (the isolation of a set of prison bars, or a slash gobo for tension or conflict).
In addition to the metal designs commonly available, there are an increasing range of glass gobos, which have a higher level of detail (the glass Moon gobo shown below is photo-realistic). There are many different sizes of gobo and holder, and it’s important to ensure you’re using the correct gobo for your profile lantern.

Different sizes of gobos are available, and these must be matched to a gobo holder, which in turn must be matched to the profile lantern you’re planning to use.
If you don’t have gobo holders in stock for your particular lantern stock, they’re a good investment.

History of Gobos (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Spring 1975: Theatre Design & Technology: Original Design Gobo Service
“Theatre Magic will manufacture steel templates to fit any model ellipsoidal spotlights”

Spring 1976: Theatre Design and Technology – A Method for Etching Gobos
“Ready-made die-cut gobos are available, but are not cheap, and the designer must content himself with the manufacturers’ choice of patterns”

1980 Wyatt Enever joins DHA’s embryonic gobo business

1983: Theatre Design & Technology: Gobos for Performance Lighting
“Many suppliers now carry a large range of etched stainless steel patterns”

Animation Disc

Used on the front of a profile lantern with a gobo, the animation disc can provide a sense of movement. 

 

Water Effects

Rain
See Projected Effects above.

Reflected Light from Water – Tubular Wave Ripple
This effect uses a linear lamp mounted behind a rotating metal tube with cut out slots. It works best when positioned on the floor just in front of a backcloth or piece of set, and gives the appearance of light reflected from waves lapping against the side of a pool or ship.

VIDEO COMING SOON

Flowing Water
See Projected Effects above. 

Underwater Effect
A variety of different effects are available, many using LED light sources for long life and reliability. 
Below is a video showcasing the Chauvet Abyss effect.

See also the Rosco X24 projector, used to create the underwater atmosphere on the Spongebob Squarepants Broadway Musical.

Historical information on the Up/Down Sea Wave Effect coming soon.

Fire Effects

1) See Optical Effects Projector above.

2) Silk Flame effects, consisting of a fan, a small piece of silk, and a light source, can be used for handheld flaming torches – they’re remarkably effective and very safe. The West End and Broadway productions of Wicked and Young Frankenstein use silk flames.

3) A ‘Faux Fire’ effect can be used with great effect. A light source and a mist generator in combination can produce a highly effective end result.
Below is a demonstration of the Technifex Faux Fire effect that’s used in theme parks.

4) Flicker Flame effect

This beautifully simple effect uses a motorised disc with randomly cut out shapes which spins in front of a piece of pebbled glass. When the effect is mounted on a small lantern (500-650W PC is ideal) the effect of light from a fire is cast on the stage. The motor needs a separate power supply, and should not be plugged directly into a dimmer.
The lantern plus the effect is small enough to be mounted in a stage fireplace, and with low lighting levels looks magical. Although the unit is designed to replicate fire, by replacing the orange gel supplied with a blue, an “underwater” effect is produced.
Some hire companies have been inexplicably getting rid of these effects in the past – if you get a chance to buy one you won’t be disappointed.

VIDEO COMING SOON

5) Pyrotechnics
You can obviously achieve flames on stage with pyrotechnics as well.

Weather Effects 

Whether it’s the witches of the Scottish Play meeting “in thunder, lightning, or in rain” or Andy Dufresne’s cathartic escape from prison in The Shawshank Redemption (1994), weather has been crafted as a powerful narrative tool to set the mood of a scene across all forms of storytelling.

In theatrical design, these effects can either be diegetic or non-diegetic. Diegetic weather includes effects such as wind, rain, or thunder which the actors interact with, like running for cover and flinching at the claps of thunder. Non-diegetic weather is often used more abstractly to solely support mood or theme, such as wind symbolising emotional unrest and lightning heightening dramatic tension, all without a single acknowledgement by the actors.

Rain

As of the time of writing this article, there are various methods in your arsenal to create a believable rain effect in contemporary times. Fortune favours the bold, however, you must be careful of property and equipment damage depending on which method you choose.

1. Rotating Gobo / Optical Effects disk.

No chance of property damage, by far the most “plug and play” method in your arsenal.
See Projected Effects above.

2. Projectors

Modern projectors have established themselves as a refreshing new facet to theatre technology, allowing for more dynamic visuals in performance.

Bonus points for pairing this effect with motion sensors, allowing projected “water” gathering on the stage floor to react by rippling and sloshing when the actor walks over it.

3 – Real Water – Curtain

There are many more structural requirements to facilitate a rain curtain, however the payoff is a highly engaging effect which uses real water while maintaining the precise (and very important!) detail of where said water will land.

Keep in mind that installation will be expensive, with high attention needing to be placed on possible water damage, HVAC system, and health and safety. 

This rain curtain (video below), on The X Factor in the UK, was supplied by Water Sculptures Ltd.  The water can be contained effectively, and when cross-lit, the water looks great. You could consider combining it with a projected effect covering the upstage area to complete the picture. 

Rain bar being tested at Water Sculptures Ltd. 

4. Full-stage Rain Systems

As well as a complex system of overhead piping or multiple rain bars that release actual water onto the stage to simulate rain, you must ensure the stage is protected from water damage, and there are ways to prevent water flowing where it is not wanted. The lighting rig should (obviously) be above the water effect for the duration of the effect.

While it creates a highly realistic effect, it also brings significant challenges, including slippery surfaces, potential damage to sound equipment or microphone popping, and increased technical and rehearsal demands.

Many of these issues are reported in LSI’s review on Singin’ In The Rain (2012), where they used DPA4061 capsules for microphones and had to gather the water into a reservoir in the orchestra pit. Touring productions of Singin’ in the Rain sometimes use a water wagon on stage – a wheeled platform with drainage and a tank built-in which covers the ‘wet’ area, and can be wheeled offstage to be drained to make the scene changes more efficient. Always ensure you have enough crew members, and enough mops and towels to contain and manage any overspill.

Bonus Tip: Depending on how heavy your desired rainfall is, mix in a bit of haze or fog to create the illusion of mist in the air. This little addition will go a long way to sell your effect.

Lightning

Rain can set the mood for a performance; lightning can create a striking impression. Just remember for realism, light is faster than sound and unless it’s striking a few feet away, thunder will follow a few seconds later.

1. Strobe lights

The most common method to simulate lightning is through the use of strobe lights, devices that emit quick, intense bursts of light that mimic the sudden flash of real lightning.

2. Moving lights / LED fixtures.

By rapidly opening and closing shutters or increasing and decreasing intensity, modern fixtures can create the same visual spectacle of a strobe light with even more precise control. LED units can achieve a very bright strobe effect.  You can also make this any colour you desire at a whim. Want it to be a magical storm? Add some purple or pink. Want it to be through heavy clouds? Add some pale blue. The storm is your canvas.Don’t be afraid of having a few different directions of flash in quick succession as the lightning moves across the sky, and try to have the fixtures out of audience’s view for the best effect.

Warning: In accordance with health and safety regulations, you should warn your audience if you are using excessive strobe lighting. Failure to do so puts lives at risk, as strobe-induced seizures can be fatal. Seek advice from local authorities or venue management. 

 

See also

• Fog, Smoke & Haze on stage
• Lighting with a Gauze / Scrim
• Types of Lantern

Authors: Jon Primrose and Adam Purdy. Last updated 25 August 2025. 

Keywords: through window, window effects