This image, from Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, features low lighting, a blue-wash, and swirling gobos. The scene features Eliza singing about her husband's betrayal, burning the letters he wrote her. The scene is passionate and sad, with Eliza crushed over Hamilton's cheating. The lighting here exemplifies that well--it is easy for the audience to understand the hurt and despair Eliza is feeling at this point in the show.
This image is from Jonathan Larson's RENT, featuring very harsh, isolating lighting around each character on stage. This is a moment in the show where various cast members, portraying AIDS/HIV patients, sing out, wondering if they are alone in the world--and if anyone will care if they die. This lighting shows this literally--each cast member is alone in their own square of light. Along with this, there is no other lighting on the stage. No other wash, just blackness. This is a simple, powerful example of mood lighting.
SPOILER ALERT - Not really cause I listen to that soundtrack 24/7. I agree that the blue light with the white fade around her is very sad and powerful for the moment. It makes me feel like even though her circumstances are sad she can still see the light at the end of the tunnel. I love the last photo making it look like each character is alone in their own world of light its so powerful but subtle at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIn the first image the lighting also gives a dream-like or mythical feeling. I believe it is reflective of her disbelief of the situation; the way she was blind sided by it. A really effective use of color to portray mood. I also love that they use real fire on stage, very edgy. Really gets the point across that she is done, while the audience gets to feel her despair and see the permanence of the fire burning the letters.(That is technically lighting so I had to include it.)
ReplyDelete